Ms. Escape Marrying to Run Fighting to Rise novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43 Substantial Evidence

Curtis never took his eyes off Adriana, the corner of his mouth tipping up.

Camelia clutched her cheek, staring at Adriana in shock. “You hit me?”

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Finished

The rich kid shielding Camelia darkened, stepped up, and swung a kick at Adriana. “Looking to die-”

It never landed. He went flying three feet away. Curtis had risen, pulled Adriana into his arms, and booted the man away.

A few other rich kids rolled up their sleeves to charge at them–Tom, the driver, and a bodyguard each hip–threw two to the floor in a blink.

“Police!”

Kenneth arrived with officers–smartly, he’d brought Joe himself.

Joe didn’t coddle anyone.

“All of you, come with us,” he said, voice flat. “If your families won’t teach you, the state will.”

“You touch me and you’re done!” one rich kid still yapped.

“Officer Richardson,” Curtis said, “the evidence from four years ago–the campus bullying against Adriana–is all here. We’re refiling and seeking a full investigation. Every last one of them gets charged.” He forwarded the files to Joe on the spot.

“And her,” Curtis added, flicking a glance at a woman with a phone. “Infringing on my wife’s and my portrait rights. Counsel–coordinate.”

Adriana’s ears went pink; she gave a tiny nod.

Joe’s gaze cut between Curtis and Adriana. “Wife?”

Adriana felt guilty and nodded.

He had questions, but one look at Curtis and he kept them to himself.

From what he’d seen, Curtis was unequivocally on Adriana’s side.

“You’ll gain nothing by crossing us,” Camelia spat. “Mia masterminded the bullying back then. No way you’re putting her in prison.”

“Adriana!”

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Chapter 43 Substantial Evidence

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Finished

Matthew strode in; Natasha and Mia followed on his heels.

Natasha had come hoping to leverage the orphanage to force Adriana into signing a letter of leniency to reduce Rufus’s sentence. She also wanted to “talk.” And to watch.

“Mia! She’s insane–she called the cops and wants to dig up a four–year–old bullying case!” Camelia perked up the second Matthew and Mia arrived, suddenly feeling confident.

After all, Matthew wasn’t going to watch his own sister get hauled off.

“Adriana, what now?” Matthew sighed, stepping to her side. “Whatever it is, tell me. I’ll fix it. Don’t make a scene.”

Curtis’s look slid over Matthew, cool and faintly bored. He eased Adriana closer into his chest. “Mr. Langford, my wife’s affairs aren’t yours to manage.”

“Curtis!” Matthew snapped. “I told you–she’s mine.”

Curtis gave a quiet, contemptuous laugh. “Do you and she also have this?”

He took out a slip of paper from his pocket–a marriage certificate.

Matthew’s expression went grim.

Even Adriana blinked–he’s been carrying it around?

“Curtis, I don’t care what game you’re playing,” Matthew ground out, fisting Curtis’s lapel. “Stay away from her.”

“Matt” Natasha rushed up, glancing around nervously at the crowd and the phones.

The last thing she wanted was to become today’s headline.

But Matthew was past reason.

The instant Curtis flashed that certificate, something snapped.

Four years–Adriana from nineteen to now. He’d never planned to marry her, yet he’d long since treated her as his property.

How could he accept Adriana belonging to someone else?

He couldn’t.

“You’re pathetic, Matthew,” Curtis said, knocking his hand aside. He laced his fingers deliberately with Adriana’s. “Let me be clear: don’t lay a finger on my wife again.”

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8:42 Sat, Jan 3

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