Chapter 374

Chapter 374:

Jada smiled warmly as she placed a beautifully wrapped gift box in front of Madisyn. “Madisyn, I was out shopping today and thought these earrings would look great on you, so I got them as a gift.”

Before Madisyn had a chance to react, Susan grabbed the gift box and threw it straight into the trash. “Jada, stop pretending to be nice to my friend!” Susan snapped, her voice laced with contempt.

Hurt and confused, Jada asked, “Susan, what are you doing? Madisyn is also my friend. I thought she’d love these earrings and wanted to make her happy. Why did you just throw them away? Do you think Madisyn can’t have friends besides you?”

“She doesn’t need you as a friend,” Susan shot back, her voice icy and harsh. She looked at Jada with a mix of hatred and fury. “Jada, just leave. We all know what kind of person you really are.”

Jada bit her lip, her eyes filled with sadness. She gave Madisyn one last look before turning and walking away.

Even after Jada had gone, Susan seemed unsettled. Madisyn was troubled by how deeply Jada’s presence had disturbed Susan.

She placed a comforting hand on Susan’s shoulder. “Susan, are you okay?”

When Susan turned to her, Madisyn was shocked to see tears welling up in her eyes.

“Susan, what’s wrong?” Madisyn asked, her concern growing.

“Madisyn, are you seriously considering being friends with Jada?” Susan cried. “I know it’s not my place to dictate your friendships, but Jada is really not a good person.”

“What are you saying? You’re my closest friend! I’m not going to be friends with Jada. I only had dinner with her yesterday because she’s Andrew’s friend. I was just trying to learn more about her,” Madisyn assured her.

Susan kept crying, unable to stop the tears from flowing. Madisyn, not fully grasping why Susan was so distressed, remained with her quietly.

After what seemed like forever, Susan finally composed herself, her eyes red and swollen. “The truth is, Jada once took one of my friends away from me. She betrayed me. Jada has a knack for manipulating people, making them do her bidding.”

“I’ve noticed,” Madisyn replied gently.

Andrew’s friends were all close to Jada, which made it clear she wasn’t as straightforward as she appeared.

“I don’t care about that old friend now, but the thought of losing you to Jada is just too much,” Susan confessed, tears streaming down her face once more.

Madisyn finally understood why Susan had reacted so strongly upon seeing Jada. Her heart ached for her friend. She embraced Susan in a comforting hug. “I promise, Susan, I’ll only be friends with you. Jada won’t be part of my life.”

Susan nodded, her expression softening. “I know you won’t be deceived by her.”

“So, let’s stop the tears, alright? If you keep crying, your eyes will get all puffy,” Madisyn said soothingly as she gently wiped Susan’s tears.

Susan took a deep breath, making an effort to compose herself and calm down.

Suddenly, Madisyn’s face changed as a thought occurred to her. “Susan, can you tell me how your friend betrayed you?”

“It happened when we were in elementary school. She asked to come and play, but she just left me waiting for a really long time. Eventually, my dad had to come look for me. When I told him I was waiting for a friend, he didn’t believe me and thought I was making it up since I was by myself,” Susan recounted, her voice calm despite the painful memory.

“I see. Susan, do you want to get back at Jada in the same way?” Madisyn asked with a smile.

Her smile had a mischievous edge to it, and Susan’s curiosity was piqued. “Madisyn, have you cooked up a plan?”

“Yes. I’ve got a plan.” Madisyn whispered, leaning in closer to reveal her idea to Susan.

After hearing the plan, Susan admired Madisyn even more. “Okay, I’m in.”

After leaving the café, they went their separate ways and headed home.

On her way home, Susan got a video call from Dane. His attractive face popped up on her screen. “Done with chatting?”

“Yes. How do you always call at the perfect moment?” Susan asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Because I know you better than anyone,” Dane said with a playful grin. His smile reminded Susan of Madisyn, as the siblings shared a similar charm.

“Already Madisyn,” Susan confessed.

“But you just met her, right?”

“Yes, but she’s just incredible. She’s so cool. If she were a guy, I’d probably fall for her,” Susan exclaimed.

Dane was puzzled. Was his sister in love—with her own friend?

While they continued their playful conversation, Madisyn was on her way home, which was not far off.

As she walked past an alley, Madisyn heard some noises. She glanced over but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Shaking her head, she thought she must have imagined it and turned to leave. But just as she was about to take another step, a hulking figure appeared in front of her. Two more men emerged from behind him.

“Hey there, beautiful, all alone?” the first hooligan smiled, his eyes scanning her up and down.

Madisyn instinctively took a step back, her face showing fear. “What do you want?”

“Just looking to get to know you better,” he said, moving closer with a sleazy grin.

Without any warning, he lunged forward, reaching out to grab Madisyn.

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