“Enough!” Madeline snapped at Warren, her voice sharp and fierce.
“That’s nonsense! Halsey would never abandon Shaun! Sure, Chelsea has been by his side these past three years, but Halsey has taken care of me all this time. When I lost my mom and my brother wasn’t around, Halsey gave me a home.
“She took me from Hovendale to the Capital and enrolled me in school. She dropped me off and picked me up every day. For three years, she poured all her time and care into me. And not just that–her parents have treated me like family, with nothing but kindness.
“Halsey isn’t just my sister; she’s my future sister–in–law. I respect and love her with all my heart, so I won’t let any of you say a bad word about her!”
Warren fell silent.
It was true–Halsey had helped Madeline out a lot. Without her, Madeline wouldn’t be who she was today.
Shaun gently gripped Madeline’s shoulders. “You misunderstood. Chelsea and I are just friends.”
Madeline looked at him, eyes searching. “Really? You don’t have feelings for Chelsea?”
Shaun’s answer was immediate, without hesitation. “I don’t. I only see her as a friend.”
Chelsea’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. She had known all along that Shaun didn’t feel the same way about her. In all these years, he had never given her any hope. But she loved him anyway–helplessly, hopelessly.
Madeline pressed on. “If you don’t like her, then why do you let Halsey suffer because of her?”
A shadow flickered in Shaun’s eyes. It wasn’t that he was causing Halsey pain–she was the one hurting him.
“I know you care deeply about Halsey, but she doesn’t love me anymore. She won’t be your future sister–in–law,” he replied.
“Who says she doesn’t love you? She came looking for you today.”
What?
Shaun blinked in surprise. “She did?”
Madeline nodded. “Yes, but she never got to meet you. Chelsea and that receptionist blocked her at the door and humiliated her.
”
Shaun’s face darkened. He stared at Chelsea. “Is that true? Did Halsey come by? Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
Chelsea’s face paled. “Halsey did come by, but you were in a meeting, so I didn’t let her in.”
“Who says you get to decide whether I see Halsey or not?” Shaun’s voice was icy.
Chelsea saw the cold warning in his eyes and shrank back, fingers curling nervously.
Shaun turned to his secretary. “Where’s my phone?”
The secretary quickly handed it over. “Here you go, sir.”
Shaun unlocked it and saw several missed calls from Halsey. He had been in that meeting and his phone wasn’t with him, so he hadn’t answered.
At that moment, the secretary spoke up again. “Mr. Lane, I heard Lincoln Enterprise is having some trouble. Ms. Mallin came looking for you, probably to ask for your help.”
Madeline’s voice grew urgent.
“When our family was struggling, Halsey and her parents never once turned their backs on us. Have you forgotten the kindness
they
showed in our darkest times? Now
that she needs
you, how
carr
there for you not be
her?”
Chapter 842
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