bChapter /bb460 /b

    36

    “Stop pretending you can’t hear me, Madeline,” Lily roared. “I’m telling you right now. If you don’t pay me back, I’m taking you to court. Just try mat

    Thirty thousand dors wasn’t pocket change.

    Back then, Madeline had begged and pleaded with her, crying about how her father was dying in the hospital and desperately needed money for treatment. That sob story had convinced Lily to grit her teeth and lend her the money. She hadn’t even charged interest.

    For the past year, Lily had assumed Madeline’s family was still struggling financially, so she hadn’t pressured her once about repayment. But this afternoon, she’d discovered the truth. The dying father story wasplete fiction. Madeline had plenty of money. She just didn’t want to pay her back.

    Lily had every reason to be angry about this.

    Hearing this, Madeline finally snapped back to reality and quickly tried to calm her down. “Hey, don’t get so worked up. I never said I wouldn’t pay you back. It’s just 30 thousand dors. Of course I’ll give it to you.

    “But after all these years of friendship, is our bond really worth less than this money?”

    Madeline was making onest desperate attempt to get out of it. Without a job, limited savings, and the constant expenses of paying her overseas body double plus buying things for Jessica, money was tight everywhere. Every dor she could save mattered.

    “You know exactly what our friendship is worth. Bottom line–transfer the money to me before midnight tonight, or I’ll see you in court,” Lily said coldly before hanging up.

    Madeline was left staring at the disconnected call, so furious that she grabbed a throw pillow and hurled it across the room.

    But her anger was just getting started. Shortly after Lily’s call, another friend she’d borrowed money from, Betty, called to demand repayr

    “No money again?” Betty sneered. “You’ve used that same excuse how many times now? Sixty thousand dors isn’t pocket change, and I’ve go IOU and transfer records. Madeline, if you don’t pay up, then get ready ifor /icourt. I don’t have time to mess around with you.”

    Madeline hadn’t even finished her sob story before Betty cut her off with more threats. Madeline was so angry her nails dug into her palms, but she forced herself to stay calm and sweet–talk her way out of it.

    Madeline forced a smile. “Come on, Betty, when did I ever say I wouldn’t pay you back? It’s just that I’m really tight on cash right now.

    “My brother needs to buy a house, and my parents just took a huge chunk of my savings. I barely have anything left. How about I give you 15 thousand dors now and pay the rest over the next two months? Would that work?”

    By the end, Madeline’s voice was practically breaking with fake tears.

    But Betty wasn’t buying it. She stayed firm. “No way. You need to pay everything back right now. Two months? Who knows what you’ll blow that money ollion. /li/ol

    “Look, I’m not trying to be mean, but you used to make such good money. Why did you quit your job for no reason?

    “Even if iyou /icouldn’t stand it anymore, you should have lined up something else first. You knew you had debts, but you’re not even trying to find work. What’s that about? You think you’re some kind of rich housewife now?”

    The sarcastic words made Madeline’s face flush red with embarrassment. She had spent months posting hints on Instagram about her rtionship with Brian, which was one of the main reasons people had been willing to lend her money in the first ce,

    But now, Brian’s doting husband act kept trending on social media, and there still wasn’t any news about him divorcing Jessica. To everyone who bknew /bthe real story, it looked like Madeline had failed to break up their marriage and might have actually brought the couple closer together.

    People were already losing confidence in Madeline’s ability to pay them back, and now that they’d received her sry and bonus records, they bknew /bMadeline had money all along. She just didn’t want to pay. Of course they were furious.

    15:35 Sat, 23 Aug J

    Madeline was seething inside, but she had no choice but to keep ying nice and negotiating. She had a feeling Betty wouldn’t be thest person demanding her money back, which meant she definitely couldn’t pay Betty in full.

    After wearing Betty down, Madeline managed to get the immediate payment reduced to 30 thousand dors.

    Madeline still wasn’t happy about it, but she forced a smile and thanked her. “Thanks, Betty!”

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