\u00a0<\/p>\n
In Chapter 160 of \u201cWhen Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen,\u201d Justin clings to a rosary gifted to him by Jeremy on his eighteenth birthday, a symbol of faith and a reminder of a miraculous recovery from a severe illness. The chapter unfolds with Justin enduring taunts from Danielle, who belittles him and asserts her dominance. Despite her sharp words, Justin remains calm and composed, his silence becoming a powerful form of resistance against her derision.<\/p>\n
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Danielle\u2019s frustration escalates as Justin\u2019s tranquility infuriates her further. She tries to provoke him, questioning his attachment to the rosary and implying that he is merely a pet of the family. However, Justin\u2019s demeanor remains unbroken, revealing a strength that unsettles Danielle. Her attempts to undermine him only amplify her own insecurities, as she grapples with the realization that Justin possesses a quiet strength that she cannot easily crush.<\/p>\n
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The tension shifts when Jeremy enters, bringing a sense of authority and weariness. Danielle seizes the opportunity to manipulate the situation, feigning concern for Nicole, Jeremy\u2019s granddaughter, while subtly undermining Justin. Jeremy, however, is focused on ensuring Justin\u2019s protection of Nicole in Haldoria and expresses doubts about her legitimacy as his granddaughter. This revelation adds layers of intrigue and urgency to Justin\u2019s mission, as he vows to uncover the truth about Nicole while grappling with his own identity and place within the family.<\/p>\n
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As the chapter concludes, the weight of Jeremy\u2019s concerns about trust and lineage looms large. Justin\u2019s promise to find the truth about Nicole signifies a deeper commitment to his family and a desire to prove himself. The emotional stakes are high, with the legacy of the past intertwining with the present, leaving Justin to navigate the complexities of loyalty, trust, and the search for identity amidst familial expectations and hidden truths.<\/p>\n
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**When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn**
\n**Chapter 160: Danielle\u2019s Derision**<\/p>\n
In his grasp, he held the well-worn rosary, a cherished token that had accompanied him through countless trials. It was a gift from Jeremy, bestowed upon him on his eighteenth birthday, a relic from a priest at Mount Pine Church.<\/p>\n
That very year had been marred by tragedy when Justin fell gravely ill. The fever clutched him tightly, refusing to relinquish its hold despite their desperate pleas at numerous hospitals and the frantic consultations with every doctor they could find. Then, in a moment of divine intervention, the priest had presented him with that rosary. Miraculously, by morning, the fever had lifted as if it had never existed at all.<\/p>\n
Since that fateful night, Justin had clung to the rosary as if it were an extension of himself. It had become a symbol of his faith, a tangible reminder of the miracle he had experienced, and thus, it was never far from his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou really are a mutt,\u201d Danielle spat, her voice laced with derision, sharp as a blade. \u201cYou don\u2019t even know who your master is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Justin remained motionless beside her, his demeanor a picture of tranquility. His expression was serene, his eyes obscuring any flicker of emotion. It was as if her words drifted past him, failing to find purchase in his mind or heart.<\/p>\n
Had this been Curtis, Danielle would have been reduced to tears, her spirit shattered by his words. But Justin was not Curtis.<\/p>\n
He sat there, silent and unyielding, fingers grazing the cool surface of the rosary while he meticulously brewed his tea, each movement deliberate and calm.<\/p>\n
\u201cStill got that lifeless face,\u201d Danielle taunted, leaning closer, her voice dripping with contempt. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with you? Are you broken or something? Is that why you cling to that rosary as if your very existence depends on it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Her words snapped like a whip, yet Justin did not flinch. He avoided her gaze, remaining still as stone. His silence radiated a heat more intense than any insult she could hurl at him.<\/p>\n
The more composed he appeared, the more her frustration boiled over, rising like water in a pot on the verge of boiling.<\/p>\n
Her breath quickened, and her voice trembled with indignation. \u201cDon\u2019t you dare look down on me! You\u2019re just the family\u2019s pet. I\u2019m the one in charge here. You\u2019re meant to obey me, not the other way around!\u201d<\/p>\n
