Back in Time to Fall for Him novel Chapter 98

"Maddie, where are you right now?" Johnny's voice came through the phone, deliberately gentle.

Madison arched her brows slightly, her tone cool. "Johnny, did everything I said last time go in one ear and out the other? I told you, unless you're calling to pay me back, stop bothering me. Otherwise—"

Before she could finish the warning, he cut her off. "Maddie, I've got the money. I just want to see you and pay you back in person."

"You've got the money?" Her tone was skeptical.

Sensing her disbelief, Johnny rushed to confirm, "Yes. I've got it. So please, meet me."

Madison lowered her gaze, thought for a moment, and finally agreed, "Alright. Come to this address in an hour."

She gave him a location before ending the call.

Janet, who had been listening, looked at her curiously. "Who was that? Someone short on cash?"

Madison put her phone away and answered honestly, "It was Johnny. He said he's gathered the money and wants to pay me back."

"He's paying you back? Seriously? Are you sure it's not a trap? And since when can a guy like him get his hands on tens of millions so fast?" Her tone was filled with disbelief.

Suddenly, she recalled Madison's request and let out a small gasp. "Wait! Don't tell me he's the one behind what happened at Goodwin Corp?"

"It's hard to say," Madison replied, her eyes narrowing. "But he's definitely a suspect."

Janet frowned. "But what's in it for him? Sure, maybe he got some cash out of it, but that's not a good motive.

"Last time, when he told you to sabotage Goodwin Corp's projects, he got to profit off of those projects along with other firms. But Project ET? His tiny company isn't even qualified to bid."

Madison froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "What did you just say? Johnny owns a company?"

"Yeah. You didn't know?"

Their eyes met. Madison shook her head. "I really didn't."

She called over one of her bodyguards, and Madison quickly laid out the tasks for them.

When everything was settled, Madison checked the time and realized nearly an hour had passed. Remembering her meeting with Johnny, she rose to leave.

"I have to go meet with Johnny, so let's cut the meeting short. Once this is over, I'll take you to Haldor for a vacation."

Janet waved her off with a scoff. "Please. As if I need you to take me on a vacation. Just go."

Madison wasn't mad. She knew Janet didn't mean it.

Seizing the moment, she leaned over and gave her a quick hug. "You still smell just as nice as ever, Jan."

Leaving those words behind, she darted off with a bright laugh.

Janet froze for a second before a genuine smile spread across her face.