Chapter 726

Madelyn was about to stand up and head back to her room when Zach stopped her. “Finish your meal, then you can go upstairs.”

Madelyn sensed Zach’s piercing gaze and did not dare utter a word. She sat back down.

Zach lit a cigarette, leaned back in his chair, and said, “It’s quite audacious of you, Frida Young, to show up here and demand an explanation from me. You had it all planned out, huh? Sending someone out of the country under the radar. Clever move.”

Frida snapped, “If you knew, why wait until today to act? You kidnapped my son and ruined my daughter’s reputation. Zach, you are truly your father’s son–a loyal lapdog. Don’t forget who supported you from behind the scenes. Do you really think you would have reached this position without the Young family?”

Zach flicked his cigarette ash and said, “Supported me? Let’s not kid ourselves. Whether it’s the marriage or the shares that Jardin Corporation gave to YTCorp, it was all just business. You and I both know that. But you should’ve never messed with her. It took me a long time to find her again. If you hide her away from me, next time I won’t be so patient in searching. I must say, taking advantage of today was indeed a good idea.”

Yet, they had all underestimated just how much Madelyn meant to Zach. Despite the gathering of high–

profile elites in the capital, Zach had abandoned his own wedding just to apprehend her at the airport.

They thought he was a man who knew his priorities, one for whom interests always came first. Their assumptions were far from the truth. Reality had slapped them hard across their faces.

Yvonne, listening to Zach lay bare the facts, suddenly felt her heart sink, as if it had been pricked by countless needles. Yvonne was at a loss for words because she realized that only Madelyn mattered to Zach, and he felt nothing for her.

Frida chuckled coldly and said, “No matter what, Yvonne will always be Mrs. Jardin of Jardin Corporation. Some people are just destined to be third wheels, earning disdain wherever they go, just like that worthless woman. They never end well.”

The meaning behind Frida’s words was clear to everyone in the room.

“A rich man having a mistress isn’t news,” Frida continued, turning her icy gaze toward Madelyn.

“You’re quite crafty. Not only did my son fall into your scheme, but my daughter as well. As long as my daughter is still alive, you can forget about taking her place.”

Those words wounded Madelyn deeply. She could not even lift her head to respond. She might not have had a choice, but that did not change the fact that she was the third wheel.

Zach looked over at Madelyn and pondered, ‘Why’s she so silent now? She was full of fire before.”

Yvonne quickly interjected, “Mom, please stop.”

“Shut up!” Frida snapped, holding back only because they were in public. Her eyes filled with unbridled rage. She turned to Madelyn and said, “How did Alicia give birth to such a worthless daughter?”

Madelyn could no longer bear it as she clenched her fist under the table. She felt a headache building up. She stood up, her face pale, and her steps wobbly.

“I’m full,” she said, staggering away.