?<strong>Chapter 150:</strong>


    Joelle had loved Adrian for more than three years. She found his words almostughable. Why did he continue with such trivial sentiments after their divorce? Despite her resolve, his words still held the power to affect her, prompting her to dig her nails into her palm as a harsh reminder not to fall for his maniptions again.


    “These past three years are the very ones I wish I could erase. If I had a choice, I’d have never been with you at all!” she retorted sharply.


    The veins in Adrian’s arms stood out, a visible sign of his rising anger. He felt unjustly vilified. After all, he was the one who had felt trapped in their marriage yet had never voiced his discontent.


    “And who would you prefer to be with? Rafael? Do you think he can fulfill you? What could Rafael possibly do for Watson Group? Joelle, if you continue to provoke me, I could ruin Watson Group in a single night.” Joelle already knew Shawn’s trump card. Watson Group was just Shawn’s disguise. People thought he was useless and that no one would pay attention to his business overseas.


    When Adrian thought he could threaten Joelle with the Watson Group, she only felt sad and amused. “Adrian, is that your best threat?”


    “Say that again. Do you really want to experience losing everything?” Joelle met his gaze defiantly, unflinching in the tense atmosphere.


    Unable to remain silent, Leah intervened, “Sir, you shouldn’t speak to Ms. Watson in such a manner.” Adrian scoffed, “Did she listen when I spoke softly?”


    Leah sighed internally, then turned to Joelle with a plea. “Please, Ms. Watson, don’t take his words to heart. His grandmother is currently in the hospital, which has left him quite on edge.”


    “Irene is in the hospital?”


    Leah nodded. “Just some old health issues, nothing serious.”


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    “Why wasn’t I informed?”


    Adrian’s reply was icy and dismissive. “Since we’re divorced, you needn’t concern yourself with these matters anymore.”


    Joelle was seething, too upset to speak. Despite their divorce, she still held fond memories of how kindly Irene had treated her. The Watsons and the Millers had been close long before her marriage. Hearing of Irene’s hospitalization, Joelle felt it her duty to visit.


    “I’ll go to visit Irene,” she dered.


    Leah’s face lit up with approval. “Ms. Watson, you are so gracious.”


    “It’s the least I can do.” Joelle shot Adrian a pointed look. “I’ll be leaving now.”


    “Ms. Watson, won’t you stay for dinner?” Leah offered hopefully.


    “No, thank you,” Joelle declined sharply, reaching the doorway. “I find it hard to eat in certainpany.” With a final bang, the door closed behind her, leaving Adrian to retreat sullenly to his bedroom.


    Adrian spent the next half hour reviewing the footage on the portable hard disk. The scenes were repetitive, showing different angles of the same events. Initially, he wasn’t sure what Joelle had intended him to see. Her hopeful gaze towards the stage or the children’s performance?


    However, when Reba’s figure appeared on the screen, realization dawned on him. Driven by this new understanding, Adrian crossed to Joelle’s room and knocked.


    Joelle, already in pajamas, answered the door to find Adrian standing there, his expression stern. “You’re suggesting Reba drugged you?” he asked, his tone grave.


    Joelle responded nonchntly, “Have you finished watching the footage?”


    “It doesn’t show Reba actually drugging you.”


    “I never explicitly said she drugged me.”


    Adrian was confused, not out of favoritism but from ack of understanding. “Why would Reba have any reason to drug you? I know you’ve had issues with her, but she has no motive to harm you.”


    Joelleughed. “How would I know?”


    Adrian’s eyes narrowed, a clear sign of restrained anger. Joelle, familiar with his expressions, remainedposed. “You im Reba had no motive to harm me. Do you truly believe that? I don’t even know Erick. Why would he target me? Adrian, if you’re sincere about uncovering the truth, shouldn’t you be questioning Reba? Remember, I am the victim here.” The door clicked shut.


    It was the first time Joelle had closed the door on Adrian. Post-divorce, she seemed emboldened, more assertive. Adrian, taken aback by this change, retreated to his room, theputer screen still frozen on the image of Joelle gazing expectantly at the stage.


    As he watched, nostalgic memories began to surface. Joelle hadn’t suddenly be fierce. She had merely retracted her defenses post-marriage. Adrian’s gaze lingered on the screen, on Joelle’s hopeful expression—a look he hadn’t seen directed at him in years.


    Neither had been happy these past three years. Ale into the night, he sat finishing a cigarette before he finally picked up his phone and dialed Reba. “Adie!”


    Adrian responded, “You haven’t gone to bed yet?”


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