Adriana is recovering in the hospital after a traumatic incident involving Rufus, who is now under suspicion for drug use and has caused the temporary shutdown of Nera Club. Curtis Lincoln, who seems to have some authority, instructs his lawyer to lead the legal team against Rufus, showing his determination not to let Rufus escape accountability. Adriana, despite the pressure from others, remains firm in her desire for Rufus to be held responsible, refusing to use the situation to regain her study abroad placement.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Joe Richardson, the officer who has supported Adriana in the past, informs her that the Langford and Jones families are trying to convince her to drop the charges. When Matthew Langford arrives with members of the Jones family, including Natasha who was detained for holding Adriana against her will, he pleads with Adriana to drop the charges, showing desperation to protect Natasha. Adriana, however, is resolute and refuses to be swayed by Matthew\u2019s pleas or his attempts to separate Natasha from the situation.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tensions escalate when Felicia Jones, the mother of Rufus and Natasha, arrives and tries to intimidate Adriana by offering money to make her drop the charges. Adriana, no longer intimidated, rejects Felicia\u2019s offer and warns her that her family will face consequences for their actions. She makes it clear to Matthew and the others that she will not negotiate or back down, emphasizing that she is the victim and that the investigation is rightly focused on their family.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Matthew accuses Adriana of being greedy and trying to ruin Natasha, but Adriana stands her ground, refusing to be manipulated or silenced. The chapter ends with Matthew\u2019s frustration and Adriana\u2019s unwavering determination to see justice done, highlighting the emotional conflict and power struggle between her and the influential families involved.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
r 22 Don\u2019t Be Greedy\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana looked down and quietly shook her head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course, it\u2019d all be worth it\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGet some rest. The police will be by soon to take your statement.\u201d Curtis stood and left the hospital ward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Mr. Lincoln.\u201d Even though they weren\u2019t exactly close, Adriana still appreciated what he did.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Curtis paused for a second at the door but didn\u2019t say anything. He just walked off.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once he was outside, he turned to his assistant. \u201cHave my lawyer lead the legal team himself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He had no intention of letting Rufus off easy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The assistant looked surprised. \u201cIf you do that, the Joneses and Langfords will know you\u2019re involved\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Curtis\u2019s tone was calm. \u201cSo?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cUh\u2026 I just thought, since she didn\u2019t agree to work with you and you two aren\u2019t close-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Curtis cut him off with a sharp look. \u201cYou\u2019re talking too much.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The assistant immediately shut his mouth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Back in the ward, Joe Richardson showed up not long after.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked at Adriana, full of regret. \u201cI should\u2019ve never let this happen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s solid proof against Rufus. Nera Club\u2019s been temporarily shut down. Rufus is suspected of drug use as well. Serves him right,\u201d Joe said through clenched teeth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana finally let out a breath. Rufus had brought this on himself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut be ready\u2026 The Langfords and Joneses reached out to the chief. They\u2019re on their way here to convince you to let it go. How you want to handle it is your call,\u201d Joe said, then hesitated. \u201cIf you wanted to use this to get your study abroad placement back-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not happening. That placement was mine to begin with. I\u2019m not using this to trade for anything. I just want Rufus to be held responsible.\u201d Adriana shook her head firmly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Joe was about to say more when Matthew walked in with other members of the Jones family.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Natasha, who had been locked up for holding Adriana without permission, was being detained too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana could imagine how desperate Matthew was right now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And just like she expected, the first thing out of his mouth was, \u201cAdriana, drop the charges!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t even bother looking at him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Drop the charges? Is this a joke?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Am I supposed to forget everything just because he tells me to?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Matthew rushed over and lowered his voice. \u201cNatasha\u2019s not doing well. Whatever happened between you and Rufus, don\u2019t drag her\u00a0<\/p>\n
