Betrayed by the Father Reborn in His Rival's Arms novel Chapter 267

Pushed to her absolute limit, Madeline whipped around to fire back, only to freeze when she spotted Lucius standing just feet away, his dark gaze locked intensely on her.

Madeline's lips curved into a cold smile, refusing to waste another breath on the lunatic in front of her. Instead, she offered a cool reminder, "Ms. Lansbury, your date is here."

Liliana spun around, acting perfectly surprised. "Lucius, when did you get here?"

"Just now." Lucius closed the distance with long, measured strides.

Their assigned table was near the opposite window, offering Lucius a flawless, unobstructed view of Madeline.

But Madeline was positioned perfectly so she wouldn't have to look at him.

He stared at her, completely unrestrained.

Meanwhile, Liliana immediately launched into a toxic story about Madeline's supposedly pathetic romance with the restaurant manager.

When Lucius glanced over again, he saw Jasper pouring wine for Madeline, and his expression instantly darkened into a glacial scowl.

"Lucius, I'm absolutely certain she's dating Jasper," Liliana whispered, carefully monitoring his reaction.

Testing the waters, she added, "She's so desperate to show she's moved on before us... But honestly, Jasper comes with a kid, so I guess it's a package deal..."

Lucius's jaw clenched tight. He slowly dragged his gaze away. "Who my ex-wife sleeps with is none of my business."

"You're completely right." Liliana raised her glass, beaming. "Lucius, I'm just so thrilled you finally agreed to have dinner with me. Cheers."

Lucius downed the expensive red wine in a single, rough swallow. He had spent days avoiding everything.

But seeing Liliana sitting there, she clearly looked fully recovered from the near-miscarriage.

Even though he hadn't bothered to visit or care for her once during her recovery.

"Even if you hadn't called me today, I was going to find you."

"Lucius, do you really hate the idea of marrying me that much?

I promise I'll never stab you in the back like Madeline did. I'd never steal your patents or disregard your feelings. I've loved you since we were kids, you know that. I'll be the perfect wife to support you."

"I have no intention of remarrying." Lucius shattered her meticulously crafted fantasy with a single sentence. "Cancel the wedding tomorrow."

"No! You can't just cancel our wedding! Absolutely not!" Liliana cried out.

"Lucius, if you don't want me hovering around, I don't even have to move into the estate after we're married. I won't interfere with your life at all." Tears began to spill down her cheeks.

"I just want to use the Prescott resources to elevate you, to hand you total control of the Whitmans. All I ask in return is that you fulfill my dream of becoming your wife."

Lucius gently swirled his wine glass, his eyes fixed dead on the crimson liquid inside.

He set the glass down sharply and met her tearful gaze. "But Lily, I don't want to marry you."