Chapter 413: A Foolish Woman
“We all know about the significant incident at your factory a while back. It was your daughter, Eunice, who instigated it, right?” Janessa chuckled. “I never thought there could be such a foolish woman! Eunice redefined my perception of stupidity!”
“Janessa, what are you talking about?” Madelyn, unable to contain her anger, retorted. “Your sarcasm is infuriating. What are you implying?”
Seeing Madelyn’s anger, Janessa smiled wider. “Hey, don’t be upset.” She pulled Kieran closer and said, “Eunice’s foolish actions stemmed from her infatuation with Kieran. She was so smitten, she couldn't discern right from wrong. She naively agreed to take over the company and even promised him half the shares. Incredibly foolish, wouldn't you say?”
Janessa felt a great sense of satisfaction and laughed.
Derek glared fiercely at Kieran, seething with anger. “So, it was you! You schemed to deceive Eunice!”
Derek had wondered why Eunice, a company member, would harm the organization. Now, it seemed, all the answers were in place. Kieran had used Eunice, leading the foolish girl to turn against her family's company.
Derek’s anger intensified; he was furious.
“Dad!” Madelyn gasped, rushing to support him. Confirming his safety, she glared at Janessa. “You thrive on chaos, you despicable woman! Have you said enough?”
Janessa was instantly infuriated. “Madelyn, how dare you insult me? Aren’t you afraid I’ll teach you a lesson?”
Madelyn chuckled coldly. “No need to wait. I’ll show you what I’m made of right now!”
Madelyn rushed forward and slapped Janessa. “This slap is for my father! For your lack of manners and nonsensical talk!” She slapped her again. “This slap is for my naive sister! You took advantage of her youth and poor judgment. Do you even have a conscience?” Another slap followed.
Madelyn finally vented her frustration. In the past, she’d dealt with Janessa secretly, but this time, she couldn’t hold back. She didn’t care what others thought; her reputation for being willful was well-established. She wouldn't tolerate anyone bullying her father. Family was her line in the sand.
“You! How dare you hit me?” Janessa covered her flushed cheeks, looking at Madelyn in disbelief.
People around pointed at Madelyn, criticizing her for fighting in public. As she became the target of public criticism, Janessa ignored her pain, immediately portraying herself as an innocent victim, covering her face and playing the pitiful damsel.
“Everyone, look! The heiress of the Thornton Corporation resorting to violence! Outrageous!”
Janessa’s face was convincingly covered, her expression filled with unshed tears.
Madelyn, unfazed by the critical gazes, chuckled coldly. “Janessa, you’re quite the actress! Why haven’t you considered acting? It’d be a waste of your talent if you didn’t win an award.”
Janessa, covering her face, appeared more pitiful than ever. “Y-you’ve hit someone! How could you be so brazen?”
The more pitiful she appeared, the more people sided with her, criticizing Madelyn as aggressive and unreasonable. As Madelyn was accused, Janessa secretly laughed, intentionally putting on a pitiful act to influence Sebastian.
Madelyn merely watched, responding with a cold, mocking laugh. She knew these were Janessa's typical tactics.
Kieran pulled Janessa behind him and yelled at Madelyn. “What’s wrong with you? Have you lost all decency?”
Madelyn scoffed. “So what if I hit someone? If it weren’t for the crowd, I would have done much worse!”
Madelyn retorted strongly, “I will definitely settle the score with you for my sister!”
Kieran was taken aback by Madelyn’s domineering nature. He said resentfully, “I thought you were intelligent, but you’re just a dumb b*tch who only knows how to resort to violence!”
Madelyn furrowed her brows.
Kieran laughed coldly. “What do you think your sister is, some sort of treasure? Eunice is a mindless fool! She wanted to hand over her family’s company so easily. Pitifully naive.”
Kieran chuckled unapologetically. “Her foolishness isn’t without reason. With a sister like you, how smart could she be?”
Madelyn was instantly livid. “What did you say?”
She hadn’t targeted Kieran, yet he’d dared to attack her. Madelyn decided not to hold back. She dashed forward, grabbed his tie, and swiftly delivered a forceful knee strike. Then, lifting her dress hem, she kicked him with her high heel, sending him tumbling.