In Chapter 166 of \u201cWhen Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen,\u201d titled \u201cAnother Scheme,\u201d Curtis isolates himself in his study, shutting out the world and reflecting on his troubled family background. His mother was chosen not out of love but as a strategic move by the Lincoln patriarch, Michael Lincoln, to preserve the family lineage. This cold arrangement left Curtis feeling the absence of warmth and affection, and he grew up in an environment devoid of love, merely a product of a transactional union.<\/p>\n
Danielle reveals to Matthew that Curtis\u2019s father, Michael, is alive and has a second family, which Matthew sees as an opportunity to undermine Curtis. He plans to use this information to strip Curtis of his inheritance by aligning with his half-siblings. The stakes are high, as Curtis\u2019s quest for revenge has already jeopardized Danielle and Chandler\u2019s business ambitions. They fear that Curtis\u2019s presence could ruin their plans to seize the Barton fortune, prompting them to conspire against him.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Curtis enjoys a day filled with joy and adventure with Adriana, showcasing a softer side that contrasts sharply with his usual demeanor. As they share moments of laughter and connection, Adriana begins to see him as more than just a boss. Curtis\u2019s affection for her grows, and he embraces the joy of companionship, revealing a more human side to his character. The camaraderie among friends highlights a rare moment of vulnerability for Curtis, who is often perceived as powerful and unyielding.<\/p>\n
As the chapter unfolds, the juxtaposition of Curtis\u2019s personal life and the looming threat of betrayal creates a palpable tension. While he experiences genuine happiness with Adriana and earns the respect of his friends, the undercurrents of deceit and manipulation threaten to disrupt this newfound joy. The chapter captures the complexity of Curtis\u2019s character, torn between the warmth of human connection and the cold machinations of his family\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n
**Chapter 166: Another Scheme**<\/p>\n
Curtis had barricaded himself within the confines of his study, resolutely shutting the world outside. The door, once a passage to life and connection, now stood as an impenetrable barrier, keeping everyone at bay.<\/p>\n
His mother had never been a choice made by love; rather, she had been selected with cold precision by the Lincoln patriarch, a calculated move to ensure the survival of the Lincoln lineage. There was no warmth, no affection, merely an arrangement that had been crafted with the precision of a business deal.<\/p>\n
In those early days, Curtis\u2019s father, Michael Lincoln, had splurged an astonishing 500 million dollars on a bracelet, a mere prop designed to create an illusion for the cameras. It was nothing more than a fa\u00e7ade, a grand performance that masked the decay lurking beneath the surface.<\/p>\n
Such a hollow union was destined to rot from within, and Curtis had been born amidst that decay, a product of a world where love was a foreign concept.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter his mother became pregnant, his father vanished into thin air,\u201d Danielle recounted, her voice dripping with intrigue. \u201cHarold had the audacity to announce to the world that he had died. But that was a lie.\u201d Her smile widened, as if she were about to unveil a hidden treasure. \u201cI know you\u2019ve been investigating Curtis, Matthew. You want to track down his father and use his half-siblings to challenge Curtis for the Lincoln inheritance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthew remained silent, the truth hitting him like a thunderbolt. She had laid bare his intentions with startling clarity.<\/p>\n
He envisioned using Michael\u2019s second family as pawns in his game, stripping Curtis of everything he held dear. Once the protective shield of the Lincoln Group was shattered, he could reclaim Adriana, the prize he had long coveted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know where Michael is,\u201d Danielle continued, her voice steady yet laced with temptation.<\/p>\n
Matthew\u2019s eyes narrowed, suspicion flaring within him. \u201cThen spill it. What do you want from me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll share the information without any strings attached,\u201d she replied smoothly. \u201cAll I ask is for us to collaborate. Curtis is a ticking time bomb, ready to explode. If we join forces to take him down, we both secure our safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curtis had crossed a line, his quest for revenge striking a devastating blow to Danielle and Chandler\u2019s business, nearly crippling it.<\/p>\n
Their interest lay not in the business itself, but in the substantial Barton fortune and the control of the Barton Group. With Curtis standing as an insurmountable obstacle, both Danielle and Chandler were gripped by the fear that their entire scheme could crumble at any moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine,\u201d Matthew relented, reclining into the couch, the glass in his hand catching the light as he spun it idly. His gaze remained fixed on Danielle. \u201cGo ahead. Reveal where he\u2019s hiding.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s in Haldoria,\u201d Danielle answered, her tone unwavering. \u201cRight at the edge of Hillcrest City. There\u2019s a quaint little fishing village there.\u201d With that, she jotted something down on the back of a photograph and slid it across the table.<\/p>\n
Matthew froze, the name striking a chord deep within him. Adriana\u2019s orphanage had been located there, a place so remote and obscure that it seemed unlikely anyone would dare to search for Curtis in such a forgotten corner of the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore Curtis returns,\u201d Danielle urged, her eyes scrutinizing his reaction, \u201cyou still have a window of opportunity. You could persuade his half-brother to ally with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthew picked up the photograph, a crooked grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.<\/p>\n
Curtis had always believed himself to be the sole heir, the only son destined to inherit the vast Lincoln empire. If a brother were to suddenly emerge, challenging him for everything he thought was rightfully his, Curtis would find it impossible to maintain that calm, collected facade he wore so well.<\/p>\n
