Chapter 1046 If You Want to Die, Just Say So
Jane recalled that she always valued her manuscripts highly. She wouldn't even store unpublished competition drafts on a regular cloud drive; she used specially purchased high-security ones that were nearly impossible to crack.
Moreover, this version of the manuscript from Madeline was Jane's final draft.
Given the timing, the only possible leak could have happened when Jane sent her computer out for repairs.
"Who used me? Tell me who it is!" Madeline grabbed Jane's hand like it was her lifeline, as if identifying the person would allow her to escape this farce unscathed.
"I'm guessing," Jane said.
"What?" Madeline was bewildered.
Jane pried Madeline's hand away and looked down at her, her gaze like that of someone looking at an ignorant little animal.
"I don't know who it is either. You were set up, that's my guess." Since that was the case, Jane obviously didn't know who had set up Madeline.
"You're playing me!" Madeline finally realized, "It's not that someone wants to set me up; their target is you!"
If someone wanted to set up Madeline, there was no need to use Jane's manuscript.
Madeline was being used, but the target was Jane. And Jane had turned around and deceived her!
Jane remained noncommittal.
Jane wasn't the type to be a good person regardless of the situation; she didn't need to care about Madeline's feelings. Besides, in this matter, she was originally Madeline's creditor.
If it weren't for Madeline's foolishness, she wouldn't have been set up.
"Jane Watkins!" Madeline, as if provoked, glared at Jane with bloodshot eyes, "You're just jealous that I have a family and you don't. You deserve to lose the Watkins family and your brother!"
Madeline was having a hard time, and she didn't want Jane to have it easy either!
Jane's normally composed expression finally showed signs of cracking at this moment.
Madeline had finally found Jane's weak spot, finally found a point to vent. "Jane Watkins, even if you ruin me, so what? It won't change the fact that you have no parents and no family. You'll be a person without a family for the rest of your life! Oh, right!"
Madeline looked at Anthony, who had been following Jane, her eyes turning crazed. "You're still with this man? He's the one who ruined your family! Without Anthony Clark, Jovan Watkins would still be alive! How proud can you be? You're still with Anthony Clark, you...!"
Madeline's voice abruptly stopped.
Madeline looked in horror at Anthony, who had suddenly rushed in front of her, his hand gripping her neck. Pain shot through her throat, and the air gradually, bit by bit, became thin.
Anthony's face was expressionless, his gaze dark and cold, as if Madeline was someone destined to die. "If you want to die, just say so."
Madeline wanted to beg for mercy but couldn't speak, wanted to shake her head but couldn't move her body.
Madeline tried to pry Anthony's hand away, but it was like a gnat trying to move a tree, utterly powerless.
A person beside her nervously said, "Oh my God! What do we do? What do we do? She's the only daughter of the Stewart family!"
"We can't afford to offend the Stewart family, and we can't afford to offend Anthony Clark either!"
"Oh my God! If something happens, won't we, the staff, be implicated?"
Just as Madeline thought she was about to die in Anthony's hands, Jane grabbed Anthony's wrist.
"That's enough." Jane's voice was very calm.
Anthony glanced at Jane.
Everyone was waiting for Jane to persuade Anthony, but Jane said nothing, just looked at him calmly.
No one could understand what was going on between Jane and Anthony; the atmosphere was eerie, and no third person could join in.
A few seconds later, Anthony released Madeline, who slid down the wall like a boneless creature, gasping for air, her face flushed from the brief suffocation.
Jane took a step closer to Madeline.
Madeline, full of fear, tried to retreat, but her remaining strength only allowed her to move back a step. The next moment, her chin was gripped by Jane.
In a voice only she and Madeline could hear, Jane said, "You made me owe Anthony a favor. From now on, take a detour when you see me, or I'll make your life a living hell."
Madeline's mind went blank; she could only nod repeatedly, unable to think of anything. It was as if her left brain was wondering, "What kind of favor does she owe Anthony?" while her right brain was saying, "Jane Watkins is a devil! A viper!"
Jane was still not satisfied because, based on her understanding of Madeline, who seemed to have a mind full of mush, Madeline would likely forget Jane's "reminder" before even tomorrow came. Thinking that with the Stewart family backing her, Madeline could be fearless in front of her as long as Anthony wasn't around.
Jane didn't mind fighting with people, but constantly fighting with the same brainless person was very annoying.
So Jane decided to give Madeline another reminder. "There's something you might not know. My brother isn't dead and has been discharged from the hospital. Guess where he is now? And guess what he'll do if he finds out you said I have no one to back me up?"
Madeline was so terrified she didn't dare blink, as if she had seen the Grim Reaper.
Anyone with a bit of insight in the circle knew how much Jovan doted on Jane back then.
Saying Jane had no one to back her up? Jovan could really make your life a living hell, and your whole family would suffer with you!
Jane didn't want to stay any longer. After getting the information she wanted from Madeline, she left this unpleasant place.
As for the gold medal Jane deserved, with such a big commotion, even if she didn't want the honor, what was hers would still be hers.
In such competitions, well-known reputations were more useful than a trophy, a certificate, or a public announcement from a third party!
Jane didn't know why Anthony had suddenly appeared here, but she could vaguely guess the reason.
Anthony was always very goal-oriented and determined. Years ago, he decided to take revenge, thus bringing down the Watkins family. Now he said he wanted Jane, and chasing her here was unexpected but reasonable.
Jane glanced at Anthony, said nothing, and walked out with her bag.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Anthony with one hand in his pocket, silently following her.
Anthony, with his long legs, walked at Jane's pace as if he were just taking a stroll.
"Mrs. Bennett!" As soon as she walked out, Jane saw Lydia and smiled as she caught up to thank her.
"Mrs. Bennett, thank you so much for today! I used to see you often in textbooks, and I never thought I'd get to meet you in person and have the honor of speaking with you."
Lydia maintained a serious demeanor throughout. Her seriousness wasn't cold or distant but rather the solemnity of an academic authority.
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