Betrayed by the Father Reborn in His Rival's Arms novel Chapter 266

A single dinner here cost tens of thousands of dollars, screaming sheer extravagance.

In a twist of fate, Madeline's private jet touched down just as the evening began.

Quentin whisked her straight to the exact same restaurant. Since Thunderbolt Capital was a major investor in the establishment, they walked right in, bypassing the waitlist to be seated at the ultimate VIP table.

Quentin had some urgent calls to take, so he personally instructed the manager to ensure Madeline received flawless service.

Madeline was just settling in for her meal.

Suddenly, a shrill, grating voice pierced the quiet elegance of the room.

"Madeline, what on earth are you doing here?"

The disgustingly familiar tone instantly killed her appetite.

Liliana strutted over, dramatically cradling her slightly protruding belly.

The moment Liliana processed who she was looking at, a suffocating panic gripped her chest.

She couldn't believe her eyes.

She blinked hard, staring intently.

It was undeniably Madeline.

Liliana had to suppress the violent urge to lunge across the table and strangle her.

If Madeline wasn't dead, then where the hell was her father?

Ever since Grant had promised to deal with Madeline once and for all, he had vanished off the face of the earth.

Liliana distinctly remembered Grant swearing he would permanently eliminate the one obstacle standing between her and ultimate happiness.

He had vowed not only to retrieve the digital recorder but to make sure Madeline ended up in a body bag.

Yet here Madeline was, very much alive.

Sitting right in front of her, looking perfectly unharmed.

A cold dread washed over Liliana. Had Grant been arrested?

Or had he botched the hit and gone into deep hiding to save his own skin?

"A candlelight dinner? How incredibly romantic. Who are you eating with, Madeline? I'm honestly thrilled you managed to find someone new so quickly."

Madeline didn't even bother looking at her, her voice dripping with ice. "If you're done running your mouth, you can get the hell out."

Liliana sneered. "Wow, where are your manners? So classless."

"I reserve my manners for actual people."

Liliana's face contorted with rage. "Are you calling me an animal?"

"Looks like your reading comprehension isn't completely tragic." Madeline took a slow sip of her red wine. "Now, are you going to leave? You're ruining my appetite."

Just as Liliana was about to explode, she caught a reflection in the window of a man approaching their table. A wicked smirk touched her lips.

The man walking toward Madeline was Jasper Kinsley, the restaurant manager, stepping over to personally attend to his VIP.

But Liliana immediately assumed Jasper was Madeline's date. How else could a nobody like Madeline afford the best table in such a high-end restaurant?

Liliana recalled the industry gossip—Jasper was a widower saddled with a six-year-old kid.

Liliana practically purred, "So this is your big catch, huh? Congratulations, Madeline. It looks like you'll get your dream of being a mother without the hassle of giving birth. But then again, you always loved playing stepmother to other people's kids, so this is right up your alley."