Chapter 2 What Is Wrong

• Madelyn narrowed her eyes, scenes from the past playing out in her mind like a movie.
• Every word that Janessa had uttered in her previous life was etched in her heart. That woman was unscrupulous, doing anything she could to trick Madelyn. As a result, Madelyn was led astray, even believing that marrying Sebastian was akin to stepping into hell.
• Janessa had told her that the man who loved her the most was Christopher and that she would only replace true happiness with him. That was how Janessa gradually persuaded her to walk straight into a trap, causing her to be doomed eternally.
• Looking back, Madelyn found herself ridiculous.
• Back then, she was foolish enough to believe everything Janessa said, even convincing herself that she was truly in love with Christopher. As a result, she went out of her way to oppose Sebastian, striving to distance herself from him. In the end, she became the talk of the town and was widely criticized for being promiscuous.
• Madelyn closed her eyes, tears of regret streaking down her face.
• Having recognized the true nature of Janessa, she was determined to prevent history from repeating itself.
• There’s no way I’m going to let Janessa have her way again!
• Madelyn rose from the bed, slipping into her bathrobe. She paused for a few moments, her hand gripping the doorknob before finally turning it open.
• Janessa breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly grabbed onto Madelyn’s arm, exclaiming, “You finally opened the door. I thought something had happened to you. You really scared me to death.”
• Janessa stood on tiptoes to peek into the room and asked with a tone of reproach, almost like she was interrogating Madelyn. “Madelyn, I thought we agreed on this. Did you not sneak out last night? Why did you end up spending the night in the room? Did… Did Mr. Lockhart do anything to you?”
• Janessa scrutinized Madelyn intently, her gaze piercingly sharp, as if trying to see through her.
• Madelyn cast her eyes down, her fingers tightly clenched, striving to keep her emotions under control.
• How could I possibly forget what Janessa persuaded me to do?
• Last night was the night of her engagement to Sebastian. As all the elders were present, Madelyn had no choice but to follow Sebastian into the room.
• At that time, Janessa immediately sent her a text message, urging her to devise a plan to get Sebastian drunk and replace an opportunity to slip away in the middle of the night.
• However, Janessa was left disappointed.
• Madelyn scoffed inwardly. She had indeed acted according to Janessa’s suggestions the previous night. Unfortunately, Sebastian’s tolerance for alcohol was frighteningly high, and he had even seen through her tricks.
• Madelyn had decided not to explain any further.
• Having experienced death, Madelyn discerned Janessa’s feelings for Sebastian. It’s pretty obvious, actually. How was I foolish enough to be blinded in the past?
• Madelyn couldn’t help but mock herself inwardly.
• Swiftly, she collected her thoughts and responded nonchalantly, “Oh, I accidentally fell asleep last night.”
• Janessa panicked. “You feel asleep? How did you just fall asleep like that? What about Mr. Lockhart? Were you two together last night?”
• Clenching her jaw, Janessa was frustrated. She had been waiting for Madelyn all night, but the latter did not emerge from the room. This made her feel uneasy, which was why she couldn’t resist rushing over to knock on their door first thing in the morning.
• “Yes, we are together. Last night was our engagement night. There’s nothing wrong with him and I being alone in the same room, right?” Madelyn stared at her.
• Caught off guard by the question, Janessa couldn’t shake off the feeling Madelyn was hinting at something. Even her gaze seemed to carry a sharp edge.
• “Madelyn, what are you talking about? That’s not what I meant…” Janessa’s voice trailed off. Her attention was instantly drawn to the love bite on the back of Madelyn’s neck.
• Narrowing her eyes, she exclaimed in shock, “Madelyn, what’s that on your neck? Is that…”
• Madelyn reached up to touch her neck and tried covering the hickey with her hair, feigning anxiousness. Lowering her gaze, she fell silent.
• Just as Janessa was about to press for more details, she saw a tall and slender emerge from the room.
• It was none other than Sebastian.
• He was clad in a black suit, exuding an imposing aura.
• “Mr. Lockhart…” Janessa murmured, her gaze revealing a hint of admiration and love she couldn’t hide.
• Sebastian merely gave her a cold glance, nodded slightly, and then, without a word of greeting, walked past the two of them.
• Madelyn wanted to call out to him, but she hadn’t changed her clothes yet, so all she could do was watch him walk away.
• Oh, well. I’ll deal with Janess first.
• Reluctantly, she pulled her gaze away and looked at Janessa, who was gazing at the man’s retreating figure longingly. The flames of passion ablaze in her eyes grew more intense, and her jealousy burst forth.
• What she had been worried about had indeed happened last night.
• She narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists, but as she turned around, she regained her composure. As she spoke, however, her tone was tinged with indignation, as if she was upset on behalf of Madelyn. “Madelyn, I can’t believe he had the nerve to force himself on you. That’s just too much… I feel so bad for you. We must do something about it, or things will only become worse for you!”
• Madelyn looked at Janessa’s pretentious demeanor and scoffed internally. “Oh? So…how exactly do you plan to help me?”
• Janessa blurted out, “Of course, you need to break off the engagement. Madelyn, you need to replace an opportunity to end the marriage! Only then can you be truly free to pursue your own happiness! Don’t you like Christopher?”
• Madelyn sneered inwardly yet again, but she concealed her thoughts. “I do, but as you know, the elders from both the Lockhart and Thornton families won’t allow it.”
• “No worries. I can help you figure out another solution!”
• Observing Janessa’s eager demeanor, Madelyn really wished she could tear off her hypocritical mask right then and there. However, it just wasn’t the right time yet.
• “Let’s talk about this later. I’m going to change my clothes now. Wait for me.” With that, Madelyn closed the door.
• Janessa stood rooted to the spot. She was aware that something about Madelyn seemed different. Yet, she couldn’t quite pinpoint what exactly had changed. All she was certain of was that, following that night, Madelyn seemed off.
• As Madelyn changed in front of the mirror, she couldn’t help but let out a smirk of derision.
• Janessa toyed with me in my past life. This time around, let’s see how the tables will turn.
• Fifteen minutes later, Madelyn arrived at the hotel lobby.
• Janessa swiftly waved at Madelyn and trotted over to link arms with her, pretending to be the best of friends with her. “Let’s go shopping, Madelyn. I saw a beautiful dress in a boutique a few days ago. I really want it… Madelyn, you’ve always thought I have good taste, haven’t you?”
• Madelyn flashed a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She knew all too well that Janessa was once again expecting her to foot the bill. This was exactly what had happened in her previous life, where she was practically Janessa’s personal ATM.
• Nevertheless, after everything she had experienced, she would no longer be foolish enough to let Janessa manipulate her.
• With a weary expression, Madelyn looked at Janessa. “I’m sorry, but I’ll pass. I’m a bit tired from last night and I’m not really up for anything, so I think I’ll head home and rest first.”
• Janessa’s expression froze. She didn’t expect Madelyn to turn her down, and once she registered what Madelyn was talking about, her features almost contorted.
• “Oh, how could I forget about that? Of course you’ll be tired after what happened last night. Be careful on your way then,” Janessa said with an awkward smile.
• Madelyn paid her no heed. As she hailed a cab to leave, she distinctly felt a malevolent gaze boring into her from behind.
• In the car, Madelyn massaged her temples. As she began to relax, she thought of Sebastian.
• In her past life, he began keeping his distance from her after what transpired the previous night. He had never even set foot in the marital home prepared by both of their families.
• In her previous life, she had broken his heart. Hence, in this life, she was determined to win him back.
• I must succeed.