Chapter 658

‘My father chose Zach as his successor since I wasn’t born a boy. Now that Zach’s here, I’m just like an afterthought. Thanks to Cecilia, Zach’s back in charge of Jardin Corporation. It seems like everyone’s path is changing except mine. Going home would mean facing loneliness; I have no family waiting for me there.‘ Madelyn was swamped with feelings of heartbreak, suffocation, and loss. ‘I wish things were easler. No matter how long they’re away, most people always have a family to return to.‘

Zach tried to figure out what she was thinking about so intently. He had always been patient with the Jent family. He could have taken action against Hayson years ago If he had wanted to. But after waiting so long, what was one more day? Distractedly, he played with her hair, “You don’t need to hurry and grow up. Just rely on me,” he said.

Madelyn’s eyelashes fluttered, but she did not speak. A sharp feeling of pain gripped her heart. Zach had effortlessly defined her destiny. making her feel caged and always under his control.

Madelyn took a deep breath, “Do you really belleve all this can erase what you did to me four years ago? It won’t. I can’t forget your actions. I refuse to be just an ornament in your life, and I won’t… lean on you.”

She paused, lost in thought, ‘Zach… Did Cecilia ever talk about how you used to be? You clearly couldn’t stand me and often hurt me. To you, my feelings seemed insignificant. Now, your kindness feels more like a lure, drawing me into a trap.”

She met his gaze again, her voice low, “All of this will end before you know it.”

She looked away, tears threatening to spill, ‘Everything will be over soon. I’ll move on to a world without you. This is the path I’m meant to take. I can’t change it, and I’m done fighting.”

Kevin delivered all the auctioned jewelry to Zach’s hotel room. The auction was for charity, benefiting a prominent children’s aid organization. Among the eighteen pieces, the most expensive one alone was worth over a million dollars. Zach’s grand gesture made him seem like someone out of a medieval tale, trying to win a lady’s favor. Yet, it felt like Madelyn was not just any lady to him but someone special he wanted to impress.

Holding up a necklace featuring the world’s largest diamond, Zach said, “It looks good on you.”

From behind, he moved Madelyn’s hair to one side and leaned down to put the necklace on her. The mirror captured her stunning face, her expression unreadable. With his hands on her shoulders, he too looked at their reflection in the mirror. His features were sharp. His eyes only seemed to see her; it radiated an intense, possessive energy.

“Do you like it?”

She removed the necklace and handed it to him. “A piece this special should go to the right person.”

Madelyn replied. “Cecilia is your future wife.”