Chapter: 225

"Let her be " Madeline shuddered when she heard Juliana's stern command.

Madeline was particularly afraid of Juliana. Juliana's imposing manner was intimidating, creating genuine fear in her.

Sharon rolled her eyes and sarcastically spat out, "Madeline, stop pretending. Aren't you aware of the reason for calling you here today? See Norah over there? She said you and Kathy hired someone to kidnap and harm her, so we asked you here to clear the air."

Madeline's heart sank. She couldn't figure out how Norah had got to the bottom of this matter so quickly and connected her to it.

Looking up, Madeline put on an innocent face and responded, “Oh, I didn't know about this. Is Kathy behind this?"

Kathy's eyes flew up and she glared fiercely at Madeline, retorting, "You were involved as well. Why are you pinning the blame on me alone? How could you do this!"

Madeline instantly sprang to her feet as if she was terrified and rushed directly into Derek's arms. "Kathy, I really had no clue about this. You never confided in me that you were planning to kidnap Norah. Where do you even know these bad people from?"

Tears pooled in Madeline's eyes as she shook her head and added, “Why are you accusing me of being in the know about this? Norah looked after Derek, so even though I dislike her for taking my place, the thought of harming her has never crossed my mind!"

Kathy was shocked. She hadn't expected that instead of proving her point, all the blame would be heaped on her.

Juliana straightened her spine and icily asked, "Kathy, who is lying here?"

Kathy turned her head and saw Madeline leaning on Derek's chest with a wronged expression. She sprang to her feet and wrenched Madeline away from Derek, grabbing Madeline's arms and shaking her vigorously.

“Madeline, don't shun your responsibility! You can't deny your involvement in this!"

Madeline shook her head and shot back, "I didn't know. I truly had no clue. Kathy, you don't even have any proof."

Kathy was stunned. Madeline was right. She really had no evidence of Madeline's involvement. ALl their communications had been verbal, and Kathy had made all the arrangements herself without Madeline's involvement.

Kathy had assumed Madeline entrusted her to deal with everything because of the trust Madeline had in her. She belatedly realized that Madeline only did it so that she could conveniently wash her hands off the matter when things went south.

“Kathy, let me go. Give Norah a proper explanation and maybe she will forgive you." Madeline struggled to break free from Kathy's grip.

Kathy was furious with Madeline for making her face the consequences alone. She blamed Madeline for putting on an act and not convincing Derek to bring her to the auction, causing her to strike a deal with a disgusting man like Jordy just for the auction invitation. In her eyes, both Madeline and Norah were to blame.

Just as Norah was about to say something, Kathy slapped Madeline fiercely. Derek and Madeline were nonplussed.

Norah's eyes sparked with interest as she watched the Carter family's internal strife. She found their bickering amusing.

"Kathy!" Derek was enraged to see his sister slap his gentle lover so viciously. He shoved his sister away and gathered Madeline in his arms, tenderly stroking her face. “Madeline, are you hurt?"

Kathy fell to the floor, leaving her arm grazed and bruised. A wave of anger surged inside her as she watched Derek only show concern for Madeline.

Madeline covered her hot throbbing cheek, tears welling up in her eyes. "Derek..."

No one had anticipated that Kathy would do so.

Sharon was thoroughly puzzled as she asked, “Enough! Who planned all of this?"