Ms. Escape Marrying to Run Fighting to Rise novel Chapter 162

Chapter 162 Cranky Curtis

Finished

Nicole hadn’t known the whole story, but now she understood she’d crossed a line she never should’ve gone near. Danielle specifically told her to never, ever talk about Curtis‘ mother when he was around.

“Curtis… I didn’t mean it. I swear I didn’t, she stammered. Her voice cracked as fear took over.

Her legs nearly gave out.

If looks could kill, Curtis would’ve cut her into a thousand pieces.

But then she lifted her chin, forcing herself to remember who she was. She was Nicole Barton, Jeremy Barton’s granddaughter. Curtis wouldn’t dare touch her. He couldn’t.

Adriana’s chest ached. Curtis’s face looked like carved stone, his anger so raw it made the air feel thin. He looked like he could kill Nicole and not even blink.

Then, the sound of tires on gravel cut through the tension. A black sedan rolled to a stop at the gate. Curtis’s head turned toward it. Adriana followed his gaze. The car door opened.

A tall man stepped out, calm and poised.

When sunlight hit his face, his eyes shimmered with a faint blue glow, like deep water catching light.

He wore a fitted suit, minimalist but elegant. A single bamboo embroidery near the hem gave it a quiet grace. The crisp shirt underneath highlighted his tall, lean frame. He looked like he’d walked out of winter itself–clean, cold, and untouchable.

Adriana’s breath caught. She stared longer than she should have, her mind blank. It wasn’t desire. It was awe.

Because Justin was impossibly, almost painfully, beautiful.

Curtis was handsome in the kind of way that could cut you. His looks carried danger. Every line of his face. screamed control and fury, like a fallen angel straight out of hell. People looked at him and felt the urge to back away.

Justin was the opposite. His presence was clean, calm, and impossible to ignore. There was something unearthly about him, something that drew every gaze without him even trying.

“Mr. Lincoln, it’s been a long time.” Justin’s tone was smooth, polite. He stepped forward and positioned himself between Nicole and Curtis. Tm here to take my mistress home. Sorry for the trouble.”

Nicole froze, staring at him like she’d forgotten how to breathe. He looked unreal under the sunlight. It took her a few seconds to snap out of it. “You’re the one Grandpa sent to protect me?”

Justin turned his head just slightly and looked at her. After a pause, he gave a single nod.

Nicole’s face lit up. Relief washed over her like she’d found her savior. She hid behind him at once. “They’ve been awful to me,” she said, her tone dripping with self–pity.

Curtis stayed silent. He didn’t even glance at Justin.

Adriana noticed. Curtis wasn’t a rude man, so the cold silence between them stood out. There was history

20:15 Wed, Jan 7

Chapter 162 Cranky Curtin

there. Something neither wanted to mention.

Finished

But she also saw something else. The second Justin appeared, the storm in Curtis’s face began to fade.

“Mr. Lincoln,” Justin said softly, his eyes unreadable. “Tll be taking her with me now.”

Then he looked at Adriana. His gaze landed on her for only a second, but it lingered long enough for her to feel it. His throat moved as if he wanted to speak, but he didn’t. Whatever he was thinking, he swallowed it back and turned away, signaling Nicole to follow,

Curtis probably would’ve let the moment pass. But Nicole had to ruin it. “Curtis!” she shouted. I’m telling my grandpa everything! I’ll tell him how you and Adriana treated me! You better watch yourself, because I’m not alone anymore. I’ve got someone protecting me now!”

Justin’s jaw tightened. His brows lowered, a flicker of frustration crossing his face.

He didn’t say anything, but even Adriana could tell Nicole’s stupidity was testing him.

Curtis’s voice came out low and sharp. “My patience has a limit. The words carried weight. Heavy, dark, final. Only he and Justin seemed to understand.

Curtis already knew Nicole wasn’t the real Barton heir. Justin knew it too.

That sentence wasn’t just a warning–it was a countdown. Find the real Nicole soon, or this impostor would be

gone.

“I understand,” Justin said quietly. He gave Curtis a small, regretful nod.

He would find her. The real Nicole.

Nicole missed the meaning completely. She tossed her hair, scoffing. “What are you even afraid of? You’re Grandpa’s adopted son! He sent you to protect me, not bow down to them. Our family is just as powerful as the Lincolns!” She wanted Justin to give her enough strength to do whatever she wanted, not cower like an idiot.

Justin stayed calm. His tone didn’t change. “Let’s discuss this when we’re back home.”

Nicole huffed and rolled her eyes, muttering curses as she marched toward the car.

Before getting in, Justin turned one last time. His eyes went to Adriana again.

Curtis saw it instantly. His jaw tensed. He stepped forward and blocked Justin’s view, his body cutting the space like a wall.

His glare said everything. Quit staring. She’s mine.

A tiny smile flickered across Justin’s lips, so faint it could’ve been imagined. He hadn’t thought he’d ever see

this.

He and Curtis had always been the same–relentless, cold, and devoted only to their work. He once believed. no woman could ever break that focus,

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