Matthew struggled to let go of Adriana before the wedding, drawn to her magnetic presence despite the impending union. Natasha, uneasy but composed, was determined to remove Adriana from the picture, sensing the threat she posed. Their confrontation was set at the exclusive Nera Club, a symbol of the Jones family\u2019s wealth and power.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the club, Adriana confronted Natasha about the stolen study abroad placement that was rightfully hers, accusing Natasha of using her influence unjustly. Natasha, unfazed, offered Adriana money to leave Haldoria permanently, revealing her ruthless intent to erase Adriana\u2019s past and connections, including the orphanage where Adriana was raised. The tension escalated as Natasha threatened Adriana with isolation and power, confident that no one would stand by her.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana, however, had a plan. Despite Natasha\u2019s security measures and threats, Adriana livestreamed their entire conversation, exposing Natasha\u2019s true nature to over 100,000 viewers. This public revelation shattered Natasha\u2019s carefully maintained image of elegance and control. In a moment of fury and desperation, Natasha slapped Adriana, but Adriana remained calm and even smiled, knowing she had succeeded in revealing Natasha\u2019s cruelty.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The confrontation ended with Natasha ordering Adriana\u2019s detention and calling her PR team in panic, her facade completely broken. Adriana\u2019s courage and resilience turned the tables, showing that beneath Natasha\u2019s polished exterior lay a ruthless and vulnerable woman desperate to maintain her power.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
20 It\u2019d Be Easy to Destroy You<\/p>\n
Truthfully, Matthew found it nearly impossible to let go of Adriana before the wedding day. There was something about her\u2014something magnetic about her presence, her body\u2014that held him captive, unwilling to release her so easily.<\/p>\n
Natasha glanced over at Matthew, forcing a polite smile that barely masked her unease. \u201cAlright\u2026\u201d she said softly, though inside, her heart was pounding. She clenched her fists discreetly, pretending not to notice the stalling tactic he was using. But beneath her calm exterior, anxiety was already creeping in.<\/p>\n
No, she thought fiercely. Adriana cannot remain in the picture any longer.<\/p>\n
The Nera Club.<\/p>\n
Adriana arrived precisely at the time Natasha had instructed her to come.<\/p>\n
As expected, Natasha was already waiting inside.<\/p>\n
The Nera Club was the crown jewel of the Jones family\u2019s empire\u2014an ultra-exclusive haven where only those with a net worth exceeding ten million dollars could gain entry. The club boasted everything from sprawling golf courses and rejuvenating hot springs to luxurious spa treatments and even a boutique hotel.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnna,\u201d Natasha greeted her warmly, a smile softening her face despite the white bandage wrapped tightly around her forehead.<\/p>\n
Adriana\u2019s gaze was icy, her warmth toward Natasha long since vanished.<\/p>\n
\u201cMs. Jones, let\u2019s not waste time,\u201d Adriana said in a flat, no-nonsense tone. \u201cYou leveraged your influence to snatch the study abroad placement that should have been mine and handed it to your cousin. I\u2019m merely standing up for what\u2019s rightfully mine. I don\u2019t believe I\u2019m in the wrong\u2014so why target the orphanage where I was raised?\u201d<\/p>\n
Natasha\u2019s eyes narrowed sharply.<\/p>\n
Adriana was clever\u2014but Natasha was no less so. She gave a quick, calculating glance. \u201cYou\u2019re not secretly recording this conversation, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana calmly placed her phone on the table. \u201cEven if I were, I doubt you\u2019d let me walk away with any proof, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n
A small, confident smile played on Natasha\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n
Of course not. She wouldn\u2019t be foolish enough to make that mistake.<\/p>\n
Whether Adriana recorded or not was irrelevant. Once she left, security would thoroughly check her belongings and erase any evidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cMs. Xander, since you\u2019re being so upfront, I\u2019ll be blunt as well. That study abroad placement? I\u2019m not giving it back. But I\u2019m willing to offer you money instead. You can apply elsewhere or even finance your own trip abroad. I\u2019ll cover your tuition and living expenses,\u201d Natasha said, sliding a check across the polished table.<\/p>\n
Adriana said nothing in reply.<\/p>\n
Natasha pressed on, \u201cI want you out of Haldoria. Permanently.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s all?\u201d Adriana stared at her without blinking. \u201cFine. I\u2019ll be just as direct\u2014I earned that placement through my grades. I\u2019m not giving it up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou really think you can take on money all on your own?\u201d Natasha\u2019s voice sharpened dangerously. \u201cYour classmates were more than happy to spread lies for quick cash, and your teachers? Easily bought. That orphanage you care so much about? I can make it vanish like it never existed. You have no one\u2014no allies, no one watching your back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her words struck hard, but they were far from untrue.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there\u2019s nothing else, this meeting is over,\u201d Adriana said, rising to leave.<\/p>\n
