?Chapter 440:


    “Madeline, there’s something you should know about Norah…”


    Kathy said, eager to share thetest news she had heard about Norah.


    “I can’t believe Norah would go this far. She’s been promoted to an attending doctor and even got a spot for the exchange program. It’s a big deal. Only the top doctors get those opportunities.”


    “She’s always had a way with people. How else do you think she got Sean’s attention?” Madeline replied, clearly upset. She couldn’t understand why Sean wasn’t interested in her instead.


    “What else? Tell me more,” Madeline asked, eager to know more despite her feelings.


    Deep down, Madeline didn’t really like Kathy. She always saw Kathy as an interference whenever she wanted to get closer to Derek.


    However, after finding out about Kathy’s difficult situation and her pregnancy, Madeline’s feelings shifted topassion.


    She had once harbored dark thoughts about Kathy, but now, she had opened her home to her. She even talked to Derek positively about Kathy, ensuring she could stay.


    Maybe it was her maternal instincts, heightened by her own pregnancy, that softened her heart toward Kathy’s plight. When Madeline found out Norah was being criticized by many, she felt thrilled.


    “Kathy, do you want to make things worse? Start some rumors about her messy life after the divorce. But make sure someone else spreads them, not you.”


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    Kathy’s face fell at these words, recalling the painful past.


    “Are you going to pin it all on me if she discovers this?” The unspoken tension between them came up again, clearlyid out in front of them.


    Madeline wanted to seize this moment to clear the air with Kathy. She thought they had made up and it was time to sort out some lingering issues.


    “Kathy, I had no choice but to do that back then,” she said, looking straight into Kathy’s eyes.


    “I couldn’t find the right time to exin, and you started pulling away from me too.”


    “Oh? Go on, tell me more.”


    Kathy tilted her head, studying Madeline as if trying to read her. She saw Madeline as almost hypocritical, which left her cautious and skeptical of anything Madeline said. She was curious about what Madeline would say this time. Previously, Madeline had let Kathy take the fall for something they did together. That betrayal hurt Kathy deeply, and since then, she rarely spoke to Madeline. Yet surprisingly, this time, Madeline was weing her stay in the vi.


    “I love Derek. You know I’ve always wanted to be part of your family,” Madeline admitted.


    Kathy nodded, understanding that marrying Derek was Madeline’s main reason foring home.


    “Remember when we nned to teach Norah a lesson and even got the Fox Alliance involved? Norah found out, and to keep my chances alive with my marriage to Derek, I let you take the heat. I’m really sorry, Kathy. That was all on me,” Madeline said, her eyes filling with tears.


    “I think of you as part of the Carter family already. Even if you slip up, they won’t me you for long. They’ll move past it soon,” Madeline reassured her, pressing on her thigh to force more tears.


    “Back then, my rtionship with Derek was just starting. I was scared that taking the me would ruin my chances with him.”


    “Do you think Norah is trying to get me thrown in prison?”


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