Joe cautiously questions Adriana about any enemies she might have, revealing that she was poisoned with sodium cyanide. This revelation shocks Adriana, who struggles to understand who would want to harm her. Joe warns her to be extremely careful and promises police investigation, but Adriana remains confused and fearful, wondering if Matthew could be involved.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Later, Matthew arrives at the hospital with Natasha, who apologizes to Adriana for the harm caused, blaming her jealousy and admitting she ruined things between Matthew and Adriana. Natasha tearfully declares she will step aside, but Matthew insists she cannot leave because they are engaged and soon to be married. Matthew tries to downplay his relationship with Adriana, but the tension is palpable as Natasha accuses Adriana of being partly to blame and urges Matthew to make amends.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The confrontation becomes more bitter as Adriana mocks Matthew\u2019s accusations, refusing to accept blame for the complicated situation. Natasha pressures Matthew to marry Adriana off quickly to ease her own guilt, implying that only then will she feel comfortable marrying him. Adriana angrily rejects this manipulation, telling Natasha to leave and refusing to let Matthew control her life.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Matthew then coldly offers to help Adriana find a husband within the company, promising her an apartment as part of her prenuptial assets, but Adriana vehemently refuses to let him decide her fate. Matthew\u2019s tone darkens as he threatens her by mentioning the orphanage where she grew up is about to be demolished without proper support, implying dire consequences for the children if she does not comply. The chapter ends with Adriana shaken by the looming threat and the high stakes she now faces.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
25 Marriage as Leverage<\/p>\n
\u201cAdriana, are you absolutely certain you don\u2019t have any enemies? No serious grudges or dirt against the Langfords or the Joneses?\u201d Joe asked cautiously, carefully feeling out the situation.<\/p>\n
Adriana shook her head slowly, her expression guarded.<\/p>\n
Joe lowered his voice, a hint of urgency creeping in. \u201cIt was sodium cyanide\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
At the mention of the poison, Adriana\u2019s complexion drained to a ghostly pale. Sodium cyanide\u2014the very same substance used in euthanasia. The thought of someone going to such deadly lengths sent a shiver down her spine.<\/p>\n
Who could harbor such hatred for her? Who would want to see her dead?<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s tone grew firm. \u201cThe police will investigate thoroughly. But right now, you need to be extremely cautious. If anything suspicious happens, call me immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana nodded, though her mind was still reeling, trying to put the pieces together. Could Matthew possibly want her dead? The idea seemed absurd.<\/p>\n
Then who else?<\/p>\n
After Joe left, Adriana remained seated, lost in a fog of confusion and dread.<\/p>\n
Around two in the afternoon, Matthew arrived, accompanied by Natasha. This time, he came alone with her\u2014no one else tagging along. Perhaps he feared Adriana might be triggered by a larger group.<\/p>\n
Matthew had first gone to the police station to bail Natasha out and then brought her directly to the hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdriana, Natasha\u2019s here to apologize,\u201d Matthew said quietly as they stood inside the hospital ward.<\/p>\n
Natasha\u2019s face was pale, her discomfort obvious, but she forced herself to speak. \u201cAdriana, I\u2019m truly sorry. Hurting you was never my intention. I never imagined Rufus would take things that far.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her act was flawless. \u201cI was just overwhelmed by jealousy. I couldn\u2019t bear the thought that during the four years I was gone, you and Matthew\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
She deliberately chose that moment to expose Adriana\u2019s relationship with Matthew.<\/p>\n
Matthew\u2019s face tightened, panic flashing in his eyes. \u201cNatasha\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Through tears, Natasha looked at him. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I knew about you and Adriana, but I still let jealousy consume me. I never should have come back. I ruined everything between you two. Matthew, I\u2019ll step aside. You belong with Adriana. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
With that, she turned and began to walk away, tears streaming down her cheeks.<\/p>\n
Matthew\u2019s face went pale as he grabbed her arm. \u201cWho said you could leave? You\u2019re my fianc\u00e9e, and we\u2019re getting married soon! Me and her\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
He glanced briefly at Adriana, forced to confront a choice right then and there.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s nothing between me and her anymore\u2026\u201d His voice was rough, strained.<\/p>\n
Adriana let out a weary laugh.<\/p>\n
So this was it\u2014they came here just to perform some twisted love drama in front of her?<\/p>\n
Natasha continued to sob, shaking her head. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. It\u2019s all my fault. Truly, it\u2019s all my fault\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s not! It\u2019s my fault\u2026\u201d Matthew pulled Natasha into a tight embrace, then looked anxiously at Adriana. \u201cAdriana! You\u2019re not blameless in this either. Just let it slide. Release a statement to clear up the rumors online for Natasha\u2019s sake!\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana\u2019s eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she laughed bitterly. \u201cI\u2019m at fault too? Matthew, what exactly did I do wrong? When I got together with you, she was already married. You were single, I was single\u2026 So tell me, what did I do wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthew frowned, irritation clear on his face. \u201cAdriana, just shut up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana responded with a mocking laugh and said no more.<\/p>\n
