Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 199

**Chapter 199: The Elephant Never Argues with Ants**

Curtis had made a vow deep within himself: he would never again allow anyone to inflict pain on Adriana. The thought of her suffering at the hands of another sent a surge of protectiveness coursing through him. No matter who the culprit was, he would stand as her shield, unwavering and resolute.

“Curtis!”

In the stillness of the night, Adriana’s voice floated softly through the air, a gentle whisper as she called out his name in her sleep. Her tone was laced with a sweetness that tugged at his heart.

As he watched her, the fierce anger that had once burned in his eyes began to dim, replaced by a flicker of hope. When had she stopped calling for Matthew in her dreams? Could it be a sign that she was beginning to develop feelings for him? The thought sent a warmth spreading through his chest, mingled with uncertainty.

—

At the Barton Estate, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Danielle cast a calculating glance at Nicole, her voice dripping with a hint of malice. “Since Curtis refuses to play nice, it seems you must turn your attention to Denton.”

Nicole nodded, her expression shifting to one of determination. “Denton is just a naive kid. Winning him over will be a piece of cake. I’ll head back to Haldoria tomorrow.”

A sly smile crept across Danielle’s face. “Once you marry Denton, everything his family possesses will become yours. Then watch as Curtis tumbles from his lofty perch, reduced to nothing.”

The thought lingered in the air, heavy with implications. On that day, what would remain for Adriana to hold onto?

—

Meanwhile, in Haldoria, Curtis found himself still entangled in the demands of Harborton. The weight of responsibilities pressed down on him, and he knew he had to devise a solid exit strategy if he ever chose to leave the company. It was a task that required meticulous planning and foresight.

Adriana had returned to Haldoria ahead of him. The school year was fast approaching, and her language program was set to begin soon. She needed ample time to prepare herself for the challenges ahead.

During his time in Harborton, Curtis had taken the initiative to secure a private language tutor for her. He had also introduced her to several friends from Pastalia, ensuring she had ample opportunities to practice her speaking skills. Irene had been a great help as well, bringing members of their social circle to meet Adriana and encourage her learning.

Adriana possessed an innate talent for languages. Already fluent in three, she found it surprisingly easy to grasp Pastalian, her progress swift and impressive.

—

“Adriana, did you hear? Harold has found a new heir. That means Curtis will be kicked out of the family, right?” The mocking tone of Cheryl sliced through the quiet atmosphere of the classroom as Adriana sat absorbed in her studies.

Ignoring her, Adriana continued to read, determined not to let Cheryl’s words affect her.

“Why the pretense?” Cheryl snickered, her voice dripping with disdain. “Once Curtis is ousted from the house and loses control of Lincoln Group, I can only imagine how miserable you’ll be.”

Adriana remained unfazed, her focus unwavering. Cheryl’s pride, however, was clearly wounded. In a fit of rage, she snatched the book from Adriana’s hands. “Ha! You act so composed… But do you even realize how many enemies Curtis has made in the industry? No one dares to cross him now because he commands Lincoln Group. But once he’s no longer the heir—do you grasp what that signifies?”

After meeting Curtis, Adriana finally grasped the meaning behind the saying: the elephant never argues with ants.

Those who sought to diminish him simply weren’t worth his time.

He had no need to engage in petty disputes; he only needed to continue his ascent, soaring higher than anyone could ever hope to reach.

“Talk is cheap,” Cheryl retorted coldly, her frustration boiling over as she hurled Adriana’s book across the room.

The rest of the classroom watched with bated breath, their curiosity piqued. Among the students fortunate enough to study abroad in Pastalia, only a select few possessed genuine talent; most hailed from affluent backgrounds. Cheryl’s powerful lineage was well-known, and many simply wanted to observe without getting involved.

As for Adriana? She was an island unto herself. She had no friends here, no allies close enough to speak up on her behalf.

But Cheryl was a different story. Even before the school year had commenced, she had formed her own little clique, a group of individuals who relished in tormenting others.

Mia was cut from the same cloth.

They created tight-knit circles, bullying anyone who couldn’t defend themselves, flaunting their status and family power.

Just as Adriana was about to demand an apology from Cheryl, a girl sporting a baseball cap and a loose tank top stormed forward, retrieving the book and hurling it straight at the back of Cheryl’s head with a resounding thud.