?<strong>Chapter 232:</strong>


    “That’s impossible! There’s no way Reba could have hidden something this big from me!” Adrian’s disbelief was palpable.


    “Of course, she couldn’t have pulled it off alone. But what if she got Kendal on her side, teamed up with Erick and Salome, and used her acting chops to keep you in the dark?” Rafael retorted.


    Adrian’s fists clenched, the muscles in his jaw tightening as he forced himself to stayposed. “What makes you think she bribed Kendal? If it was all about money, I could outbid her in a heartbeat. Why would he choose to lie to me? What’s in it for him?”


    Rafael expected this line of questioning. “Seven years ago, Kendal tried to save Reba’s eldest brother. But the operation went south because of his mistake, and the rescue failed.”


    The mention of Reba’s brother stopped Adrian cold. Reba’s eldest brother had once been more than just an acquaintance—he’d been a loyal friend. Like Rafael, Reba’s brother had been quiet but fiercely protective, someone who always had Adrian’s back. Technically, Reba’s brother worked for Adrian, but their bond had surpassed the formality of employer and employee. He was family in all but name.


    Seven years ago, Quincy’s men had drugged Adrian, leaving him vulnerable and defenseless. A dozen armed thugs stood guard outside, making escape seem impossible. Reba’s father and brother had fought to the death, trying to save Adrian. Reba’s father was killed in the fight, while her brother barely clung to life when Kendal took over his care in the hospital.


    Three agonizing hourster, Kendal emerged from the operating room, delivering the bad news. “No way! Who would go so far as to fake a terminal illness?”


    “The Lloyd family didn’t know at first that the death was caused by a medical mistake. Erick, always scheming, pushed Reba and Salome to raise hell at the hospital, demandingpensation. It caused enough of a stir to get the police involved. When that happened, Joelle got kidnapped by Quincy’s men, and you got seriously injured in the incident, so it’s no surprise you didn’t have time to find out about any of this.”


    When Adrian was finally able to walk again, Reba’s eldest brother had already been gone for more than a month. In that month, the Lloyd family had been relentless, filing reports with the police and disrupting the hospital until they forced a review of Kendal’s procedures. It was then revealed that Kendal’s error had caused Reba’s brother’s death.


    To avoid a public scandal, the hospital settled with Reba’s family, paying them off to keep things quiet and protect its reputation. Not long after, Reba spun another tale—this time about a rare brain tumor. She yed on Adrian’s sympathy, milking him for money, and pressuring Kendal to support her ruse. This charade had stretched on for three long years.


    It hadn’t been hard for Rafael to dig up the truth. Once he figured Reba’s illness was a fabrication, everything else clicked into ce. The only thing standing in the way was Adrian’s unwavering trust in the Lloyd family.


    Rafael said, “Adrian, Reba isn’t the innocent woman you think she is. And right now, Aurora is in real danger.”


    “Stop it…” Adrian, not about to believe it, stumbled toward the door, lost and shattered. His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him back to the present. He fished it out and stared at the screen for an eternity. “It’s Reba,” he muttered.


    Reba had summoned Adrian to the rooftop of an unfinished building. The wind whipped around her white dress, which fluttered in the cold, cutting air. In her arms, Aurora slept peacefully, oblivious to the chaos swirling around her. Reba stood dangerously close to the edge.


    A group of people rushed onto the rooftop but stopped several feet away, wary of making any sudden moves. Joelle, her throat tight with fear, stepped forward and pleaded, “Reba, please! Give me Aurora. I’ll agree to whatever you want. Just give her back!”


    Reba’s smile was cold, her eyes shing with an unsettling glint. “Alright. Get on your knees and beg me!”


    “Please!” Joelle cried out, dropping to her knees, but before she could fully lower herself, Adrian and Rafael caught her by the arms.


    Adrian steadied her, his eyes locked on Reba. “If this is about me, fine. But don’t drag innocent people into it. What do you want? Money? You want to be my wife? Name your price, and it’s yours.”


    “Really?”


    “Yes.”


    Reba’s smile kind of disappeared, and she shook her head. “No, Adie. I don’t want your money or a hollow title. I want your heart. I want you to choose me!” She nced at Joelle, her eyes darkening. “Joelle, you want Aurora back, don’t you? Come trade yourself for her.”


    Joelle took a hesitant step forward, but Rafael caught her arm. “Don’t. It’s a trap.”


    Joelle froze, torn between fear and desperation. But seeing Aurora so close to danger, her terror melted away. She was no longer thinking straight. All that mattered was getting Aurora back, safe and sound. As she took another step, Adrian caught her wrist.


    Reba’s voice cut through. “If you don’te over, I’ll drop her!”


    Taking a deep breath, Joelle shook off Adrian’s grip and began walking towards Reba. When she took Aurora into her embrace, a wave of relief washed over her.


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