Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 313

Chapter 313 The First Fish

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Curtis laughed coldly. That man probably started planning to swallow the Lincolns years ago.

Now that I’m “dead,” he probably thinks Denton will be easier to handle.

Justin let out a breath. “That man and the one backing him have been working together for years. That’s why the Lincolns are falling apart. Hell, even your mom’s breakdown… Maybe that was Ernest too.”

Curtis nodded. “I trusted Ernest because he was the first to tell me–quietly—that my mom’s meals had been tampered with. He said they found traces of a drug that could cause long–term psychosis. With enough stress and pressure, it would drive her insane.”

Back then, Curtis believed Ernest was the only one who had his back. He ran secret checks. He tried to find out who had drugged his mom. He investigated everyone.

But the trail went dead. Now it made sense. Ernest was the one yelling ‘thief‘ while picking pockets himself.

That man wasn’t just dangerous. He was lethal.

To stand beside Harold Lincoln for decades, never get caught, and still earn everyone’s trust-

that took skill.

Justin glanced at him. “So what now?”

Ernest was exposed. But the real threat was the one standing behind him—or maybe all of them. A whole crew of traitors.

Curtis arched a brow. “Didn’t Savannah have a thing for you back in high school? I remember she even confessed to you once.”

Justin turned toward the door.

So now that Curtis was faking his death, he wanted to drag him into this mess too?

He already had to play the clown for Nicole. That was bad enough. Now he was supposed to

sell himself too?

“Don’t walk away. We can figure something out,” Curtis said with a rough cough.

Justin paused at the door. He looked over his shoulder. “There’s nothing left to figure out. Unless you plan on giving me Adriana as payment.”

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Chapter 313 The First Fish

The world already thought Curtis is dead.

So why shouldn’t Justin make a move now?

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Ernest was exposed. But the real threat was the one standing behind him–or maybe all of them. A whole crew of traitors.

Hotel room.

Ernest folded the last of his clothes into his suitcase. He sat down on the edge of the bed. Tears fell silently.

He wiped them away and grabbed his phone.

“Curtis is really dead? You saw the body yourself?” The voice on the line was sharp and cold.

“I changed his clothes with my own hands and I raised that kid. I’d know if it wasn’t him,” Ernest said quietly.

There was a pause. “You been wearing that mask too long? Forgot why you started this? Or did you actually grow a conscience?” The man let out a harsh, cruel laugh.

Ernest didn’t answer. His stare turned cold. “You got what you wanted. So back off. The money’s yours. Lincoln Group is mine. That was the deal.”

“Like father, like daughter. She’s got Denton spinning in circles. You’ll take over Lincoln Group without breaking a sweat. Meanwhile, my money’s still missing,” the man said with a mocking

sneer.

“That’s on you. I thought Raymond was supposed to be scared of you. You really think he’d dare keep your money?” Ernest kept his voice low and steady.

“Langford listens, but his son, Matthew, is a problem,” the man muttered. The edge in his voice made it clear he wanted Matthew gone.

“You don’t need to worry about Langford. Denton’s young. Grew up in a quiet fishing town. He’s soft now, but that doesn’t mean he’ll stay that way. Your daughter’s smarter than you. From today on, she’ll have Denton under her thumb.”

“If you’re not going to let me manage your business, then stay the hell out of mine,” Ernest said. “Curtis was your creation. You used him. But still, he was your…” Ernest trailed off. He shut his eyes for a second, then exhaled hard. “You really don’t feel anything? No guilt at all?”

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Chapter 313 The First Fish

The other end of the line stayed silent.

Ernest didn’t wait. He ended the call. Then he sat still for a long time.

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Curtis had been just a pawn. He had known that. But still … he had watched that boy grow up. Even if everything between him and the Lincolns was built on lies, even if he had always meant to use them, he hadn’t expected to care.

But Curtis wasn’t like Denton. He was too strong. Too smart. Too dangerous. A threat like that couldn’t be left alive.

The guilt flickering in Ernest’s eyes faded, replaced by cold, ruthless calculation.

He picked up the phone again. “Savannah, I’m heading back to Harborton. You don’t need to come see me off. Just stay close to Denton. Support every single choice he makes. No questions. Got it?”

Savannah gave a light laugh on the other end. “I hear you, Dad. I’ll take good care of Denton. He’s the only Lincoln heir left now.”

They both had their own plans.

They were using each other.

Ernest needed Savannah’s ambition to keep Denton under control. Before Denton could even touch Lincoln Group, Ernest would erase every trace of Curtis’s people. He would leave nothing behind. By the time Denton took over, the company would be gutted, and Denton would be nothing but a pretty little puppet.

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Adriana’s place.

Most of the study abroad arrangements were done. Yolanda was going with Adriana. She had enrolled in a training program too. They would be living at Curtis‘ villa in Pastalia.

18:17 Sat, Jan 3

Chapter 314 Moving Around