Chapter 51
Chapter 51
As Jake led Madelyn onto the stage, she glanced back at Thea, her eyes full of provocation.
Thea wasn't about to swallow this insult. The whole reason she came to the event was to network. Normally, she'd let someone else take the spotlight, but not this time.
With everyone watching, Thea stepped onto the stage too.
Madelyn's eyes flickered with malice, but she feigned panic and said, "Ms. Rowland, what are you doing here? Jake and I are scheduled to give a speech together. Are you going to cause a scene and make everyone unhappy again?" Jake stood by Madelyn's side, in a protective stance, his face full of suspicion as he looked at Thea.
"Everyone's watching. Are you really going to embarrass yourself like this?" Jake said coldly.This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org: ©.
Thea pointed at the banner behind them, her tone calm. "Go aliead, read it out loud. What does it say? Come on, you both finished high school. Don't tell me you can't read"
The banner announced the speech for "Outstanding Graduates title that hit Madelyn like a slap. Don't even mention being an outstanding graduate, and she's not even a part of this school.
Madelyn's hands clenched the hem of her dress, and she looked at Jake helplessly, tears already welling up in her eyes.
Jake, maybe we should just forget it. If this keeps going, I'm afraid Ms. Rowland will ruin this reunion too. I don't mind taking the hit," Madelyn said gently.
Jake lowered his voice, frustration seeping through his words. "This event was sponsored by my family. I decide who speaks"
Thea's laugh was cold. "Really? Are you sure?"
The Hendrix family had funded the reunion for years, and this wasn't something new.
Nicolas, of course, never sought attention, so the planning usually went through the headquarters.
This year, Jake had volunteered to handle it, though in reality, he did nothing. The event's entire plan had fallen to Thea
But Thea never expected Jake and Madelyn to not only take the speaking slots but try to claim the credit for it all.
Every word Thea spoke was like another slap to Jake's face.
His expression darkened, and Jake finally snapped. "Do you ever think about anyone else when you act like this? Are you trying to make sure my family never sponsors another event?" Hearing this, Thea raised an eyebrow and mocked. Jake, since when are you in charge of the Hendrix family?"
Of course, Jake wasn't. Even if the Hendrix family were to change heirs a hundred times, it would never be Jake.
Instantly, his face flushed with anger, and Jake glared at Thea, eyes burning with rage.
Madelyn burst into tears suddenly, saying, "I knew it. I shouldn't have come here: If Ms. Rowland hates me so much, I'll leave" Then she turned, running out in tears.
Jake hurried after her, throwing one last dagger as he left. "Now that I think about it, being with someone like you for so long disgusts me."
Thea didn't hesitate to shoot back, "Good, because I feel the same way."
As the drama unfolded, all eyes were on Then, but she seemed unfazed. Calmly, she took the stage and continued with her "Outstanding Graduate speech.
The chaos wasn't over yet. Suddenly, the yacht started to shake violently. Thea grabbed onto a nearby wall, trying to steady herself as a wave of unease washed over her. Just then, someone rushed in, shouting, "Everyone, get out! There's a system failure, and the yacht is sinking!"