Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 482

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Seeing that Fanny was about to lose her temper, Madelyn had no choice but to relent. With a resigned sigh, she said, "Very well, Mrs. Stone." Then, her expression shifted abruptly, turning cold as she continued, "I think there's been a misunderstanding between us. Rest assured, Miss White, I'm not your romantic rival, nor do I have any intention of meddling in your marriage. There's no need for you to be so defensive."

As she spoke, a mocking smile curled at the corners of her lips.

It was as if she were ridiculing Ariana's overreaction, like someone mistaking a bow's reflection for a snake.

Perhaps, deep down, she was even wondering how someone like Lambert could possibly be interested in a woman like Ariana.

But all of this was merely her own delusion.

Ariana wasn't being paranoid at all.

She wasn't afraid of romantic rivals or anyone interfering in her marriage. She simply had an instinctive aversion to pointless arguments. Her body had just recovered, and she was still feeling a bit drained. The last thing she wanted was to engage in a tiresome exchange with a woman who clearly had ill intentions. But if Madelyn wanted to believe otherwise, so be it. Ariana couldn’t care less.

Fanny, on the other hand, was instantly infuriated by Madelyn's attitude.

Just as she was about to fire back, Ariana gently tugged her hand, signaling that there was no need to defend her.

This woman wasn’t even worth her attention.

Madelyn seemed to have savored enough of Ariana's "pathetic demeanor." Satisfied with her little game, she coolly remarked, "I wasn’t finished earlier, Miss White. Do you know what a 'stand-in' is?"

Ariana shrugged, responding with an indifferent expression. "Do enlighten me, Miss Olson."

Madelyn appeared pleased with her reaction. Raising a finely arched eyebrow, she said, "It means you're nothing more than a cheap imitation." Then, as if suddenly realizing the weight of her words, she quickly covered her mouth and feigned innocence. "Oh, my apologies. I wasn’t referring to you."

Ariana nodded slightly. "I know."

Madelyn was momentarily taken aback by Ariana's response. She couldn’t tell whether Ariana genuinely hadn’t grasped the insult or was simply playing along.

Instantly, her brows knitted together in a frown.

Ariana spoke with detached calmness, "Is there anything else?"

Madelyn remained silent, her forehead creased in thought. After a brief glance at her, Ariana said, "If there's nothing more, Fanny and I will take our leave. Perhaps we’ll meet again another time, Miss Olson."

Seeing Ariana actually turn to go, Madelyn could no longer hold back.

In one swift motion, she grabbed Ariana’s wrist. Under the fiery glare of Fanny, she enunciated each word deliberately, "To be honest, I have no desire to ruin your marriage, nor am I your rival. But I still have to tell you this, Miss White—what’s stolen will never last. I hope you remember that."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked away.

Fanny watched Madelyn’s retreating figure, her eyes practically spitting flames. "Ugh, what rotten luck," she fumed, "running into some delusional bitch out of nowhere."

Ariana had been lost in thought, puzzling over Madelyn’s identity and motives. But the moment she heard Fanny’s unrestrained vulgarity, her eyelid twitched in exasperation. She fixed Fanny with a reproachful look. "If I ever hear you swear like that again, don’t blame me for what my hands might do."

Fanny pouted and huffed, "I was just standing up for you! Did you see how that woman was acting? Talking about substitutes and stolen things—clearly up to no good."

Ariana chuckled despite herself. "I know. But that’s no excuse for your language."

Fanny had always been a bit of a tomboy, a stark contrast to the refined socialites of high society. At one point, she’d even developed a habit of peppering her speech with curses—until Ariana had put a stop to it. After all, Fanny was destined to marry Damon.