When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 23

When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 23 Summary

Matthew remains calm but internally frustrated as he navigates the escalating conflict involving Adriana, Natasha, and Rufus. He views Adriana as selfish, not only fighting for a scholarship but also trying to drive a wedge between him and Natasha. Felicia warns Adriana to back down or face consequences, but Adriana stands her ground, prompting Matthew to warn her that she is “digging her own grave.” Felicia insists that Matthew must take responsibility for Natasha and Rufus, but Matthew blames Rufus for the current troubles, stating that Rufus created the mess and must deal with it himself.

The next day, Matthew arrives at the police station with lawyers, learning from his assistant that the Lincolns have sent their top legal team to defend Adriana, and that Rufus faces serious charges, including possible drug use. Surveillance footage and a livestream have implicated Natasha in locking Adriana up, making her defense difficult. Matthew suspects Curtis Lincoln’s involvement is more than just kindness because Curtis is known for being careful and strategic. Matthew calls Curtis to inquire about the situation.

Curtis confirms he is handling a criminal case involving someone close to Matthew and explains that he is acting on orders from Harold Lincoln, who was cheered up by Adriana and requested legal support. Curtis warns Matthew that Rufus is a liability and that it’s better not to protect him, as he is likely to cause more problems in the future. Matthew acknowledges Rufus’s problematic nature and decides to pressure him to admit to the illegal detention to protect Natasha. He also instructs his team to remove negative posts about Natasha online, but they warn that many people saw Adriana’s livestream, making it difficult to clear Natasha’s name unless Adriana cooperates.

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23 It’s a Criminal Case

Matthew spoke quietly, his voice calm and measured. He was careful not to let anyone from the Jones family catch on to his connection with Adriana. Inside, however, he couldn’t help but see her as selfish—she wasn’t just fighting for the scholarship but seemed determined to drive a wedge between him and Natasha as well.

“There’s no point trying to reason with her anymore,” Felicia snapped sharply, her eyes locked on Adriana with unmistakable disdain. “She clearly doesn’t understand her position. I’ll say this once—take the easy way out now, or don’t come complaining when things get messy.”

Adriana met her glare with a steely look. “And what exactly do you think you’re going to do?”

Matthew’s voice turned icy. “You’re digging your own grave.” Without waiting for a response, he pivoted and started to walk away.

Felicia let out a frustrated huff. “You’ll get what’s coming to you,” she warned, stomping after him. Muttering under her breath as she caught up, she said, “You can’t just walk away from this. Natasha and Rufus are your responsibility too.”

Matthew’s face darkened further. “I’ll handle Natasha. But Rufus? He’s the one who created this mess. You all let him spiral out of control. Whatever happens now, it’s on him.”

Felicia’s jaw twitched, but she pressed on stubbornly. “Still, he’s family. Your future brother-in-law. You can’t pretend like he doesn’t matter.”

“If I hadn’t stepped in four years ago, he’d already be behind bars,” Matthew snapped, turning away in frustration.

Felicia remained standing there, clenching her jaw tightly. That woman, Adriana, had stirred up far too much trouble. Sooner or later, she’d have to be dealt with.

The next morning, early and sharp, Matthew arrived at the police station accompanied by a team of lawyers. His assistant hurried over to him, voice tinged with panic.

“Mr. Langford, the Lincolns have sent their top legal team for Adriana. Rufus’s situation looks grim. These are the best attorneys Harborton has to offer,” he said, clearly uneasy. “Also, there’s strong evidence against Rufus. On top of that, he might be charged with drug use. It doesn’t seem like he’s getting out of this one.”

Matthew’s expression darkened, storm clouds gathering behind his eyes.

Why was Curtis always stepping in to help Adriana?

His assistant hesitated before adding, “And Natasha… The surveillance footage and that livestream caught everything. She was the one who had Adriana locked up. It’s going to be tough to defend her now.”

Matthew exhaled slowly, pulling out his phone to call Curtis.

Usually, the Langfords and Lincolns avoided crossing paths. But Curtis’s sudden intervention on Adriana’s behalf felt off—it suggested something deeper was at play.

