Chapter 5 Hardly Qualify As Family

"Madelyn, are you truly turning your back on your own kin?" Nate's voice dripped with disbelief.

With a cool, detached air, Madelyn responded, "Those who view me as a mere pawn and hurl baseless accusations with such hubris hardly qualify as family." Her words carried a quiet sting, laced with indifference.

Nate's face paled, his gaze sharpening like a blade. "How dare you scorn your own family? We've showered you with the finest privileges of high society. What more could you possibly desire?"

Madelyn's lips curved into a faint, dismissive smile. "What you hold dear isn't necessarily prized by others. As for your so-called high society..."

Her soft chuckle trailed off, but the contempt in her tone spoke volumes.

Fury surged within Nate, and his hand twitched upward as if to strike.

Yet, mindful of the public setting, he restrained himself, opting instead to shove Madelyn's shoulder with force.

"After everything we've done, this is how you repay us? If you're so eager to cut ties, think it through carefully! I will have Father freeze your accounts. Let's see how far your pride carries you now!"

Without a backward glance, Nate stormed off.

To him, Madelyn could never measure up to Rebecca. If she chose ingratitude, he would let her taste life stripped of the Clark family's support.

Caught off balance by the shove, Madelyn stumbled, nearly colliding with a table's edge. Daniel, quick to act, steadied her with a gentle hand.

"Thank you," Madelyn said, her smile warm as she regained her footing.

Unbeknownst to them, a camera across the street clicked furiously, capturing their every move.

"Are you alright?" Daniel's voice was thick with concern, though he swiftly masked it with resolve. "Join us, and when you are successful in your career, no one will dare lay a hand on you again."

Madelyn's smile widened, touched by the rare warmth of genuine care. "I'll be fine. They'll leave me alone soon enough."

Daniel's brow furrowed. "When we heard you returned to the Clark family, we thought you had finally found a good life. Who could've imagined they would treat you so poorly?" His indignation flared. "Don't worry. Professor Howard has secured ample funding for our team's safety. We could even arrange a personal bodyguard to ensure you're never at risk."

Eager to ease Madelyn's concerns, he added, "Whatever is on your mind, just say the word. If you join us, I'll handle any obstacle in your path. We're grappling with challenges only you can unravel."

"Very well," Madelyn replied, her smile unwavering as she opened her iPad to review the team's projects. "For now, my only task is securing a divorce. That is all that matters."

Madelyn arrived at the courthouse early the following morning.

Stepping out of her car, she spotted Jason's vehicle already parked.

A wry, mocking amusement flickered within her. She hadn't anticipated such eagerness from him. Clearly, he was as ready as she was to sever their ties.

As Madelyn drew near, Jason swung open the door of his sleek Maybach, his movements sharp with barely concealed ire.

Closing the distance with purposeful strides, he fixed Madelyn with a steely glare. "You'd better have a compelling reason for this," he snapped, flinging a stack of photographs at her feet.

The photos tumbled to the ground, and Madelyn swiftly grabbed one. In an instant, she recognized the scene-it was from the café the day before.

She had been shoved by Nate, and it was Daniel who had caught her just in time, keeping her from falling.

The photograph, however, was cunningly framed. It caught the instant Daniel's hand rested on Madelyn's shoulder, her face tilted upward in gratitude, their closeness lending an air of intimacy that belied the truth.

"No wonder you're so eager for a divorce," Jason sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "Already lined up your next suitor, have you?"

Such biting sarcasm was rare from him, and though Madelyn felt a pang at his words, she refused to let it rattle her.