Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26: No Mercy Was Given

Adriana fixed Matthew with a fierce glare, her eyes blazing with pure hatred. “Matthew! You bastard!” she spat, her voice trembling with anger and pain.

Matthew quickly averted his gaze, unable to face the storm in her eyes.

Just then, a voice interrupted from the doorway. “Mr. Langford, arriving first thing in the morning with your lover—was this supposed to be some kind of apology?” Curtis stepped into the hospital ward, carrying a tray of breakfast, which he set down on the table with deliberate calm. His eyes, cold and sharp, immediately locked onto Natasha. “I heard your brother took the fall for you? Illegal detention is a serious offense. He’s probably looking at a few extra years in prison because of your mess.”

Natasha’s face drained of color instantly. She gripped Matthew’s arm tightly, fear evident in her every movement.

It was clear as day—Natasha was terrified of Curtis.

And it made sense. The Lincolns were a wealthy, influential family in Harborton, their legacy stretching far beyond anything the Joneses could ever hope to match.

Matthew instinctively moved Natasha behind him, shooting Curtis a look of irritation. “Mr. Lincoln, you seem to have too much free time on your hands, wasting your energy on people who don’t deserve it.”

Curtis didn’t flinch. “Whether someone is worth your time or not isn’t for you or me to decide,” he replied coolly, standing his ground without a hint of backing down.

Matthew frowned, then turned his attention back to Adriana. “Think it over. I’ll be in touch.”

With that, he took Natasha’s hand and left the room.

To Matthew, Curtis was nothing more than a wild card—unpredictable and volatile. Everyone in their circle knew Curtis’s moods swung without warning. If Curtis wanted to waste his time on someone like Adriana, then so be it.

But Adriana would never be with a man like Curtis.

Curtis settled into a chair nearby, his tone dripping with disdain. “You really went for that guy? Your taste is seriously questionable.” He gestured toward the breakfast. “Eat.”

Adriana gave Curtis a grateful look. “Mr. Lincoln, you’re still in Haldoria?”

Curtis leaned back lazily on the couch, his expression unreadable. After a pause, he said, “Afternoon flight.”

—

It was 15:46 on a chilly Saturday afternoon, November 15th.

Adriana nodded silently.

Breaking the quiet, Curtis spoke again. “I saw your work.”

Adriana blinked, surprised. “Mr. Lincoln, you saw my graduation project online?”

Curtis nodded once more. “You definitely have talent.”

A warm glow blossomed in Adriana’s chest at his words. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“I’m willing to lower the original terms of our agreement,” Curtis continued, his gaze steady on her. “I’ll approve funding for you to study abroad in Pastalia this year.”

Adriana’s eyes brightened with hope, though she looked at him nervously. “Really?”

Curtis stood, towering over her slightly as he spoke firmly, “But I have one condition.”

Her heart skipped a beat. She met his gaze, tense and uncertain.

“When you return, you’ll join Lincoln Group,” Curtis declared without hesitation. He had always been eager to recruit promising talent—and Adriana was no exception. If he saw potential, he wouldn’t let it slip away.

“Alright. I agree,” Adriana said without hesitation.

She was willing to work with Curtis. She would enter into a contractual marriage, study abroad, and then return to work at Lincoln Group.

As long as it meant escaping Matthew—and finally living the life she wanted—it was worth it.

She was done being controlled. Done being trampled on.

Curtis gave a small nod. “Get some rest. After you’re discharged, I’ll have my man Kenneth come pick you up.”

—

Before Adriana was discharged, Matthew called several times but never showed up.

Then, on the day she was released, he finally appeared.

“I’m here to take you home,” he said softly.

Adriana didn’t respond. She simply walked past him, determined to leave.

“About Rufus… Could you sign a letter of leniency? He’s going to be sentenced no matter what. Natasha hopes you might show some mercy—maybe help reduce his time,” Matthew said quietly from behind her.

Adriana stopped in her tracks, then turned sharply to face him. “When they locked me in that equipment box at the university and left me to die, did they show me mercy? When they destroyed the hearing in one of my ears, stomped on my fingers, burned my eye with a cigarette, stripped me, and filmed it to blackmail me—did they ever show me mercy?”

Her voice was cold, filled with bitter finality.

No mercy had ever been given. And she wasn’t about to give any now.