Chapter 256 More Than Friends

The following day, as he had promised, Sebastian arranged for Madelyn’s discharge from the hospital that very morning.

Instantly, Madelyn felt a sense of liberation, both physically and emotionally. Thus, by the afternoon, she hurried off to attend her classes at the campus.

Josiah and Jillian were somewhat concerned when they saw her. She had only rested for a few days before she came running over, all lively and energetic.

“Madelyn, can you really handle this? Didn’t the doctor say your shoulder blade was fractured?” Jillian was practically wincing on Madelyn’s behalf, wondering to herself why Madelyn was pushing herself so hard.

“Madelyn, since you’re sick, why don’t you just stay home? Why are you wandering around? I’ve never seen you so keen on studying before,” Josiah was seriously questioning this woman’s sense of self-preservation, constantly making sarcastic comments on the side.

“Tsk! What do you know? I have my ways,” Madelyn said, brimming with confidence. She paid no mind to Josiah’s sarcastic remarks.

“I’m genuinely worried about you,” Jillian frowned. “Instead of resting, you’re here, running around. What if you hurt yourself even more? What then?” The mere thought of it seemed to upset Jillian more than if she had been the one injured.

Upon seeing the situation, Madelyn couldn’t help but soften her heart, and her tone became much gentler.

“Don’t worry. I know my own body well. I believe there’s nothing major to worry about now. Sure, it’s still quite inconvenient, but it’s much better than the past couple of days. As long as I don’t deliberately touch it, it won’t hurt. Besides, there are so many things I haven’t done yet. If I stay in the hospital all the time, I won’t feel at ease.” Madelyn flashed a gentle smile before adding, “All right, you guys don’t need to worry anymore, I’m fine.”

With that, Madelyn turned to leave.

After exchanging a glance, Josiah and Jillian followed suit in unspoken agreement. “No, I still can’t rest easy. Since you’re determined to come back, then we’re sticking with you!”

When Josiah spoke, there was a strong implication that he intended to stick by Madelyn’s side, much like a parasite that couldn’t be rid of.

Jillian also nodded firmly as she stood to the side, her expression taut and strained.

Madelyn couldn’t help but laugh. These two are indeed stubborn. The most crucial point is, didn’t Josiah previously display an indifferent, aloof attitude toward me? How is it that he’s now poised to become my personal bodyguard?

With that in mind, Madelyn couldn’t help but tease with a laugh, “Josiah, you’ve really changed a lot, haven’t you? You didn’t use to care so much about my affairs. Why are you so keen on following me now! Could it be that you want to be my knight in shining armor? Haha! I must tell you something, though. I can’t afford to pay you a salary.”

After she finished speaking, Madelyn’s laughter became even more self-satisfied.

Josiah was on the verge of losing his cool as he listened. What on earth? When did I ever ask for money?

“What’s it to you? Can’t I do what I like?”

Jillian was taken aback upon hearing that, finding it utterly unbelievable. “What? Are you into Madelyn?”

Josiah was first taken aback, and he nearly lost his temper. “Fek! What kind of ears do you have? Did I say that?”

“Um…. I must have misheard. I’m sorry.” Jillian immediately lowered her head in apology.

However, at that moment, Tristan was watching Josiah from the side, his gaze filled with teasing intentions.

To put it simply, he and Josiah have been through thick and thin together. He knew exactly what Josiah had in mind.

Madelyn couldn’t help but recall her previous life, where Josiah had indeed treated her with overwhelming kindness.

In other words, they could be described as more than friends, less than lovers.

However, Madelyn had always chosen to play the fool, refusing to admit it. That was because, whether in her previous life or this one, she could never repay Josiah’s kindness toward her.

Madelyn’s heart was filled with guilt when she thought about that. Quickly, she changed the subject and said, “Class is about to start. We should get going!”

This brought an end to the awkward conversation.

In the afternoon, as soon as Madelyn’s class had ended, she headed toward the campus gate with Jillian and Josiah closely following behind her.

Left with no choice, Madelyn had to take both of them along in her actions.

Following that, the trio found themselves near another university, Yarwood Architecture and Construction University, and it was close to theirs. They settled down at an outdoor table in a nearby café, each ordering a cup of coffee.

“What are you doing here?” Josiah looked around the unfamiliar surroundings, a hint of confusion in his heart.

“I’m waiting for someone,” Madelyn calmly stated.

Curiosity piqued, Josiah asked, “Who are we waiting for?”

“Just wait…”

Madelyn was about to speak when her eyes were drawn to a few girls approaching together from not too far away.

One girl, dressed in a green mini-skirt, seemed especially graceful and charming. She almost completely filled Madelyn’s field of vision.

If Madelyn’s memory served her correctly, the girl’s name was Cheryl Sherritt. She was Janessa’s half-sister, sharing the same father but with different mothers. In other words, she was the biological daughter of the lady of the Sherritt family at that time.

Due to their family backgrounds, Cheryl had always been at odds with Janessa. Their rivalry was so intense that they could hardly bear each other’s existence.

At that time, Janessa was intent on seizing power. Madelyn knew that her influence as an outsider would certainly not be enough to stop Janessa. Therefore, getting close to Cheryl seemed to be the best course of action for her at the moment.

In no time, Cheryl and her group of close girlfriends found themselves giggling and settling into the nearby seats, and then they began to order their coffees.

At that moment, Madelyn suddenly winked at Jillian and Josiah, whispering softly. “Work with me in a bit.”

Upon hearing this, both Josiah and Jillian were utterly bewildered.

Madelyn had already started, clearing her throat deliberately before saying, “Argh… It’s been so frustrating for me lately. You wouldn’t believe it, but Lockhart Group has been searching for a business partner for a recent project. And guess what? Janessa came straight to me, insisting that I be the one to connect the Sherritt family to it. I really have no idea what she’s up to.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Also, she even told me recently that the Sherritt family was originally hers, and she’s determined to reclaim it at any cost.” As Madelyn spoke, she purposely glanced sideways at Cheryl.

Just as expected, Cheryl remained silent at this point, her ears perked up.

Upon seeing the situation, Madelyn immediately began to embellish, saying, “Actually, I can understand Janessa’s position. Given her background, it’s natural for her to want to secure her place at home and seek my help. However, this is business. As a woman, my word doesn’t necessarily carry weight. It’s up to Sebastian to make the final decision, right?”

At this point, Jillian finally caught on and quickly chimed in, “Yeah! But Madelyn, regardless of anything, Janessa is still your friend. You’d help her out, right?”