into it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana\u2019s chest ached as she clenched her hands tightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Langford, I think you\u2019re confused. Natasha\u2019s the one who held Adriana against her will,\u201d Joe said, his tone cold.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Matthew glared at Joe. \u201cOfficer Richardson, I remember you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Four years ago, Joe was the officer in charge of that school bullying case. He\u2019d pushed Adriana to come forward and see it through.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If it weren\u2019t for the Richardsons\u2018 ties to the Langfords, Matthew would\u2019ve gotten rid of him years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey all know each other. Personal matters should stay personal. We\u2019ve already handed over all the evidence. Come with me,\u201d the police chief looked at Joe and said quietly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s expression darkened. He gave Adriana a meaningful glance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Officer Richardson. I\u2019m okay,\u201d Adriana said with a small nod.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t want him getting dragged into this. She could take care of it herself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Joe nodded back and followed the chief out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAdriana, this has nothing to do with Natasha. Don\u2019t mix her up in whatever issues you have with Rufus. If he\u2019s guilty, go ahead and report him. But Natasha \u2026 \u201d Matthew sounded desperate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He only cared about Natasha now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He thought Adriana was using this situation to take Natasha down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cops don\u2019t take orders from me.\u201d Adriana let out a bitter laugh. Matthew was ridiculous.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He couldn\u2019t even see how injured she was. His mind was all on Natasha.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOfficer Richardson has been going after both our families since four years ago,\u201d Matthew said, pointing toward the door. \u201cAdriana, I\u2019m telling you now\u2013drop the charges. Don\u2019t push me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAdriana, is it?\u201d A woman\u2019s voice rang out. \u201cHow much do you want for you to drop everything and stay away from my son? Someone like you clearly went after him on purpose.\u201d Rufus and Natasha\u2019s mother, Felicia Jones, had shown up, acting like she owned the place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana used to feel nervous around people like her. But now? All she saw was a fake, pitiful act.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cName your price.\u201d Felicia smirked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep your cash. You\u2019ll need it to buy a coffin when your family finally pays for what they\u2019ve done,\u201d Adriana said softly. Then, she turned to Matthew. \u201cI\u2019m the one who was hurt. Your family\u2019s the one being investigated. I\u2019m not meeting with any of you. If you don\u2019t leave, I\u2019ll call the cops again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
LLU\u00a0<\/p>\n
cuy\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAdriana!\u201d Matthew shouted, furious. \u201cWhat else do you want? Is that study abroad placement not enough? Are you trying to ruin Natasha too? Don\u2019t be greedy\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana\u2019s resolve in this chapter shines through her pain and the pressure from powerful families trying to silence her. Despite the emotional turmoil, she stands firm in demanding justice rather than succumbing to manipulation or trading her truth for favors. Her strength reveals a deep inner courage, refusing to be swayed by threats or empty promises, highlighting the theme of integrity in the face of adversity.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The chapter closes on a tense note, with Adriana\u2019s defiance underscoring the emotional cost of standing up for oneself in a world riddled with corruption and betrayal. Her journey is one of resilience and self-respect, reminding us that healing begins not with forgetting or forgiving blindly, but with facing the truth head-on\u2014even when time tries to push us toward easier paths.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the next chapter, tensions are bound to escalate as Adriana stands firm against the mounting pressure from the Langford and Jones families. Her unwavering resolve to seek justice for herself and hold Rufus accountable sets the stage for a confrontation that will test not only her strength but also the loyalties and intentions of those around her. With powerful families trying to manipulate the situation, Adriana\u2019s courage will be pushed to its limits, and the emotional stakes will rise as she faces opposition from unexpected quarters.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the legal battle looms, the dynamics between Adriana, Matthew, and the others will deepen, revealing more about their true motivations and the cost of standing up for what is right. The arrival of Felicia Jones and the veiled threats she delivers hint at a darker undercurrent that could complicate Adriana\u2019s pursuit of justice. Readers can anticipate a chapter filled with sharp dialogue, emotional confrontations, and the simmering tension of a conflict far from over.<\/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 22 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-23933","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\/23933","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=23933"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23933\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}