Chapter 227 Becoming More Virtuous

Derek was over the moon, “Absolutely! Absolutely! As long as you’re willing to learn, even if it costs me my life, it’s worth it!”

“Dad, you’re talking nonsense again. Why would I want your life?” Madelyn laughed at her father’s dramatics. “After a few more years, when I’ve fully taken the company off your hands, you can just stay at home and enjoy a peaceful retirement.”

Upon hearing her promise, Derek’s heart swelled with joy. “My dear Maddie, you’ve finally grown up. This really puts your old man’s mind at ease.”

Madelyn smiled softly.

Madelyn shared a simple meal for lunch with her father at his office before setting off to see Sebastian.

When she arrived at the Lockhart Group, she only saw Malcolm busily typing away; Sebastian was not in the office.

“Where’s Sebastian, Malcolm?” Madelyn asked nonchalantly.

“He didn’t come in today,” replied Malcolm in an equally nonchalant manner.

“Really? Doesn’t he usually come in very early?” Madelyn was perplexed.

Suddenly, Madelyn noticed the injury on Malcolm’s face. She immediately rushed toward him in concern, “Malcolm, what happened to you?”

Malcolm was not the type to get into fights. However, last night, he had stepped up to help Sebastian. He had even picked up a weapon to join the fray. Although his injuries were not severe, he did end up with his fair share of bruises and cuts.

He glanced at Madelyn. Malcolm was not sure if he should bring up the events of the previous night. In the end, he chose to remain silent and walked away with his head down.

“How odd!” Madelyn thought to herself.

Madelyn watched Malcolm’s retreating figure and wondered why he was acting so peculiarly.

“And why didn’t Sebastian come to work today?” She asked herself.

Madelyn then hailed a taxi to Lockhart Villa.

Upon opening the front door, she caught sight of a wounded Sebastian being tended to by Harriet.

Madelyn turned red in anger immediately.

She stormed over and yanked Harriet away from Sebastian. “What are you doing, Harriet?” she demanded loudly.

Then, she turned to Sebastian and took in the extent of his injuries. Her heart ached at the sight. “Sebastian,” she gasped. “What happened to you?”

Harriet’s face contorted uglily at being tossed aside.

“Shouldn’t you be asking yourself that question, Madelyn?” Harriet retorted.

“What do you mean?” Madelyn countered, glaring at Harriet.

Harriet sneered. “If it weren’t for you, would Sebastian have gotten hurt? Why are you pretending? Don’t you know what you’ve done? Did you think that we are all unaware about you and…”

“Harriet, that’s enough!” Sebastian interrupted in a stern voice.

He had no intention of letting Madelyn know about this matter, so he had to shut Harriet up quickly.

Madelyn was completely bewildered. “What on earth is going on, Sebastian?”

“It’s nothing,” Sebastian replied dismissively.

He then turned his gaze to Harriet and said coldly, “Ms. Moore, you should return to the office.”

“…Sebastian…” Harriet felt wronged, but Sebastian turned his head away, clearly unwilling to hear her speak another word.

Reluctantly, Harriet made for the door, her heart filled with resentment. Although she had not said a word out loud, she was secretly cursing Madelyn in her heart.

At that moment, Wesley, who was seated nearby, said mockingly, “Madelyn, where were you this morning? You seem so concerned. You really know how to pick your moments, don’t you?”

“What are you trying to say?” Madelyn was genuinely perplexed. She did not know what Harriet and Wesley were trying to imply with their words, hanging in the air, unfinished.

“Don’t you know who hurt Sebastian?” Wesley retorted.

Madelyn burst into laughter at his outrageous statement. “Wesley, do you really think I’m some sort of psychic?” she asked, amusement lacing her tone. “I’ve only just found out about Sebastian’s injury. How on earth would I know who hurt him?”

Madelyn’s gaze darkened. She thought to herself that if she found out who had hurt Sebastian, she would kill that person.

“You really don’t know? Who’d believe that?” Wesley wore an expression of disbelief.

At this point, Sebastian could not bear it any longer and finally said softly, “Wesley, that’s quite enough.”

Wesley sighed, “I’m just worried for you. Please don’t invite trouble to yourself.”

Having said his piece, Wesley fell silent. He turned and walked away.

Once it was just the two of them in the room, Madelyn finally felt at ease. She began to carefully examine Sebastian’s wounds.

“Sebastian, what on earth happened to you? You didn’t get into a fight, did you?”

Seeing the series of wounds on Sebastian’s arm, including the bruise at the corner of his mouth, Madelyn’s heart ached. She immediately had Lydia bring the first aid kit. Then, she proceeded to tend to his injuries.

Sebastian merely responded nonchalantly, “It’s nothing.”

In truth, a lengthy spar with Phantom had taken place the previous night, leaving both of them injured to varying degrees. However, the injuries Sebastian sustained were lighter.

Of course, there was no way Sebastian would ever reveal this matter to Madelyn.

Despite the events of the previous night, which had further convinced Harriet and Wesley that Madelyn was a sleeper agent from the Oceanic Empire, Sebastian remained steadfast in his faith in Madelyn.

Sebastian was certain that Madelyn could not possibly be a spy.

“Are there any other wounds on you?”

After tending to Sebastian’s visible wounds, Madelyn began to worry. She wondered if there might be any injuries hidden beneath his clothes, perhaps on his stomach or legs.

Indeed, there really was.

Upon hearing her question, Sebastian rose to his feet and took a couple of steps. His gait was uneven, indicating an apparent injury.

Madelyn felt a pang in her heart as she watched him limp. Immediately, she made up her mind and said, “I think I should stay and take care of you for the next couple of days.”

“No need,” Sebastian immediately dismissed her. “You should take care of Dad. This minor injury of mine is nothing."

“Who said you’re okay?” Madelyn’s heart ached so much that she was on the verge of tears. “Look at you! You can’t even walk properly. If I don’t take care of you, who will? Do you really want Lydia to help you out of bed every day?”

Sebastian was speechless.

After a brief pause, Madelyn spoke again. “Don’t worry, Dad still has the housekeeper and the mother-daughter duo. Plus, his health is improving. There’s no need for concern. I said I would stay here to take care of you, and that’s exactly what I’ll do. So, stop arguing with me.”

Given the circumstances, Sebastian had no choice but to nod in agreement.

In the following days, apart from attending classes and rehearsing for the stage play, Madelyn devoted almost all of her time to tending to Sebastian.

Whenever Madelyn found herself free, she would personally step into the kitchen to prepare nourishing meals for Sebastian.

The level of care that she showed him could be described as incredibly meticulous.

Even the servants could not help but praise her efforts, “Madelyn is becoming such a virtuous lady!”

“Yeah, yeah, she really has changed a lot!”