Natasha looked up at Matthew with tearful eyes, clearly trying to manipulate the moment. \u201cMatthew, don\u2019t be so harsh with her. She was with you for four years. She even took care of you on my behalf.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana found the whole scene ridiculous. She turned her head away, refusing to meet either of their eyes.<\/p>\n
Still tearful, Natasha spoke again. \u201cMatthew, if you\u2019re really going to marry me, at least do something to make it up to her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthew nodded slowly. \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n
He looked at Adriana once more. \u201cAdriana, Natasha is a kind person by nature. You shouldn\u2019t have smeared her reputation online like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana pretended not to hear him and continued staring out the window.<\/p>\n
How had she never noticed before how grating Matthew\u2019s voice was? Calling Natasha kind? What a joke.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatthew, Ms. Xander isn\u2019t getting any younger. It\u2019s time she settles down,\u201d Natasha said, her tone loaded with implication. \u201cI\u2019ll feel better marrying you once I\u2019ve seen her married off, too. Otherwise, I\u2019ll always feel guilty toward her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana clenched her fists tightly, her breath coming in short, shaky bursts.<\/p>\n
So that was Natasha\u2019s plan\u2014she wanted Matthew to marry Adriana off quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cMs. Jones, my marriage is none of your business. Get out,\u201d Adriana snapped, pointing sharply toward the door.<\/p>\n
Natasha looked at Matthew with tear-filled eyes. \u201cMatthew, let\u2019s postpone our wedding. At least until Anna forgives me and until she\u2019s married. Then we can talk about tying the knot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthew understood exactly what Natasha was doing. She was pressuring him, forcing a decision today to set an example.<\/p>\n
She wanted him to clean up the mess\u2014Adriana\u2014before they got married.<\/p>\n
After a long silence, Matthew finally turned to Adriana. \u201cI\u2019ll help you find a young man at the company\u2014someone ambitious. You can marry him and settle down here in Haldoria. I\u2019ll give you an apartment. It\u2019ll be yours, part of your prenuptial assets.\u201d<\/p>\n
His voice was calm but icy.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re disgusting,\u201d Adriana said, her voice trembling as her breath quickened. \u201cEven if I stay single my whole life, I will never let you decide anything for me!\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthew lowered his voice, leaning in slightly, his tone threatening. \u201cI heard the orphanage you grew up in is about to be torn down. Without proper funding or connections, they won\u2019t approve a new site. When it\u2019s demolished, those kids will be scattered to other orphanages.\u201d<\/p>\n
His words hung in the air like a dark cloud.<\/p>\n
Adriana\u2019s heart pounded fiercely. The threat was clear, and the stakes had never felt higher.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The chapter closes on a tense and emotionally charged confrontation, where Adriana faces the cruel manipulation and power plays of those around her. Her resilience shines through despite the suffocating pressure to conform to others\u2019 plans, especially Matthew\u2019s cold and calculated proposals. The pain of betrayal and the weight of past wounds linger, but Adriana\u2019s defiant spirit refuses to be broken or controlled, highlighting her strength even in moments of vulnerability.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
At its core, this chapter explores themes of autonomy, trust, and the struggle to protect one\u2019s identity amid chaos. Adriana\u2019s refusal to be a pawn in others\u2019 schemes underscores a deeper yearning for genuine connection and freedom from toxic entanglements. The emotional turmoil and looming threats set a poignant stage for her journey, reminding us that healing and self-empowerment often come from standing firm against the forces that seek to diminish us.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of power, manipulation, and fragile alliances that surround Adriana. As the weight of Matthew\u2019s chilling threat settles over her, readers will witness how she grapples with the impossible choices forced upon her\u2014not just for her own survival, but for the vulnerable children from her past. The emotional stakes are higher than ever, and every decision could either shatter or save what she holds dear.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the uneasy truce between Adriana, Matthew, and Natasha is bound to unravel further, revealing cracks in loyalties and hidden motives. The simmering tension between these characters suggests that trust will be scarce, and betrayals may lurk just around the corner. Readers can expect a gripping exploration of resilience and defiance as Adriana refuses to be anyone\u2019s pawn, setting the stage for a confrontation that could change everything.<\/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 25 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-23936","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\/23936","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=23936"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23936\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23936"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23936"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23936"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}