Natasha glanced briefly at the guard standing nearby.<\/p>\n
The guard\u2019s voice was firm. \u201cYou may leave, but we\u2019ll be inspecting your phone and everything you have on you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana turned back to Natasha, her eyes steely. \u201cNot even the police can search me without a warrant. You should know that, Ms. Jones.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the Nera Club, I make the rules,\u201d Natasha replied coldly.<\/p>\n
Her arrogance slipped out before she could stop it.<\/p>\n
Adriana smiled faintly and unlocked her phone. \u201cThere\u2019s no recording, but I\u2019ve been livestreaming this entire time. Even if I don\u2019t make it out of here, everyone has already seen the ruthless person you really are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instantly, Natasha\u2019s composed mask shattered. The polished veneer vanished, replaced by a wild desperation. \u201cWhat are you all standing there for?! Grab her phone!\u201d she shouted.<\/p>\n
Several people rushed forward, snatching the phone from Adriana and ending the livestream.<\/p>\n
Natasha tore it from their hands, fury etched across her face. Seeing that over 100,000 people had been watching, she completely lost control and slapped Adriana hard across the face.<\/p>\n
Adriana merely smiled in response.<\/p>\n
This was Natasha\u2019s territory\u2014there was no way out.<\/p>\n
But Adriana had already achieved her goal.<\/p>\n
Watching Natasha\u2019s carefully crafted image of elegance and perfection crumble before her eyes lifted Adriana\u2019s spirits.<\/p>\n
The so-called \u201csocialite\u201d was no different from anyone else.<\/p>\n
Before, Adriana had felt inferior to Natasha, believing she had it all: class, education, power. Natasha seemed destined for a life at the top.<\/p>\n
Now? Adriana found her repulsive.<\/p>\n
Smack!<\/p>\n
Pinned down, Adriana took another furious slap from Natasha, who was still seething. \u201cYou think I don\u2019t know about you and Matthew? Adriana, you\u2019re just an orphan. It\u2019d be a piece of cake to ruin you!\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana continued to smile calmly. She recognized that same cruel streak in Natasha that she had once seen in Rufus.<\/p>\n
Yes, blood really does run deep.<\/p>\n
\u201cLock her up, and call the PR team\u2014now!\u201d Natasha\u2019s voice trembled with panic, her hands shaking violently. All the effort she\u2019d poured into maintaining a classy, untouchable image was shattered, broken by Adriana in a single afternoon.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The tension between Adriana and Natasha reached a boiling point, revealing the raw vulnerabilities beneath their polished exteriors. Adriana\u2019s steadfast resolve and quiet defiance illuminated her strength, even in the face of Natasha\u2019s ruthless power and desperation. The clash was not merely about social status or privileges but a deeper battle for identity and justice, with Adriana refusing to be silenced or erased despite the overwhelming forces aligned against her.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
In this charged encounter, the veneer of perfection that Natasha clung to crumbled, exposing the fragility beneath her dominance. Adriana\u2019s courage to confront the injustice and reveal the truth, even at great personal risk, marked a pivotal moment in their fraught relationship. Though the struggle was far from over, this chapter underscored the resilience of the human spirit when faced with cruelty, and the unyielding hope that even in darkness, one can find the strength to stand tall.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The tension between Adriana and Natasha is reaching a boiling point, and the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the consequences of this explosive confrontation. As Natasha\u2019s carefully maintained facade crumbles, the true extent of her desperation and ruthlessness will likely come to light, forcing both women to confront the harsh realities of their power struggle. Expect emotions to run high as Adriana\u2019s defiance challenges the very foundations of Natasha\u2019s influence, setting the stage for a battle that goes beyond social status and personal vendettas.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Matthew\u2019s conflicted feelings and his inability to let go of Adriana hint at a complicated emotional landscape that may soon unravel. The next chapter could explore how his loyalties and desires clash with the mounting pressures from those around him, potentially leading to difficult choices that will impact everyone involved. With alliances shifting and secrets threatening to surface, the story is poised to take unexpected turns that will keep readers on edge, eager to see who will emerge victorious and who might be left broken in the aftermath.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\u2019s breathtaking cold.<\/p>\n
When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 20 When Time Tried to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23931","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-comeback-queens-crown-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23931","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23931"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23931\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23931"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23931"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23931"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}