Chapter 161

The servant, seemingly seeking revenge, loudly announced, "Nicolas, the future head of the Hendrix family, married Thea. Why? Didn't your future husband tell you?"

Madelyn thought, "These people keep provoking me. It's obvious they don't take me seriously. But that's not the worst of it. What infuriates me most is that Thea still won in the end. I've worked so hard to get where I am. I'm furious!" Trembling with rage, her eyes darted around as she frantically searched for a way to bring Thea down. Dealing with Jake would be one thing, but Nicolas? She was helpless.

In her anger, Madelyn slapped the servant again. The servant, furious but unable to retaliate, only cursed and left.

Simone, observing from the second floor, frowned disdainfully. "Look how petty she is. After she marries Jake, who knows what embarrassments she'll bring him?"

The butler added, "Mrs. Hendrix, don't worry. She'll learn the rules from you. Besides, a woman like that isn't fit for our social events. Jake certainly won't have only one woman in his life." Reassured, Simone coughed loudly, then descended the stairs. She met Madelyn's fawning attempts with a cold expression. Looking at Madelyn's gift, she smiled faintly. "Miss Terell, don't you know we wouldn't consider such an inferior gift even for the servants?" Madelyn stiffened, clutching her bag, embarrassed.

Simone almost rolled her eyes but, unable to dismiss her outright, simply waved a hand. "Take a seat."

Madelyn tried again. "Mrs. Hendrix, may I massage your shoulders? I've been trained and can help relax your neck muscles."

Simone, sipping her coffee, frowned impatiently. "If word got out that Jake's wife only knows how to give massages, people would laugh. Are you deliberately trying to embarrass him?"

"No, no, no!" Madelyn flustered, shaking her head. Biting her lip, she stammered, "I just want to see Jake. There's a misunderstanding. We need to reconcile before our wedding. Surely you don't want us to be unhappy."

Simone, legs crossed, smirked arrogantly. "Don't threaten me. My son's happiness is paramount. You can marry Jake because I'm letting you off, but don't expect anything else. If he loses interest, don't expect any favors, let alone complaining to my husband. Your family's comfortable life in Key Biscayne depends on my goodwill."

Madelyn's face paled. She understood: she could be Jake's wife in title only, with no benefits. She'd planned to secure her position with a pregnancy, but now that seemed impossible. Terror gripped her, but she forced herself to compose herself. Remembering Simone's disgust when she mentioned Thea, Madelyn stepped forward, smiling ingratiatingly. "As long as I'm by Jake's side, nothing else matters. Mrs. Hendrix, just tell me what to do. I'll be good."

Simone's expression softened. She yawned impatiently. "Fine. If that's all, leave now. Someone will pick you up in a few days." (This implied there would be no wedding.)

Swallowing her indignation, Madelyn continued, "Mrs. Hendrix, I've heard about Thea. It's astonishing that someone like her could marry Nicolas."

Simone stopped, looking at her mockingly. "Oh? Are you interested in Nicolas now?"

Madelyn quickly shook her head. "No, no, no! I truly love Jake. He's the only man for me. But I remembered things about Thea's past. I don't think Nicolas knows about them; otherwise, he wouldn't be with her."

Simone's interest piqued, but she warned, "I hate liars."

Madelyn swore, "Mrs. Hendrix, we're family now. Why would I lie?"

Simone considered this and agreed. Turning to a servant, she instructed, "Let Miss Terell rest here. If she's still here tonight, she can have dinner."

Madelyn's face lit up with gratitude. After Simone left…