Chapter: 28

Bethany nodded. The next second, she heard Jonathan's cold voice from the other side of the closed door.

"She's just a substitute."

A substitute?

Bethany's expression stiffened. Surely, Jonathan must've been talking about her.

He was probably explaining their fake marriage to his beloved girl.

Bethany subconsciously stepped back, trying to make herself as small as possible. She felt like a third wheel-an obstacle between Jonathan and Maddie, the perfect couple.

She had always wondered why Jonathan had chosen her. Now, she finally understood.

Jonathan himself had once said that she was the most suitable option for him. After all, what were the odds he'd find someone with a face so similar to Maddie's? It made perfect sense for her to be Maddie's substitute.

Bethany smiled bitterly; either she was extremely lucky or extremely unlucky. If she didn't look like Maddie, Jonathan never would've lent her the money for her mother's treatment.

Seeing the complex emotions on Bethany's face, Maddie sensed that Bethany had misunderstood something. She could use this misunderstanding to her advantage.

After a moment's pause, she put down her wine glass and smiled at Bethany kindly, motioning for the latter to sit down first. Then she walked to the door of the lounge and said softly, "I'm back now, and I don't plan to leave anytime soon. Let's face this together.”

"Okay," Jonathan replied simply.

Bethany couldn't take it any longer. An inexplicable emotion swept over her, and her feet seemed to move on their own, heading for the exit. "It seems Mr. Bates isn't available, so I'll come back later," she croaked, her voice strained.

Without waiting for a response, she left, the door closing behind her with a resolute click.

Maddie watched the door close, a slight smile playing on her red lips. “Jonathan, you can dismiss the substitute from the Legal department. With me here, no one can harm Bates Group."

The door to the lounge finally opened. Jonathan emerged with a serious expression, buttoning his shirt.

“Thank you," he said curtly.

Maddie reached out, intending to help him, but Jonathan instinctively evaded her touch.

He was always like this, never giving her any chance to get close.

Maddie's outstretched fingers froze mid-air for a moment. Smiling awkwardly, she passed it off as a joke, teasing, "So, you're still such a neat freak, huh? You won't even let an old friend touch you. What about your future wife?"

Without answering her question, Jonathan glanced at the closed office door with a frown. "Did anyone come by just now?"

"No." Maddie shook her head without skipping a beat. "Why? Were you expecting someone?"

“Never mind." He sat back in his chair, crossing his long legs. "Go find Nikolas and update me once you've decided on a meeting venue.”

Since he had asked her to leave, there was nothing else Maddie could say.