?<strong>Chapter 206:</strong>


    Pa screamed in agony. Amara forcefully pulled on Pa’s hair, gradually tightening her grip. “You’ve never challenged me like this before, Adrian. This woman must be influencing you!”


    Adrian sneered. Was she recalling the times when he had supported her in the battle for his grandmother’s inheritance, only to be snubbed for minor errors? “I think you’re mistaken.” Adrian gazed at her icily. “I’ve always been this way. I didn’t oppose you earlier because our interests were the same. Seeking justice for my father and iming what’s rightfully mine—I would have pursued these goals with or without your help.”


    Amara was taken aback by his words, realizing that her son was now unrecognizable. “Don’t assume you can defy me just because you’ve grown independent.”


    Adrian scoffed, “You call this defying you? Then you haven’t yet witnessed true defiance.”


    In her fury, Amara struck Pa across the face. Smack! It appeared she was releasing all her frustration on her. Pa held her face, too frightened to weep despite the searing pain.


    Adrian demanded, “Can, escort my mother home.” Once Amara had departed, Adrian summoned Pa to his office.


    “Do you understand why I keep you close?”


    Holding her cheek, Pa nodded. “Is it because your mother pressures you into blind dates?”


    “You’re sharp.” However, Pa’s cunning was not her most significant attribute; it was her extreme materialism and opportunism—traits Amara despised. People like Pa were loathsome yet straightforward to control. Adrian had no interest in navigating Amara’s constant matchmaking schemes, and having Pa around was enough to keep Amara upied.


    “For now, you’ll pretend to be my girlfriend to manage my mother.”


    Pa bit her lip. “Mr. Miller, it’s not that I’m opposed. You saw how your mother acted just now.”


    “If you agree, go ahead and pick up that bag you always want.”


    Interacting with wealthy individuals was always pleasant, and with clever wealthy individuals, it was even more rewarding. A p was a trivial matter; for money, Pa was willing to endure even a few kicks from Amara.


    After receiving her prize, Pa left Miller Group with a smile.


    Reba called her. “Pa, did you see Adie today?”


    Given their different social standings and Amara’s vignt supervision, Reba couldn’t often visit Miller Group. Frequent visits might also make her presence less wee. But she hadn’t anticipated Pa’s audacity, which stirred both jealousy and envy in Reba.


    At that time, Pa was rxing in a VIP lounge, admiring her new bag. “Adrian wants me to be his girlfriend.”


    “What?” Reba’s voice cracked with anger.


    “Don’t worry, Reba.” Pa sighed. “How could I ever match up to you? I’m merely a tool in Adrian’s strategy against his mother. In his eyes, you remain the most significant. To him, I’m worth no more than a bag, maybe two or three million at most. How could I be a match for you?”


    Reba felt like smashing her phone but restrained her fury, thinking of the broader implications. “I’m aware Adie loves me. If it wasn’t for Amara’s objection to our rtionship, he wouldn’t have beenpelled to marry Joelle.”


    “You two have faced many challenges together.”


    “Let’s not talk about me anymore. Have you thought about how to handle Joelle and her daughter?”


    “Well…” Pa set down her bag and moved to a more private area. “Reba, I must admit I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed. I want to handle that little girl, but I’m out of ideas. Could you help mee up with a n?”


    Reba’s hand clenched into a fist, her frustration nearly causing her to bite through her lip. This woman was truly taking her for a ride. She had barely started leveraging Pa, and now Pa was already turning the tables on her? Had it not been for her rescuing Pa from the police station, Pa would still be stuck in a cell next to a toilet.


    “Pa, I’m at a loss too. I was counting on you to figure something out.”


    “Tsk, I guess I need to think it over a bit more,” Pa responded calmly. “After all, that little girl is Adie’s daughter. I can’t be too severe with a child, can I?”


    Reba had intended to use Pa as a means to eliminate Adrian’s daughter. Did Reba actually think she was oblivious to her scheme?


    “You’re right. Let’s just forget I mentioned it,” Reba said.


    “Alright.”


    Reba had suffered a major setback. After ending the call, she needed to release some tension, so she smashed the violin beside her. It was merely a practice violin, crafted from inexpensive materials. Besides, with her level of skill, not even the finest violin could make her sound better.


    Salome caught hold of Reba. “What are you doing?”


    “Pa dares to stand up to me! Now Adie is even letting her pose as his girlfriend! Who does she think she is? Just a nightclub waitress! How dare she try topete with me?”


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