Janessa stepped forward, her eyes shining with unshed tears as she clung to Madelyn’s hand.
Does this woman ever get tired of her victim act?
Madelyn had seen through these insincere charades and no longer had the patience to play along with her.
“I’ve already told you, what you did was way out of line. I can’t possibly forgive you right now. Do you not understand?” Madelyn said, her annoyance clear as she glanced at Janessa.
Janessa immediately put on a wounded expression. “Madelyn, please… I’ve already sincerely apologized to you. Such a thing will absolutely not happen again in the future. Can you please forgive me?”
As Janessa spoke, she playfully swayed her arm.
Whenever she used to just do that, Madelyn would always forgive her.
Regrettably, the Madelyn of now was no longer the Madelyn from her past life.
Madelyn furrowed her brows at Janessa and snapped, “I’ve said all there is to say. Stop bothering me!”
She forcefully let go of Janessa’s hand, causing Janessa to stagger backward.
Janessa’s eyes flickered and she fell on her rear.
“Ah! Madelyn, why would you…”
After falling, Janessa looked at Madelyn in shock as if Madelyn had intentionally pushed her to the ground.
Madelyn was stunned.
I was quite gentle just now, yet she conveniently collapsed to the ground. Her acting skills are truly impressive.
At that moment, a young man at the classroom door witnessed the scene and abruptly rushed in.
“Janessa, are you okay? Get up. Does it hurt?” The young man quickly helped Janessa to her feet, his concern evident.
Then, he glared at Madelyn. “Madelyn! How could you do this to Janessa?”
“I…” Madelyn wanted to say she had nothing to do with it.
The young man retorted in anger, “I know Janessa’s actions regarding the thesis caused you harm. But even if Janessa made a mistake, it was only because she was intimidated by others. She’s also one of the victims! She’s already apologized so sincerely. What exactly does it take for you to forgive her? Aren’t you two supposed to be best friends? Why can’t you just try to understand her for once?”
The young man wore a stern expression. For a moment, he left Madelyn at a loss for words.
Madelyn looked at his face, a sudden realization striking her.
At that moment, Janessa managed to garner sympathy and began to play the victim again.
“Harvey, don’t be so harsh on Madelyn. She surely didn’t mean it. Plus, she was upset just now. It was my fault for losing my balance…”
Harvey’s heart ached even more. The look he gave Madelyn became noticeably more stern.
“Even now, Janessa is still speaking up for you, and yet you keep blaming her. Is there any conscience left within you?”
Madelyn was slightly vexed. Dmn it, she got me again… If I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have pushed her away just now. Now, it just makes me look petty.*
But since she said it wasn’t intentional, I’ll let her have her way.
Madelyn said innocently, “Janessa, thank you for understanding me. I really didn’t mean it. I also didn’t expect you to fall to the ground. So next time, please don’t stand in places with slopes. What if you accidentally roll down? Wouldn’t it be misunderstood as me pushing you?”
After she finished speaking, she flashed a smile at Janessa.
Janessa paled.
“All right, you guys carry on and have fun. I’m leaving now.”
Madelyn couldn’t be bothered to deal with them any longer. She got up, ready to leave.
Unexpectedly, Harvey suddenly reached out and grasped Madelyn’s hand.
“Hold on! Janessa fell down. Madelyn, are you going to leave without even apologizing?”
“Ah…” Madelyn’s bandaged arm jerked forcefully, eliciting a gasp of surprise. A wave of pain surged through her, leaving her face pallid.
“Harvey, are you out of your mind?” Madelyn shot him a glare. “I’m injured too. Show me some respect.”
Harvey then realized that he had inadvertently touched upon Madelyn’s broken arm and immediately felt a wave of regret.
Madelyn turned and left.
Looking at Madelyn’s retreating figure, Janessa maintained a calm facade, but inside, she was seething with annoyance.
When did Madelyn become so sharp-tongued and impervious to persuasion? If this continues, how will I be able to control her in the future? No, I must make her believe in me again.
At this thought Janessa seemed to have become significantly calmer.
Janessa shook her head in a pretentious manner. “Harvey, although I was forced into the situation with the thesis, I was wrong to begin with. Madelyn has every right to be angry now. If she chooses to scold or strike me, I won’t hold it against her…”
Harvey was deeply touched. “Janessa, you’re so kind.”
At noon, in the cafeteria, Madelyn simply grabbed something to eat since she had classes all day.
At that moment, she spotted Jillian carrying her tray and looking around for a place to sit. She waved her over. “Jillian, over here.”
Jillian chuckled softly, then made her way over.
“This is actually the first time I’ve seen you eating in the cafeteria,” Jillian remarked as she took a seat.
Madelyn felt a twinge of embarrassment. In her previous life, she had consistently scorned the cafeteria’s food, deeming it unclean and beneath her notice.
“I never really noticed before, but the food in the cafeteria isn’t too bad after all,” Madelyn said with a chuckle.
The two chatted as they ate. Whenever they touched upon a humorous topic, they would cover their mouths and laugh together, creating an incredibly harmonious atmosphere.
Madelyn suddenly remembered something and asked curiously, “Right, Jillian, you’re such a high achiever. Where do you usually study?”
“In the library,” Jillian replied.
“Really? Then why is it that every time I go there, I can never find any useful information?” Madelyn asked, a look of confusion on her face.
Jillian smiled gently. “There’s a way to find a book. We can’t just search blindly. Although the library has a lot of resources, most of them are of no use to us.”
Madelyn’s eyes lit up. “Really? How about you take me along next time?”
Jillian usually kept to herself, so when she had company for a change, she was naturally pleased and nodded in agreement.
“Sure thing!”