Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 743

She wasn’t sure whether to laugh at the woman’s naivety or something else.

Just minutes ago, they had been enemies.

Yet now, Madelyn was confiding in her, revealing such a private matter and even asking for her help. Ariana found herself momentarily at a loss for words.

Madelyn met Ariana’s gaze, her eyes burning with determination. “Yes, I’ve made up my mind… I want a divorce. I know taking the child with me is impossible, so I won’t even try. The Stone family won’t mistreat him, and… neither will you.”

By the end of her sentence, a flicker of something complicated flashed in Madelyn’s eyes.

Before learning the truth, Ariana had always been the villain in her mind. But now, she understood—Ariana wasn’t the cruel one.

If anything, she owed Ariana far more than she could ever repay.

The thought of Ariana and Lambert’s frail little daughter filled Madelyn with a pang of regret—something she had never felt before.

Ariana’s expression remained indifferent. She took a sip of juice before responding calmly, “I can’t help you.”

Madelyn’s face fell. “Are you still holding a grudge over what happened before? I… I truly am sorry about Grace. Regardless of who was behind it, I was involved. If you want revenge, I won’t resist. But… I just can’t stay with Arnold any longer. Please, help me. I’ll give you anything in return.”

Back then, she had married Arnold for two reasons—she had already slept with him, and Irene had wanted her to.

At the time, Madelyn had believed she had no future left.

If she couldn’t marry Lambert, then it didn’t matter whom she married.

If tying herself to Arnold could help her best friend, then so be it—at least it gave her some purpose.

But after realizing what kind of person Irene truly was, Madelyn couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at her own foolishness.

She even began to suspect that Arnold’s “timely” appearance the night she was drugged—and what happened afterward—hadn’t been a coincidence at all.

Perhaps there was some agreement between Arnold and Irene.

The thought that someone she considered her closest friend could scheme against her made her sick to her stomach!

Not to mention, she utterly detested Arnold.

Without the "filter" of him helping her best friend, her resentment toward him had reached its peak. She truly wanted to leave Arnold—to never spend another second in that Stone family villa.

Ariana studied Madelyn’s agitated expression, remained silent for a moment, then replied coolly, "I can’t. You might think I hold significant influence in the Stone family, but this matter is beyond my control. It’s between two families. To be blunt, even you have no say in whether this marriage continues."

Madelyn seemed to deflate, as if all her strength had drained away. "Is there really no other way?" she murmured.

Ariana almost laughed at the sheer naivety of the question.

'How did the Olson family raise such a simple-minded daughter?' Shaking her head, she said, "No. Unless the Olson and Stone families are prepared to sever ties completely."

Ariana nodded. “Goodbye.”

As if a weight had been lifted from her chest, Madelyn’s expression visibly relaxed after their conversation. The subtle tension in her eyes was gone. But neither of them noticed—someone else had witnessed the entire exchange.

Just as Madelyn reached for her car door, a figure suddenly appeared beside her.

Startled, Madelyn turned and found Irene standing there.

Gone was the usual gentleness in Irene’s demeanor. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her eyes burning with betrayal and fury. “So,” she spat, her voice icy, “you ignored my calls these past two days because you believed Ariana instead? What was she telling you just now, Madelyn? Was all that talk about trusting me just a lie?” Her voice trembled slightly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, as if she was clinging to the last shreds of her pride.

In the past, Madelyn would have panicked—would have immediately apologized and tried to soothe Irene.

Because that’s what she had always done.

For years, Madelyn had stood by Irene’s side, conditioned to take the blame for everything, to comfort her, even to lash out at anyone who dared cross her. Like the first time she met Ariana, when she had coldly humiliated her—all because Irene had feelings for Lambert. Back then, no matter how much it hurt, Madelyn had treated Lambert as Irene’s possession.

But now, with clarity, she saw how absurd it all was.

How pitiful she had been.

Madelyn met Irene’s gaze steadily. “What she said to me has nothing to do with you.”

Irene froze, disbelief flashing across her face. “What are you saying? Don’t tell me you actually believe Ariana’s nonsense! Or—” Her voice turned venomous. “Are you trying to cozy up to her now that I’m down?”