Curtis wasn’t one to break rules recklessly; he was clever, always careful not to give anyone a reason to question him.

Sending top lawyers for a mere assistant and backing Adriana out of nowhere—this was clearly more than just kindness.

After a long wait, Curtis finally answered.

“You’re still in Haldoria?” Matthew asked, keeping his tone neutral.

“Yeah, got a few things to wrap up. I’ll be leaving in a few days,” Curtis replied smoothly.

Matthew continued cautiously, “I heard your legal team is handling a dispute involving someone close to me.”

“A dispute?” Curtis responded evenly. “It’s a criminal case.”

Matthew’s face darkened further. “Come on, Mr. Lincoln. No need to blow this out of proportion. Let’s avoid unnecessary conflict.”

Curtis’s voice remained cool. “I owe her my gratitude. She cheered up my grandfather, which isn’t easy. He’s the one who asked me to send legal support. I’m just following orders.” Curtis wasn’t naive—he knew exactly how to play this.

The Langfords and Lincolns couldn’t afford a public feud. But with Harold involved, Matthew’s options were limited.

He wouldn’t dare call Harold directly—the old man was retired and in poor health.

Matthew wasn’t foolish enough to risk that.

“So, it’s Mr. Harold behind this…” Matthew muttered, swallowing his frustration.

“I trust you can see what’s right and wrong,” Curtis said plainly. “With the evidence already laid out, it’s better not to protect someone like Rufus. That guy’s a walking scandal. If he doesn’t learn his lesson now, he’ll keep causing problems even after you and Natasha get married.”

Matthew said nothing, but the furrow in his brow spoke volumes.

Rufus was a liability. Maybe some time behind bars would straighten him out.

“Alright then. Rest well, Mr. Lincoln. We’ll talk next time you’re in town,” Matthew said, ending the call. He then turned to his assistant with a sharp look. “Take the lawyers and tell Rufus there’s no way out of this. If he wants to keep his sister out of trouble, he’d better admit to the illegal detention himself.”

At this point, Matthew’s priority was protecting Natasha. Rufus could handle his own mess.

The assistant nodded and left with the legal team.

Matthew rubbed his temple, then faced the PR team. “Remove every negative post about Natasha from the internet.”

“We’ve tried,” one of them replied cautiously. “But too many people saw Adriana’s livestream. Ms. Jones acted without thinking this time.” The implication was clear—it was Natasha’s fault. “Unless… Adriana is willing to release something that clears her name…”

Conclusion

The chapter closes on a tense and fragile balance, where loyalty and betrayal intertwine amidst the looming threat of scandal. Matthew’s struggle to protect Natasha while confronting the consequences of Rufus’s actions reveals the complexities of family ties and the heavy burden of responsibility. Meanwhile, Adriana’s resilience and the unexpected support from Curtis hint at deeper undercurrents, challenging the established order and forcing each character to confront uncomfortable truths.

Emotionally, the chapter underscores the painful cost of secrets and the relentless push for justice, even when it fractures relationships. The unresolved conflict leaves a lingering sense of uncertainty, as alliances shift and the characters grapple with the fallout of their choices. It is a moment of reckoning where the past’s shadows refuse to fade, compelling everyone involved to face the consequences of their actions with courage and resolve.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

The tension is mounting as Matthew finds himself caught in a web of family loyalty, legal battles, and hidden motives. With Rufus’s future hanging by a thread and the Lincolns’ unexpected intervention on Adriana’s behalf, the lines between ally and adversary blur. The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the intricate power plays and the emotional toll this case takes on everyone involved, especially as Matthew struggles to shield Natasha from the fallout.

As secrets threaten to unravel and alliances shift, the characters will be forced to confront uncomfortable truths about trust, responsibility, and sacrifice. The looming question remains: will Rufus face the consequences he so desperately tries to avoid, and how far will Matthew go to protect those he cares about? Expect the stakes to rise, with every decision carrying weighty repercussions that could change their lives forever.

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

The Comeback Queen’s Crown Novel Chapter 23

When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 23