Betrayed by the Father Reborn in His Rival's Arms novel Chapter 22

Lucius proudly introduced Liliana to the entire executive team.

Even when the crowd playfully teased them, he didn't deny a thing, silently confirming her status as his girlfriend.

Madeline sat quietly in the audience, watching the scene unfold. She had once dreamed of Lucius introducing her with such grandeur, but it had all been a foolish fantasy.

Her love had been nothing more than a one-sided delusion.

It wasn't that Lucius was blind to her feelings, nor was he unaware of her hatred for Liliana. He simply didn't care. He paraded his affection for the other woman because Madeline's feelings meant absolutely nothing to him.

Unable to endure the rest of the charade, Madeline quietly slipped out of the room.

Back at the villa, she marched into her walk-in closet, violently ripped her wedding dress off the display mannequin, and shoved it into the trash can. There was no point in holding onto the past anymore.

She finally understood that Lucius hadn't kept their marriage a secret for her career convenience, as she had naively convinced herself. He hid her because, deep down, he believed she wasn't worthy to stand by his side.

The moment Liliana returned from abroad, he proudly debuted her to the entire corporation.

Using his power and influence to elevate her, he ensured everyone respected Liliana, handing her the best resources and platforms on a silver platter.

Meanwhile, no matter how much Madeline sacrificed, she was just a disposable stepping stone. To Lucius, she would never be good enough.

Madeline grabbed the trash bags and violently threw away the remnants of her delusions.

When she was done, she collapsed on the floor of the closet, hugging her knees as she wept bitterly.

She didn't know how much time had passed when the low hum of a Mercedes engine pulled her from her despair. Wiping her face, she stood up and peered through the window. Lucius and Liliana had arrived. The nanny had just brought little Leo home, and the boy practically launched himself into Liliana's arms, shouting joyfully, "Mommy Lily!"

Lucius reached out, affectionately stroking Liliana's hair.

Madeline had never received such an enthusiastic welcome from her adopted son, nor such a tender gesture from her husband.

He had assumed it was her self-reflection essay regarding the overseas hacker incident and had tossed it aside without reading it to deal with more pressing matters.

She was probably just throwing a tantrum over that, he figured. She would definitely regret this once she cooled down.

Madeline had always kept that dress sealed in a pristine glass display and sent it to the city's most expensive dry cleaners every year.

In Lucius's mind, she cherished it because their lavish wedding was her ultimate symbol of marrying into wealth.

What woman didn't dream of marrying a billionaire?

The dress was her trophy, proof that her wildest dreams had come true, something she could flaunt at any moment.

Certain that she would regret throwing it away, Lucius instructed the housekeeper, "Take the dress to the dry cleaners and have it restored. Ignore my wife's instructions."

Mrs. Miller tilted her head, glancing between Lucius and Liliana's visibly sour expression, before ultimately fishing the gown out of the trash.