?<strong>Chapter 314:</strong>


    “Lara Reed, I suggest you tread carefully with your words.” Can’s voice was low but firm as his gaze met hers.


    Lara red at Adrian’s assistant, clearly older and seasoned. “And who do you think you are, talking to me like that?” Her hand flew up, ready to teach him a lesson, but before she could follow through, her wrist was caught mid-air, his grip firm. But Can released her as quickly as he’d grabbed her. “This way, please.”


    Lara scoffed, folding her arms. “You don’t scare me!”


    Meanwhile, Adrian carried Joelle into the office,ying her on the sofa. The slightest pressure on her swollen ankle made her wince, her face scrunching in pain. Remembering there were ice packs stored in her office, Adrian retrieved one. “This might help.”


    “Thank you.” Joelle was about to take the ice pack, but Adrian didn’t intend to give it to her. Instead, he knelt before her, his hands steady as he positioned the ice pack on her ankle. If it were anyone else, Joelle could have recoiled, maybe even called them a creep. But with Adrian, it was different. After all, this wasn’t the first time he’d cared for her like this.


    Back when she was a naughty child, always getting into scrapes, she never ran to her family with her injuries. It was always Adrian. He’d tend to her wounds gently and attentively, making her feel like she was his entire world.


    Joelle shook off the memory and reached for the ice pack herself. “I can manage,” she said, snapping back to the present. Adrian, sensing her reluctance to ept more help, didn’t push further. As she lowered her head, her hair cascaded down, partly obscuring her face. Without a word, he brushed it behind her ear. It was then that he saw a red p mark on her cheek. His expression darkened further when he spotted the faint crimson streak running down her neck. “Who did this? Was it that woman?”


    Afraid that he could jump to conclusions, Joelle quickly exined the entire situation, detailing her run-in with Jonathan and how she had escaped from him. Though Adrian’s jaw clenched in displeasure, her openness seemed to ease his mind. He was reassured that whatever had transpired between her and Jonathan, it wasn’t what his worst fears imagined.


    Just then, Can returned, interrupting the charged moment. “Mr. Miller, that woman says she’s Jonathan’s fiancée.” A slow, cynical smile spread across Adrian’s lips. “Then let him deal with her mess.”


    “What’s the n, Mr. Miller?” Can asked.


    “She can only leave when Jonathanes. And find out which hand she used to strike. Make sure she never uses it again.” Panic surged through Joelle as she instinctively grabbed Adrian’s arm. “You’re not actually going to hurt her, are you? Whatever she did, just let the police deal with it. There’s no need to go that far, not over me.”


    Joelle didn’t want Adrian to have blood on his hands. Also, as Aurora’s father, he needed to be a good role model. Can chimed in, “Lara’s not the kind to be intimidated by thew. Handing her over might not change anything.”


    Joelle paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as an idea sparked. “Why don’t we just ask Jonathan what she’s scared of?” Adrian, quick to follow her lead, dialed Jonathan. In no time, a response came through. “She’s easily petrified of water.” Adrian and Joelle exchanged a knowing nce. Her eyes gleamed with mischief, and a sly smile yed on her lips. Adrian immediately caught on. “Can, you know what to do?” “Yes, Mr. Miller.”


    Once Can had left, Adrian ruffled Joelle’s hair gently, his voice carrying a yful warmth. “You’re still as sneaky as ever, aren’t you?”


    Joelle puffed out her chest proudly. “I’ve got to show her I’m not someone she can walk all over!”


    Their conversation lulled, the silence between them suddenly feeling a touch awkward. Joelle’s eyes drifted to Adrian, realizing he had just patted her head. She asked, “By the way, what brings you here?”


    Adrian, intent on keeping his real motives under wraps, had already prepared a reason. “Lacey’s sister is getting married next week. She wants you and the kids toe.” He handed over a wedding invitation, which Joelle took in hand.


    Lacey had originally nned to mail it, but Adrian had leapt at the chance to deliver it himself, eager to find a reason—any reason—to see Joelle again. For a brief second, Joelle felt a flutter in her chest. But that warmth quickly cooled. So, he was just here to deliver the invitation, after all.


    “Fiona is getting married? Who’s the lucky guy?”


    Adrian nodded. “Her boyfriend of three years. It’s a love story, for sure. With Lacey keeping an eye on things, Fiona wasn’t going to settle for anything less than real love.”


    “That’s wonderful!” Joelle said, her face lighting up with genuine happiness. Adrian, at that moment, was hit with a stark realization—he still owed her a wedding. Joelle had been married twice, but never once had she had a wedding.


    She had lived so many roles in life—daughter, wife, mother—but never had the chance to be a bride. It was every girl’s dream to walk down the aisle in a celebration of love, and she had perhaps needed that. Adrian made a silent vow; if she ever gave him another chance, he’d give her a wedding like no other. A grand affair, one that would make her the woman others envied, rather than the one quietly envying from the sidelines.


    “What’s going on in that head of yours?” Joelle’s question broke through his thoughts.


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