Betrayed by the Father Reborn in His Rival's Arms novel Chapter 96

Madeline was surprised. "Weren't you looking for Lucius? Why are you handing this to me?"

She had just heard that Lucius had returned from the hospital but had gone straight to rest due to severe blood loss.

As for what Liliana had been doing, Madeline hadn't noticed and didn't care.

Her sudden approach put Madeline on high alert. She immediately set the wine glass down on a decorative table near the corner of the stairs.

Liliana set her own glass down and laughed cheerfully. "No, I came specifically to find you. I heard you came upstairs, so I followed."

"To find me?" Madeline asked. "What do you want, Miss Lansbury?"

Liliana waved a hand dismissively. "Madeline, are you mad at me because Leo called me Mommy and called you Auntie?"

"No," Madeline replied smoothly. "You are his biological mother, after all. I just hope you actually focus on raising him from now on. Being a mother means making sacrifices and nurturing a child so they can grow up healthy."

A flash of furious disgust crossed Liliana's face; she clearly hated being lectured by Madeline. But the fake smile quickly returned.

Madeline saw right through the forced, hypocritical expression. Did Liliana really think she could play her like a gullible toddler?

Still, Madeline was curious to see what this was all about. "Honestly, Miss Lansbury, I'm not angry that you claimed him. I don't want the child anymore, and quite frankly, I don't want Lucius either."

Hearing Madeline casually discard Lucius sparked a brief surge of anger in Liliana's eyes.

Liliana had always prided herself on keeping Lucius wrapped around her finger.

She knew he was completely cold toward Madeline while granting her every single wish. It fed her twisted superiority complex.

That superiority hinged on crushing Madeline. From the very first day they met, Liliana derived sick pleasure from tearing her down.

If Madeline genuinely didn't care about Lucius anymore, the game would lose its thrill.

Liliana laughed again. "Regardless, Madeline, Lucius will never love you. Leaving the Whitman family is the smartest thing you can do. Julian isn't quite on Lucius's level, but he's still incredibly wealthy. Let's drink to that. Here's to my future marriage with Lucius, and your future with either Julian or Silas. They're both excellent backup plans."

Internally, Liliana wasn't laughing at all. She couldn't fathom what kind of dark magic Madeline was using to keep Lucius from agreeing to a divorce.

Every time she imagined Madeline using some seductive bedroom trick to keep Lucius hooked, preventing him from sleeping with her, her blood boiled.

She viewed Madeline as a disgusting fly ruining her perfect meal.

Madeline found Liliana's transparent hypocrisy completely nauseating.

Stifling the urge to gag, she played along. "Thank you, Miss Lansbury. Let's hope the divorce goes through smoothly."

Liliana suddenly snatched up the wine glass from the corner table. "Cheers! To becoming great friends."