Betrayed by the Father Reborn in His Rival's Arms novel Chapter 87

"I never agreed to talk about divorce," Lucius snapped. "I clearly stated that any discussion would have to wait until after Arthur's birthday. You must be there. If you don't show up, how am I supposed to explain it to him?"

"Don't forget that our interests are tied together now. If I can't solidify my grip on the Whitman family's power, how do you expect me to push your tech company toward an IPO? Since you're the one who proposed this partnership, you'd better play your part until the end."

Madeline listened quietly before replying, "Fine. Understood."

Without wasting another second, she hung up the phone.

Tossing her phone aside, she settled her mind.

She slept soundly that night, and early the next morning, she went to bid Julian farewell.

She neither knew nor cared how Lucius and Liliana continued their romantic getaway.

With her luggage packed, she stepped into the hotel lobby and spotted Jasmine playing by herself.

Figuring it was only right, she went over to say goodbye.

Seeing her, Jasmine immediately threw her arms wide open. "Hug me, Madeline!"

Madeline certainly hadn't expected the little girl to demand a hug from a relative stranger.

But remembering that Jasmine was only five, it made perfect sense.

Thinking about how the child had lost her mother at such a young age, Madeline couldn't bear to refuse.

She gently scooped Jasmine into her arms.

Though Jasmine was tall, she was light and slender, so Madeline didn't find her heavy at all.

Julian spotted them and hurried over, reaching out to take his daughter. But Jasmine was reluctant to let go of Madeline, while simultaneously wanting her father, leaving her awkwardly stretching one arm out to him.

Julian gently pulled her over, but as he did, Jasmine's other hand kept a tight grip on Madeline's collar.

He pulled a dark blue velvet box from his pocket. "Please accept this small gift as a token of my gratitude for saving Jasmine yesterday!"

Madeline was taken aback. She hadn't expected him to go through the trouble of buying her a lavish gift over such a thing.

She wanted to decline. In her eyes, Julian was closely tied to Lucius, and she wanted absolutely nothing to do with Lucius's friends.

"It's really not necessary. I just did what anyone would do. There's no need for a reward!"

Jasmine chimed in right then, "Just take it, Madeline. Daddy and I picked it out together. It matches you perfectly."

Julian's eyes also held a silent plea.

Figuring it was better this way—so neither side owed the other any favors—Madeline finally agreed.

She accepted the gift and got into her car. On the drive back, she opened the box and discovered a stunning deep blue square-cut diamond necklace. Based on its carat weight, it was easily worth millions of dollars.