Chapter 16 She Wins
Bella watched me with a smug smile and said, “Marcus, don’t be so harsh, Maddy is still young”
“If it weren’t for Bella’s kindness, you’d be in jail by now!” Marcus scolded coldly,
I stood there numbly, ignoring whatever they said and refusing to kneel,
Nor would I apologise to her.
+8 Pearls
“You won’t apologise? Fine, she can entertain us a bit for tonight. We promise not to kill her. Those rich kids laughed and taunted.
I stood my ground and looked at Marcus. “I’ve explained it to you. I didn’t push her. Why won’t you believe me?”
Marcus scowled and angrily reprimanded, “You consistently tell lies.”
“Fine!” I interrupted him and make him stopped.
That was more than enough, I couldn’t bear any more of his hurtful words.
“I apologise.”
I looked at Bella and smiled slightly. “You win.”
Bella glanced at Marcus and said, “Forget it She’s not apologising willingly.”
“Madeline!” Marcus warned me sharply.
I took a step back and carefully placed the bouquet on the ground.
Once, I had longed to receive a gift from Marcus, even just a bouquet.
But it never happened.
With trembling legs, I knelt on the ground.
Marcus looked away, saying nothing.
“Maddy, get up. I know you didn’t do it on purpose,” Bella said, feigning kindness.
I didn’t respond, nor did I get up.
“Marcus, consider this my repayment for saving my life back then. I had cleared the debt of your gratitude. All that’s left is the money I owed his family.
I’ll find a way to come up with the money.
Marcus clenched his fists and declared, “If she wants to kneel, let her kneel!”
Those individuals laughed and mocked me in the hospital ward
They played their games and hurled vile comments at me.
I kneeled on the cold floor from 4 PM until 7 PM.
My legs went numb, and eventually, I passed out from the pain.
Madeline! You better drop your.act!
When I woke up again, I was lying in a hospital bed with an IV drip in my arm.
9:11 AM
Chapter 16 She Wins
The room was empty: I was the only one there.
I pulled out the IV, got out of bed, and limped out despite the pain in my legs.
The sun finally came out that day after two days of rain. The sunlight was warm, but I still felt cold.
Autumn in Baytown was always bleak and cold.
“Don’t let him get away! Thief! Catch the thief!”
I was walking down an alley when someone bumped into me.
In the distance, someone shouted for the thief to be caught,
The individual, who was running desperately, stopped when he saw me.
We looked at each other.
He was tall, wearing a baseball cap and a mask. I could only see his clear and pleading eyes.
He pulled me behind a trash bin, covering my mouth to keep me quiet.
I could hear his breathing and heartbeat.
Once the people pursuing him had left, he released me and turned to flee.
“Why did you steal?” I asked softly.
He was tall. With his back to me, he bowed his head and remained silent.
I could tell he was young.
+8 Pearls
“I have some money here. This bracelet may also be worth something. Take it. I placed the money from my pocket and the bracelet from my wrist on the trash can and limped away.
He said nothing, nor did he follow me.
I had always treasured that bracelet, wearing it through everything.
It was a gift from Marcus for my eighteenth birthday, the first since my parents passed away.
It was the only gift he ever gave me.
There was a time when I used to treasure it, but now I just wanted to run away from him.
I want nothing to do with anything related to him.
Because it disgusted me.
I wandered aimlessly through the streets, returning to the mansion only after nightfall.
My phone was dead, not that anyone would contact me anyway.
“Madeline! Where have you been?” Marcus was furious the moment he saw me. I called you. Why didn’t
He rushed over and grabbed my shoulders.
In that moment, he seemed genuinely worried about me.
I shrugged off his arm, turned away coldly, and said, “My battery died.”
you answer?”
He was frustrated and roared, “Is it so hard to apologise for your mistake? What do you have to be upset about?”
1 remained silent.
Chapter 16 She Wins
His anger flared at my indifference. He grabbed my wrist, his face darkening. “Where’s your bracelet?”
I was surprised he noticed its absence.
After all, I thought he wouldn’t care even if I died.
“I lost it,” I said indifferently.
“Madeline! Do you know that bracelet was… Marcus stopped mid–sentence, his words trailing off.
