Chapter 26

"That brat!" Archie clenched his fist, his eyes icy. "I didn't expect Dakota to be so despicable, associating with someone like Cameron!"

Madison cursed Dakota through gritted teeth. "I didn't know Dakota was like that either. A person's true nature is indeed hard to discern."

"But I think Dakota is taking advantage of Cameron," Archie said deeply.

"Dakota's taking advantage of Cameron?" Madison said, startled.

"That's right," Archie confirmed. "Besides the disparity between the Jennings and Price families, the Jennings family is reportedly insolvent. Cooperating with such a debt-ridden family is impossible. Dakota likely made this choice because Cameron asked Lord Blackheart for a favor."

Lord Blackheart, chairman of Darth Holdings, could greenlight the project with a single word.

"So that's it!" Madison finally understood. "No wonder Dakota and Cameron became so close! She was using him!"

"What a cunning woman!" Madison exclaimed, displeased. Turning to Archie, she said, "I'm sorry, dear. It's my fault. I shouldn't have invited Dakota to be my bridesmaid. None of this would have happened, and your project wouldn't have been lost."

"Dear, it's not your fault. Don't feel bad," Archie comforted her, though a sinister glint flickered in his eyes. He sighed, feigning embarrassment. "This project is crucial to my father. If I fail, he'll think I've neglected my duties and been distracted by my love life. He might interfere with our relationship. My dear, what should we do?"

Madison panicked at the thought of jeopardizing her relationship with Archie. She desperately wanted to marry into wealth.

"There's a way, but it might require temporarily sacrificing some of your career," Archie said hesitantly. "I know this might be misunderstood, and I understand you've worked hard"

"Dear, how can I help?" Madison responded readily, eager to help without alienating Archie's father.

"I need you to temporarily transfer some larger projects from your company to me," Archie said, still appearing uncomfortable.

"No problem, dear. We'll be family soon. What's mine is yours. Take whatever you need. I'll have someone contact you," Madison agreed without hesitation, wanting only to help.

"Really?" Archie felt a surge of excitement, masking it with self-blame. "I'm so lucky to marry someone as wonderful as you. It's a pity our wedding was disrupted by that scoundrel Cameron. I'm so powerless"

"Dear, please don't say that. That vile person is no match for you. He just used despicable tricks!" Madison reassured him, completely fooled.

"Still, I'm so powerless," Archie sighed despondently, sneering inwardly. This woman is an idiot, he thought. Feelings are irrelevant. I want her high-profile business contacts. Once I have them, she's finished!

(The final promotional sentence has been removed as it is irrelevant to the text cleanup.)