Chapter: 227

Derek sighed softly and continued, "My heart has always belonged to Madeline. If I had slept with Norah, I would have betrayed the love I have for my beloved."

"Wow, that's so sweet of you, Derek," Madeline said and leaned against Derek's chest, not caring about the pain on her face.

At that moment, Kathy burst into laughter and said in a mocking voice, "You are the most pathetic person that I've ever come across in my life, Norah. My brother's heart had belonged to Madeline all this time while you walked about as his wife. For two whole years, you weren't even able to make him yours, even if it were just for a moment! That's freaking pathetic!"

Norah tilted her head a little and frowned. "Wait a minute, you dare to describe me as pathetic? Between you and me, who still needs the financial support from the Carter family?"

Hearing this, Kathy brought her laughter to an abrupt stop.

Juliana moved closer to Norah, held her hand, and said, "I beg of you, Norah, just agree with my request. Trust me, I understand just how pained you are. I promise you once you forgive them this once, I will do everything within my capability to see to it that they don't bother you anymore. I'll also hire someone who will help you with the divorce proceeding. Just don't report the case, please."

Derek shook his head vigorously and said, "Oh, come one! Cut it out! If Norah desires to report the case, then leave her alone. At worst, Kathy would be jailed for a few years for a crime that she's well guilty of. Jail could knock in some senses into that skull of hers! She needs..."

Mid-sentence, Derek was cut off by Sharon, who threw a pillow at him and yelled, “That's enough! Are you out of your fucking mind, Derek? Instead of you to help get your sister out of this mess, you're saying that she deserves to be in jail! What sort of brother are you? You should be on your feet defending your sister's integrity instead of muddling it in the dirt!"

"I never expected such heartless words could come out of your mouth, Derek. So you don't give a damn to your sister and just throw her under the bus? In your heart, Madeline weighed more significantly than your sister, right? What's so good in her?" Juliana asked, her voice filled with hurt and disappointment.

Ever since Madeline entered the Carter Manor, Derek had placed her above everyone else. He treated her like a goddess while looking down on his own family as if they were unwarranted trash. To him, Madeline was the only important person in his life.

"Please! Stop saying stuff like that! You have to understand that Madeline is the love of my life. Address her as you would address me. She's my future wife and the woman that I've chosen to spend the rest of my life with! She deserves to be respected!" Derek fumed as he held Madeline tightly as one would hold onto the very essence of one's life.

Seeing this, even Norah had to admit that Derek was deeply in love with Madeline. He kept glancing around, almost like he was daring anyone to challenge the love he had for his chosen one.

To prove to everyone else just how much in love they were with each other, Derek and Madeline faced each other and touched lips.

Norah looked down at Juliana's hand on her wrist. Though full of wrinkles and weak-looking, the grip Juliana had exerted was quite strong.

“What exactly is it that you want me to do, Juliana?" Norah asked.

Juliana glanced at Kathy and Madeline, her mind racing as she thought of what she wanted.

“Here's my proposal, you and Derek divorce each other immediately, and you get half of his property." Juliana announced.

Hearing this, Derek's eyes widened and he yelled, "What? I'm never going to agree to that! Why on earth would I give Norah half of what I've got?"

Juliana looked at Derek with a hint of anger in her eyes and fumed, "Oh, would you prefer to see Madeline behind bars instead? Don't tell me you believe that Madeline is innocent! You must save Kathy and Madeline from having their life disrupted. Or would you rather see them both in prison?"

Derek clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth, "Madeline is innocent! Kathy was the one who hired the kidnappers. She acted alone!"

“That's your conclusion, not that of the police. They'll gather enough evidence to nail Madeline down. Or do you have solid evidence that can defend her from all the indicting evidence that the police are sure to present against her?" Juliana asked skeptically.

As a woman of the world, Juliana could tell the kidnapping was a conspiracy between Kathy and Madeline. And it was clear to her that Madeline had used Kathy as one would use a pawn.

Derek himself, no matter how unreasonable he tried to be, knew deep within himself that Madeline had reason to kidnap Norah. After all, Norah didn't agree to his divorce terms. If their divorce had happened without any hiccup, Madeline's parents and his would have met each other for the details of their wedding. Underneath all the love he had for Madeline, Derek knew that it was likely that Madeline had been behind the kidnapping attempt.

At that moment, Madeline spoke up, maintaining her innocence. “I'm innocent of all that I'm accused of."