Chapter 2011: Not to Be Deceived By Him Again

At about eight in the evening, Madilyn was growing restless when Lorraine's phone finally rang. Lorraine answered, noticing the number was unknown.

A familiar voice spoke. "Madilyn? This is your father. I took your mother back to Xandenia; she needs to attend to some things."

"What did you do to my mother, Norton Sheffield? You abducted her! Do you want me to report you to the police?" Madilyn roared, furious at his casual indifference. "You better not mess with my mom. And tell Mildred not to bully her. If anything happens to my mother, I won't let her get away with it!" She struggled to control her emotions, finally calming slightly as Jonathan took her hand.

"So what do you want from me?" she asked.

Norton remained silent until she finished, then replied calmly, "When you're free, come back, okay?"

"Stop beating around the bush. You took Mom because you want me to do something, right?" Jonathan's reassuring gaze calmed Madilyn's agitation. She waited patiently for Norton's response.

"All right, I'll be straight. For your happiness, I've arranged your marriage to Wilmer Cheever in Xandenia. He's an excellent man, the future heir. Marry him, and you won't have to work so hard! Your mother can live with you; you'll both live comfortably!"

Madilyn was speechless, then erupted in laughter. "Norton Sheffield, I'm disgusted. I can't believe you're my father! My mother is wonderful, but she has terrible judgment!"

Norton finally lost his composure. His voice dropped, laced with anger. "What did you say? Are you questioning your father?"

"Yes! Do you think you're capable? You're a good-for-nothing who relies on political marriages and networking! I heard you arranged a marriage for Stella, and now you want to do the same to me?"

Suddenly, the line went dead. A slight smile played on Madilyn's lips as she hung up. She imagined his seething anger.

"What? Norton wants to marry you off for his own gain?" Jonathan's expression darkened as he understood.

Madilyn nodded, throwing herself into his arms. "I won't let him control my life! He's using Mom to manipulate me, but I trust her. She won't be deceived by him again!" She was confident Lorraine wouldn't agree; the surveillance footage clearly showed Norton ordering his bodyguards to take her against her will.

"All right. I understand." A plan formed in Jonathan's mind as he held her. "Looks like we have to go to Xandenia to bring Mrs. Xander back. As for Norton's scheme, we won't even bother with it!"