Chapter 223 Completely Fake

Agnes insisted that Madelyn stay for dinner at her home, expressing that it had been some time since they last met and she wished to spend more time with her and her daughter-in-law.

Madelyn didn’t turn her down. Thus, she spent the day with Agnes and Steven, playing chess and engaging in casual conversations.

After having dinner, Madelyn took a cab back home.

The driver was halfway through the journey when he suddenly hit the brakes hard.

Madelyn’s body lurched forward abruptly. Once she steadied herself, she complained, “What’s going on?”

The driver said in a quavering voice, “G–Gun…”

At some point, a gun was already aimed at the driver’s head.

Madelyn froze for a moment, then pushed the car door open and saw a familiar black van up ahead.

Oceanic Empire!

Her heart sank a little.

Half a month hasn’t even passed yet. Why are they after me?

Madelyn’s eyebrows twitched slightly. It seems there are only two possibilities:

One, my own words have come true.

Two, the other party has a change of heart, wanting to act prematurely to end my life.

Madelyn was somewhat scared. But after all, she had chosen this path herself. She had no choice but to face it head-on.

Sebastian was burning the midnight oil at the office tonight, completely engrossed in his work. He was utterly unaware of the multitude of events that had unfolded.

It wasn’t until half an hour after Madelyn was taken away that Malcolm rushed in to report. “Bad news, Mr. Lockhart. Mrs. Lockhart has been taken away by people from Oceanic Empire!”

“What?”

Sebastian’s face changed dramatically, but he remained composed. “Where is she now?”

Malcolm knew the situation had escalated. With a shaky voice, he immediately said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Lockhart. Our people were halfway through when they suddenly lost her…”

Sebastian slammed his hand heavily on the table. His anger was clearly conveyed without a word.

He ordered, “Mobilize everyone right away. Even if we have to turn this city upside down, I want her found!”

“Understood!” Malcolm acknowledged the order and left.

At that moment, the fury in Sebastian’s eyes was akin to an erupting volcano. The raging inferno within his gaze burned ceaselessly, compelling anyone who witnessed it to keep their distance.

Harriet felt a bit apprehensive, but she steeled herself and said, “Sebastian, do you remember what I told you in the study last night?

Sebastian looked at her with a grave expression, a cold light escaping his lips. “Are you implying that Madelyn is an undercover agent for Oceanic Empire?”

Isn’t that what she meant by what she said last night?

Startled, Harriet quickly said, “I wouldn’t dare. But Sebastian, haven’t you ever had any doubts? The change in Madelyn is just too drastic. Sometimes I even wonder if Madelyn has been replaced by someone else. After all, you know as well as I do that there are so many skilled and extraordinary people in this world, capable of doing anything, right?”

The expression on Sebastian’s face grew even more serious.

Harriet continued. “Also, Sebastian, don’t forget, there was someone who pretended to be me and infiltrated your life in the past, causing such a huge scandal in the company. So, who knows if Madelyn might be the second me? Perhaps the person she is now is completely fake!”

A shiver ran through both of them as these words were spoken.

“Shut up!” Sebastian roared in unbearable anger. “From now on, I forbid you to utter such words in my presence. Whether Madelyn is real or fake, I am fully aware. I don’t need you to constantly remind me.”

After speaking, Sebastian turned around and stormed off.

However, there was indeed a hint of doubt in his heart.

Is she really not the Madelyn that I knew? Otherwise, how could there be such a drastic difference in her personality?

However, upon reflection, Sebastian felt that something was amiss.

When one person imitates another, even if the imitation is incredibly accurate, those minor traits and subtle expressions can never be perfectly identical.

Sebastian was an astute individual. He was so observant that he even knew the exact number of moles on Madelyn’s face. How could he possibly fail to discern whether she was real or not?

The more Sebastian pondered, the more he became convinced that Harriet’s words were nothing but utter nonsense.

At that time, Madelyn was led to the basement by several individuals clad in black.

Inside, it was incredibly quiet, so quiet that even the sound of a droplet of water was particularly noticeable.

Madelyn was genuinely frightened this time. Where on earth are they taking me?

Just then, the person before her abruptly pushed open a pitch-black door.

Madelyn’s vision was seared by a burst of multicolored light, while an overwhelming noise filled her ears.

Madelyn kept her eyes tightly shut and covered her ears. After a brief pause, she finally opened them.

It was then she realized she had unexpectedly ended up in an underground casino.

Furthermore, the magnitude of this casino surpassed mere luxury and grandeur.

It was as if they were in a grand, opulent kingdom of god, filled with the intoxicating allure of opulence. Everyone was engrossed in the illusion brought by wealth, and spending extravagantly was the most ordinary thing to do.

A multitude of men and women clustered closely, treating money like a game.

Some people here had amassed fortunes, while others had lost everything they owned. Those who had become wealthy exacted their revenge overnight, while those who had lost everything disappeared without a trace.

At that moment, Phantom was seated loftily at the head of the table, a seat constructed entirely of pure gold. At first glance, it resembled the throne of an ancient king.

He was surrounded by several seductive ladies clad only in bikinis.

One leaned on his shoulder, another snuggled on his lap, a third massaged his temples from behind, while a fourth kneaded his hands and legs.

Each of these women was enchantingly charming, and Phantom reveled in their midst.

Such a display was reminiscent of the extravagance and opulence of ancient emperors. It was so overwhelming that one could hardly bear to look directly at it.

Madelyn stepped forward but could only bear a single glance before she looked away. Quickly lowering her head, she said, “Phantom, didn’t we agree on half a month? The time isn’t up yet. Why have you seized me?”

With a captivating allure in his eyes, Phantom glanced at Madelyn, then abruptly waved his hand. “You all may leave now.”

The few bikini-clad women nearby had no choice but to step back.

Then, Phantom looked down, scrutinizing Madelyn’s delicate face.

A moment later, he suddenly laughed. “I’m curious. Do you really have the ability to foresee the future?”

Madelyn’s heart gave a tremble.

She forced herself to nod and said, “Honestly, I don’t really know. These premonitions can be accurate at times and false at others. I’m simply taking a gamble.”

Suddenly, Madelyn thought of something and asked, “Could it be that my words have come true?”

Phantom fixed his gaze on Madelyn as if he intended to see right through her.

After a long while, he gave a noncommittal nod.