Chapter 297 Been Too Lenient With You Lately

Josiah was completely stunned. He had never imagined that there would be so many people in the world who actually cared about him. For all those years in the past, he always felt like he was fighting a solitary battle.

At that very moment, he suddenly felt less alone. As he looked at Madelyn, an inexplicable warmth filled his heart.

“Hey, hey, hey, why are you staring at me like that? You’re not overwhelmed just because I complimented you a few times, are you?” Madelyn said, observing Josiah intently.

The wave of emotion that Josiah had painstakingly brewed evaporated in an instant. Staring at Madelyn, he blurted out, “Seriously, have you ever seen anyone as narcissistic as you?"

“I’m not being narcissistic; I’m just stating the facts, okay? You’re so much better than Hayden, you just lack confidence," Madelyn said, her face brightening into a grin. “But don’t worry, I’ll be there at Old Mr. Blume’s birthday. If Hayden dares to show off in front of you then, just watch how I’ll deal with him!”

She spoke these words while playfully swinging her tiny fist in the air.

Josiah couldn’t suppress his laughter.

Is she actually contemplating taking Hayden down a notch? Well, it’s not entirely impossible.

“All right, let’s not let this minor setback dampen our spirits. Let’s continue our quest for the perfect gift. Come on, you two, keep up,” Madelyn urged. With those words, she grabbed Jillian’s hand and skipped ahead joyfully.

Josiah observed her receding figure, his gaze lingering on her in a dazed wonder for a moment longer.

That girl is becoming more remarkable by the day.

This scene did not go unnoticed by Tristan, who squinted his eyes and flashed an ambiguous smile before leaning in to whisper, “Tell me honestly, have you fallen for Madelyn?”

“Actually, I think she’d be a great match for you. Sure, she can be quite forthright and sometimes even more audacious than most men, but she really complements you well,” Tristan added.

Upon hearing these words, Josiah was initially startled, then abruptly burst out in anger. “F*ck no!”

After a day brimming with activity and excitement, Madelyn returned to the Thornton residence, completely exhausted from the fun–filled afternoon.

Upon her arrival, she was immediately greeted by the glaring eyes of her stepmother and stepsister, seated on the sofa. Their eyes bore the malice of venomous snakes, almost as if they were poised to devour her whole.

Feeling uneasy under their intense scrutiny, Madelyn inquired with a trace of annoyance, “Why are you both staring at me like this?”

“Hmph!” Regina scoffed coldly, “You’ve managed to wreak complete havoc on our family. How dare you show your face here again?”

“I must say, I’m utterly baffled. How can you two, mother and daughter, have the gall to say such things? This place was originally my home. Had it not been for your incessant troublemaking, it would never have deteriorated to this state,” Madelyn exclaimed indignantly.

“And don’t for a second think I’m unaware of all the scheming you two have been up to behind my back all these years. We have many unresolved issues yet to be addressed!” she added furiously.

They’re utterly clueless! Fine, if it’s a fall out they want, then be it.

“You insolent brat, how dare you speak to me in such a manner!” Regina exploded in rage.

The fact that Zachary had been detained was already a sore point for the mother–daughter duo. They couldn’t fathom Madelyn’s audacity to speak so disrespectfully. She was utterly intolerable, clearly asking for trouble!

“Mom,” Eunice whispered to her mother, “Madelyn’s remarks were completely out of line. Shouldn’t we teach her a lesson while she’s vulnerable?”

Seized by rage, Regina didn’t hesitate. “You insolent brat, daring to be so disrespectful to me," she fumed. "Very well, as your stepmother, it is my duty to discipline you today, in the absence of your real mother!”

With that, Regina lunged forward like a fierce tigress, grabbing Madelyn’s hair as if clinging to her last lifeline. She then proceeded to drag her ruthlessly towards the wall, aiming to crash her head against it.

Madelyn, struck with such force that she saw stars, immediately flared up in anger.

Though her hands were injured and thus inconvenient, her legs remained unbound. At that moment, she delivered a swift side kick, knocking Regina to the ground with a single blow.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, Eunice rushed forward clinging to Madelyn like an octopus, wrapping her limbs tightly around her. It seemed nearly impossible to shake her off.

“Mom, I’ve caught her! Come quickly and teach her a lesson!” Eunice urgently called out.

Upon witnessing the scene, Regina swiftly got up from the ground and rushed toward Madelyn. She slapped her several times, shouting, “You b*tch, I’ll kill you!”

Madelyn was struck so hard that her head buzzed. She wanted to retaliate, but her strength was sapped as Eunice deliberately squeezed her injuries, causing her to weaken. This gave Eunice the advantage to torment her further.

At that moment, a gleaming Rolls Royce pulled up outside the house.

As soon as Derek reached the entrance, he heard the commotion from inside. Without hesitating, he strode in.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered, he saw Madelyn being struck right in front of him. Derek’s anger flared up instantly, and he roared, “Everyone, stop!”

Suddenly, the room fell silent. Everyone halted in unison, as if on cue.

After Eunice let go of Madelyn’s hands, the latter collapsed onto the nearby couch, her legs weak. Then, she looked pitifully at her father. “Dad, you’re back.”

Derek’s gaze settled on Madelyn, who was in a complete mess, her face swollen from the beating. Derek was instantly furious. He berated the mother and daughter, “Are you two out of your minds? How dare you openly beat my daughter at home! Who gave you such audacity!”

“Derek…” Regina complained discontentedly at that time, “We only wanted to teach Madelyn a lesson: she’s really too impudent.”

“It’s not your place to teach her a lesson!” Derek’s anger grew.

Following that, he ordered, “Someone, escort Ms. Eunice to her room, and keep her confined for half a month! Without my express command, she is not permitted to leave.”

Once the words were spoken, someone immediately stepped forward to drag Eunice upstairs. Regardless of how much she cried and screamed, it was all in vain.

“Derek, if there’s an issue, take it up with me! Please spare Eunice,” pleaded Regina, standing off to the side.

As a result, Derek looked at her in utter disappointment. “Did you think I wouldn’t deal with you?”

Regina was clearly taken aback.

“Had I known this day would come, I would never have let you step foot into this household!” Derek let out a heavy sigh, his tone dripping with disappointment, “All these years, I’ve been patient with you over and over again. In the past, even if you bullied Maddie, I could turn a blind eye. But now, you actually dared to lay a hand on her. It seems I’ve really been too lenient with you lately!”