Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 108

**Chapter 108: Where’s Your Family?**

Cheryl was practically vibrating with anticipation, her face illuminated by a radiant smile that seemed to draw the attention of everyone around her. The mere thought of Matthew appearing to present her with an award sent her heart racing. She envisioned herself basking in the limelight, effortlessly stealing the show from anyone else who dared to share the stage with her.

Natasha, on the other hand, appeared slightly uncomfortable, but she maintained her composure with a practiced ease. “He’s caught up with work,” she remarked, her tone almost dismissive.

Cheryl’s smile faltered, the brightness dimming as doubt crept into her mind.

Natasha’s gaze shifted to Adriana, and a smirk crept onto her lips. “Oh, come on, don’t look so glum. At least I made it here. That’s a far cry from being an orphan with no one to support her,” she taunted, her words dripping with malice.

Adriana felt the sting of those words as she pressed her nails into her palm, the pain grounding her in the moment.

She wasn’t entirely alone. Curtis had vowed he would be there for her.

Natasha leaned in closer, her grin widening like a cat that had just spotted a mouse. “You can’t be seriously waiting for Curtis, right? Haven’t you heard the news? Cynthia is back in Haldoria. Reporters caught him picking her up at the airport. He’s probably still there. There’s no way he’s coming to see you,” she sneered, her voice laced with glee.

Adriana’s heart sank, her expression shifting as tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

Was Curtis really going to break his promise too?

As parents began filling the seats for the ceremony, the principal, Quincy Osborne, took to the stage, his voice booming as he delivered his speech. Laughter and chatter filled the air as students mingled with their families, the atmosphere buzzing with joy and celebration.

And there she was—Adriana—sitting all alone. She cast her eyes around the auditorium, her chest tightening with each passing moment. It was a painful reminder that not once in her life had anyone ever come to support her during school events.

Jealousy twisted in her gut as she watched others bask in the warmth of familial pride. They had someone behind them, cheering them on, celebrating their achievements.

But her? She had no one.

“Adriana, where’s your family?” Cheryl called out, her voice brimming with mockery, eager to humiliate Adriana in front of everyone.

Adriana remained silent, her grip on her phone tightening as if it were a lifeline in a sea of despair.

She longed to call Curtis, but what if he was too preoccupied to pick up?

After all, to him, she was just a plaything. What right did she have to feel upset with her sugar daddy?

A quiet, bitter laugh escaped her lips, a realization settling in. She had been kidding herself, thinking she truly mattered to him. “No one showed up for you? That’s just pathetic,” Cheryl giggled, sharing the moment with a few of her friends. Adriana didn’t flinch; she kept her gaze fixed ahead, waiting for Quincy to announce the top graduates.

She had always been the star student in her class. In her fantasies, she imagined someone in the crowd, eyes shining with pride, cheering her on as she walked up to accept her accolades.

But the harsh truth was that she was an orphan. Her parents had abandoned her long ago.

“Mr. Lincoln, we…” Quincy stammered, clearly thrown off by Curtis’s unexpected appearance.

On stage, Natasha’s smile vanished almost instantly. She was caught off guard, having expected him to be at the airport waiting for Cynthia.

Danielle had mentioned Cynthia was supposed to return. Why wasn’t Curtis there instead of here?

Annoyance flickered across Natasha’s face. “Mr. Lincoln, this is a graduation ceremony. The awards were determined by the votes of teachers and students. There’s really no need to stir the pot, is there? Someone like you doesn’t need to engage in a dispute with a new graduate, do you?” she retorted, her tone sharp.

Curtis let out a cold, humorless laugh. “A new graduate? That’s quite generous. All of her design projects were completed by someone else. Her attendance record is longer than your speech. How did she even earn this award? Did your family buy it for her?”

His words struck hard, and Natasha’s expression crumbled, leaving her looking utterly foolish up there.

Adriana, feeling a mix of nerves and relief, shifted closer and took a seat beside Curtis.

He took her hand in his, his gaze unwavering as he turned to Quincy. “Isn’t my girl outstanding enough?”

Quincy nodded vigorously, almost as if trying to convince himself. “Adriana is excellent. She’s always been at the top and is one of this year’s best graduates.”

“Then if someone like her is ranked the same as someone who never shows up to class, this award doesn’t mean much. Forget it,” Curtis declared, still holding her hand as he stood, ready to leave the stage with her.