At last, Justin stirred. He lifted his head slowly, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that sent a shiver racing down her spine. His eyes, a deep and mesmerizing blue with hints of brown, were unyielding and unnervingly beautiful.<\/p>\n
In that moment, Danielle\u2019s heart faltered.<\/p>\n
He was half-Mowelander, a legacy of his father, a foreign teacher who had crossed moral boundaries with one of his students before vanishing back to Moweland. That young woman, barely in her second year of college, had given birth to Justin in secrecy, overwhelmed by fear and shame, ultimately abandoning him to an orphanage without a backward glance.<\/p>\n
Justin\u2019s features were predominantly shaped by his mother, yet those striking blue eyes\u2014an alluring mix of colors\u2014held a depth that was impossible to ignore. They were cold, captivating, and disturbingly unwavering.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe I am a mutt,\u201d Justin replied, his voice a low and steady rumble. \u201cBut I only belong to Ms. Nicole.\u201d As he spoke, his Adam\u2019s apple bobbed slightly, and the muscles in his throat tightened, exuding a strength that belied any notion of weakness. His very presence exuded a restrained power that twisted something deep within Danielle\u2019s gut.<\/p>\n
She turned her head away, heart racing with a mixture of anger and unease.<\/p>\n
Pathetic dog. She would bide her time until the day he lost everything\u2014then she would make him kneel before her, crush that calm demeanor, and relish in watching him shatter. He couldn\u2019t remain expressionless forever.<\/p>\n
\u201cJustin, you\u2019re here!\u201d<\/p>\n
Jeremy\u2019s voice echoed from the hallway as he emerged from his room, his presence commanding yet weary.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrandpa,\u201d Danielle chirped sweetly, immediately stepping toward him with feigned concern. \u201cNicole\u2019s all alone in Haldoria. People are pushing her around. The Blakes even threw a welcome party for their daughter, and everyone\u2019s ganging up on Nicole. You should announce her status publicly. If people know she\u2019s your heir, they\u2019ll think twice before crossing her.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a fleeting moment, Jeremy\u2019s expression darkened, but he quickly nodded, acknowledging her words. \u201cThat\u2019s exactly why I brought Justin back.\u201d<\/p>\n
A sly smile crept onto Danielle\u2019s lips, a glimmer of satisfaction at the unfolding scenario.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrandpa,\u201d Justin said as he moved closer, gently grasping Jeremy\u2019s arm to steady him.<\/p>\n
\u201cJustin,\u201d Jeremy replied, his voice weary yet resolute. \u201cNicole is still in Haldoria. Her education must come first. You\u2019ll leave tomorrow to stay by her side. Protect her. Assist her in any way you can. Once she graduates, I\u2019ll make everything official. I\u2019ll draft my will and call a press conference.\u201d<\/p>\n
Justin nodded once, his silence echoing his determination.<\/p>\n
Danielle\u2019s smile widened, a predatory glint in her eyes.<\/p>\n
Nicole and Adriana were in the same academic year, albeit in different programs. Nicole\u2019s graduation was approaching swiftly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have nothing further to discuss, go assist your father. I need to speak with Justin,\u201d Jeremy stated, his voice calm but imbued with an authority that rendered any argument futile.<\/p>\n
Danielle\u2019s lips pressed into a thin line, irritation simmering beneath the surface. She despised being dismissed, especially in her own home. Nevertheless, she forced a smile that didn\u2019t reach her eyes. Before she exited, she turned and shot Justin a glare sharp enough to wound.<\/p>\n
As she reached the doorway, something compelled her to pause. She glanced back at him, suspicion flickering in her gaze.<\/p>\n
Jeremy had been the one to name him. \u201cJustin Hotchner.\u201d He had been a Hotchner before the name change.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrandpa,\u201d Justin said, his voice steady but low. \u201cYou called me back because you still don\u2019t trust that Nicole is truly your granddaughter, didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jeremy hesitated, his expression clouded as he walked toward the study, gesturing for Justin to follow. Once the door closed behind them, he lowered his voice. \u201cArthur can\u2019t be trusted. No one in this house can. You\u2019re the only one I can still rely on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Justin nodded once, understanding the weight of Jeremy\u2019s words.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Nicole,\u201d Jeremy continued, his voice roughened by age, \u201cI have my doubts about her authenticity. When you arrive in Haldoria, I need you to investigate further. Even if she isn\u2019t a true Barton, keep it to yourself for now. Continue searching for my real granddaughter. Until she is found, I won\u2019t find peace.\u201d<\/p>\n
