Chapter 298 Get A Divorce
“Let’s get a divorce!” Derek declared, his voice a mix of despair and firm resolve. “A woman like you has no place in the Thornton family, nor do you deserve to be Maddie’s stepmother. I never want to see you again.”
“What?” Regina’s response was one of complete shock, her eyes widening as if she had been struck by lightning.
How did things end up like this? I only intended to give Madelyn a small reprimand… but now, is Derek truly planning to cast me out of the family! N–No, I can’t let it happen! How will I support myself in the future? I tried every tactic to get rid of Madelyn’s mother and carve out my place in this family. Do I now have to return to the penniless life I once lived?
Regina couldn’t accept this reality.
Overwhelmed by her situation, Regina found herself practically collapsing to her knees in front of Derek, tears streaming down her face unexpectedly. “Derek, please don’t do this. I implore you to reconsider!” she pleaded desperately. “We’ve been married since our youth, we’ve shared a life together for so many years. It can’t end this abruptly… And what about me and our daughter? What will become of us? We’ll be left completely alone… Please, Derek, I’m begging you….”
However, Derek’s expression had already turned icy, his hope completely extinguished. “There’s no further need for discussion, Regina. I’ve given you nearly two decades to amend your ways, but you’ve disappointed me time and again, daring to mistreat my daughter like this. Consider the past twenty years as a gift from me to you. From this point forward, you’re on your own. As for Eunice, she remains my daughter. I will provide you with some financial support to ensure you’re settled properly.”
It was clear that Derek’s decision was final.
Madelyn hadn’t anticipated that the consequences of her suffering would lead to such a definitive resolution from her father. Her heart surged with relief, feeling that all the turmoil had been worthwhile.
In her previous life, Regina and Eunice were directly responsible for Derek’s untimely death. Not only that, but they had also attempted to take Madelyn’s life, and their actions ultimately led to the Thornton family’s catastrophic bankruptcy.
In this lifetime, Madelyn was determined not to let history repeat itself.
“I’m sorry, Madelyn,” Regina stammered, her voice quivering with remorse. “I shouldn’t have struck you. Could you possibly find it in your heart to forgive me, and maybe even speak to your father on my behalf? I can’t bear the thought of living without him.” At that moment, seeing that her appeals to Derek were futile, Regina turned to kneel before Madelyn, begging her to intervene.
However, Madelyn merely laughed, a sound filled with satisfaction. “You’re not my mother, so stop pretending to be one. And I suspect it’s not my father you’re unable to leave, but rather the luxurious life the Thornton family provides, right?”
Caught off guard by Madelyn exposing her true motives, Regina paused momentarily, then quickly attempted to defend herself, “No, no, you’ve misunderstood, Madelyn! Please, let me explain!”
Madelyn, however, had no interest in further dialogue with Regina and turned to leave.
In light of the tumultuous events at home, Madelyn decided it was best to return to Lockhart Villa. After doing so, she took the opportunity to update Sebastian on all the unforeseen developments.
Sebastian listened quietly, understanding that the decision was his father-in-law’s to make and it was not his place to comment. Besides, it was clear that Regina and her daughter had never harbored good intentions. Their departure from the Thornton family was undoubtedly for the best.
Sebastian was particularly concerned about Madelyn’s injuries.
That evening, after he had carefully applied medicine to Madelyn’s wounds, he encouraged her to wash up and try to get some rest.
Yet, Madelyn found herself unable to sleep, her thoughts in complete turmoil.
She remembered that Felix’s birthday was approaching and casually inquired, “Sebastian, do you recall Old Mr. Blume? His birthday is soon, will you be attending?”
Upon hearing her words, Sebastian visualized the kindly face of the Blume family’s patriarch and nodded, “He sent me an invitation through one of his subordinates today. Considering his assistance last time, we definitely should attend.”
“Really?” Madelyn exclaimed, her excitement palpable. "Does that mean we can go together?”
Sebastian gave a subtle nod, which only increased Madelyn’s enthusiasm.
At that moment, within a quaint white mansion at Huxville Luxury Mansions, Janessa was meticulously preparing a cup of coffee.
First, she added a measured amount of coffee beans, followed by sugar. Freshly ground cocoa powder was then placed into the mix, and finally, it was brewed with water heated to precisely eighty degrees Celsius.
Since the previous incident, Janessa found it too difficult to remain in the Sherritt residence, opting instead to move here.
Living with her was a strikingly beautiful woman, elegantly dressed, who was none other than her biological mother’s younger sister, her aunt and secret benefactor–Rachel Ingram.
After respectfully serving the carefully brewed coffee to Rachel, Janessa also took a seat on the couch. In a gentle voice, she asked, “Aunt Rachel, are you planning to attend Old Mr. Blume’s birthday celebration?”
Rachel, who was already in her forties yet maintained her skin flawlessly, smiled casually and remarked, “The Blume family is no ordinary prestigious family. They hail from a lineage of military elites, a truly esteemed background. They are quite selective about their associations with prestigious families. Therefore, receiving an invitation to Old Mr. Blume’s birthday is not something easily granted.”
“However, I do have one here,” Rachel stated, her manicured hands delicately retrieving an invitation card from beneath the cushion.
“I’m getting on in years, and attending such events doesn’t hold much appeal for me anymore,” she continued. “I think it would be more beneficial for you to seize this opportunity. It could be advantageous for your future endeavors.”
"But Aunt Rachel, I…” Janessa hesitated, her eyes fixed on the invitation she was reluctant to accept. “I don’t think I’m up for it. I’ve failed too many times already.”
The fallout from her dropping out of school had deeply affected Janessa. Although much of it was self-inflicted, her spirits had been low recently, to the point where the thought of attending any social event seemed daunting.
“Janessa, please don’t think that way,” Rachel advised earnestly. “Everyone encounters failures before they achieve success. This is just a temporary setback for you; it doesn’t mean you’re doomed to fail forever. The Sherritt family owes a debt to both you and your mother, and it’s your right to reclaim what belongs to you. Of course, your uncle and I will support you in this fight, so don’t worry.”
She continued, “Your uncle and I never had children of our own, and we’ve always considered you as our daughter. In the future, when you take over the Sherritt family, everything under our names will be yours. At that point, isn’t it within your power to decide who thrives and who doesn’t? Not to mention that Mr. Lockhart you’re fond of–if you desire him, he will surely reciprocate willingly.”
At Rachel’s words, Janessa’s gaze flickered with renewed hope. “Really?”