Chapter 25

“Maddy, I…” Dakota began, but Madison cut her off.

Seeing the anger in Madison’s eyes, Dakota attempted to explain, but Madison interrupted.

“Cameron, why are you two here?” Madison demanded.

“We’re here to sign a contract,” Cameron replied coldly.

“A contract? What contract?” Madison was surprised.

“The city construction project,” Cameron said.

“What? Mr. Kane actually gave you the city construction project?” Madison was stunned. Archie, standing beside her, looked equally shocked.

“He didn’t give it to me. He gave it to the Jennings family,” Cameron clarified.

“The Jennings family?” Madison and Archie were even more shocked. A wave of anger washed over Madison as a possibility occurred to her. She pointed at Dakota. “Dakota, what do you mean by this? Are you teaming up with my ex-husband to steal our project?”

“What?” Dakota was startled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were also interested in this project.”

“You didn’t know? You’re so close to him. Why are you pretending otherwise?” Madison sneered. “By the way, how long have you two known each other?”

“We met just a few days ago,” Dakota answered truthfully.

“A few days? Dakota, you’re truly despicable!” Madison’s face was filled with resentment.

“Maddy, please let me explain. It’s not what you think…” Dakota said anxiously, but Madison interrupted sharply.

“What else is there to explain? You know what kind of person he is, and what he did to me at the wedding today. Yet, you’re still willing to get close to him! I treat you as my best friend, but what am I to you?”

“Maddy, I…” Dakota desperately wanted to explain but didn’t know how to begin.

Cameron watched, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes. “Dakota, there’s no need to explain anything to someone like her. She’s not a good person, so everything she sees will be tainted. Besides, this project wasn’t arranged just for them. Other people are qualified to compete, too. Does she even have a say in this?”

Madison exploded. “You bootlicker! You kissed up to me for five years, and after I dumped you, you’re now trying to pursue my best friend? How disgusting!”

“Disgusting?” Cameron sneered. “Madison, you think too highly of yourself.”

“Stop pretending!” Madison said angrily. “Do you really think I know nothing?”

“What do you know?” Cameron frowned.

“At my wedding, didn’t you use Lord Blackheart’s favor to manipulate him?”

“How did you know?”

“Saw you last night.” Madison curled her lip into a sneer. “You despicable bastard, do you really think no one knows? My friends were at the entrance of the banquet hall. They heard everything! This news has already spread among the upper-class circles. Let’s see how you’ll swagger around in the future!”

“Is that so? That’s good.” Cameron smiled. This would save him a lot of trouble.

Madison yelled, frustrated by Cameron’s indifferent attitude. “Don’t be too proud of yourself! Archie has already promised to make up for it. Your conspiracy won’t succeed! You disgust me, and I’ll never allow Dakota to be with someone like you!”

“If thinking this way makes you feel better, then go ahead,” Cameron replied indifferently. He turned to Dakota with a gentle smile. “Let’s go, Dakota. Mr. Kane is still waiting for you to sign the contract.”

“Okay,” Dakota said, nodding. This opportunity had been hard-won, and she couldn’t be late. She also knew Cameron wasn’t the person Madison portrayed him to be.

“Maddy, I’ll explain everything later. It’s really not what you think. Please don’t blame Cameron,” Dakota said apologetically before leaving with Cameron.

“That adulterous couple!” Madison watched them go, seething with anger. Archie remained silent, his eyes filled with gloom. He had been outwitted again!

(The final number, 414, appears to be a page or chapter number and is left as is.)