Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 491

The late autumn air carried a bone-chilling cold, so piercing that each breath felt like being sliced by icy blades.

Few ventured outside these days.

Especially at night.

This year, the cold had arrived sooner and bit deeper than usual.

As Irene stepped off the plane, she spotted Madelyn waiting for her at the arrivals gate. Dressed in a stylish beige trench coat, her delicate makeup accentuated her best features—this was a woman who effortlessly drew attention wherever she went.

With effortless grace, Irene walked over to Madelyn.

Madelyn smiled warmly, opening her arms for an embrace. "Welcome back," she said.

Irene’s family home wasn’t in this city. However, she had studied here, and with her family’s branch company based here, she had chosen to return directly.

Of course, only she knew the real reason behind her decision.

Truth be told, the Harper family’s core operations had largely shifted overseas. Thanks to Irene’s strategic marriage alliance with an overseas family, the Harper Family had successfully expanded their market abroad, propelling the Harper Group to rapid growth. And Irene? She had always been a master of diplomacy—even after her divorce, not only did things not turn sour, but they remained on such good terms that they became friends.

For most couples, that would be unthinkable.

Let alone in a marriage of convenience.

This alone spoke volumes about Irene’s extraordinary emotional intelligence. It was also why, despite Madelyn’s deep affection for Lambert, Madelyn hadn’t felt even a flicker of rivalry when he and Irene were together.

Because Irene was simply flawless.

The flawless woman made others feel somewhat inadequate in comparison. She couldn't help but acknowledge her own shortcomings. Had Lambert chosen to be with her, she might have accepted it gracefully.

Though, as it turned out, that never happened.

Madelyn's eyes flickered as she shook off the chaotic thoughts swirling in her mind, forcing another smile at Irene. Irene, amused, blinked and teased, "You seem a little off today. What's going on? Did something happen?" As they spoke, the two walked toward the car waiting to pick Irene up.

The bodyguard, sharp as ever, swiftly opened the door and bowed respectfully to let the two young women in.

Irene entered first, followed by Madelyn.

Once Madelyn settled inside, the door clicked shut.

Turning to face Irene, who was watching her with an elegant mix of amusement and curiosity, Madelyn hesitated before finally saying, "It's nothing major. Just ran into someone I don’t particularly like, and we had a bit of a spat."

Irene raised an eyebrow. "A spat?"

Madelyn nodded.

Irene chuckled softly, shaking her head with affectionate exasperation. "I know you better than anyone. Usually, when someone crosses you, they're the ones left miserable. Must’ve met your match this time?"

How could a lowlife like her be worthy of Lambert?

The more she spoke, the angrier Madelyn grew.

Especially when she remembered that unpleasant encounter with Ariana not long ago. The memory alone made her blood boil. She wished Irene would go straight to Lambert right now, make him dump that woman, and force her to face the truth—that she was nothing!

Hearing Madelyn’s furious, frustrated words, Irene simply smiled faintly.

"Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore," she said.

Madelyn bit her lip, her gaze fixed on Irene. "Irene, I know you’re kind-hearted, but that woman is downright shameless. She’s taken everything she has now by stealing from you—how can you not be angry?"

Irene pressed her lips together, her eyes drifting briefly toward the window before she replied, "What is there for me to say? Even if that’s true, she’s Lambert’s wife now. And they have three children."

Madelyn cut Irene off, her voice laced with resentment. "But she only climbed to her current position because she looks like you. If those three kids bother you, why not just let the Stone family take care of them?"

Irene sighed, shaking her head with a wistful smile. "How could I possibly resent children?" Her eyes softened. "Actually, I adore them. It's not about the children—it's about the invisible wall they create between Lambert and me. I know he still cares for me deeply. Even if his marriage was just a way to cope back then... now they have children together." Her voice dropped to a murmur. "He can't... he shouldn't... abandon them for our sake. And I'd never ask him to. Not when they're still so little."

The unspoken truth hung heavy between them: no matter how much she and Lambert loved each other, those children would always stand in their way.

Even if their feelings remained, they could never truly be together.

Especially now, when he was still married.