Chapter 382

Chapter 382:

Jada’s eyes reddened, filled with deep sadness. Esteban clenched his fists, turned, and walked away. Both Jada and Mara appeared deeply disappointed. It was the first instance of Esteban showing such indifference towards them. Could it all be because of Susan?

Jada’s eyes were filled with tears, dimming the sparkle that was once there. Mara gripped her hand and said with conviction, “Jada, it’s clear now. In this family, we can only depend on each other. Your father has only ever loved Susan!”

If it were in the past, Jada would have been hurt by those words, believing her father loved her and Susan equally as his daughters. But now, Jada believed Mara. In Esteban’s heart, Susan held a higher place. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dismissed Jada over such a trivial mistake.

“Jada,” Mara’s voice was sad yet resolute. “You must secure control of Riggs Group. We cannot let others look down on us!”

“I will, Mom.” With newfound calm, Jada added slowly, “I will never let go of Riggs Group.”

Her partnership with Josie was solid. Josie had made significant concessions, ensuring Jada’s performance would be the best this quarter.

Unwilling to linger in the hospital, Jada soon left.

The atmosphere in the office had shifted. Some colleagues distanced themselves from Jada due to her actions, and some even drew closer to Susan. Jada remained indifferent and continued her daily tasks with meticulous care.

Then news arrived that Susan had secured a deal with Natural Beauty. Jada was shocked. Had Madisyn really betrayed her? Why else would she let Natural Beauty cooperate with Susan?

Feeling betrayed, Jada made a call to Madisyn. “Madisyn, if you don’t consider me a friend, just say it. Why betray me behind my back?” Jada felt mistreated.

“Jada, what do you mean?” Madisyn responded, puzzled.

“Natural Beauty is now working with Susan.”

“Is that so? I wasn’t aware. I don’t manage things with Natural Beauty,” Madisyn replied quickly.

Jada was only half convinced. “Can you cancel the partnership then? Mize Skincare, which I’ve been partnering with, opposes Natural Beauty. The perfumes Susan makes won’t be as good as mine. If Natural Beauty’s products are worse than Mize’s, they’ll be a laughingstock. As you know, Susan has no experience in perfume making.”

“Well, Jada, as you’re aware, I’m now with Edge Entertainment. Even though Natural Beauty is part of the Johns Group, I can’t just step in. They likely have a contract, and the penalties for breaking it could be steep. Unless Susan’s perfumes are truly awful, we don’t have grounds to terminate the partnership.”

Jada had an epiphany from her words. “Okay, I understand. When the time comes, make sure you check the perfumes she creates.”

“Okay,” Madisyn replied.

After ending the call, Jada felt somewhat relieved, knowing Madisyn hadn’t betrayed her. She picked up a glass of water and took a sip. If Madisyn rejected Susan’s perfumes, they could end the collaboration without incurring penalties, and everyone would mock Susan. Jada closed her eyes to test, a sneer hidden within her gaze.

Over at Edge Entertainment, Madisyn set her phone down.

“What an act,” Andrew said.

Madisyn looked his way. Andrew had come to her office earlier that day. He now sat on the sofa, legs casually crossed, bathed in the dusk glow that edged him in gold, making him look like a film star.

Andrew’s deep, captivating eyes met hers. His strikingly handsome face seemed to outshine the world around them.

Madisyn once thought the twilight was beautiful. Now, she felt it paled in comparison to Andrew. “It’s a shame you’re not in show business,” Andrew joked.

“What if I joined the industry and ended up with lots of admirers?” Madisyn said, allowing herself a moment of vanity.

The smile on Andrew’s face dimmed. “Then I’d be by your side every day. With Andrew around, who would dare to have a crush on Madisyn?”

Madisyn rolled her eyes just as Andrew’s phone began to ring.

He picked it up and said plainly, “It’s a message from Jada. Do you want to look?”

Andrew’s straightforwardness took Madisyn by surprise. Few men could resist someone as attractive as Jada, even if they weren’t fond of her.

“Okay,” Madisyn said.

She was eager to know what had been discussed between Jada and Andrew previously.

She took the phone and scrolled through their conversation. Upon finishing, she fell quiet. Jada said, “Andrew, it’s really chilly here at night.”

Accompanying her words was a picture of her by a floor-to-ceiling window in a thin dress. Even to Madisyn, Jada looked captivating.

Yet Andrew responded, “Drink more hot water.” Jada asked, “Andrew, are you busy? How’s everyone doing lately?”

Andrew simply answered, “I’m busy.”

Jada then said, “Andrew, I made progress.”

She attached a photo of a breakfast she had prepared along with a selfie. She looked stunning—the very image of a domestic goddess that no man could ignore. Andrew’s reply was only a smiling emoji.

Jada said, “How have you been lately? Don’t get too caught up in your work. Take care of yourself, okay?” Andrew responded with another smiling emoji. It just seemed too perfunctory.

Madisyn thought that if she were Jada, she wouldn’t be able to continue the conversation.

.

.

.