Ms. Escape Marrying to Run Fighting to Rise novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45 Matthew’s Revelation

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“Don’t be afraid. You’ve got me,” Curtis said quietly, his tone steady enough to calm every nerve in Adriana’s body. “Before you leave for Pastalia, just focus on school. I’ll take care of everything else.”

Before going abroad, Adriana had to complete six months of Pastalian language courses. Only after passing the proficiency exam would she be eligible to continue her studies there–an opportunity she’d prepared for four

She cherished it deeply.

years.

“Thank you,” Adriana said, smiling up at him.

She’d always been the kind of girl who smiled easily–she just hadn’t had many reasons to, until

now.

“You still smile the same way you did when you were little. Goofy as ever,” Curtis murmured, his eyes soft.

“What?” Adriana blinked, not quite catching it.

He said, turning toward the window, “Nothing. The hot dogs tonight were good.”

Adriana brightened. “The owner taught me how to make them. I can make them for

you sometime.”

She hadn’t thought before speaking—maybe because now that they were married, it just slipped out naturally. Then she panicked, unsure if he’d take it the wrong way.

“Sure,” Curtis said without missing a beat. “Just–no relish.”

Her eyes

lit

1. up. “Me neither!”

Curtis didn’t reply. He just looked out the window again–and smiled faintly.

At Clarke Residence.

While Curtis was showering, Eva mentioned something that surprised Adriana: the Clarke real estate developments belonged to the Bartons.

All of Haldoria’s most prestigious mansions–the ones that made the city’s elite proud–had been built by the Bartons.

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Chapter 45 Matthew’s Revelation

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“The Bartons are at the top of Harborton. For years, they were the only family that could rival the Lincolns,” Eva explained.

That was why there had been a marriage contract between the two families.

“No wonder Danielle’s so confident,” Adriana muttered under her breath.

The Bartons were impressive.

“Impressive on the outside, maybe. But anyone who knows the truth knows that Danielle’s an illegitimate daughter. She’s not even a real Barton. Jeremy changed his last name to theirs to save face. If Gilbert, the eldest son, hadn’t died young, neither she nor her father would’ve set foot in that house, let alone changed their last name,” Eva said, clearly not a fan of Danielle. Adriana hesitated. “Eva, you … don’t seem to like her much. But Ms. Reese seems to adore her.”

Eva glanced around to make sure Curtis wasn’t nearby before lowering her voice. “That woman’s good at pretending. She’s got two faces–one for the world, one for behind the scenes. She only knows how to charm gullible girls.”

Adriana nodded. So she’d best stay out of that woman’s

way.

The Bartons weren’t just above the Joneses–they were on another plane entirely. Adriana couldn’t afford to offend them now. Maybe not ever.

And Natasha hadn’t been wrong–one day, Curtis and she would divorce.

Sure, she could use this marriage to climb higher, but with no family name behind her, there was a ceiling she couldn’t break.

Buzz.

Her phone buzzed again and again.

She’d already blocked Matthew, but he had plenty of other numbers. He kept calling.

Adriana didn’t answer. She knew he’d stop at nothing to keep Mia out of jail–to threaten, to bargain, to manipulate.

Adriana refused to answer, not giving him a chance to reach her.

Click. The door opened–Belinda was back.

Adriana instinctively stood, wanting to retreat upstairs before a confrontation.

“Running from me now?” Belinda sneered. “Where’s Curtis?”

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Chapter 45 Matthew’s Revelation

“He’s… showering.” Adriana pointed upstairs. Curtis was still in the bathroom.

Finished

“Shameless.” Belinda’s lips curled. “You’ll never measure up to my mom–or to Danielle. Curtis doesn’t even like you.”

Adriana glanced toward the stairs–Curtis hadn’t come out yet. She steadied herself. “Maybe not. But he still married me. Which means you still have to call properly.”

Belinda stomped hard, pulling out her phone. “You have no shame, Adriana! I just saw this in our student group–your sugar daddy photos! Matthew admitted it himself. You were with him for four years for money!”

She snatched the phone nervously, staring at the screen. It was trending–Matthew had told reporters outright that he’d “kept” her for four years.

Matthew… had gone public with his relationship with Adriana.

Adriana’s breath caught. He’d done it on purpose–to ruin her, and to hurt Curtis. If the Lincolns cared about reputation, they would never tolerate their heir marrying a woman with such a stain. They’d be the laughingstock of the business world.

Matthew was ruthless.

“Mr. Harold already knows. You might as well pack your bags,” Belinda said smugly, tossing her hair. “I came back tonight just to watch you get thrown out.”

That was why she’d come–to see Curtis kick Adriana out of the house.

Adriana’s chest tightened. She wasn’t scared for herself–she was scared of dragging Curtis down with her.

After all, they were legally married now. If this got out…

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