Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Danielle’s Scheme

Curtis held Adriana’s gaze for a long, tense moment, his eyes searching hers before he finally broke the silence with a firm, “No.”

He hadn’t seen her before, that much was clear.

A small sigh of relief escaped Adriana’s lips. So it was just her imagination playing tricks on her after all.

When the car came to a halt in the dimly lit underground parking garage, Curtis took the lead, guiding Adriana toward the elevator.

Honestly, if his intention was merely to give her something, he could have easily arranged for the store to deliver it. Yet, he chose to take her out himself, which piqued Adriana’s curiosity.

The moment they stepped out of the elevator, Adriana’s body stiffened. Haldoria was indeed a tiny place—right there, standing before her, was Natasha.

But Natasha wasn’t alone. She was accompanied by Danielle, the eldest daughter of the Barton family.

“Curtis?” Danielle’s eyes lit up as she spotted him, greeting him with a bright smile.

Natasha’s gaze immediately landed on Adriana, and her face darkened with displeasure. “Wow, you really do show up everywhere,” she said with a biting edge.

Danielle turned toward Natasha, intrigued. “You two know each other?”

With a quick, dismissive glance, Natasha replied coolly, “She’s Anna—the one I told you about.”

Danielle’s eyes narrowed sharply as she looked at Adriana, her expression dripping with disdain. “So it’s her. I have to admit, she’s more capable than I gave her credit for.”

Adriana kept her head bowed, choosing to ignore their hostility, and tried to slip away quietly. She didn’t want to stir up any trouble for Curtis.

But Curtis reached out, firmly taking Adriana’s hand right in front of both women. “Do you have a problem with my wife?”

His words hung in the air, shocking Natasha into silence.

Adriana’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Curtis. Weren’t they supposed to keep the marriage a secret?

Natasha was so stunned she couldn’t find her voice. Curtis’s wife? Had he truly lost his mind, marrying an orphan like her?

Danielle was surprised but less so—she had already heard some rumors from Belinda.

“No problem,” Natasha said quietly, though her tone was laced with condescension. “I just think… she’s not good enough for you. Besides, our families have a marriage agreement, even if…” She trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

After all, the engagement wasn’t hers to begin with.

“My wife is amazing,” Curtis said firmly, his gaze locked on Adriana.

He meant every word.

“Don’t worry. Curtis isn’t really into her. He probably married her because she’s easy to control,” Danielle said calmly, confident that Curtis would never truly fall for Adriana. “He’s still hung up on someone else. My guess? Their marriage is just a contract. He’s using her to keep Harold quiet.”

Natasha nodded grimly, but even with Danielle’s explanation, she found it hard to accept.

“You’re into Curtis too. Can you accept this?” Natasha asked Danielle pointedly.

Aren’t you going to try to break them up?

“I’m not in a hurry,” Danielle replied coolly. “Harold wants Curtis to marry my sister, Nicole. If the Bartons ever find her, Harold will make sure Curtis divorces Adriana.”

When that happens, the contract marriage between Curtis and Adriana will come to an end.

“But if the Barton heiress really does come back, won’t that be bad for you?” Natasha asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Years ago, Gilbert and his wife had died in Haldoria, and baby Nicole had mysteriously disappeared.

That was how Danielle and Chandler managed to return openly to the Barton Estate.

If Nicole never returned, all of the Barton inheritance would belong to Danielle and Chandler.

But if Nicole did come back, they wouldn’t receive a single penny or a single share.