Chapter 303: Stop Worrying

Madelyn, however, didn't mind in the slightest. “I admit, the person you all are talking about was indeed me, but that’s in the past. The sky turns dark, and people change, so why can’t I turn over a new leaf? Besides, my relationship with my darling is now stronger than ever. My past refusal to marry him was simply a sign of my immaturity. However, now, I’ve come to a realization. We’re leading a very happy life, so I hope everyone can stop worrying unnecessarily.”

As she spoke, she intimately looped her arm through Sebastian’s, grinning sweetly. Seeing the situation, those around felt it inappropriate to say anything further.

Hayden hadn’t expected Madelyn to handle the situation so easily, leaving him somewhat unsatisfied. “Indeed, Ms. Thornton and Mr. Lockhart make a handsome couple. It’s truly enviable.”

“Still, I heard you’ve been spending a lot of time with Josiah recently, Ms. Thornton. If you two are merely friends, you shouldn’t have been so intimate with him. I’m genuinely curious about the depth of your friendship.” As Hayden spoke, he covered his mouth with a suppressed chuckle. Clearly, he was attempting to sow discord.

The people around immediately shook their heads in dissatisfaction, feeling they couldn’t easily trust Madelyn. After all, her initial reason for refusing the marriage was that she had fallen for someone else, not Sebastian. Even after getting engaged, she continued to flirt with others. Hence, it was inevitable that people would suspect her of two-timing.

Madelyn listened to the skepticism and scoffed. Hayden’s sinister intention couldn’t be more obvious. Still, she spoke quite openly. “Hayden, if you think there’s something fishy between me and Josiah, then you’re overthinking it. Josiah and I are merely best buddies who’ve been through thick and thin together, nothing more.”

Upon hearing those words, everyone present was somewhat taken aback. They’ve been through thick and thin together? They couldn’t imagine it because Josiah usually just bummed around.

Hayden burst out laughing, mockingly, “Ms. Thornton, you want to distance yourself from him, but don’t you think your reasoning is a bit far-fetched?”

“How is that so?” Madelyn snorted coldly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Are you looking down on me or Josiah?”

“Apologies, but neither,” Hayden immediately responded with a feigned apologetic smile. “Even though Josiah is my cousin, I just think you flatter him too much, Ms. Thornton. It would be better if he didn’t…”

I did hear that he nearly lost his life during a street race with you in the southern suburbs a while back.”

It was obvious why he said that. There was an uproar in the crowd when they heard that. Members of the Blume family were all taken aback, with Benedict growing increasingly anxious. He pressed Josiah, “Is what he’s saying true?”

After all, the southern suburb was a chaotic place full of bad people. From their perspective, that place was nothing more than a disgusting area. Additionally, the Blume family hailed from a military background. If one of their family members dared to set foot in a place like the southern suburbs, it would be nothing short of a monumental disgrace!

At that moment, the crowd turned to Josiah, staring at him with disdain as though they were looking at a piece of trash. A scowl had long settled on Josiah’s countenance. Unable to hold back any longer, he stepped forward and grabbed Hayden by the collar. “Have you said enough, motherfcker?” He uttered each word with burning fury.

“Stop!” Felix immediately bellowed. The surrounding crowd instantly fell silent.

Before Madelyn knew it, her expression gradually turned grim. It seems Hayden intends to crush Josiah tonight! Gossip is a fearsome thing, and with so many people here tonight, there’s a chance his confidence will be crushed by their admonishment if we don’t tread carefully. At worst, he may be eternally doomed! What a truly despicable man Hayden is!

Jillian and Tristan, who were standing by the side watching, grew anxious and unsure of what to do. Tristan was even more anxious, turning to Madelyn with a pleading look. “Madelyn, I beg you, no matter what, you must help Josiah. Even though he doesn’t seem to care about anything on the surface, this matter could easily shatter him!”

Madelyn understood that as well, but she also knew panicking wouldn’t do any good. Hence, she comforted, “Don’t worry, I’m here.” Then, she dragged Josiah back by force and turned to Felix, speaking candidly. “Old Mr. Blume, Mr. and Mrs. Blume, I must apologize to you all first because it’s true that he went to the southern suburbs.”

“What?” Felix was stunned.

Madelyn quickly reassured, “It’s only because I was tricked by some villains and was lured to that place, almost losing my life. Josiah specifically went there to save me. If you don’t believe me, you can ask my husband, Sebastian. He was there at the time, too.”

Everyone promptly turned their gaze toward Sebastian. Sebastian paused for two seconds, then noncommittally nodded. Almost no one dared to question the veracity of Sebastian’s response. However, Josiah did indeed venture to the southern suburbs, so, for a moment, the members of the Blume family were filled with uncertainty and disbelief.

Upon observing the situation, Madelyn suddenly had an idea. Since there are so many people here today, I should take advantage of the situation to help Josiah prove himself? It’ll also be a good opportunity to help Josiah pull himself together!

With that thought in mind, Madelyn quickly added, “Actually, Mr. and Mrs. Blume, Josiah isn’t as unbearable as you think. He’s actually quite capable. It’s just that he prefers not to show off, so you may not have noticed.”

“Heh, really?” Hayden retorted immediately with disdain. “Ms. Thornton, you must be joking. What can Josiah possibly do?”

The others also shook their heads, clearly not believing what Madelyn had said. Madelyn was far from flustered and smiled. “I knew none of you would believe what I say. However, that’s fine. Feel free to test him if you don’t trust me.”

After speaking, Madelyn confidently looked at the guests at the banquet. “Everyone present today will serve as witnesses. Hayden, you can select anyone from the crowd to compete against Josiah. If that person wins against Josiah, I will immediately hand over five million to you. I won’t go back on my word.”

Everyone gasped in surprise upon hearing that. As they all still assumed Josiah was a good-for-nothing, they thought Madelyn was basically handing five million over to Hayden for nothing.

Hayden also felt he had a windfall, chuckling with ill intentions. “All right, let’s test it out then!” He was more than happy to oblige when he could win money and crush Josiah’s confidence completely, ensuring the latter would never rise again.