Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 72

**Chapter 72: The Return of the Heiress**

Matthew’s expression twisted into a scowl, his anger palpable in the air around him. “A contract marriage? You think that’s something to boast about?” His voice dripped with disdain. “You ought to know precisely who truly holds her heart.”

Confidence radiated from Matthew; he was utterly convinced that Adriana’s affections were still directed towards him.

As the tension between Matthew and Curtis escalated, the butler burst into the room, his voice brimming with excitement. “Mr. Jeremy, Ms. Nicole has arrived!”

Adriana’s grip tightened around Curtis’s wrist, her heart racing.

They had actually found Nicole…

But now, the question loomed large: would Curtis genuinely honor the marriage pact that bound their families together?

“Curtis,” Matthew continued, a mocking lilt to his tone, “I hear the Lincolns and the Bartons are not merely families of old money; their connections run deeper than just business. You could have easily married someone else while waiting for Nicole’s return. But now that she’s back, I’m curious to see just how long this contract marriage with Adriana can endure.”

Matthew’s voice was laced with a smug satisfaction, though he had no intention of completely severing ties with Curtis.

Adriana felt her complexion drain of color as realization struck her like a bolt of lightning—she might be left alone once more.

It’s true, when you lack the strength to stand on your own, the fear of abandonment becomes a constant shadow… I know I’m not yet strong enough to face this.

Curtis, however, was unfazed. “How naive,” he scoffed, a smirk playing on his lips as he guided Adriana across the yard.

“Come on. Let’s see how this unfolds,” he whispered conspiratorially.

Adriana found herself distracted, her thoughts racing. Nicole is back—how can I possibly concentrate on anything else right now?

In the yard, a group of familiar faces—Jeremy, Chandler, Kelsey, Danielle, and the entire staff of the Bartons—stood in a neat line, anticipation hanging thick in the air.

It was evident that Nicole’s return was of immense significance to everyone gathered.

Adriana stood off to the side, her heart aching with a mix of envy and curiosity as she awaited the arrival of the Bartons’ sole heiress, the embodiment of true aristocracy.

She yearned to witness the kind of person who was born into such privilege, to catch a glimpse of the life led by a genuine Barton princess.

Even after two decades away, Nicole returned, still enveloped in an aura of royalty.

Some are born into opulence, while others toil their entire lives in pursuit of it.

Suddenly, a sleek black Maybach glided into the yard, the butler hurriedly stepping forward to open the door with a flourish.

Jeremy’s eyes sparkled with emotion as he awaited the arrival of his long-lost granddaughter.

The door swung open, revealing a woman clad in a pristine white dress.

Irene removed her sunglasses, a sneer curling her lips as she addressed Jeremy. “My sister’s daughter has returned. As her aunt, isn’t it only fitting that I come to welcome her?”

With an air of entitlement, Irene strode forward, shoving Danielle aside. “Move aside, mutt. Who do you think you are to touch my niece?”

Danielle’s face darkened, her hands clenching tightly as anger bubbled just beneath the surface, a fury she dared not voice.

Irene flashed a dazzling smile as she grasped Nicole’s hands. “Sweetheart, I’m your aunt, Irene. You must have gone through so much out there.”

“Enough,” Jeremy interjected firmly, his voice rising above the tension. “Nicole is exhausted. Let’s head inside before you overwhelm her.” He began ushering everyone toward the house, acutely aware of the outsiders still lingering.

“Overwhelm her? You’ve brought a pack of sewer rats into this house—that’s what’s overwhelming!” Irene retorted, her disdain evident as she pointed at Chandler, Danielle, and Kelsey. “A bastard son and two filthy rats—how utterly shameless! And you changed your name to Barton? Do you even have any shame left? Are you really Bartons?”

“I’ve seen shamelessness before, but never quite like yours.”

Irene’s presence was a force of nature, her energy electric and uncontainable.

Chandler’s hands trembled with barely suppressed rage, yet he found himself at a loss for words.

Just then, Harold arrived on the scene. The moment he laid eyes on Irene, his complexion drained, and he instinctively sought an escape route.

In Harborton, there were only four prominent families, and even though the Waltons had fallen on hard times, Irene was notorious for her wild antics, a thorn in the side of the old guard.