?<strong>Chapter 140:</strong>


    Everything he owned? Adrian scoffed, amusement tinting his voice. “Do you really believe you’re worth that much?”


    “Clearly, there’s nothing more to talk about.” Joelle was weary of seeing Adrianvish attention on another woman.


    Adrian mused that his patience with Joelle had grown. Because of the loss of the baby, he had been prepared to overlook her deceitful means to secure their marriage. Even post-divorce, his intent had been reconciliation.


    Yet, he was taken aback by her apparent ingratitude. He reached for her once more just as Shawn stepped in, grasping Joelle’s other wrist. “Adrian, let her be.” The smile Shawn offered Adrian didn’t quite touch his eyes.


    Adrian sneered, his disdain clear. “So, after taking enough money from me, you decide to sever ties? Is that it?”


    Joelle’s expression darkened. “Mind your words, Adrian! I owe you nothing.”


    “You think you owe me nothing?”


    “What could I possibly owe you?”


    “A child.” Adrian hadn’t anticipated himself stooping so low, using such a vile strategy to bind Joelle. “I told you, give me a child, and I’ll set you free.”


    Shawn’s jaw clenched as he moved forward, seizing Adrian by the cor, his breathing controlled yet forceful. “Adrian, don’t test your luck. Joelle is no longer part of your life. Why should she have your child?”


    Adrian nced coldly at his own hand. “I’d advise you to release me, Shawn. Here in Illerith, I can dismantle Watson Group with a mere whisper.”


    “You—”


    “Shawn!” Joelle, fearing the confrontation might escte, quickly intervened.


    She maneuvered a seething Shawn behind her, then faced Adrian, her smile sharp. “A child? You had one once, didn’t you? You chose to terminate it yourself, remember?”


    At her words, a shadow fell over Adrian’s features. Shawn, taken aback, demanded, “What are you talking about, Joelle?” He had been overseas at the time, oblivious to the ordeal Joelle had endured.


    Her revtion left Adrian too mortified to press any further. With poised indifference, Joelle dered, “Shawn, we should leave now.”


    “Wait, what did you just say? A baby? Howe I was never informed?”


    “I’ll exin everything to youter.”


    Joelle ushered Shawn quickly out the door. Meanwhile, Reba watched Adrian’s expression with caution. “Adie, are you alright?”


    Adrian generally avoided directing his anger at those not responsible, so his current irritation from his encounter with Joelle wouldn’t be unleashed on Reba. However, the loss of the baby, a casualty of Erick’s machinations, hadtely cooled his demeanor towards the Lloyd family.


    “I’m fine. Go ahead and pick out a ce. Choose any two-bedroom apartment you fancy.”


    Reba’s heart fluttered with secret joy. She still seemed to matter to Adrian. “Adie, might we consider a three-bedroom instead?”


    “Why the need for so many rooms? Two should suffice for you and Salome.”


    “But Erick—”


    “He isn’t returning.” Adrian’s response was t, his voice empty of emotion.


    Reba’splexion nched. “Adie, Erick was merely misled and knew he was wrong!”


    She attempted to argue further, but Adrian’s icy look cut her off. Salome hastily pulled at her sleeve, urging her to drop the subject.


    Reba sniffled, a slight desperation in her voice. “Alright. But with a three-bedroom, there’d at least be room for you to stay over if needed.”


    Adrian remained silent, only to be met with his frosty stare. “Enough with your maniptions.”


    Reba fell silent, too intimidated to continue. A sales assistant approached them, her badge gleaming. “Hello, I’m Tess Bray. How may I assist you today?”


    Adrian, eager to end the conversation, replied curtly, “Please find them an apartment.”


    With those words, he turned and departed, his expression clouding over.


    He made his way back to the house—what once was a shared home with Joelle. Now, it felt stark and void of warmth,cking Joelle’s bright smile and Leah’s tender care.


    A car was parked outside, and upon entering, Adrian was greeted by Amara. “What are you doing here?” he asked, loosening his tie as he moved deeper into the house.


    Amara followed, her energy undiminished. “I’m here to introduce you to potential partners! You need to move on and have a child quickly, so we can secure arger portion of the family estate.”


    “Mom, I’ve just ended my marriage.”


    “And?” Amara dismissed his hesitations with a wave of her hand. “You’re a catch, Adrian. Plenty of women would jump at the chance to marry you!”


    She thrust a stack of photographs into his hands. “Take a look at this one—she’s a young doctor. And this one, my friend’s daughter, top of her ss and at a leading university. And isn’t this one simply stunning?”


    Adrian’s irritation grew. “Mom, things aren’t finished between Joelle and me.”


    “What do you mean ‘not finished?''” Amara’s tone sharpened as she scattered the photos in his direction. “She’s nothing but an infertile woman, unable to provide you with a child. What use is such a daughter-inw to me?”


    Adrian’s gaze turned frosty. “What did you just call her?”


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