?<strong>Chapter 270:</strong>


    Belle’s hand hung suspended in the air. Joelle was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Adrian to show up at that moment. He had grabbed Belle’s wrist, his expression unreadable. “Your son left because he couldn’t stand your maniption. Who else is there to me for his disappearance?”


    Belle, overwhelmed with despair, beat her chest in anguish. “My son has just left, and now you bring Adrian here! Joelle, you really are a bitch!”


    From behind Joelle, Katherine warned, “Belle, watch what you say. Or else, you might drive your son away for good.”


    “What did you just say?” Enraged, Belle attempted to charge at Katherine.


    Bobby interjected smoothly, “There’s a saying, isn’t there? Good actions are rewarded, but bad ones aren’t. You encouraged your daughter to seduce her brother. If I were Rafael, I’d stay away too!”


    “You…” Belle clutched her chest, struggling to breathe.


    Liza, seeing her mother in distress, rushed to soothe her. Tears filled her eyes as she looked around the room. “I know you all dislike me and my mom, but please, I’m begging you, tell us where Rafael is. We’re really worried about him!”


    Joelle kept her expression neutral. “I don’t know.”


    Liza, eyes brimming with tears, clutched at Joelle’s hand desperately. “Joelle, please! Is Rafael alright? My mom and I are so worried about him!”


    “I truly don’t know,” Joelle replied, gently removing Liza’s grip. Unexpectedly, Liza stumbled and fell to the floor.


    “How dare you!”


    gα?ησν????s?cо??, your storytelling home


    Belle, quick to react, raised her hand again. Just as the p was about to connect, Joelle instinctively shut her eyes.


    p!


    The sharp sound filled the room, yet Joelle felt no pain. When she opened her eyes, she saw Adrian had shielded her from the p. Joelle stood, stunned. She was baffled as to why Adrian was here, and even more so why he would protect her.


    On the floor, Liza clutched her stomach in agony. “Mom, the baby… She’s trying to hurt Rafael’s baby!”


    “Liza!” Belle helped her up, and before they left, she issued a stern warning to Joelle. “You’re off to the hospital now. Joelle, if anything happens to Rafael’s baby, I swear you’ll regret it!”


    As Belle and Liza departed, Gina asked, “Joelle, did you intend to harm her baby? The baby is innocent.”


    Joelle nced at her hands, puzzled, and murmured, “It was just a slight push. I didn’t expect her to fall.”


    “Forget about it,” Katherine interjected dismissively. “Even if the baby is harmed, it’s on them. They shouldn’t even be having this child.”


    Gina agreed, then asked, “But what about Rafael? Joelle, has he reached out to you at all?”


    Everyone’s gaze turned to Joelle, who appeared drained. She shook her head and said, “No, he hasn’t.”


    Deep down, she understood her rtionship with Rafael was truly over. Yet, emotional ties tended to persist, and she hadn’t fullye to terms with their breakup.


    Sensing the tense atmosphere, Shawn invited everyone back to the table to continue the meal. Joelle nced over at Adrian, her tone distant. “Please have my brother fetch some ointment for your face. I’m not feeling well enough to host properly tonight.”


    Adrian reached for her wrist, but Joelle quickly withdrew it, reacting instinctively. “Adrian, please, respect my space.”


    Adrian’s expression tightened slightly. Joelle had once been his wife, and now she recoiled from his touch. What could he say? It was he who had driven her to this point.


    “You look unwell,” he said with concern.


    “That’s none of your business.”


    “You’re concerned about Rafael?”


    Joelle met Adrian’s eyes. She felt a flicker ofpassion when she saw the red mark where the p hadnded on his face. “He’s the father of my children. Of course, I worry about him.”


    Adrian’s lips pressed into a thin line, and he was quiet for a moment before responding, “I’ll help you find him.” Joelle was baffled by his offer. She couldn’t grasp his intentions, and frankly, shecked the energy to probe further.


    “Then, I’ll thank you for my children’s sake.” With that, she turned and went upstairs.


    Shawn walked over to Adrian, giving his shoulder a friendly pat. “Let me get you some ointment.”


    “No, it’s fine. I’ll be leaving soon after I check on her.”


    Shawn raised an eyebrow. “You wouldn’t still have feelings for Joelle, would you? Thinking about stepping in now that Rafael’s not in the picture?”


    Adrian gave him a sharp look. “You’re reading too much into it.”


    “That’s a relief.” Shawn patted him on the shoulder once more. “You should move on too. Find someone new, and let’s all move forward without any hard feelings.”


    Adrian remained silent. He cast a final nce at Joelle as she walked away before he left the house.


    Once he had gone, Gina picked up her purse. “Shawn, it’s gettingte. I think I’ll head home now.”


    Shawn brought her aside. “Gina, there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you.”


    “Okay. What is it?”


    “Before my mom passed, she had a conversation with you, right?”


    “Yes. She came to inquire about her husband’s health.”


    “What did you tell her?”


    Gina replied, “I did my best to reassure her. I knew she was struggling, so I tried not to make her more anxious.”


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