Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 237

Chapter 237 Signing the Agreement

Chapter 237 Signing the Agreement

He had been observing Chandler for a long time. Ever since Chandler had secured the inheritance rights to the Barton Group, he had drawn Curtis’s focused attention.

After all, Chandler always treated Denton like a child.

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“Chandler even had my parents try to convince me,” Denton continued, “… that once I become a legal ward of the Lincolns and establish residency here in Harborton, I should get engaged and marry Nicole the moment I’m of age. He said it would ‘secure the Barton assets.”

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Denton saw Chandler for what he was. A cunning old fox, ruthless to his core.

There was no way the man had Denton’s best interests at heart.

…

“This man

god knows since when he started scheming against both the Lincolns and the Bartons.” Curtis’s gaze darkened. Possibly even earlier … maybe even before he was born.

His own investigations in recent years into Gilbert’s death had turned up faint traces linking back to his own mother’s descent into madness.

He even found leads explaining why Michael suddenly fell into a gambling frenzy all those years ago, nearly destroying the Lincoln Group in one reckless spiral …

“Chandler is just an illegitimate child. He doesn’t have that kind of reach. Even with the connections he’s built up over the years … ” He looked straight at Denton. “He never intended to hand the Lincoln Group or the Barton Group over to you. To him, you’re nothing but a pawn.”

Denton nodded vigorously. “I know, Curtis. I’m not stupid. I can see that.”

“Then for now, we stay still. You’re not actually going to marry Nicole.”

“I won’t! I’m not going to marry her,” Denton insisted, a flash of youthful panic in his eyes.

The mere idea seemed to terrify him.

He still thought of himself as a kid.

“No one said you were,” Curtis replied with a sigh.

“Curtis, let’s meet tomorrow. Secretly. Let’s sign that nominee shareholding agreement,” Denton proposed, his voice dropping to a near whisper as he looked down at his hands.

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16:24 Sat, Dec 27 …

Chapter 237 Signing the Agreement

He didn’t want things to drag on. And he didn’t want Curtis to doubt him.

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Maybe he couldn’t predict who he would become someday. But right now… right now, he had no desire to hurt his brother.

Curtis was silent for a long moment. “If I trust you, there’s no real need …

“No,” Denton cut in, shaking his head before looking up, his expression earnest. “You may trust me, but I don’t even trust myself. People change. I’m only 19 … I admit I haven’t seen enough of the world. But Grandpa has been introducing me to people in these past few weeks in Harborton–Chandler, too. They’ve shown me a world I never knew existed. Something so surreal it makes me question myself.”

Curtis, the world they’re showing me is terrifying. It’s addictive. It makes people crazy. All this glamour, this decadence, power and profit tangled together… it changes you.

Who can guarantee they’ll stay true to themselves their whole life, right until the end?

“I heard from Ernest. Back when Grandpa was young, he was ruthless. When Dad made a mistake, Grandpa didn’t show mercy. He cast him out and truly resolved to disown him, even telling outsiders his son was dead. You can see how determined he was. But now he’s old, and he’s started worrying about Dad again … He even seems to have forgotten everything you’ve done for this family all these years, just because he’s become wary of you.”

For the first time, Denton was afraid.

Human hearts were truly fickle.

So what about his own?

Could he guarantee that after being surrounded by so much flattery, sycophancy, and after getting a taste of what it’s like to be at the pinnacle of power, that he would remain unchanged?

Even if Curtis trusted him, Denton feared he wouldn’t trust himself.

Signing the agreement and handing over the control of his Lincoln Group shares, was the ultimate insurance.

Insurance for his present conscience, and insurance that, should he change in the future, he would have burned his own bridges

He needed something to keep him grounded, to keep him sane. He couldn’t let those people drag him down into that abyss.

“Curtis … I don’t ever want us to become enemies.”

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Chapter 237 Signing the Agreement

Denton whispered, the plea clear in his eyes.

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At least in this moment, 19–year–old Denton had no desire to stand opposed to his brother.

Curtis eventually had his assistant and lawyer deliver the nominee shareholding agreement.

Denton was at that age of impassioned idealism, and since he was the one actively requesting this, Curtis saw no reason to refuse.

As long as Denton could hold onto this shred of his current self, Curtis was willing to try truly accept his younger brother.

“Mr. Lincoln,” the lawyer said carefully, “this matter must stay confidential. If Harold finds

out …

”

and

If Harold discovered this, his suspicion of Curtis would only deepen, and the consequences could be severe.

“I won’t tell anyone.” Denton nodded firmly.

“Not even Adriana,” Curtis added, a slight, almost imperceptible smirk touching his lips.

Better to let Adriana stay in her soft–hearted, protective stance.

Denton wilted a little, nodding obediently.

After the assistant and lawyer left, Denton immediately started clinging to Curtis, insisting he stay for dinner.

Since he had been so cooperative about the agreement, Curtis allowed it.

But the meal was a quiet, tense affair.

Curtis had always thought of Adriana as a soft–hearted soul, the kind who was easily pushed around since she was young.

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