Chapter 153
“No, I’m not with him. Quit the nonsense, Joe,” Madison said calmly, her expression unchanging.
“Jessica,” Joc called out.
Joe tapped the table and gave Madison a pointed look, “Has anyone ever told you that you’re terrible at
fibbing? If people find out you’re my sister, it’d be embarrassing.”
‘In this dog-eat-dog corporate world, I haven’t met a sly old fox yet. When they spout their nonsense,
they don’t blush or sk ip a beat. No one is like her. Joe thought.
Madison murmured with a slight frown, “You seem quite pleased with yourself.”
Joe and Madison were so close, that he overheard the murmurs without effort.
Joe raised his eyes and said, “What’s so bad about being pleased? Jessica, you’ve got to get street-
smart. The world’s full of deceivers, and you can’t even bluff? Seriously, why the hell are you bringing
this up? Be straight with me, why’d you end up in the hospital. today? How’d you get hurt?”
In the end, he suddenly woke up and realized that he had digressed, so he brought the conversation
back to the original topic.
Madison felt cornered and confessed. “It’s nothing. Just nicked myself and ended up getting a tetanus
shot”
Madison detected worry in Joe’s voice, which prompted her to roll up her pant leg, revealing the wound
to reassure him.
“It’s trivial. The wounds were already
healing by the time I reached the hospital. I
wouldn’t have bothered if it weren’t for safety.” Madison continued.
Joe nced over and his face darkened slightly.
The scars on the wound did not appear to be serious, but when they were on his younger sister’s body,
they still caught the eye.
Joe scoffed, unable to contain his irritation, directing it at Leo. “What’s the deal with. you and that kid?
You were even photographed together. Don’t fall for him, Jessica. I mean it, don’t you dare fall in love.
We don’t need more drama to dig through.”
Joe never really nned to question her, but given the turn of events, he could only ask
out.
Madison nearly hid her face in her hands. “Joe, the idea of romance is foreign to me.”
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Madison’s evasion was nearlyical as if she wanted to disappear beneath the table.
Madison did not intend to hide anything from Joe, but she couldn’t tell the truth either. She exined
with a mixture of truth and falsehood, “I was originally nning to go to the hospital by myself, but
coincidentally I ran into Leo. He insisted on giving me a ride. Since the driver came right to my door,
why not take advantage of it? You taught me to seize any opportunity for benefits.”
Joe squinted, a mix of suspicion and jest, “What’s the story with you at the hospital? Leo had to carry
you for a tiny scratch?”
Madison saw that he had no doubts, so she briefly exined the situation at the hospital.
“I fell asleep in the car at that time. Leo said he couldn’t wake me up, so he carried me down. When I
opened my eyes, he had already carried me there, so I could only hide.” Madison exined.
“He couldn’t wake you up?” Joe raised an eyebrow when he heard the words and looked up at
Madison’s expression, which didn’t seem like she was lying.
Despite not knowing how much Madison fancied that guy. Joe was sure she wouldn’t make the first
move with such a fool.
Considering they were already divorced and Sally had confirmed her new rtionship, Madison should
be even mor distant. ‘Why would she initiate any contact with him?”
Joe doubted.
‘If Madison wasn’t fibbing, then surely it must be someone else’s doing. Could he not wake her, or was
h
just reluctant to do so? Humph… Joe went into deep thought.
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
Lost in thought, the waiter unexpectedly opened the door, carrying in dishes one by
one.
Madison swiftly changed the subject. “Let’s drop it, Joe. Let’s not dwell on this. That photo didn’t catch
me anyway. Who knows who Leo was hugging?”
Joe also really didn’t want to get entangled in this matter anymore.
Joe raised his hand to serve a dish for Madison and no longer mentioned the matter. “Since that doctor
is unwilling toe forward, you should discuss with Samuel tonight when to go back. As for your
assets and house, John’s people have already arrived. Once all the procedures are done, I will handle
it together with him.”
“Joe, are you trying to get rid of me so quickly? Madison asked.
Madison listened as Joe calmly arranged the follow-up for her. She knew deep down
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that it should be this way, but she still felt a little sad.
Especially since Joe seemed reluctant to take her home, and she knew it was about her.
In this way, a casually teasing remark ended up making oneself even more upset.
Madison lowered her head and ate the food in the bowl without making a sound. She also didn’t touch
the food that Joe had picked for her, showing obvious signs of being upset.
Joe initially mistook her silence for jest, not noticing her distress. He joked, “You’re just loafing around
here, causing a stir. I ought to send you back soon.”.
After the words fell, Jow didn’t hear any response. When he looked up, he saw Madison with her head
down, pitifully biting something, her eyes were red.
Joe was momentarily taken aback.
“Except for
When she was just brought back from abroad, I have never seen her like this before. After that, she
always follows me like a little sun. Even if she bumps into something or gets hurt somewhere, she
alwaysforts me first. When has she ever had red eyes? Joe doubted.
Joe quickly reassured her. “Listen, I’m not trying to get rid of you, and I’m not spouting nonsense. If you
want to, you can stay here as long as you like, alright?”
Madison remained silent, contemting his words.
Joe dished up more food for her, softening his tone. “You know how I speak, Jessica. I’m always blunt.
Don’t let it get to you, okay?”
“Thene back with me.” Madison’s voice was small but hopeful as she looked up to make her plea.
Joe’s expression shifted, his dark eyes unreadable, as he replied.
“Please, let’s go home together.” Madison implored with a hint of desperation in her
voice.
Had they been discussing any other matter, Madison might have coaxed a yes from Joe with her usual
persistence.
But Joe’s resolve was firm. He wasn’t open to bargaining.
Joe looked away, his voice t and distant. “Eat up. Jessica.”
His indirect refusal was clear, although he hadn’t said it outright.
Madison was adamant. “Joe, it’s been ages since you visited home. Dad, Mom, and John must be
worried sick about you. I also can’t bear the thought of us being apart…”
Madison was cut off mid-sentence by Joe’s abrupt dismissal. “Madison, if you’re not going to eat, you
might as well leave now.”
Joeid down his fork without even addressing her by name.
Madison felt a sudden panic, frozen in ce.
Realizing Joe was actually referring to her, her eyes filled with tears.
Madison tried topose herself, her voice trembling as she attempted to exin to Joe, but tears
betrayed her efforts.
As her tears spilled, Madison bolted from her seat and fled the room.
“Jessica, Joe called out, rising to chase after her.
Joe caught himself before snapping at her, realizing his harsh words the moment they left his mouth.
He had been about to soften his approach when she took off.
Joc managed to intercept her just before she could disappearpletely. Seeing her tear-streaked
face, his demeanor changed.
“Jessica, I was out of line. I’m sorry, can we talk? Please, don’t cry,” Joe pleaded, his voice. filled with
regret.
Madison tried to wriggle free from his grip, her voice tense and urgent. “Let me go.”
Joe held on but softened his hold, coaxing gently. “If I let you go, can we agree to make amends,
Jessica?”
Madison took advantage of this momentary rxation of his grip and directly broke
free from his shackles.
“Look, I’m just a nuisance to you, right? I’ll leave right now. If we weren’t family, you’d probably prefer
me out in the cold.” Madison argued.