Chapter 498

Chapter 498:

“Yay!” No gathering of young people is complete without the ritual of dance. As the evening’s host, Madisyn was obliged to lead the inaugural dance. She paired with Andrew, captivating the audience with their harmonious and elegant movements.

“Is there anything Miss Johns can’t do? She’s absolutely marvelous!”

“Miss Johns is truly a sight to behold. I daresay she’s on par with Jada.”

“But Jada might have the upper hand, being part of the prestigious Qiviut Organization. After all, it’s no small feat to be associated with them.”

“I don’t care; in my eyes, Miss Johns and Mr. Klein are the epitome of a perfect match! They ought to be together forever!”

The crowd erupted into applause, the atmosphere electrified with excitement. Amid the revelry, Jada stood secluded, the spotlight casting a lonely shadow over her. She felt like an outsider, a rat cornered in the dark. This realization shook her. Always the center of attention, how had she fallen so low? Hands clenched, Jada scanned the crowd for Norton, only to find his gaze fixed on Maxine, who was beaming a smile at Madisyn.

I∆t€$† ¢н∆ρŧεґš ¡и g𝒶l𝑛ovєl𝑆.𝗰om

The cycle had come full circle, everything inevitably leading back to Madisyn. Jada mustered a forced smile and approached Norton, masking her turmoil.

Meanwhile, Betsey and Levi were also in shock and dismay. Betsey’s belief crumbled. The unassuming shop assistant was none other than her benefactor, Madisyn! No wonder she had the receipt for the earrings—they had been hers all along. And Betsey had acted like a fool in front of Madisyn this whole time. Madisyn must have thought Betsey was insufferable.

A strong sense of humiliation swept over Betsey, spreading through her entire body like a bitter winter chill. She lunged to find the smallest nook, seeking solace from the overwhelming shame. Levi felt an even deeper mortification. He had been boasting to Norton about his connection with Madisyn, only to be struck by the harsh reality that she was Andrew’s beloved. He didn’t stand a ghost of a chance.

Norton and Andrew were close as brothers; obviously, Norton knew all about it. In a whirl of emotions, Levi spun towards Betsey. “Betsey, what is going on? Didn’t you say you were like a sister to her?”

Levi was unraveling, his mind entangled in the deceit he perceived this whole situation to be.

Betsey recoiled at his sudden outburst, her mouth agape, the words failing her.

“Betsey, answer me! Have you been deceiving me all this time? You even mistook Madisyn for a shop assistant!” Levi’s face was a picture of humiliation.

Betsey’s voice cracked as tears brimmed in her eyes. “I had no idea it would come to this.”

With furious questioning, Betsey found herself cornered, with no option but to unveil the entire saga. Upon hearing her confession, Levi felt faint, nearly succumbing to his simmering rage. Betsey had only been someone Madisyn had financially supported! As a beneficiary of her generosity, she had strutted arrogantly before her benefactor. Levi’s anger boiled over.

In a moment of lost control, he struck Betsey across the face.

Betsey clutched her cheek, tears streaming down as she grappled with the shock and pain, utterly at a loss.

As the dance concluded, the crowd’s applause faded into tense silence.

“Mr. Santos, surely striking a woman in front of such a gathering isn’t fitting, is it?” A clear voice cut through the murmurings. Everyone’s gaze snapped toward Levi and Betsey.

“I despise men who hit women the most,” someone muttered. “I can’t believe he would do such a thing.”

“He was always known as a kind-hearted man,” another added. Murmurs turned to whispers of disdain as the crowd’s perception of Levi shifted dramatically.

Betsey, her face aflame from both the slap and humiliation, attempted to salvage the situation. “It’s nothing. We just had a little misunderstanding,” she said, trying to downplay the incident.

“What kind of misunderstanding? Let’s hear it,” Madisyn said with a disarming smile.

Betsey knew Madisyn was complicating matters for her, but paralyzed by the pressure, she remained silent, her embarrassment painfully evident.

Levi stepped in to explain. “It’s just a private matter between us. There is no need for you to worry, Miss Johns.”

“Oh? I’m afraid this has something to do with me,” Madisyn replied with a sly smile.

The underlying meaning in her words was clear, and everyone began to piece together the connection between the three of them.

Maxine, who had already sensed something amiss about Betsey earlier, interjected, “If you don’t even know Miss Johns, how did you manage to get into this party?”

Betsey stammered, the weight of suspicion rendering her speechless.

Levi saw that Madisyn was intentionally complicating things for Betsey. Seizing an opportunity to clear his own name, he did not hesitate to turn against Betsey. “Betsey, apologize to Miss Johns immediately! She’s the one who has been financially supporting you, yet you insulted her! You even mistook her for a mere shop assistant at the Natural Beauty store and accused her unjustly! How dare you!”

“What?! What’s wrong with this woman?!” The crowd was stunned by Betsey’s behavior. “Didn’t she say she was Madisyn’s friend?”

Betsey couldn’t help but burst into tears. “I’m sorry—I’m sorry, Miss Johns! My own arrogance blinded me. I failed to recognize you as the very benefactor who has been supporting me!”

In that moment, a profound regret seized Betsey; she wished fervently that she could rewind the hands of time. How could she have misjudged and mistreated Madisyn? She had been granted a golden opportunity and had squandered it through her own folly.

The assembled guests quickly connected the dots. “Madisyn is this woman’s benefactor, and yet she didn’t recognize her and even went so far as to humiliate her!”

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