?<strong>Chapter 224:</strong>


    The silence in the room was evident. As Joelle watched Adrian’s lips part slightly, her heart started pounding. A stern look crossed his face, tinged with resolve. “I believe you now.”


    Joelle let out a sigh of relief. She could feel a burden lifting from her shoulders. Adrian’s expression didn’t change as he added, “But the next morning, you were indeed in my bed.”


    “I’ve told you, I had too much to drink. I honestly didn’t realize I had entered the wrong room.”


    “Why didn’t you say no right away?”


    “I thought you…” Joelle found herself unable to finish. At that time, her feelings for him were so intense that they clouded her judgment. Unfamiliar with how a man behaved when being drugged, she mistook his actions as a sign of his feelings for her. While the alcohol hadn’tpletely impaired her judgment, it had awakened certain desires. His stark rejection the next day was something she had not foreseen.


    “What exactly did you think I was?” Adrian asked with a sneer. “Joelle, I’ve always seen you as a sister.”


    “I know.” Suddenly, Joelle lost any desire to keep the conversation going.


    “You knew and yet you did not turn me down,” Adrian said, his tone forceful and convincing. “That means you wanted to sleep with me. I’ll satisfy you now.” Joelle’s heart missed a beat. She wasn’t so much afraid that Adrian would make a move; rather, she feared her own willingness toply. Thest three years had been nothing but dull and lonely, leaving her easily stirred.


    Although Rafael had married her, they had maintained their personal spaces. Influenced by Belle’s suggestion, Rafael had chosen to remain abstinent until their wedding, and they had slept in separate rooms since then. So, her resistance to Adrian’s advances was somewhat weak.


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    Just then, the phone on the bedside table broke the tense silence, ringing at a crucial moment. Both turned their heads to look; Rafael was on the line. With a sigh, Adrian released her.


    With a flushed face, Joelle gathered herself and picked up the phone. “Please leave.”


    Adrian remained motionless, standing there stiffly. Gathering her courage, Joelle answered the call, her tone soft and soothing. “Hello? Rafael?”


    “Aurora and Rnd have just fallen asleep. How about a video call?” Rafael asked, having just tucked Aurora and Rnd into bed. Joelle shot a nervous look at Adrian. Fearing it might escte the situation, she declined the video call.


    “There’s no need, Rafael. You should also get some rest early. Ouch!” Joelle eximed as a sharp pinch to her waist came from Adrian.


    “Joelle, what’s wrong?”


    “Nothing…” Her words were halted as Adrian’s hand moved under her clothes.


    “Nothing, I was just startled by someone passing by the door.”


    “You should get some rest early then.”


    “Alright.”


    Once the call ended, Joelle reached her limit and delivered a kick to Adrian’s chest. “You’ve seen for yourself. Rafael and I are truly happy now. You’re no match for him! Leave!”


    Adrian seemed distracted. “Was Aurora born naturally?” He had detected no scars on Joelle’s stomach.


    Joelle snapped back, “It was a tough delivery!”


    Adrian recalled Rafael once saying that Joelle nearly lost her life during childbirth. “What caused it?”


    The mere memory made Joelle shiver. The agony of childbirth was unforgettable. Merely recalling it weighed heavily on her.


    “I received a call back then, iming you were severely injured and in a critical state. The shock sent me into earlybor, leading to theplications.”


    Adrian was taken aback, not expecting his involvement, but then he understood that the caller had ill intentions. “Who was it that called you?”


    Joelle faced him with an unreadable expression. “Would you believe it if I told you?” Adrian frowned.


    A momentter, Joelle said, “Salome Lloyd.”


    “No way!”


    Initially, Joelle had been too distressed to think clearly, but uponter reflection, she sensed something amiss and, after investigating, pinpointed Salome as the instigator. She was certain Adrian wouldn’t believe her. His expected reaction still struck her as deeply ironic.


    “Then, I have nothing else to say.”


    “Don’t judge Salome unfairly. You don’t understand her.” Joelle didn’t want to argue with him anymore. “Adrian, if you don’t leave now, I might just think you’re still not over your ex-wife.”


    With a cold snort, Adrian climbed off her bed.


    As he left the hospital, he dialed Michael, suggesting they grab a drink. Michael asked, “Can we meet in an hour? I’m tied up right now.”


    Adrian’s irritation red. “What’s keeping you?”


    “I’m with Lacey. She’s had too much to drink, and I need to get her home first.” Adrian’s frustration grew. It seemed everyone had someone, except him. “Alright, see you in an hour.”


    He went to Flex Club first, where he had a private room. The manager saw hime alone, asking if he wanted somepany.


    “What kind ofpany?”


    “We’ve just hired some new girls. They’re really quite something…”


    Before the manager could continue, Adrian dismissed him. He had no patience for such distractions.


    When Michael finally showed up, Adrian was found nursing a drink alone.


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