Chapter 471

Just as Madelyn was about to scold Zach, Zach’s phone on the table suddenly rang. Madelyn’s gaze subconsciously shifted towards it and noticed it was a call from Jadie.

Madelyn thought Zach would get up to take the call because she knew he had a habit of wanting privacy during calls. Even as his wife in her previous life, Madelyn had to leave every time Zach received a call. Madelyn hoped for the same now, as she preferred not to be in the same space with him. However, Zach only glanced at the phone with no intention of answering it. Madelyn feigned ignorance and asked, “Aren’t you going to answer it?” Then, she turned a page in the book.

The phone disconnected after about ten seconds. Zach only picked up his phone when it rang for the second time. Madelyn felt a slight loosening of the hand around her waist. Zach moved his chair back and scooped her up when she was about to get up. This time, he held her tightly in his arms. “If you run around again, I’ll chain you up next time, and you won’t be able to go anywhere. Stay here quietly and wait for me to finish handling these documents.”

Then, Zach answered the phone. “What’s up?”

Madelyn heard Jadie’s voice loud and clear. “Zach, I went to the company today and wanted to have lunch with you, but Kevin said you weren’t there.”

Zach replied, “Yes. It’s inconvenient for you to travel back and forth between school and the company.

You don’t need to come to the company building in the future. Focus on your studies at school.”

Jadie smiled gently and said, “Zach, have you forgotten? I don’t have to take the college entrance exam since I’ve already passed the Math Olympiad semifinals. I’ve been guaranteed admission to Ventropolis University, so I won’t be too busy with studies. I’d love to have lunch with you every day.

You haven’t been home much lately, so I want to spend more time with you. “She sounded a bit aggrieved.

“I have something else going on right now. If you have something to say, we can discuss it when I get back.”

“Zach!”

Zach denied Jadie an opportunity to speak. He ended the call and looked down at Madelyn in his arms.

“What are you thinking? Still can’t let go of the exam?”

Madelyn got up from him and said with an ironic smile, “You still remember how you ruined my Math Olympiad exam. Are you planning to prevent me from even taking the college entrance exam in the future?”

Zach’s dark and impenetrable gaze added to the unusual vibe between them. He stared at her silently.

After a while, he said, ” There isn’t just one way for you to take a shortcut.”

Madelyn nodded with a smile, but there was a lingering pain in her eyes. “It’s the quickest shortcut for me. What’s most ironic is that you can easily destroy all my efforts. I can’t accept it, but what can I do?

No matter what I do, it will all be futile eventually.

“From now on, enjoy your time with Jadie and leave me alone. Otherwise, I’ll tell her everything you’ve done to me. In this lifetime, you’ve already ruined my life entirely, so I have nothing to lose. However, Jadie is different. If she learns the truth about what you’ve done and takes drastic action, I won’t care.

The door downstairs can’t stop you, but I can replace it with a new one, or I can swallow my pride and return to the Arnold residence. It’s better than being with you.”

Madelyn turned and left, not wanting to be with Zach for a moment longer. As she reached the door, she paused. “I don’t know your purpose for staying here these past few days, but I can assure you of one thing. Whether it’s to make amends for what you’ve done to me or for other reasons, it won’t make up for the wrongs that have occurred. If we both have faults, there’s no need to drag it on any longer.

Zach, let’s end it here. I don’t need your so–called love.”

Madelyn was not a fool, nor was she being overly sentimental. It was because she understood Zach’s temperament all too well. She would not have stood a chance if he really decided to be ruthless.