Chapter 262

Chapter 262:

Courtney stood in stunned silence, her mind a whirlwind of disbelief. Could she have heard Andrew wrong?

“Andrew, I don’t blame Madisyn,” Courtney said, her voice dripping with feigned innocence as she adopted a pitiable look. “You upset her. Why should she be blamed? You should be the one saying sorry. Apologize to Madisyn, now!”

Andrew’s voice was stern, his presence commanding.

Madisyn almost burst out laughing; Andrew was really something else! She watched as Courtney’s face drained of color, then flushed with embarrassment. Finally, gritting her teeth, Courtney muttered, “I’m sorry, Madisyn.”

“It’s fine. Just make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Madisyn replied, her tone laden with meaning.

Courtney’s humiliation deepened, and she retreated to change her clothes.

When she entered the living room, Sarai was the first to notice her. “Courtney, what happened to you?”

Courtney remained silent, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Courtney, what’s wrong? Say something!” Rowan implored, his concern evident.

Courtney opened her mouth to speak but clamped it shut upon catching sight of Damari. Her eyes reddened further, her appearance the epitome of misery.

Sarai’s anxiety spiked. “You went out with Madisyn and came back like this? Where’s Madisyn?”

At the mention of Madisyn’s name, Courtney’s tears intensified. She sobbed and collapsed into Sarai’s arms.

Sarai tenderly patted her shoulder, her heart heavy with empathy. “Tell me, sweetheart. We’re all here. What frightens you so?”

Courtney’s sobs crescendoed into loud wails as she choked out, “It was Madisyn… She pushed me…”

“Oh? So it was me who pushed you, huh?” A teasing voice cut through the tense air. Madisyn and Andrew had just entered the living room.

Madisyn glanced at Courtney, who was weeping in Sarai’s embrace, with unmistakable disdain. Courtney was even more of a manipulator than she had imagined! She had even schemed to frame her!

Sarai’s eyes snapped to Madisyn. “Madisyn, did you push Courtney? Why?”

Courtney quickly stood, her voice tremulous. “Madisyn, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said something that upset you. Mom, it’s okay. I just need to change my clothes.” She tugged at her sleeve, her demeanor more pitiful than ever, as if Madisyn had committed some unforgivable crime.

Sarai’s heart ached more deeply as she glared at Madisyn. “Courtney has always been kind to you since you two met. She even wanted to teach you some art. And this is how you treat your cousin?”

Rowan frowned, his voice filled with concern. “Madisyn, why would you do something like that? Has Courtney ever wronged you?”

Damari remained silent, his presence like a quiet storm, observing the unfolding drama with intense scrutiny. Madisyn maintained a neutral expression. “If that’s what you want to believe, I can’t change your mind.”

Sarai’s fury escalated as she observed Madisyn’s indifferent attitude. “How can you be so callous? She’s your cousin!”

“I think Madisyn did nothing wrong!” Elaine immediately declared, rising to her feet. “Madisyn has never been the type to bully anyone. Madisyn, tell me what happened.”

A flicker of warmth touched Madisyn’s heart at her mother’s protective stance, a slight smile gracing her lips.

However, Sarai was unyielding. “What do you mean, Elaine? No matter the reason, Madisyn shouldn’t have pushed Courtney! Such a cruel act is beneath someone from a respectable family!” Sarai then sneered. “I guess this is what you get from a country bumpkin!”

Elaine, who had been restraining herself, finally snapped. “Who are you calling a country bumpkin?”

Sarai retorted icily, “Madisyn was brought back from the countryside. She lacks manners, and now she even hurt her own cousin…” Her words dripped with disdain.

“Enough!” Elaine shouted, her voice booming through the room. Sarai flinched, startled by Elaine’s outburst, but her anger only deepened. “Did I say something wrong?”

Madisyn quickly grabbed her mother’s hand, attempting to soothe her. “Mom, don’t get upset. I’m not bothered by Sarai’s words. I know better than to take them seriously.”

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