Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 416

But But

Chapter 416 The Enemy’s Value

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Adriana understood that most of the executives shared the same underlying sentiment. So she didn’t take the bait. Didn’t raise her voice. Instead, she met their unspoken challenge with quiet steel. “Mr. Harrison at Lincoln Group has already arranged a meeting for me with Julian. As the acting head of Barton Group, I’m fully aware of my responsibility to protect this company and everyone in it. I’ll do everything in my power to negotiate with Julian directly. And if negotiation fails, I’ll find another way. The interests of this company, and all of you, will be protected.”

The executives exchanged looks and nodded.

These were turbulent times. After Matthew took control of Langford Group, the company had gradually stabilized. It had not surged forward, but Matthew’s capability was widely acknowledged.

Lincoln Group, once the undisputed titan, had faltered after Curtis’s death. Silas held the reins now, but even he might struggle to contain the chaos simmering beneath that polished surface.

As for Barton Group, many people still looked down on Adriana. She was a widow. A woman who had never truly been raised within the Barton family’s elite circles. Even if she proved capable, there would always be those who waited eagerly for her to

stumble.

Months ago, those whispers would have kept her awake at night, fueled her need to prove them wrong. Now, they barely registered.

If she did her job well enough, the noise would fade on its own.

“Nicole, we’re not trying to pressure you. But the projects can’t wait. Every day we delay costs us tens of millions.” One executive pressed again, his tone careful but firm.

Adriana gave no further response. Once the meeting ended and everyone had left, she remained alone in the conference room, deep in thought.

Julian Hale. Chandler’s ace in the hole, buried deep and primed to detonate. And now, the explosion had begun.

Silas had helped arrange a meeting with Julian, but that man was notoriously cautious. He might refuse to see her entirely. Even if he agreed, sincerity would be another matter.

Even if he agreed to see her, he’d come armed with preconceptions Chandler had spent months cultivating.

And Silas, while he wouldn’t harm her under Mister’s orders, he wouldn’t tip the scales in her favor either.

She needed someone else. Someone who could bridge the gap and lower Julian’s defenses.

The door opened, “Ms. Barton.” Kenneth’s voice carried a note of resignation. “Danielle is here again. Shall I have her removed?”

Adriana understood his distaste. Danielle and her father had made themselves thoroughly unlikable.

“Let her in,” Adriana said after a moment. She didn’t have the energy for games, but Justin had vouched for Danielle’s situation. That counted for something.

A few minutes later, Danielle walked into the conference room and took a seat beside Adriana.

For a moment, she said nothing. Then she placed a folded letter on the table. “Justin gave this to me,” she said quietly.

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10:54 am MM

Chapter 416 The Enemy’s Value

Adriana glanced at the paper, surprise flickering across her face. Had her grandfather left Danielle a letter?

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Of course he had. Whatever Danielle had become, she’d once been a child who tried to please him, a granddaughter who’d spent years in his house.

Adriana could understand that. After all, Danielle had once been attentive to him, at least when she was younger.

“You think this letter buys your way back into Barton Group?” Adriana’s voice cooled. “Don’t make me laugh. I spent months removing you and your father from this company. One letter from our grandfather doesn’t undo that. With this letter, I can only promise one thing. We will stay out of each other’s way from now on. If you don’t come looking for trouble, neither will I.”

But returning to Barton Group? Impossible.

“Julian Hale,” Danielle said suddenly, cutting straight to the point. “He and Chandler are very close. With your current position, it will be extremely difficult to shake his loyalty. And replacing him as a partner in the short term isn’t realistic. Barton Group has hundreds of projects nationwide. The breach penalties alone would bankrupt the company.”

Danielle spoke with the clarity of someone who had nothing left to lose. “I know you don’t trust me. Nothing I say will change that. I’m just telling you I have value. His wife likes me. He considers me family. I can get you in the room in a way no one else can.”

Adriana studied her carefully.

Using a former enemy was like placing a wager. Was Danielle a liability, or the one card that could still change the game?