His words hung heavily in the air, like a storm cloud threatening to unleash its fury.<\/p>\n
Though Jeremy\u2019s body had grown frail over the years, he wasn\u2019t ill; rather, the passage of time bore down upon him with an unforgiving weight. He had been searching for Nicole for more than two decades, and the silence that followed that quest felt increasingly like a countdown to something inevitable.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrandpa, I\u2019ll find her,\u201d Justin vowed, his tone unwavering. \u201cI promise. I will uncover the truth about the real Nicole.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jeremy\u2019s eyes softened, a flicker of hope igniting within them. \u201cGood. I know you will.\u201d He walked to the corner of the room and opened the safe. \u201cI\u2019ve already had my will notarized by four lawyers. You\u2019ll remember the first two numbers of the code. Each lawyer holds two of the remaining numbers. If something were to happen to me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing is going to happen to you, Grandpa,\u201d Justin interjected firmly, gripping his arm with reassurance.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the chapter draws to a close, Justin stands at a crossroads, embodying both the weight of his past and the promise of his future. The rosary, a talisman of faith and resilience, clings to him like a lifeline amidst the chaos orchestrated by Danielle\u2019s venomous words. Her attempts to provoke him only serve to highlight his unyielding strength, a testament to the trials he has endured. In the face of her derision, he remains steadfast, a silent guardian of his own truth, determined to protect not only Nicole but also the legacy that binds him to Jeremy. This moment crystallizes the essence of his journey\u2014a refusal to succumb to the shadows of doubt and a commitment to uncover the layers of his identity, no matter the obstacles that await him.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Simultaneously, the chapter encapsulates Danielle\u2019s inner turmoil, revealing the fragility behind her bravado. Her attempts to assert dominance over Justin are met with his calm resolve, leaving her grappling with a sense of vulnerability she desperately tries to mask. As she exits the scene, the glimmer of uncertainty in her eyes hints at a deeper conflict, one that may unravel her carefully constructed facade. The emotional arc culminates in a poignant realization: while Justin embraces his path with unwavering resolve, Danielle\u2019s derision is but a reflection of her own insecurities. In this intricate dance of power and vulnerability, both characters are poised for a reckoning, their fates intertwined as they navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty, identity, and the quest for belonging.<\/p>\n
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In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect the tension between Justin and Danielle to escalate, as her manipulative nature continues to unravel in the wake of Jeremy\u2019s revelations. With Justin\u2019s mission to protect Nicole now firmly established, the stakes are higher than ever. What secrets lie in Haldoria, and how will Justin navigate the treacherous waters of family loyalty and deception? The intensity of the familial bond will be tested, as Justin grapples with his growing responsibilities and the shadows of doubt that loom over him.<\/p>\n
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Moreover, as Justin embarks on his journey to uncover the truth about Nicole, the chapter promises to delve deeper into the complexities of his character. Will he remain the calm, collected figure that Danielle finds so infuriating, or will the weight of his past and the uncertainty of his future push him to confront his emotions? Anticipate moments of introspection that will reveal more about his inner struggles. As Danielle plots her next move, the reader will be left wondering how far she will go to regain control and whether Justin\u2019s resolve can withstand her machinations. The stage is set for a gripping confrontation, and the next chapter will undoubtedly leave readers on the edge of their seats.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella\u2019s storytelling style is immersive and addictive\u2014perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.<\/p>\n
When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 160 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-24071","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\/24071","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=24071"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24071\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24071"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24071"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24071"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}