?<strong>Chapter 253:</strong>


    Knowing Adrian wouldn’t give her much room to breathe, Katie cut straight to the heart of the matter. “Adrian, do you know about Joelle’s two kids?” Adrian’s expression darkened like a brewing storm, and whatever Katie had just struck, it hit deep.


    “If you even think about dragging Joelle into something again, I swear I’ll make sure you and Mom are out of Illerith for good.”


    “No, no, no!” Katie waved her hands in a flurry, her voice a jittery tremble. “I just wanted to ask about the children!”


    “What business are they of yours?”


    “Nothing to do with me!” she stammered, her eyes flickering nervously before she quickly scrambled to spin some noble-sounding excuse. “But Joelle’s daughter and son—they’re your kids too! Which makes them part of our family. How can you let the Romero family raise children with your bloodline? Grandma would roll in her grave if she knew.”


    Adrian, ever the realist, scoffed, his voice sharp as ice. “The dead don’t care about the living.”


    “But still, those children are your flesh and blood, aren’t they?” Katie asked tentatively.


    “They’re none of your concern!” Adrian’s reply was curt, colder than a winter night. “Now, get out!”


    “If they aren’t your kids, then they must be Rafael’s. Which means Joelle must’ve been with Rafael even before your divorce!”


    At that, Adrian’s gaze finally locked onto hers, sharp and probing. “What are you fishing for?”


    “I’m your cousin! I care about you! If Joelle did something behind your back, then how can she be off living happily with Rafael? It’s not right—it’s unjust!”


    Leah, standing on the sidelines, couldn’t resist throwing in her own jab. “Oh please, your concern smells like rotten fish!”


    Adrian shot Leah a look, silently instructing her to leave, which she did, but not without a cold huff.


    When they were alone again, silence hung heavy in the air before Adrian spoke. “I never knew you cared so deeply.”


    The sarcasm dripped from his words, but Katie pretended it went unnoticed. “Everything I do is for the good of the family. Just like you always do.”


    Adrian’s lips curled into a faint smirk, the kindced with bitter irony. The amusement in his eyes was unmistakable, and it was clear he was done being yed with. “Joelle’s daughter is mine. Her son is Rafael’s.”


    Even though Katie had suspected something like this, hearing it aloud still hit hard. “Rafael’s child?”


    “Yes.”


    No way!


    Katie’s mind rebelled against the idea. The boy looked nothing like Rafael. He bore a stronger resemnce to someone else from her past. “Has there been a paternity test?”


    Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Why? Does it matter to you that much? You seem unusually invested in Joelle and Rafael’s son.”


    “No, no, I’m just concerned.”


    Adrian leaned back against the sofa, casting a brief nce at his watch. “You should leave. Your presence is irritating!”


    After Katie left, a sneaky figure emerged from behind a wall. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on your conversation, Mr. Miller.”


    Gina hade to deliver thetest photos of Aurora and give an update on Adrian’s recent operations. She hadn’t expected to see Katie and, in a panic, had ducked behind the wall.


    If word got out that she was working with Adrian, Joelle would blow her top.


    Adrian responded nonchntly, “Leave in half an hour.”


    “Alright.”


    Adrian, still pondering Katie’s words, suddenly asked, “You’ve known Joelle for years. Are you certain Rnd is Rafael’s son?”


    Gina nodded. “Absolutely. I saw baby photos of Rnd a couple of years ago. Joelle and Rafael raised him since he was an infant. There’s no doubt he’s their child.”


    But beneath her certainty, Gina felt an unsettling flicker of doubt. Why had Katie been asking about Rnd? Her reassurances seemed to calm Adrian, but only for a moment. A wave of quiet sorrow washed over him. His ex-wife, Joelle, had built a life with another man and had a child.


    “Mr. Miller, you don’t look well,” Gina noted.


    Adrian rubbed his face with his hand, elbow propped on his knee, and his posture screamed of exhaustion. “I’m fine. You can go.”


    Gina looked at him. “You haven’t looked after yourselftely. Pale skin, bloodshot eyes… It could be more than just stress. Maybe liver issues. You should really consider stepping back from work for a while.”


    Adrian slowly raised his head. “Why are you telling me this?”


    Gina’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Because you’re a valuable client, Mr. Miller. I have a vested interest in your well-being.”


    Adrian’s expression hardened. “You’re aware that Katie stole your ex-boyfriend, aren’t you?”


    Gina froze, her smile faltering. “Gina Robles, keep your head in the game. Do your job, and you’ll get what’s promised. But if you’re thinking of using me to settle personal scores, you’re ying with fire—and you’ll only get burned!”


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