Chapter 232

Chapter 232:

“This is your cousin, Madisyn,” Rowan said.

“Hello,” Courtney greeted, her tone somewhat indifferent. She knew that Madisyn had only recently been found and had grown up in the countryside, leading her to assume that Madisyn would be unsophisticated.

Sarai chimed in, “Courtney, exchange contact information with Madisyn, and later you can teach her some painting and calligraphy.”

Madisyn looked at Sarai, recalling that she had already declined this offer earlier. “I don’t—”

Before Madisyn could finish, Courtney cut her off with a frown, clearly displeased. “Mom, I’ve already told you, I’m really busy. Please don’t make promises for me. I’m swamped with my classes at Greville College.”

Sarai, feeling a bit embarrassed but still insistent, replied, “Just find some time to teach your cousin.”

Courtney’s impatience was now evident, her frustration barely concealed. What could someone raised in the countryside possibly know about painting and calligraphy?

Courtney despised relatives who had no sense of boundaries, assuming that being family meant free lessons and favors were expected. However, knowing how much she needed Glenn’s help, Courtney grudgingly extended her phone. “Fine, add me on WhatsApp. Just don’t expect me to reply quickly—I’m swamped.”

“There’s really no need,” Madisyn replied, her voice composed and unruffled. “Thank you, but I’ll pass.”

Courtney blinked, stunned. Madisyn refused? After she had gone out of her way to compromise? Who did this village girl think she was?

“Seriously, it’s okay,” Courtney insisted, though her tone was laced with impatience. “If you’re interested, I can try to find some time.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t need it,” Madisyn reiterated, her voice firm but polite. “I actually declined your mother’s offer earlier—maybe there was a misunderstanding.”

Elaine added, “Yes, Madisyn isn’t interested, so let’s just drop it.”

Not interested? Sarai’s disdain deepened. She had graciously suggested that Courtney exchange contact information with Madisyn, only to be rebuffed. How ungrateful.

“Alright then, let’s leave it at that,” Sarai replied, her tone noticeably colder.

Rowan quickly stepped in to ease the tension. “Not everyone is into painting and calligraphy. Courtney, you must be tired. Why don’t you go upstairs and rest?”

Courtney nodded and left without another word.

The conversation grew a bit strained, but Rowan skillfully steered it in a different direction, gradually easing the tension.

After dinner, Madisyn and her parents made their polite farewells and headed home.

In the car, Elaine’s frustration was clear.

Glenn noticed and asked, “What’s on your mind, dear?”

“They haven’t changed at all, especially Courtney. As an elder, I try to let things go, but she’s just too full of herself,” Elaine replied, her annoyance evident. “And your sister-in-law—Madisyn made it clear she wasn’t interested, but Sarai kept pushing Courtney to teach her, just to show off her daughter’s talents.”

Glenn nodded thoughtfully. “Courtney is talented, so it’s easy to see why she might be a little arrogant. But Madisyn has her own strengths, even if they don’t recognize them. Let’s not let it get to us. If you’re uncomfortable, we can just keep our distance.” He turned to Madisyn as he spoke, and she nodded quietly in agreement.

Later, Glenn reached out to Hutton, who had just finished his retreat at the temple and agreed to meet with Courtney. Excited by the news, Glenn quickly shared it with Rowan, who couldn’t hide his delight.

Elaine glanced at Glenn and remarked sarcastically, “You really are a good brother.”

“Well, he’s my only brother, and we don’t connect often. It’s important to help each other when we can,” Glenn reassured her with a smile. “And I know my wonderful wife won’t be too upset about it, right?”

Elaine let out a small huff but didn’t press further. She was generally okay with Rowan, but his wife and daughter were a different matter. Madisyn, on the other hand, seemed indifferent, as she wasn’t particularly close to them.

As Madisyn scrolled through her phone, a message popped up.

“Madisyn, what have you been up to lately? Do you think you have some free time to look at my painting? Or are you too busy?”

With a sigh, Madisyn examined the painting that was sent, then replied, “Wow! You’ve improved a lot.”

The response came swiftly. “You were right. My retreat at the temple has brought me so much peace.”

“That’s good to know!” Madisyn typed back.

“What about you? Have you been painting at all? I’d love to see what you’re working on.”

“Unfortunately, I’ve been really busy lately,” Madisyn responded.

“You have such a rare talent for painting. You can’t let it go to waste. If anything is holding you back, just tell me—I’ll help, whether it’s with money or resources.”

Madisyn felt slightly guilty. Should she tell him the truth—that she was simply too lazy to paint?

Madisyn had known Hutton for a long time, ever since she was about five years old. She recalled a moment from her childhood when she had absentmindedly drawn a picture on the ground. Hutton, who had been observing her with an almost unnerving intensity, suddenly erupted with excitement. He had declared her a genius on the spot and begged her to draw something on paper for him.

At the time, Madisyn had thought he was a bit odd. But since he was willing to pay for her drawing, she reluctantly agreed.

She never expected that one simple drawing would bring her so much trouble. From that moment on, Hutton had relentlessly pestered her, determined to make her his student. But for Madisyn, painting was just a hobby—a way to pass the time, not something she wanted to turn into a career.

Besides, painting required a calm and steady mind. And while she often appeared composed on the outside, Madisyn knew that inside, she was anything but.

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