Ms. Escape Marrying to Run Fighting to Rise novel Chapter 163

Chapter 163 Only Praise Me

Finished

Curtis and Justin were total opposites. Curtis was darkness and fire. Justin was ice and light. Two extremes that could never blend.

Curtis’s voice dropped low. “You don’t get to praise other men”

Adriana blinked, startled by the edge in his tone. Then she remembered Bonnie’s words–never forget the golden rule of a kept woman.

The man who feeds you is the one who owns your attention.

“I wasn’t praising him,” she said fast, shaking her head again.

Curtis’s expression softened a little. He took her hand and started walking back toward the living room. “His name’s Justin Hotchner. Jeremy adopted him years ago. Found him in an orphanage.”

Adriana blinked in surprise. That kind of man–poised, refined, almost royal in his presence–an orphan? It

didn’t fit.

Somehow, that only made her like him more.

Curtis reached over and ran a hand through her hair. “Don’t be fooled by that clean look. He’s not what he seems. Stay away from him.”

“Okay,” Adriana said quietly. She didn’t know why, but she still nodded.

Her easy obedience made Curtis’s mood lift. He wasn’t about to let anything or anyone ruin their trip. Not today.

Haldoria, psychiatric hospital,

The man who’d tried to kill Adriana was named Keith Wallensby. Investigators dug through his life and found nothing unusual. He’d been a quiet farmer, a man with a wife and two kids, someone who kept to himself. He’d never shown a single sign of violence. Sometimes he had strange episodes, but the people in his village always dismissed them as harmless.

He said he was heading to the city for treatment. No one guessed that trip would end in blood.

Keith’s village sat in the wilderness between Haldoria and Hillcrest City. It was tucked so far into the mountains that people almost forgot it existed. When news of what happened reached there, his wife came running with their kids and the village chief. They carried baskets filled with eggs and homemade goods, going back and forth between the police station and the psychiatric hospital. She fell to her knees every time, crying until her voice broke. She swore Keith was a good man, an honest man, someone who had never hurt a soul.

Even Joe started to waver. Maybe Keith had just snapped. Maybe it wasn’t on purpose.

But Irene and Gary knew better. They knew what had really happened to Nicole’s parents. And they knew Keith wasn’t some harmless farmer. He was a devil pretending to be a saint.

20:15 Wed, Jan 7 G GJ

Chapter 163 Only Praise Me

“Maybe it really is just a coincidence?” Joe asked as he looked at Cary.

Finished

He was the one who had requested permission to visit Keith, who was still locked in the psychiatric hospital for mandatory treatment.

Keith sat quietly when they entered the room. He cried, muttering that he couldn’t remember anything. He said it over and over again, swearing that he’d lost control.

“I’d believe he’s crazy,” Irene said coldly, “but where did a ‘crazy‘ farmer get poison like that? It’s illegal”

Joe nodded. That question had been bothering him too.

He had asked Keith the same thing dozens of times. But all he got was tears and the same excuse. Keith said he didn’t know. He didn’t remember. He didn’t even know where the syringe came from.

With no answers and Keith’s strange behavior, they had no choice but to keep him there.

“He’s faking it.” Irene said suddenly. Her voice was sharp, almost cutting-

Joe looked startled. “You think he’s pretending, Aunt Irene? But the doctors said he’s really sick.”

He had believed that at first too. After hours of questioning with nothing to show for it, he had started trusting the doctors‘ judgment.

Irene gave a cold, humorless laugh. “I used to act, Joe. He’s putting on a show. His performance is good, but he slipped. He thinks being insane just means yelling and thrashing around.” She turned toward Gary, her tone firm. “Keep him in here. Don’t let anyone release him. When the time’s right, we’ll test him ourselves.”

Gary nodded once. “Got it.”

Irene started walking toward the door, but halfway there she stopped. She turned back and looked at Joe. “What did you just call me?”

Joe froze. “Uh… Aunt Irene?” He looked confused. Gary was his uncle, so what else was he supposed to say?

Gary lowered his head, hiding a grin. “He’s not wrong. Anyway, we’ve taken enough of his time. Let’s go.” He grabbed Irene’s hand and pulled her toward the car.

Once the doors shut, Irene turned on him. “What on earth did you tell that kid?” she snapped, glaring at

him.

Gary smirked, dodging the question. “Justin’s in Haldoria. Jeremy sent him. Said he’s there to protect Nicole.

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