?<strong>Chapter 324:</strong>


    In the quiet of the night, Adrian and Joelle arrived at a secluded vi on the outskirts. Inside, they found Jonathan lying in a bed, barely alive after being shot in the shoulder and abdomen.


    As they entered, Jonathan appeared to be resting, illuminated only by the soft light of a bedsidemp. Just when Joelle thought to leave silently, Jonathan turned and smiled weakly. As they approached to inspect his injuries, they noted his ashen face and parched lips.


    “What happened?” Joelle asked. Jonathan grimaced, pausing to catch his breath before saying, “It’s nothing new; too many people want me dead.”


    Joelle scoffed, “It sounds like you’ve been quite the troublemaker back in Bristania!”


    Jonathan’s face flickered with a distant look at the mention of Bristania, quickly reced by a wry smile. “You saved my life again. It seems I owe you my life.”


    Before Joelle could respond, Adrian stepped protectively in front of her, his expression stern. “If you’re so eager to die, I can arrange that. Want to join your fiancée?”


    Jonathan chuckled, though it aggravated his pain.


    “Always so fierce, huh? I prefer a gentler approach, which women seem to like. Joelle, you’d prefer my style, wouldn’t you?” Adrian tensed, ready to confront Jonathan.


    Joelle intervened, giving Jonathan a sharp look.


    “If you can still talk, you’re not in grave danger. Heal up and go back to Bristania. After that, we’re through—no further contact.”


    “I can’t return,” Jonathan retorted, his toneced with sarcasm. “Why not?”


    “Today, my brother tried to kill me. He sent his top men to ensure it. Although they didn’t seed in killing me, taking Leo’s life is a partial victory for him.”


    It had been so dangerous that Jonathan didn’t even have a chance to recover Leo’s body.


    Leo had been his closest ally in Bristania, sharing a close friendship from their youth.


    Despite his casual demeanor, Jonathan’s voice was strained. “And now with Lara gone, my brother will surely me me for her death. Going back to Bristania would only lead to my demise at the hands of the Reed family.”


    Joelle felt a mix of pity and frustration. “I’m sorry for you, but what does this have to do with me? I saved you; don’t expect me to get dragged into your mess.”


    Jonathan arched an eyebrow. “How can you say it doesn’t concern you? We’re tied into this together now. If you don’t stand by me, I’ll reveal that you saved me, and those people wille after you too.”


    Joelle was infuriated. “And you im to have a clear conscience? What about repaying your debts honorably?” Jonathan stared at the ceiling, haunted by Lara’s death before his eyes. “How do you repay someone who died for you? I’m already buried in debt. What’s a few more?”


    Joelle, restraining Adrian from attacking Jonathan, now felt like throttling him herself for his ingratitude. “You dragged me into this! Jonathan, do you understand you’re putting my life at risk?”


    “No, I won’t.” Jonathan met her gaze firmly. “Help me, and I assure you, you’ll be safe.”


    Joelle looked at him skeptically, unconvinced by his promise. Jonathan slipped a ring off his thumb. “Go to Bristania, find my father, and tell him everything. He’ll know what to do.” The thought of going to Bristania made Joelle distrust Jonathan even more.


    Noticing her reluctance, Jonathan appealed to Adrian. “Mr. Miller, lend me a hand this time, and I’ll teach you how to win a woman’s heart. Particrly someone like Joelle—I know just the right approach.”


    That was thest straw—Joelle started searching the room.


    Adrian, puzzled, asked, “What are you looking for?”


    “Something to sew his mouth shut!”


    Adrian was hesitant to agree to Jonathan’s n. As they left the vi, Joelle was still seething.


    “Just leave him be! Let him handle his own mess!” Joelle spat. “Sure, as you wish,” Adrian responded with such softness that Joelle felt a chill.


    “Adrian, stop it, okay?”


    “What did I do?”


    Joelle struggled to identify the exact issue. After a moment, she straightened up and faced him. “I’ll be honest, I once had feelings for you. But not anymore.”


    “I get that,” Adrian responded casually. “But I’m still pursuing you. You can’t stop me from trying.”


    At this point, Joelle was beginning to ept that Adrian might truly love her.


    Still, it remained an ufortable truth.


    She looked away from his intense stare. “First, let’s go pick up Aurora and Rnd.”


    During the drive, Katherine’s call broke the silence.


    “Joelle, I just spotted Rafael in Bristania!” Katherine was so excited that even Adrian could hear her clearly.


    The atmosphere in the car turned heavy.


    Adrian clenched the steering wheel, his gaze fixed forward, yet from the corner of his eye, he could see Joelle’s expression of utter astonishment.


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