?<strong>Chapter 254:</strong>


    Ever since Reba’s incident, Adrian had be wary of any woman trying to get close to him. Gina had made several attempts to approach him, and he found her useful, so he chose to overlook her true motives. Yet, he was well aware that Gina started making deliberate moves towards him right after Katie and Tristan began dating.


    Adrian didn’t care about Tristan and Gina, but clearly, she was using him to enact some form of revenge. Unfortunately for her, while Adrian found Gina useful, he harbored no emotional attachment to her.


    “Get out.”


    Gina left Adrian’s house quietly with her head down. From a young age, she had been more courageous than others. She always aimed to be first, never content with second ce. Her initial n was indeed to use Adrian to get back at Tristan. What did it matter if Tristan was involved with Katie? If she could win Adrian, Tristan would show respect to her.


    But now that Adrian had made himself clear, she realized she couldn’t pursue her original strategy. As she stormed down the street, a thought about Katie’s earlier conversation struck her. Why had Katie suddenly brought up Rnd?


    The more Gina thought about it, the more she believed there was a deeper meaning to Katie’s mention of a paternity test. Every weekend, Gina visited Joelle’s home to see the two children. With no close rtives in Illerith, Gina was eager to fit into Joelle’s social circle and needed to keep up this connection.


    Yet, she couldn’t help but feel jealous noticing Joelle’s new ne, freshlyunched by a high-end brand, and her watch, the cheapest model priced at about 200,000 dors.


    “What are you staring at, Gina? Do I have something on my face?”


    “Just admiring how beautiful you are. No wonder Rafael likes you so much,” Gina responded with a strained smile.


    “Come on.” Joelle was slightly embarrassed.


    Gina clenched her fists.


    Shawn approached with a cup of coffee and settled onto the sofa. “Joelle, I need to register anotherpany under your name. You shoulde with me to the government next week.”


    Joelle nodded and said, “I remember the director there was a friend of Dad’s. Make sure to give him a heads-up.” “Will do.”


    As Joelle and Shawn conversed, Gina’s attention drifted. Joelle turned to her, asking, “Gina, how’s my father doing?”


    Gina offered another smile. “He’s stable.”


    By stable, she meant that there was no change in his condition, no signs of waking up. Joelle and Shawn decided not to press further, preferring to keep the mood light.


    Gina looked around and inquired, “Why isn’t Rafael here?”


    “He’s gone to visit his family,” Joelle exined.


    Gina said curiously, “He seems to be spending a lot of time at his parents’ cetely.”


    Joelle smiled and replied, “He’s very close to his family.” Then, standing up, Joelle said to Shawn, “Shawn,e help me review this contract. My studio just received arge order.”


    Only Gina, Aurora, and Rnd remained in the living room.


    Looking at Rnd’s head, Gina stretched out her hand slowly.


    Aurora noticed and asked, “Gina, why are you pulling my brother’s hair?”


    Surprised, Gina quickly exined, “I thought I saw some dirt in his hair. Just trying to help clean it out.” “Okay,” Aurora responded.


    Later that evening, after Joelle had put the children to bed and was starting her skincare routine, Rafael gave her a call. “Joelle, I’ll be back tomorrow.”


    “Great! Spend some more time with your parents while you’re there.”


    “No,” Rafael said, looking at Joelle through the video. Her face glowed with a healthy sheen, making Rafael wish Joelle was right there with him.


    Distractedly applying her skincare, Joelle questioned, “Why not?”


    Rafael scratched his head and then lowered his voice. “Are Aurora and Rnd around?”


    “They’re asleep.”


    Rafael nced over his shoulder to make sure no one was listening and whispered, “Honestly, I’m exhausted. Every time I visit home, I somehow feel drained when I wake up.”


    Joelle paused her skincare routine and looked concerned. “Why’s that?”


    “I’m not sure.” Rafael blushed. “But I always dreamed about you.”


    The conversation grew more personal.


    “What kind of dreams?” Joelle inquired.


    “What do you think?”


    A small smile yed on Joelle’s lips. “You are no longer the aloof doctor.”


    “I’m never aloof with you.”


    Their conversation was cut short as Belle knocked on Rafael’s door.


    “Rafael, you should get some rest!”


    Joelle overheard and added, “I guess it’s time for me to sleep as well. Rafael, make sure you get back early tomorrow!”


    “Okay.” Belle then walked in, carrying the usual nighttime ss of milk.


    .


    .


    .