Chapter 167
Time passed extremely slowly. Yet, it also felt like she had merely taken a nap and woken up:
Winslet opened her eyes in a daze, and the person in front of her was none other than Thomas, whose face was dark and grim,
“Dad… Dad…” Winslet’s voice was hoarse. She glanced around and saw her mother beside her.
“Mom..” she said.
Thomas looked at Winslet’s face. Now, her appearance was vastly different from Madeline’s. To put it bluntly, she looked like a cheap har hostess.
Thomas felt little pity. Instead, he was angry that years of careful cultivation had been ruined in an instant. “Take care of her. I’m going to the company,” he said, turning and leaving the room without hesitation.
Layla sat beside Winslet, her eyes filled with concern and pain. She said, “Winnic, don’t be afraid. Everything will be fine.”
Winslet couldn’t hold back her tears and clutched Layla’s hand. She said, “Mom, give me a mirror… Give me a mirror!”
Layla sighed and said, “Don’t look at it. Focus on recovering. Don’t think about anything else. If you hadn’t deliberately had surgery to look like Madeline, this wouldn’t have happened. Now look at the mess.”
Layla said helplessly, “You should have understood how terrifying her brothers were the last time they broke your arms and legs”
年
Layla shuddered at the memory of that morning when someone had kicked open their front door. A hulking man had thrown the bloodied Winslet at their doorstep and warned them that if they dared to provoke Madeline again, the Larson family would be wiped out
It was terrifying, Layla trembled just thinking about it.
ruined? Winslet asked.
“What about Aunt Sharon? Does she know that my Lace is ru
Layla nodded and said. “She knows. She came to the hospital, took one look, and left. She told the Horton family that you were attacked by enemies, so Mr. Horton might come to see you
Winsler’s tears silently slid down her cheeks as she sobbed uncontrollably on the hospital bed, consumed by pain.
“Don’t be afraid. Since Mr. Horton said he would come to see you, maybe..” Layla said.
Winslet shook her head. She had never even met Nick. Why would be show her any kindness? He was probably just coming to personally announce the termination of their marriage agreement.
Layla watched Winslet cry in silence, her heart aching, but there was nothing she could do. She said, “Winnie, I have something to tell you Winslet turned her face away, not wanting to listen.
“Your father took away your 2 million dollars. The company. Layla continued.
Winsler’s body stiffened, and then she collapsed weakly. “Why! I’ve already ended up like this. Why did he take the last of my money?” she asked.
Layla sighed and said. The family’s money is your money. Don’t be so particular about these things. The family has s current state, you need to be obedient and understanding, or your father might give up on you.”
spent a lot on you too. In your
Winslet gripped the bedsheet tightly, filled with resentment. To them, was she really a daughter or just a tool to be used? She didn’t realize that she was walking the same path Madeline once did.
There was a knock at the door. Winslet panicked and quickly pulled the blanket over her face.
“Could it be… Mr. Horton is here? My first meeting with him, and it was in a such disgraceful stater she thought.
Nick entered the hospital room, holding a bouquet. He asked, “Maddie, are you alright?” He looked at the person lying in bed, facing away from him, completely wrapped in the blanket. His mood became heavy.
During their last meeting, Madeline had subtly expressed her unwillingness to go the consider breaking off the marriage agreement
through with the arranged marriage, which had made Nick
Although he had feelings for Madeline, he wasn’t the type to force someone into something.
To hama, marriage was about two people supporting each other through life. If one person was unwilling even the best match could turn into a disaster. He didn’t want to main someone’s happiness.
12
12:15 PM
Chapter 167
But he hadn’t expected to hear early this morning that Madeline had been attacked and disfigured.
“Go away. Mr. Horton, we never had feelings for each other, Winslet said, her voice filled with despair.
1
She sobbed, her voice trembling with grief. “I know you’re here to break off the marriage agreement. I had hoped to marry you, but… but… I respect your family’s decision.”
Layla’s face tightened, and she thought, How could she say that? Even if they were going to break off the marriage agreement, they should at least get something out of it
She said. “We d
didn’t want this to happen either. My daughter is the one who’s been hurt.”
Nick nodded and said, “To me, looks aren’t important. People grow old eventually. So don’t give up hope because of this. Don’t worry. If you’re willing. I’ll arrange for the best doctors to treat you abroad.”
Winslet stopped crying and asked, “Really? Aren’t you here to break off our marriage agreement?” A glimmer of hope lit within her.
Warmth crept into her heart. Nick. Is he truly such a good person” she wondered.
that moment, she regretted it deeply. If she had known how kind Nick was, maybe things
Winslet had never felt moved by anyone before, but in th would have been different.
Nick held her hand, the warmth soothing her most broken heart. He said, “Don’t be afraid, Maddie. As long as you don’t bring it up. I won’t break off the marriage agreement
Underneath the blanket, Winslet’s tears stopped. She trembled. If this ordeal truly passed, she was willing to be a good person, to live virtuously. She would follow Nick and live a peaceful life, never again taking what wasn’t hers
“Mr. Horton.” A cold, clear female voice sounded from the doorway.
Nick, still holding Winslet’s hand, turned to the door and froze in shock. “Madeline?” he asked.
Layla jumped up in alarm and scolded, “What are you
you doing here? Get out right now!
‘If Madeline ruined Winnie’s chance, she would be unforgivable!‘ Layla thought
She quickly tried to explain to Nick, “Mr. Horton, don’t mind her. She’s a poor student we sponsored. She was kicked out of our family long ago.” “Is that so?” Madeline asked, her lips curled into a slight smile.
yet distant, with every strand of
Her hair was curled, and she was dressed in a camel coat with a light yellow dress underneath. She was beautiful yet hair exuding elegance. She looked nothing like someone who had been attacked.
Winslet’s hand as if he had been shocked. He frowned and looked at the person on the bed. “You’re not Madeline. Who are you?” he
Nick let go of V asked
Winslet started crying again, her emotions completely unraveling She’s just a wretched ingrate we raised. She’s the one who ruined my facel
She threw off the blanket and said, “Mr. Horton. I am your fiancée! She’s not!
Winslet made one final desperate plea. “Mr. Horton, don’t believe this vicious woman. She’s too evil! She doesn’t deserve someone as good as you‘
At that moment, Winsler’s hatred for Madeline peaked. Why, just as she was starting to regain hope, did Madeline have to shatter it all! As she reached out for the hand that had given her warmth, Nick stepped back.
While he didn’t care about Winslet’s appearance, the fact that she wasn’t even who she claimed to be was absurd. He furrowed his brows and said. “T think there’s been a misunderstanding.”
