?<strong>Chapter 227:</strong>


    Salome’s eyes darted around nervously. When she caught Reba’s gaze, she knew she had to decide quickly. “I remember now—there was one instance!”


    Adrian’s expression remained unreadable as Salome continued, “At that time, you were deeply involved in a dispute with your uncle and had been seriously injured. I thought it prudent to contact Ms. Watson. After all, you two had been married for three years. There must still be some lingering affection…”


    Salome’s voice faltered as she spoke, her words starting to sound hollow to her own ears. “Adrian, have I caused you trouble?” Her eyes reddened, and she pped her own hand in frustration. “This foolish hand of mine! Adrian, I’m truly sorry!”


    Reba, tears welling up, clung to Adrian’s arm. “Adie, my mom didn’t mean any harm!”


    Adrian nced at her. “So, you were aware of this too?”


    “I…” Reba stuttered, unable to form a coherent response. Adrian didn’t need to say anything more. Simply standing up, he conveyed a silent but formidable presence that left both mother and daughter heart-thumpingly anxious.


    “Don’t cause any more trouble for Joelle. That’s where I draw the line. Joelle is the mother of my child, and I won’t allow anyone to harm her.”


    Salome and Reba bowed their heads in shame. They braced for a reprimand, already rehearsing excuses. But Adrian remained silent. That silence, heavy and condemning, was more crushing than any scolding could have been. He regretteding here.


    He had always thought Salome was different from Erick or Reba, who clearly wanted something from him. Salome had seemed genuinely grateful, making him feel a real connection to the Lloyd family. After all, if not for her husband and eldest son, it could have been Adrian who met a tragic end years ago. But today’s revtions showed that Salome was no different from the others.


    In a final gesture of disconnection, Adrian pped a bank card on the table and stood to leave. His visits had always been about supporting them, yet that seemed unappreciated now.


    Reba, ovee with emotion, couldn’t let him go without a word. With tears in her eyes, she ran after him. “Adie!” She caught up to him, breathless. “I love you!”


    She didn’t just want his pity. She loved him genuinely. She had immersed herself in his interests—music, chess, calligraphy, painting—striving to be the educated, refined woman she thought he deserved, all to win his heart.


    Adrian turned to face her as she approached. “Adie, can’t you see me for who I am? I can do everything Joelle can. We’ve known each other for years. I understand you; I care for you deeply!”


    “Joelle gave me a daughter. Can you offer me that?” Reba, summoning all her courage, stepped closer and lifted her gaze to his. “I can!”


    Adrian sneered, “Nice try. You and your mother cooked up this scheme together, didn’t you?”


    Reba froze, the earnest words she wanted to express stifled by his cold gaze. “Adie,” she murmured, managing a strained smile while her delicate frame shook slightly. “I’ve started learning the violin. Maybe I could y for you next time?”


    “Not interested, and there won’t be a next time.” Adrian climbed into his car, giving her a dismissive once-over. “This style doesn’t suit you. Stop trying to be like her.” With that, he drove off, leaving Reba alone and motionless in the parking lot.


    She couldn’t recall how she made it home, only that Salome greeted her with hopeful anticipation. “How did it go? What did Adrian say?”


    Reba’s voice was a hollow whisper. “He’s noting back.”


    “What? How could you let this happen? We’ve invested so much in you, and you can’t even keep a man!” Salome eximed, her frustration evident as she pounded her leg. “How did he find out?”


    “He won’t being back…”


    Reba’s sudden outburst startled Salome. “It’s all Joelle’s fault! Adrian has abandoned me!” she shrieked, descending into a fit of hysteria as she began to smash everything within reach.


    Her emotions erupted chaotically, herughter mingling with sobs. “He left us here in this dump and he’s nevering back! Joelle! I’ll kill you!”


    Fearing for her own safety, Salome retreated behind the door. Meanwhile, Adrian received a troubling call from Michael. “I know who’s behind the attempt on Joelle.”


    “Who?” Adrian’s voice was tense.


    “I reviewed all the surveince footage around the hospital,” Michael exined. “One camera got a clear shot of Pa’s face. She was seen fleeing the hospital in a panic the night Joelle had her ident.”


    Adrian furrowed his brow, deep in thought. Pa had always been motivated by money, and he’d kept her close primarily to irritate Amara. But would she go as far as harming someone? He doubted it.


    “Are you certain it was her?”


    Michael’s response was firm. “There’s more. The man who vandalized Joelle’s studio had a recent payment from Pa’s ount in his records. He confessed that Pa hired him for the job.”


    Confronted with both testimony and evidence, Adrian had to ept the truth. “But something doesn’t add up,” Michael added.


    “What’s that?”


    “Pa vanished right after the incidents came to light. It’s like she’s trying to escape.”


    “Find her. No matter what it takes.”


    “Understood.”


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