?<strong>Chapter 793:</strong>


    The mere thought of Adrian and Aurora meeting the same fate shattered Joelle’sposure.


    “Give the phone to my husband,” she demanded.


    “Sure,” Lucian said with a scoff. “While you’re at it, tell him that too much money invites bad luck. Perhaps he could spend some of it buying his way out of trouble.”


    Joelle didn’t respond, her eyes fixed on the screen.


    Despite his poor state, Adrian had his arms wrapped around the sleeping Aurora, tucking her close under his coat. He moved to take the phone, and Aurora stirred awake.


    Joelle’s heart clenched in her chest. She had so much to say but choked on the words, standing by the window, her mouth pressed shut to stifle the sobs threatening to escape.


    “I’m fine, Joelle. Don’t worry about me. I heard everything. Send Can to get Aurora,” Adrian said.


    “And you?”


    Adrian nced at Lucian. “He still needs me. Don’t worry. I’ll negotiate with him.”


    Joelle wanted to tell him to give Lucian whatever he wanted, whether it was the inheritance or Miller Group, just to end this nightmare.


    She just wanted to have her family together again, safe and whole. But, as if reading her thoughts, Adrian said, “There are some things I can’t give up, Joelle. If I yield my way out of trouble, people will start belittling us. I can’t let that happen.”


    He was right. If they gave in this time, ill-intentioned people would see them as easy targets, using their children as leverage for ransom again. Tears fell from Joelle’s eyes, but she nodded, trying to rein in her emotions. “Let me see Aurora.”


    Adrian turned the camera to Aurora, muttering softly, “Say hi to Mommy, baby.”


    Aurora smiled, showing no signs of distress or fear. “Don’t worry, Mommy. Daddy and I are doing great.”


    “Oh, baby,” Joelle eximed, smiling despite her tears. Aurora was indeed mature and strong-willed beyond her age, and she couldn’t be prouder. “Take care of Daddy, okay?”


    “I will, Mommy. You take care of Molly and wait for us toe home.”


    “Okay, baby.”


    A sharp tap on the stove interrupted the call, and Lucian’s voice rang in the background. “I think you’ve chitchatted enough.”


    The phone was back in his hands before Joelle could say goodbye to Adrian and Aurora.


    “That should be enough, right? Now, send someone to pick up the little girl and evacuate my house. If you hurt my family, you’ll never see your husband again. Do you understand?” Lucian warned sharply.


    Sniffling her sobs, Joelle asked, just as…


    “How can I trust you?” Joelle asked sharply.


    “I’m a man of my word. And I won’t lie to a woman.”


    “Fine,” Joelle said, her voice steely. “I’ll send someone to pick her up now.”


    The tears on her face had already dried as the call ended.


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