Since Lydia was on vacation, Madelyn had a simple breakfast of oatmeal that morning. After having breakfast, she headed off to campus. She was preoccupied with thoughts of Jillian.

Although she has been expelled, the incident still has lingering effects on campus. Judging from the look of it, I must strike while the iron is hot and deal with the matter promptly. There’s no room for further delay. Otherwise, everyone would firmly believe that Jillian was nothing more than a promiscuous woman at that time. Even if they want to explain things, it would be challenging by then.

Following that thought, Madelyn hastily went into campus.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she arrived in the classroom, she was immediately ambushed by Janessa and Christopher.

“Madelyn, what exactly happened last night? Didn’t you say you were going to freshen up? Why did you leave without a word? You had so many people waiting there just for you!” Janessa demanded with an accusatory expression, walking straight and blocking her path.

Christopher and I spent a long time waiting in vain at the club last night. She was going to freshen up, but she disappeared after that. All our classmates waited for her. Yet, she just slipped away secretly. How despicable!

At that moment, Christopher also barked, “Madelyn, how dare you make me wait for you for so long! Answer this! Where on earth did you go last night?”

Their tone and demeanor was downright menacing and aggressive.

Eying the two of them, Madelyn felt somewhat helpless. Am I to report every move to them?

“Oh, I felt horribly unwell last night, so I left first. I apologize for not telling you guys before leaving.” After some thought, Madelyn ultimately made up an excuse. With that said, she even flashed them an apologetic smile.

It would be rude to spurn someone friendly, so even though Janessa was displeased deep down, she couldn’t blow up again when Madelyn had apologized so sincerely. She could only grumble in dissatisfaction, “Fine, then. Never mind if you weren’t feeling well. I’ll explain the situation to everyone, and they should understand. But Madelyn, even if you decide to leave next time, at least give us a heads-up to save us from worrying, okay?”

“Okay, okay. I’m truly sorry.” Madelyn had no choice but to quickly nod perfunctorily.

Surprisingly, Christopher was still very angry.

“Madelyn, do you think a simple sorry is enough to offset everything? I spent yesterday making preparations for you. But where were you? You just disappeared! You’ve wasted my efforts!”

Listening to his voice, Madelyn found it nothing but annoyingly headache-inducing. She quickly feigned an apology. “I’m really sorry, Christopher. It wasn’t intentional. I was not feeling well last night, so I could only leave early. And after getting home, I fell asleep almost immediately. So, I’m truly sorry.”

However, no matter how much she apologized, Christopher remained infuriated.

“Madelyn, let me make this clear. Never in my life have I waited for anyone. I think I’ve been too nice to you recently, leading to you becoming increasingly audacious and disrespecting me further! From now on, don’t expect any special treatment from me anymore.”

After he had said that, he left with a flick of his sleeve without waiting for Madelyn’s response.

Madelyn remained standing at the spot. Does he have a screw loose or what? I’ve said I wasn’t feeling well, but he still put on an act of being livid. What on earth was he trying to achieve? Could it be that he was playing hard to get?

Unbeknownst to her, she hit the nail on the head.

At that precise moment, Janessa quickly stepped forward and chastised, “Madelyn, look what you’ve done. You should’ve been more tactful with your words. You upset Christopher.”

Madelyn promptly let out a cold snort. “So be it if he’s upset. How does that concern me?”

“Hey, don’t say that, Madelyn. He’s only upset because he cares about you. Isn’t that a good thing? You should stop being so stubborn and go after him to coax him,” Janessa urged pretentiously.

If it had been Madelyn from the previous life, she might have gone after Christopher for real. But in this lifetime, Madelyn replied coldly, “I’m not in the mood.”

Not in the mood?

Janessa couldn’t help but widen her eyes as she looked at Madelyn. Suddenly, she blurted out, “Madelyn, I feel like you’ve changed!”

“Really?” Madelyn paused for a moment before chuckling and brushing it off indifferently. “How so?”

Janessa said, “Do you remember? The person you used to adore most was Christopher. But recently, you’ve been increasingly less concerned about him. Honestly speaking, sometimes, I feel like you’re not the same person anymore. Moreover, you’re not as close to me as you were in the past.”

Worse still, such a feeling was intensifying. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that Madelyn seemed to have become more shrewd and was not as foolish as before.

Just then, Madelyn suddenly laughed. “I’ve changed? Janessa, it seems to me you’re the one who changed.”

Then, she simply turned away and ignored her completely.

After Madelyn had attended two classes, there was a half-hour break. Jillian’s matter kept playing in her mind, so she took advantage of the lull to visit Yadiel’s office.

At that moment, Yadiel was busy preparing for his class in a white outfit. Upon seeing Madelyn, he was slightly surprised yet also a touch delighted.

“Madelyn, why are you here?”

Yadiel’s voice was extraordinarily gentle. It was much like a refreshing breeze brushing against one’s face.

At that, Madelyn giggled and said cheekily, “I missed you. Can’t I come to see you?”

Hearing that, Yadiel was elated. “Yes, of course you can. But you never visit me without a reason. What do you need my help with? Spit it out.”

Never having expected him to see right through her intentions at a glance, she was utterly stunned.

She instantly remarked with a laugh, “Sure enough, no one understands me better than you, Yadiel.”

Yadiel also laughed in a poised and dignified manner. After all, they shared a bond of childhood friendship, so they naturally understood each other more than anyone else.

Then, he asked, “What trouble have you run into this time? Tell me about it.”

Given their close bond since childhood, Madelyn didn’t feel the need to hold back much. She recounted Jillian’s matter, sparing no detail.

“Do you know about the recent scandal that caused quite a stir? It’s about a student named Jillian Lynch. She was expelled because of rumors circulating that her lifestyle is disgraceful.”

Yadiel nodded slightly, his tone nonchalant. “I don’t know much, but I heard a bit about it."

Madelyn nodded firmly, then recounted everything that had happened, including what Ruth did.

After listening to it all, Yadiel couldn’t help but frown deeply.