Chapter 3

Madelyn took a deep breath and smiled at Zach. "I'm sorry, Brother! I won't force you to be my boyfriend anymore. You're my brother, and I promise to remember that."

She looked calm and showed no signs of displeasure.

Zach faintly smirked as he thought to himself, ‘Is this her new trick?’

He responded gently, "It's good that you understand. Get some rest and don't stay up too late. I'll come to pick you up tomorrow." With that, he reached out and gently patted her head, like an elder would.

Madelyn nodded, holding back from pushing him away.

As Zach turned away, the kindness in his eyes was replaced by coldness. He left the room, took a white handkerchief from his pocket, and wiped the hand that had touched Madelyn. Then he walked to the elevator and threw the handkerchief into the nearby trash bin. When the elevator doors opened, Zach stepped inside and pressed the button for the parking level.

An Audi car with bright headlights was waiting for him. Inside, there was a sexy woman with long, wavy hair. Holding a cigarette between her fingers, she blew out some smoke and watched Zach walk toward the car.

Zach got into the car and fastened his seatbelt. The woman asked, "Did you manage to calm her down?" in a curious tone.

A look of disgust flashed in Zach's eyes. He took the cigarette from the woman's hand and tossed it out of the window. He sternly said, "Jasmine Manning, don't smoke in my car!"

With a flirtatious smile, Jasmine crossed her legs and replied, "If I can't smoke, how else am I supposed to hide the sweet smell of Madelyn's perfume?" Her eyeliner-enhanced eyes looked at the pink perfume bottle in the car. A sticker on the bottle said, "Madelyn's exclusive seat."

Jasmine let out a light chuckle. "Who would've thought that an eighteen-year-old girl like her would be so possessive? Have you ever considered marrying into the Jent family and then manipulating the young girl? That way, you can achieve your goal more easily."

Zach grasped the steering wheel and pressed down on the accelerator. As the car smoothly maneuvered out of the parking lot, he spoke, "For now, let Madelyn be. She still has her uses to me."

"Tsk, I thought you might spare her and not be so heartless. But you're even more ruthless than I expected! It seems she doesn't mean much to you. After all these years, she still hasn't won your heart."

Zach looked irritated, speaking in a cold, cutting tone, "Say one more word, and get out of my car!" Internally, he cursed, 'Madelyn Jent? She's nothing but a fool! I have no interest in an immature brat.'

The car drove away, fading into the darkness.

Meanwhile, Madelyn lay on the hospital bed quietly. Her eyes were wide open, gazing into the darkness. She occasionally felt a subtle pain in her wrist. When the sun rose in the morning, instead of waiting for Zach to pick her up, she decided to leave the hospital on her own. She managed the hospital discharge procedures herself and departed at six-thirty in the morning.

In her past life, Madelyn had devoted herself entirely to Zach. However, in this new chapter, she yearned to live for herself...

Madelyn understood that Zach's reason for joining the Jent family was solely out of a motive for revenge. She knew she couldn't stop him, nor did she want to try. She no longer wished to be entangled in the feud between Hayson Jent and Zach. In her previous life, she had believed she could persuade them to let go of their grudges. But in this life, she no longer harbored such a foolish belief.