Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 281

Chapter 281 Prime Bait

+20 Free Coins

Curtis raised an eyebrow. “My wife is mine to protect. She doesn’t need to be aggressive. I just want her to live the life she wants.”

In Curtis’s eyes, Adriana only needed to be herself.

“She’s the Bartons‘ heir. That’s a fact you can’t change! With that identity, she can’t be a fragile little flower. You protect her, but how long can you protect her? What if something happens to you? Can you guarantee you’ll have smooth sailing your whole life? The person behind all this hasn’t even shown their face yet. If they stab you in the back one day, you’re done, and Adriana goes down with you!”

Justin felt Adriana needed to grow. At the very least, she couldn’t stay naive and helpless.

She needed grit, the kind that stands in a storm and never breaks. She had to be able to carry the weight alone.

What if one day… Curtis wasn’t there anymore?

Curtis fell silent. He didn’t say a word.

“Adriana has strong potential. She grew up in an orphanage. Being adopted and sent back multiple times made her sensitive and fragile. She has a classic people–pleasing personality. That kind of temperament isn’t good for her future,” Justin said, looking at Adriana from the perspective of supporting the future Barton Group heir.

He was like a modern–day strategist looking for a wise ruler who could weather hell and high

water.

But Curtis wanted a wife he could protect completely.

Their starting points were different, so the outcomes they wanted were naturally different.

In Justin’s view, Adriana needed to be tempered by hardship to grow. But Curtis felt that he could endure suffering and save his wife from it.

“Think carefully about what I said. Once you’ve figured it out, we’ll talk business,” Justin said, seeing Curtis lost in thought, then flicked another toothpick at him.

Curtis raised a hand and caught it, looking at Justin. “Careful. Your cold, abstinent image might shatter.”

Justin was always aloof and untouchable in public. If people saw him throwing things, his

1/3

15:25 Thu, Jan 1

Chapter 281 Prime Bait

image would definitely collapse.

:

55

+20 Free Coins

Justin sighed. “Do you think I still have the mood to care about image? We’re on fire, Mr. Lincoln.”

Justin leaned back in his chair, his face full of worry.

Jeremy’s health was getting worse. The Bartons were on the brink of chaos.

He owed everything to Jeremy, so of course, he’d protect the Bartons for life. But Adriana, his “boss,” was too soft, and Curtis was an added complication.

Curtis’s overindulgence toward his wife meant one thing to Justin. The heir was weak and couldn’t hold the line.

“That inheritance you’re holding–figure out how to deal with it soon. Otherwise, people will keep watching you,” Justin said, checking the time. “I came to see you today. Tomorrow, it could be the Langfords, the Cohens, or someone else who comes knocking. Until that money is spent, you won’t have peace.”

Curtis nodded. “I know.”

That money couldn’t be handed to just anyone. Plenty of people were digging traps for Curtis.

They were all eager to see him burn.

At the Langford Estate.

Raymond returned home and walked straight into his study with a grim expression, picking up a call.

“Don’t worry. Yes, yes. Everything’s proceeding as planned. We’ve already started preparations. Yes, yes…

“Rest assured. We’ll leave Curtis with no way out.”

On the other end, the voice was low, issuing instructions.

Raymond seemed completely obedient.

The Langfords were influential figures in the business world. Anyone who could make Raymond this submissive had to be the one pulling strings behind the scenes.

2/3

15:26 Thu, Jan 1

Chapter 281 Prime Bait

+20 Free Coins

Matthew stood outside, cavesdropping. He wanted to figure out who the caller was, but Raymond was too cautious and never revealed a single detail.

“What-” Raymond hung up, opened the door, and saw Matthew.

Raymond looked at him warily. “What did you hear?”

Matthew looked confused. “Didn’t you tell me to come over?”

Raymond relaxed and let Matthew in. “Come in. I have something to discuss with you.”

Raymond closed the door and looked at Matthew. “I won’t hold it against you for teaming up with Curtis to kidnap Rex before. I know you’ve got a grudge.”

Matthew narrowed his eyes. Something felt off. “Dad, just say what you want to say.”

There was no need to pretend to be a loving father. That act made Matthew sick.

“I’ve always wanted to praise you. You’ve done well. Being close to Curtis isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Our Langford Group’s new energy project needs investment. Curtis is holding a huge inheritance right now. That’s prime bait.”

Raymond smiled and patted Matthew’s shoulder.

Matthew raised an eyebrow. So he’s after Curtis’s money.

But he isn’t that kind–hearted. He’s probably planning to use a shell project to trap Curtis.

“You want Curtis to invest? Rex tried to have Curtis run over. Do you really think Curtis is brain–dead enough to invest in a Langford Group project?” Matthew pretended not to understand Raymond’s meaning.