Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 27

Matthew suddenly stopped in his tracks, his body stiffening as his Adam’s apple moved nervously. For a brief moment, a shadow of guilt flickered across his eyes, but Adriana immediately found that brief hint of remorse repulsive.

“When Rufus beat me so badly I ended up in the hospital, and then tried to assault me, did he ever pause to show any mercy?” Adriana’s voice was sharp, cutting through the tense air. “Matthew, you’re no different from those who hurt me. From start to finish, you, your sister, Rufus, and Camelia—you’re all the same. Bullies.” She stepped closer to him, her stare unwavering and fierce. “People like you think you’ll stay on top forever, but you won’t.”

“Adriana!” Matthew’s voice cracked with panic as she turned to walk away.

He couldn’t explain why, but suddenly, he felt an unfamiliar fear creeping in—like he was losing control.

“Adriana, please, just hear me out.” He reached out and grabbed her wrist, his grip firm yet pleading. “I didn’t mean it like that. I was just—”

Before he could finish, Natasha appeared, her eyes immediately locking onto Matthew’s hand holding Adriana’s wrist. Her face darkened with anger as she shot a glare at Adriana. “Ms. Xander, you’re free to refuse a private settlement if you want. That’s your choice. But stop clinging to my boyfriend.”

Matthew let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing his forehead before finally releasing Adriana’s wrist.

“Ms. Jones,” Adriana retorted coldly, “instead of wasting your time being jealous, maybe you should take a good look at yourself. You married someone else for your family’s sake, and now that you’ve been discarded, you’re crawling back looking for a replacement.” She glanced at Matthew with a mocking smile. “Maybe when I was younger and naïve, I had a thing for junk food. But I’ve grown up. I’m no longer interested in trash.”

Natasha’s face flushed red with fury. Humiliated, she raised her hand sharply, ready to slap Adriana.

“Ms. Xander, Mr. Lincoln sent me to pick you up,” a cold, authoritative voice interrupted. Kenneth Heath, Curtis’s assistant, stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Adriana.

Adriana turned to look at Natasha, who was now seething with rage but dared not challenge Kenneth. A small, triumphant laugh escaped Adriana’s lips.

So this was what it felt like to have real power backing you.

“Looks like even you can be scared, Ms. Jones,” Adriana said with a mocking grin. “I always thought someone like you acted like the law didn’t apply to you.”

Natasha clenched her fists in frustration and shot a glare at Matthew. “Matthew, did you hear what she just said—”

Matthew rubbed his temples, his voice low and steady. “Adriana, come here.”

He wanted her to comply. “Curtis might be helping you now, but he won’t be around forever. He’s only involved because he sees some temporary benefit in you. You understand that, right?”

That was the cold calculation of businessmen—everything boiled down to value.

Matthew believed Curtis was no different. If there was no advantage to be gained, Curtis wouldn’t waste his time.

Adriana met Matthew’s gaze squarely. “I know he won’t be there for me forever.”

Without another word, she turned and left with Kenneth.

Even Kenneth’s tone was strictly businesslike. Everyone involved understood this was a partnership, not a fairy tale romance—there was no room for sentimentality.

Adriana nodded again, showing her understanding.

Noticing her composed and cooperative demeanor, Kenneth found himself quietly impressed. His voice softened slightly. “Ms. Xander, if you have any additional terms—housing, cars, money—please let me know. I’ll inform Mr. Lincoln, and we can add them to the agreement.”

He was subtly reminding her that she could ask for more. Curtis could easily afford it.

Adriana glanced over the contract once more. Honestly, Curtis was already offering an extraordinary deal.

After the divorce, she would receive Clarke Residence—a luxury estate valued at over a hundred million dollars. She’d also get thirty million dollars annually, with the amount increasing the longer the marriage lasted. Additionally, she would be added to the Lincoln family trust, receiving monthly dividends even after the marriage ended.

This was no small amount.

All in all, Curtis’s generosity stunned Adriana.

Back then, Matthew had only ever given her small tokens—tiny sums of money after she’d been hurt, a few tens of thousands here and there. He always made it seem like a grand gesture, but it only left her feeling ashamed and diminished.

But Curtis? He was offering so much, and Adriana didn’t feel humiliated for a second. This wasn’t pity—it was like hitting the jackpot.