Chapter 42

Chapter 42:

“Dane, I…” Josie began, but her words trailed off as Dane ignored her completely, focusing instead on leading Susan into the kitchen to cool her arm under cold water. The sting of being overlooked by Dane once again made Josie clench her teeth, her eyes brimming with bitterness.

As the cold water flowed over her arm, Susan finally gathered her thoughts. “I can handle this myself,” she said softly, feeling a little overwhelmed by Dane’s unexpected attentiveness. “Thanks.”

Dane let go of her arm but kept his gaze steady. “Don’t let her treat you like that again.”

Susan, taken aback by his protectiveness, managed a faint smile. “I didn’t want to cause any trouble.”

“You’re a friend of Madisyn’s. You’ll never be trouble here,” Dane reassured her, his tone carrying a touch of warmth.

For a moment, Susan found herself lost in his sincere gaze. It was rare for someone to treat her with such care, especially because of her connection to Madisyn.

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

Dane gave her a brief nod, though there was a hint of helplessness in his expression. Susan seemed far too gentle, too willing to overlook others’ behavior.

Their conversation was interrupted by Josie, who approached with teary eyes and a carefully crafted apology. “Susan, I’m really sorry,” she said, her tone dripping with insincerity. “I was frustrated, and I took it out on you. Are you okay?”

Susan, sensing the lack of genuine remorse, responded coolly, “I’m fine.”

“I really am sorry,” Josie repeated, turning her gaze toward Dane, hoping for his sympathy. “I just lost control for a moment.”

“You don’t need to explain it to me,” Dane said flatly, his expression unchanging.

Josie bit her lip, feeling the sting of his indifference. Why was Dane being so cold? She had never seen him this distant before, and it left her reeling with frustration.

As the discomfort between them grew, Susan, not wanting to stay involved in their dispute, began to walk away. But Dane stopped her. “You need to apply ointment for that burn.”

Before Susan could refuse, Dane had already guided her to the living room, where he fetched a first aid kit. His movements were calm and deliberate as he treated her burn, applying ointment with care.

Susan sat in silence, watching Dane work. It felt surreal to be receiving such treatment from him. Was this only because of her friendship with Madisyn?

She tried to ignore Josie’s piercing gaze of envy as Dane finished wrapping her arm.

Once the bandage was secure, Susan quickly stood up, feeling the need to escape the awkward situation. She hurried upstairs, leaving Dane to watch her retreating figure, slightly puzzled. Had he made her uncomfortable?

“Dane, let me make you some more coffee,” Josie offered, her voice filled with false sweetness.

Dane’s cold eyes flickered toward her. “No, thank you. I won’t drink your coffee, and I don’t appreciate your company. You should understand your place.”

Josie’s face paled. “Dane…”

“Don’t cling to me,” he said sharply. “It gives people the wrong idea.”

Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked away, leaving Josie standing there, shivering from more than just the coldness of his words. He had never spoken to her so harshly before. Was this because of Madisyn’s return?

Feeling dejected, Josie made her way back to Kristine’s room, her mood dark. As soon as she entered, Kristine looked up, noticing her friend’s distress.

“What happened?” Kristine asked, her brows furrowed in concern.

“Dane was so cold to me just now,” Josie lamented, her voice trembling with frustration. “He used to ignore me, but today, he was outright rude. And he was so nice to that plain friend of your sister! Do you think it’s because Madisyn is here now? Has Dane stopped caring about you?”

Kristine’s expression shifted, her thoughts swirling. Josie’s words struck a chord, but she quickly masked her true feelings with a weak smile. “No, it’s nothing like that. Dane must just pity them.”

Even as she said it, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind. Madisyn had only just arrived, and yet she seemed to be charming everyone around her. A girl like that could easily disrupt the harmony of the Johns family.

“I’ll get along with her, but she’s already turning heads,” Kristine thought bitterly. “If she continues like this, she could end up causing more trouble than we realize.”

Josie, seeing the uncertainty in Kristine’s eyes, spoke reassuringly. “Remember, she can’t compete with you. You’re a renowned dancer, the vice president of the Johns Group. You have real talent and connections. Even if Madisyn wins over your parents, she’ll never make a mark in the business world. You and Dane are the ones who truly matter in the family.”

Kristine felt comforted by Josie’s words. She was right. Madisyn might be winning affection at home, but she had no foothold in the family business. Without that, Madisyn would always be behind her.

Feeling reassured, Kristine lay down to rest, her confidence restored.

But early the next morning, as she walked past her parents’ room, she overheard something that made her heart stop.

“When Madisyn wakes up, let her choose which company she’d like to take over.”

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