The red Ferrari sped down the mountain road, overtaking the Hummer effortlessly. Layla was behind the wheel, her expression heavy as she replayed the conversation she overheard between Flynn and Lyra earlier. Seated in the passenger seat, Madeline wiped her tears and turned to Layla, her voice tinged with bitterness.
“Miss Woods, were you eavesdropping on their conversation?” she asked, her face still flushed with humiliation from Lyra’s sharp words. She could barely stand to face herself after being so thoroughly shamed. Regret gnawed at her too-she had underestimated Flynn, a gem she had cast aside like garbage.
Layla nodded, her gaze fixed on the road ahead, her brows furrowed tightly. “Yes, I wanted to know the exact relationship between Flynn and Lyra. Why would she help him?”
As a Great Grandmaster, Layla’s abilities were unparalleled. With Flynn’s “Eighteen Forms of the Celestial Blade” as her foundation, she was nearing the level of Semi Lesser Sovereign. Her keen senses allowed her to hear conversations from far distances.
Madeline stifled her sobs and asked eagerly, “So, did you figure it out?”
“Flynn seemed to have performed acupuncture on Lyra, curing her back injury,” Layla recounted their dialogue, word for word. Despite her disdain for someone as insignificant as Madeline, Layla couldn’t shake the strange feeling about Flynn and Lyra’s interaction. She decided to share it with Madeline for analysis.
“Your acupuncture is miraculous-after a single session, the pain is gone?”
“Flynn, this is as far as I can help you. The rest is up to you.”
“Thank you. Helping me this once is enough.”
Madeline repeated the lines under her breath, and then, as if struck by a sudden realization, she laughed bitterly. “Miss Woods, we’ve been played! Flynn is so cunning!”
“How so?” Layla eased off the accelerator, turning to look at Madeline.
“Lyra owes Flynn a favor for healing her back. He used that to get her to humiliate us! Doesn’t it all make perfect sense?” Madeline’s voice was laced with anger. “That scoundrel must have anticipated Lyra’s call long before. It’s the only reason he dared to act so arrogantly in Slatin. He orchestrated everything-just so Lyra could help him slap us in the face!”
Madeline’s fists clenched in fury, her eyes blazing. She wished she could turn the car around and confront Flynn right then and there.
Layla, more composed, pondered aloud, “But how could Lyra even know Flynn, let alone owe him a favor? They’re from completely different worlds.”
Layla’s skepticism was rooted in logic. Someone of her standing-renowned as “the first saintly hand in Southern Territory”-might have been known to Lyra. After all, even Yves Yancey had praised her. But Flynn? A man who had hidden away in Niarak after his release from prison? His feats, though impressive, were unlikely to reach the ears of someone from the North, let alone Slatin.
Madeline’s conclusion seemed flawed and self-serving.
At that moment, Layla noticed Tessa Watson and her entourage waiting at a fork in the road. She pulled the Ferrari to a stop.
“Layla, what did Miss Whitaker say to you two?” Tessa Watson asked, stepping forward. She was worried that Lyra might try to push Layla toward Flynn. After all, she still hoped Layla could become her daughter-in-law.
“Nothing much,” Layla replied coldly. “She merely humiliated me and Madeline.”
Tessa Watson sighed in relief, though her face remained tense. “It seems that boy has really made something of himself. But how on earth is he connected to Lyra? They’re from completely different worlds.”
Arthur Everett, standing nearby, glanced at Tessa Watson’s bruised face and sneered. “Mrs. Clark, have you forgotten? Flynn is the head instructor of The Edge. Thanks to his body-strengthening medicinal techniques, The Edge secured first place and humiliated the Talon Emberhart Group.”
At these words, the group’s confusion dissipated.
Madeline’s eyes gleamed with excitement as she exclaimed, “That explains it all!”
“What do you mean?” Tessa Watson asked, rubbing her swollen cheek.
Madeline quickly pieced the puzzle together, recounting what Layla had overheard earlier. “Talon Emberhart has always overshadowed Maxwell Grey. Now that Flynn has disrupted the balance, Maxwell Grey must be worried about retaliation. That’s why he sent Lyra down South to find Flynn. After discovering Flynn’s medical skills, Lyra had him treat her injury. This gave her every reason to protect him. By chatting with Flynn, she learned about his situation and decided to bolster his reputation by making him seem untouchable. It’s all a smokescreen to make us tread carefully around him!”
The group was stunned. Anger bubbled within them as they realized they had been outmaneuvered by Flynn. He had used Lyra to turn the tables and exact his revenge.
“Layla, did Lyra really say that Flynn had to rely on himself in the future?” Tessa Watson pressed urgently.
Layla nodded. “She did. Word for word.”
“Good, good!” Tessa Watson’s swollen face twisted into a sinister smile. “So Miss Whitaker only plans to help him this once. Perfect. Absolutely perfect!” She clenched her fists. “Flynn, if you think these little tricks can scare us, you’re far too naive!”
The group nodded in agreement, their anger simmering. Madeline’s analysis was flawless, and everyone acknowledged it. Flynn had merely borrowed Lyra’s influence to get back at them.
Tessa Watson turned to Madeline, her expression softening. “Madeline, you’re quite impressive-sharp, quick-witted, and able to see the truth behind events. With this kind of mind, you’ll go far in the business world.”
The unexpected praise caught everyone’s attention. Even Layla, normally indifferent to such matters, was taken aback. Tessa Watson rarely complimented anyone, especially the younger generation. In all of Slatin, only a handful of people had earned her recognition-and Madeline had just joined their ranks.
“Thank you, Mrs. Clark!” Madeline’s heart pounded with excitement, her hands clenched tightly as a determined glint shone in her eyes.
Tessa Watson turned to the rest of the younger crowd, smiling faintly. “Do you see that? Ambition! This girl has it in her eyes. That’s something I’ve never seen in any of you. Learn from her!”
She turned to Wayne. “You’d better guide her well.”
A collective gasp rippled through the group. Tessa Watson’s judgment was razor-sharp. If she saw ambition in Madeline, it meant Madeline was destined for greatness. Layla had been a prime example-five years ago, Tessa’s praise had propelled her to unprecedented heights. Could Madeline be the next Layla?
Wayne added fuel to the fire. “Mrs. Clark, your instincts are spot on. Just yesterday, Madeline secured DreamDollars Investments a partnership with Titan Holdings!”
Tessa Watson’s eyes lit up with surprise. “Is that so? Excellent! A talent like this from Niarak might one day outgrow Slatin entirely and enter the Eahta business circle. I have high hopes for you!”
She paused, then added, “You’ve also helped the Clark family obtain that medical manuscript. If you ever need assistance in the future, I’ll be there for you.”
The room fell silent. Everyone stared at Madeline, dumbfounded. Tessa Watson rarely offered personal support, and her promise to Madeline was nothing short of extraordinary. Even Cora Caldwell couldn’t hide her envy.
Madeline had done it. She had earned Tessa Watson’s trust and admiration. A remarkable woman indeed.