Whirlwind Wedding: My Ex’s Adoptive Dad

Chapter 4

Rebecca stared after Madeline and clenched her fist. The ill-fitting engagement ring dug painfully into her palm.

The past 6 years abroad hadn't been kind to her, which was why she had come back. She had carefully staged her reunion with Lucas and succeeded in breaking him and Madeline up.

She had been right. Lucas still had feelings for her.

Rebecca took a deep breath, forced down her irritation, and put her flawless, gentle smile back in place.

'So what if the ring doesn't fit? I'm not after Lucas's love. I want the power of the Hayes family.'

At lunch in the restaurant downstairs, several coworkers eager to curry favor with Rebecca gathered around her.

Rebecca enjoyed being the center of attention and deliberately chose a table diagonally across from Madeline.

"Rebecca, that ring is blinding. Mr. Hayes Junior gave it to you, right? How many carats is it?"

Rebecca lifted her hand just enough to make the diamond catch more light.

"He chose it. Honestly, I thought it was a little too flashy, but he said an engagement ring had to be the very best." Rebecca paused. "He said anything less wouldn't do justice to our second chance at love."

"From college sweethearts to the altar. That's so romantic," another coworker gushed. "Mr. Hayes Junior must really adore you."

Rebecca smiled without answering and glanced across the room.

Madeline was eating alone in a cream turtleneck, quietly looking at her phone as though the excitement at the other table had nothing to do with her.

Then Rebecca noticed something.

When Madeline lifted her fork to take a bite, the edge of her turtleneck shifted, exposing several suggestive red marks along the side of her neck.

A gleam flashed through Rebecca's eyes.

'Only a few days after the breakup and she's already sleeping with another man. So much for acting so above it all while looking down on me. Deep down, she's no better. Who knows what kind of nobody she's sleeping with? She didn't even bother to cover the hickeys.'

Rebecca picked up her tray and walked straight over to Madeline's table.

"Madeline, you don't mind if I sit here, do you?"

Madeline looked up once. "Do whatever you want."

Rebecca picked up her spoon and slowly stirred her soup.

Then she gave a little gasp, just loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

"Madeline, what happened to your neck? Is that an allergic reaction?"

Her brows drew together in an expression of pure concern.

Madeline put down her fork and wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin.

"Mosquito bite."

"A mosquito?" Rebecca covered her mouth and laughed softly. "That doesn't look like a mosquito bite. Don't tell me it's a hickey."

Conversation at the surrounding tables died at once.

Several curious gazes immediately turned toward Madeline.

Since joining the company, Madeline had become known for being beautiful, brilliant, and intensely private. No one had ever heard of her getting close to any man.

A hickey on her neck was the kind of thing that would set the whole office buzzing.

Madeline caught the smug, provocative gleam Rebecca couldn't quite hide and felt mostly bored.

Rebecca never seemed to tire of childish games like this.

"Miss Blake, are you always this interested in other people's private lives?" Madeline gave a quiet scoff. "If you have this much time to pry into mine, maybe use some of it to improve your terrible taste in design. I'd rather you didn't drag down the whole team."

Her tone never wavered, but the insult landed hard.

Several coworkers immediately began exchanging looks and whispering about Rebecca.

For a second, Rebecca nearly lost her composure.

Then she blinked innocently and forced her sweet smile back into place.

"I'm only worried about you," Rebecca leaned in. "You must be seeing someone, right? What does he do? When are you going to introduce him to everyone?"

She kept pressing, determined to tear down Madeline's aloof, untouchable facade in front of the whole office.

Madeline set down her napkin and leaned back slightly.

"I'm not dating anyone. I'm married."

"Married?"

Rebecca's smile froze.

This time, she was genuinely stunned.

'Madeline only broke up with Lucas a few days ago. And now she's married? That has to be a joke!'

Whispers erupted around them.

Rebecca recovered quickly, her mind racing.

'She must have married some random man in a fit of heartbreak, just to get back at Lucas.'

The thought reassured her immediately.

A condescending mix of pity and satisfaction washed over her.

Rebecca smiled again.

"Congratulations, Madeline. But..." Rebecca deliberately dragged out the word and let her gaze fall meaningfully to Madeline's bare left hand. "I haven't seen you wearing a wedding ring. You haven't had time to buy one yet? Or...?"

She raised her own left hand gracefully, and the large diamond practically blazed under the restaurant lights.

"You really should have a ring. It's a symbol of marriage, and you only get married once, after all. It's worth making it special." Her tone became even more sincere. "You shouldn't shortchange yourself. Even if your husband can't afford a big one, a small ring would still show he cares. Don't you agree?"

Every word sounded kind.

Every word had a barb hidden inside it.

The way their coworkers looked at Madeline immediately changed.

Their expressions held a mix of pity, curiosity, speculation, and barely concealed amusement.

Low murmurs spread through the restaurant.

Madeline listened without reacting.

'This is almost funny. If these people, especially Rebecca, knew who my husband is, their reactions would be priceless. Too bad it isn't time yet. Adrian isn't the kind of man who would tolerate outsiders gossiping freely about his marriage. I'm actually starting to look forward to seeing Rebecca's face at the wedding.'

"You're right, Miss Blake." Madeline suddenly smiled. Her dazzling smile quieted the surrounding chatter for a moment. She looked directly at Rebecca, her eyes clear and faintly knowing. "I really should choose a ring carefully."

Something about that smile made Rebecca uneasy, but she refused to show it.

She told herself Madeline was only forcing a smile to save face.

"Oh, and have you had the wedding yet?" Rebecca pressed, sounding even more helpful. "If not, I know several good planners. I could introduce you. Your husband's budget obviously won't be anywhere near a Hayes family wedding, but I'm sure you could still manage something simple."

Every sentence was meant to remind Madeline and everyone listening that Rebecca was marrying into the Hayes family while Madeline had apparently married some nobody.

They were worlds apart now.

Madeline picked up her tray and rose slowly, her back perfectly straight.

"Don't trouble yourself," Madeline smiled brightly. "It's too early to decide what kind of wedding I'll have. And when the time comes, why would I take wedding advice from someone whose taste I don't respect?"

Rebecca watched Madeline walk away, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.

'Madeline is married. She married a poor man who can't even afford to buy her a ring. Whatever lingering affection or guilt Lucas still feels for her should finally be gone now. From now on, Lucas is mine. So is my place in the Hayes family.'

Rebecca took out her phone and opened her chat with Lucas.

Rebecca: Luke, guess what major news I heard at work today? Madeline is actually married. I never would've expected it. But it looks like she doesn't even have a wedding ring... kind of strange, right? Are you picking me up after work tonight? Miss you!

The message went through.

Feeling thoroughly pleased with herself, Rebecca cut a piece of steak and took a bite.

Elsewhere, Lucas had just finished what he was working on when he saw her message.

His expression changed.

He typed out and deleted several replies before finally sending one.

Lucas: I'll pick you up tonight.

'Maddie's married. But who did she marry?'

A deep sense of unease settled over Lucas.

At 6 p.m., Madeline had barely stepped out of Hartwell Tower when someone blocked her path.

She looked up.

It was Lucas.

Irritation flared at once.

'What does he want now?'