Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 47

**When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn**
**Chapter 47: Grandpa, You Know Me**

Curtis had made a vow to Adriana, a promise that resonated deeply within him: he would never abandon her, no matter the circumstances. The specter of divorce hovered ominously over their lives, a dark cloud that threatened to validate the scandalous gossip swirling around them. The Lincolns, with their sharp tongues and watchful eyes, would seize upon such a misstep, transforming mere whispers into a damning reality that would haunt them both.

In the corporate world, Curtis had fought tooth and nail to rise to the top; his ascent was not a stroke of luck but a testament to his unwavering resilience. He had learned to stand firm against the tide of adversity, refusing to cleanse himself of the mud others slung in his direction. He was not one to cower or to frantically defend his choices when faced with judgment.

“Curtis, she’s lying to you!” Belinda’s voice cut through the room like a knife, her fury palpable as she stood framed in the doorway, her body tense and rigid. “If you divorce her now, it won’t be too late to fix this mess!”

Curtis turned slowly, his gaze as frigid as a winter’s night, each second stretching into an eternity. “Belinda, let me pose a question to you. If your classmates spread vicious rumors about you, claiming you were promiscuous or lacked self-respect, how would you respond?”

Belinda felt her breath catch in her throat, the weight of his words striking her like a physical blow. For a brief moment, she was rendered speechless, frozen in place as memories of her own torment resurfaced.

Back at the dance academy, she had been the target of relentless bullying, a painful memory that surged forth with Adriana’s mention of Mia’s aggression. Guilt flickered within her, but it was quickly overshadowed by the deep-seated resentment she harbored for Adriana.

“Never learn about someone through the mouths of others,” Curtis warned, his finger pointing at her like an accusing arrow. “And never, ever empathize with—or trust—a man who disparages his ex-girlfriend or ex-wife to everyone he meets.” His voice was a low growl, a warning she couldn’t afford to ignore. “And don’t think I’ve forgotten about your little dating incident at school. I just haven’t had the time to deal with that yet.”

Panic flared in Belinda’s eyes as she turned to escape the confrontation, her heart racing.

“Come back,” Curtis commanded, his tone dropping to a menacing whisper that sent shivers down her spine, a clear indication of his anger simmering just beneath the surface.

“Apologize to Adriana,” he ordered, his voice firm and unyielding, a declaration that left no room for argument.

Belinda trembled at the threshold, fear coursing through her veins. The weight of Curtis’s wrath was a burden she did not take lightly.

With her eyes glistening with unshed tears, she muttered, “I’m… sorry.”

Adriana stood there, momentarily stunned, her gaze transfixed on Curtis, trying to process the intensity of the situation unfolding before her.

“Have Tom take her back to school,” Curtis said curtly, his fingers flying over his phone as he typed a message to his chauffeur, his demeanor unyielding.

Belinda dashed away, tears streaming down her cheeks, a whirlwind of emotions trailing in her wake as she fled the confrontation.

“Curtis… After what Matthew said to the reporters, your grandfather might have misunderstood everything. What if he demands that you divorce me?” Adriana’s voice trembled with anxiety, her eyes wide with fear as she cast a worried glance at him.

The thought gnawed at her insides: What if Harold insisted on a divorce?

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it,” Curtis assured her, his voice steady and reassuring as he picked up his phone and dialed Harold right in front of her, the tension in the air thickening.

The old man answered almost immediately, his voice laced with irritation. “Why are you only calling me now?”

Anger simmered beneath the surface of Harold’s words, a remnant of his years as a formidable businessman. His commanding presence was palpable, capable of crushing anyone who dared to stand against him. Even through the speaker, his voice resonated with an authority that made Adriana’s palms slick with sweat.

She lowered her head, her mind racing. If Curtis chose to abandon their collaboration for the sake of family reputation, what would she do then?

Well, what’s done is done, he seemed to think, the weight of his decision settling heavily on his shoulders.

“The Langfords and Lincolns have been partners for decades. I don’t care what—” Harold snapped, his voice rising in indignation, ready to thwart Curtis’s plans with the ferocity of a storm.

Adriana’s eyes brimmed with tears as she looked nervously at Curtis, the weight of their predicament pressing down on her, threatening to crush her spirit.

“Grandpa.” Curtis’s voice sliced through the tension, firm and resolute. “You know me.”

A long silence stretched between them, the kind that felt heavy with unspoken understanding. Then Harold’s voice dropped to a low whisper. “Settle this matter first. Then come see me.”

The line went dead, leaving a silence that felt deafening, an echo of unresolved issues hanging in the air.

Curtis set the phone down, leaning against the desk, his gaze unwavering as it met Adriana’s. “See? He won’t oppose it. As long as I’m serious about marrying you, nothing else matters to him.”

Adriana stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. From the sound of it, Harold was a man who valued reputation above all else—after all, the Lincolns were the most prestigious family in Harborton.

What had Curtis and his so-called first love done in the past to make the old man yield so easily?

She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was caught in a web spun by others, reaping the consequences of their actions.

“I’ll deal with Matthew,” Curtis finally said, his tone resolute, a promise wrapped in determination. But in her heart, Adriana felt a tug of desire to confront Matthew herself, to hear from him directly why he had uttered such hurtful things. The chaos swirling around them only intensified her yearning for agency amidst the turmoil.