?<strong>Chapter 249:</strong>


    In the brief moments when Adrian remained silent, his expression turned serious, making the atmosphere tense.


    “You should ask Joelle.”


    Then, he headed upstairs to his study.


    He hadn’t given up on the rtionship, but he now realized that truly respecting Joelle meant honoring all of her decisions.


    He respected her feelings, her choice to keep him from seeing his daughter, and her decision to possibly spend her life with another man.


    The following day, Adrian discovered where Joelle would be.


    She nned to take her two children to a restaurant with Katherine.


    So, Adrian instructed Can to relocate their business dinner to that same restaurant.


    That evening, as anticipated, he encountered Joelle and the others at the restaurant’s entrance.


    Adrian promptly extinguished his cigarette and met Joelle’s eyes with aposed gaze.


    It wasn’t unusual to run into someone in the city.


    “Aurora and Rnd, say hello to Mr. Miller.”


    Both children peeked out from behind Joelle, eyeing Adrian with curiosity.


    “Hello, Mr. Miller.”


    After Aurora greeted him, Adrian crouched down to her level and pulled out a handful of candies from his pocket.


    Aurora’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Though tempted by the sweets, she remembered her parents’ advice, saying, “My dad and mom said I shouldn’t eat too many candies. I’m allowed only one a day.”


    Adrian nced at Joelle for her approval.


    Joelle sighed internally. “Since they’re from Mr. Miller, you can take them. But remember to say thank you.”


    “Thank you, Mr. Miller!”


    Adrian handed all the candies to her, saying, “Listen to your mom and dad. Only one candy per day.”


    “Okay, I know!”


    At that moment, Rnd also gazed at Adrian, almost drooling.


    “Hello, Mr. Miller.” He was still very young, and his words came out unclear.


    But he was clever. He noticed that his sister had greeted Adrian and received candies. He wondered if he could get some too if he greeted him.


    Adrian looked at him with a nk expression.


    This was Joelle and Rafael’s child.


    He had no personal connection to him.


    Worried that Adrian might scare Rnd, Joelle quickly pulled him back.


    Just as she was about to bid farewell, she noticed Adrian pulling out another handful of candies from his pocket, almost the same amount he had given Aurora.


    “Thank you, Mr. Miller!” said Rnd.


    Joelle was genuinely taken aback.


    She didn’t expect that Adrian treated the two kids the same.


    For a brief moment earlier, she had felt rather petty. Rnd joyfully clutched the candies in his hands and proudly showed them to Aurora, who did the same. Adrian stood up and said nonchntly, “I have other matters to attend to. I’m leaving now.” Then he walked away.


    It seemed as if he hade just to give the kids candies. Katherine leaned in and whispered to Joelle, “Why has Adrian suddenly changed?”


    Joelle remained silent for a moment, her emotions conflicted.


    After a pause, she looked away and replied, “He’s always been like this.”


    If he weren’t a good man, why would she have fallen for him for eight years?


    Perhaps she and Adrian were simply never meant to end up together.


    The two jade bracelets were soon delivered to the Romero family.


    Liza was the one who received them.


    “They were sent by Adrian? And they are for me and my mother?”


    She opened the package and found two jade bracelets inside. She quickly grasped Adrian’s intent.


    He was trying to support Joelle.


    As soon as she received the bracelets, she headed to Belle’s bedroom.


    Lately, Belle had be a frequent topic of discussion among her friends.


    Her son had left home and severed ties with her for her daughter-inw.


    Belle had be so distressed that she hadn’t left her bed in days, and her blood pressure was dangerously high.


    “Mom, these are two bracelets from Adrian.”


    “Adrian?” At the mention of the bracelets, Belle felt agitated. “What is he trying to say?”


    Liza said carefully, “I think he’s trying to support Joelle. You did misunderstand her and p her, after all.”


    “How dare he!” Belle sat up quickly. “Is he trying to say that Joelle is under his protection and doesn’t need my bracelet? My bracelet might not be as fancy as his, but it’s a family heirloom. What happens in our family is none of his business!”


    Liza gently soothed her, rubbing her chest. “Mom, please calm down. Remember, Joelle was once part of the Miller family. And honestly, this time it really wasn’t her fault. I messed up.”


    Belletched onto a part of her statement. “What do you mean? She was part of the Miller family before, but now she’s married to Rafael. She belongs to the Romero family now!”


    “Yes, yes. Please, don’t get upset. Maybe Adrian still harbors feelings for Joelle.”


    “No way! Everyone knows how he treated Joelle back then. Is he regretting it now?”


    Liza sighed and said, “Love is unpredictable. Joelle was with him for three years. There must have been real feelings.”


    At that, Belle’s expression darkened even further.


    .


    .


    .