Chapter 9
Ramona probably didn't expect Madison to be so assertive. Her expression stiffened for a moment before she burst into even louder sobs.
"Do you have to force your sister into a corner? If it weren't for our Hale family, could you have survived until now? Nothing has happened to you while your sister is having a relapse. Can't you just drop the matter? Why are you so malicious?" Ramona criticized loudly.
Madison looked at Ramona coldly, her heart turning to stone.
In truth, she still had a small glimmer of hope.
After all these years of calling Ramona "mom," could there be a tiny bit of affection from the Hale family towards her, even if it was just a bit?
But now, it seemed like Madison was just deluding herself.
Madison swallowed. She couldn't help but ask, "What if something happened to me today? What if I were truly ruined by others?"
Ramona was stunned momentarily before she retorted, "But you are fine now, right? Nothing happened to you, so why are you so fixated? You are the elder sister. Can't you give in a little for your younger sister, especially when Sally is still unwell? She didn't mean to harm you! Why are you so petty and calculative about everything?"
Madison's heart felt as though it was encased in ice. The last spark of hope died. She said quietly, "I just want an apology."
"Fine! Fine!" Ramona was furious. She raised her eyes to glare at Madison. "It's my fault for not raising you well in the Hale family. I've raised an ingrate! If you want an apology, I, as your foster mother, apologize to you. It's my fault for not teaching my daughter well and letting you suffer such injustice. I apologize to you! But Madison, if it weren't for you, would my Sally end up like this?"Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.
Ramona burst into tears, hugging Sally as if she had suffered a profound wrong. She went on speaking. "You took the position of the daughter of the Hale family and harmed my Sally for so many years, yet you have no gratitude or guilt. I was blind back then. Leave, Madison! Don't appear in the Hale family again. Pretend I never raised you, and the Hale family never had you as a foster daughter!"
Madison pursed her lips, standing there silently.
Everyone was watching the spectacle, wondering how Madison, a worthless person without abilities, would survive after being expelled from the Hale family.
But there were so many people present, and Madison was just so stubborn. She couldn't possibly bow to Ramona now, could she?
Just as she was about to speak, Leo suddenly moved. He took a step forward, standing in front of Madison.
"Mr. Palmer." Behind him, Madison spoke in a calm tone. "If I remember correctly, we signed the divorce agreement last night. From a legal standpoint, I should no longer be your wife."
Leo and Madison had divorced!
But the man turned around, his dark gaze fixed directly on the woman who exposed the truth.
Ignoring him, Madison picked up her handbag. "I am divorced now, and I have no further relationship with the Palmer family. As for Ramona's words today, I will remember them. From now on, I will have no connection with the Hale family either," she said.
Then, Madison bowed solemnly to Ramona. "Thank you, Ramona, for your care over the years."
Even though Madison had been hurt and harmed by Ramona time and time again, it was also a fact that Ramona had indeed raised her.
Madison made sure that she remembered both gratitude and grievances.
With this bow, everyone was surprised. Their previous disdain for Madison also wavered a bit.
Madison paid no attention to the onlookers' gazes. After bowing, she intended to leave, but Ramona suddenly stopped her.
"Wait!" Ramona shouted.