In that moment, Curtis would be the one brought to his knees.<\/p>\n
\u2014<\/p>\n
In Neocoralis, Curtis had spent the day reveling in adventures with Adriana, whisking her from one exhilarating location to another until the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. As twilight descended, he swung by to gather Wendy, Irene, and a few others from their circle.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday was absolutely perfect!\u201d Adriana exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight. She clung to his arm as they glided through the vibrant streets on an open tram, the world around them alive with color and laughter.<\/p>\n
Having spent the entire day in his company, her defenses had finally begun to crumble. For once, she didn\u2019t regard him as merely a boss to appease, but as someone she could genuinely enjoy being with.<\/p>\n
Feeling her warmth beside him ignited a sense of joy within Curtis, a feeling he hadn\u2019t realized he craved so desperately.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Lincoln,\u201d Wendy chimed in, a teasing grin spreading across her face as she boarded the tram with Irene and the others. \u201cPlease tell me you didn\u2019t drag us here just to watch you two act all lovey-dovey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curtis chuckled softly, his fingers intertwining with Adriana\u2019s. \u201cWhat else are good friends for if not to share in the joyous moments?\u201d<\/p>\n
His response prompted a flurry of exchanged glances among the group. Curtis wasn\u2019t merely being courteous; he was declaring them his friends, his equals.<\/p>\n
Their smiles brightened, swelling with pride.<\/p>\n
Curtis was a man of considerable power, a fact universally acknowledged. The heir to the Lincoln Group, he was often described as dangerous, unhinged, and arrogant. Many believed he strode through life with an air of entitlement, as if the world were his to command.<\/p>\n
Yet tonight, he had taken the time to show respect, to extend that respect to those around him. All of this was for the woman standing beside him.<\/p>\n
Adriana, though not entirely grasping the full significance of the moment, was not blind to the affection he displayed. She understood that Curtis\u2019s efforts were for her benefit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard Mrs. Lincoln got accepted into a master\u2019s program in Pastalia,\u201d one woman remarked, her tone filled with admiration. \u201cThat\u2019s incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely,\u201d another chimed in. \u201cWe had the chance to review some of her designs earlier. They were truly impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n
The compliments flowed effortlessly, genuine in their delivery. Had Curtis coerced them into praising Adriana, their smiles would have been forced and fleeting. But after witnessing her talent firsthand, they recognized the authenticity of her abilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve already arranged a meeting with Devan. He\u2019s genuinely excited to meet Mrs. Lincoln,\u201d one of them added, their enthusiasm palpable.<\/p>\n
Adriana felt her breath hitch in her throat, momentarily frozen in disbelief. Her mentor, the very person she had idolized throughout her life, already knew who she was?<\/p>\n
Curtis beamed, a rare smile illuminating his face, one he seldom displayed in public. \u201cMy wife is still young and has so much potential ahead of her. I hope everyone will keep an eye on her for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a striking sight to behold\u2014Curtis, usually so commanding and unyielding, displaying such charm and humility. He had lowered himself, not in submission, but in acknowledgment of the worth of those around him, all because of the extraordinary woman by his side.<\/p>\n
In the intricate dance of power and vulnerability, Curtis found himself at a crossroads, a place where his past collided with a burgeoning future. The barricades he had erected in his study had served their purpose, shielding him from the pain of betrayal and the weight of expectation. Yet, as he stood amidst the laughter and warmth of his friends, with Adriana\u2019s hand in his, he realized that true strength lay not in isolation but in connection. The fa\u00e7ade he had worn for so long began to crumble, revealing a man capable of love, respect, and genuine joy. For the first time, he embraced the possibility of a life unshackled from the cold calculations of his lineage, where he could forge his own path and redefine what it meant to be a Lincoln.<\/p>\n
As the evening unfolded, the shadows of his past flickered in the corners of his mind, but they no longer held dominion over him. The schemes of those like Matthew and Danielle felt distant, mere echoes of a world he was determined to leave behind. Instead, he focused on the laughter surrounding him and the promise of a new beginning with Adriana. In her presence, he discovered a sense of purpose that transcended the burdens of his heritage. With each shared smile and whispered word of encouragement, he felt the weight of his lineage lift, replaced by the hope of building a legacy rooted in love and authenticity. Curtis had chosen to listen to the healing whispers of time, embracing the possibility of a future where he could finally be free.<\/p>\n
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**<\/p>\n
As the tension mounts, readers can anticipate a thrilling unraveling of alliances and betrayals in the upcoming chapter. With Matthew now armed with the location of Michael Lincoln, the stakes are higher than ever. The fragile peace Curtis has built with Adriana and his friends could be shattered as Matthew\u2019s scheme unfolds. Will he successfully leverage Michael\u2019s existence to destabilize Curtis\u2019s claim to the Lincoln fortune, or will Curtis\u2019s newfound connection with Adriana fortify his resolve against the impending threats?<\/p>\n
Moreover, the dynamics between Curtis and his half-brother loom ominously on the horizon. As Matthew contemplates the potential alliance with Michael\u2019s second family, the question remains: how will Curtis react to the revelation of a brother he never knew existed? Will he rise to the occasion and confront the challenges head-on, or will he falter under the weight of his past? The emotional stakes are set to escalate, promising a rollercoaster of revelations that could redefine Curtis\u2019s identity and his relationship with Adriana.<\/p>\n
With the backdrop of Neocoralis\u2019s vibrant streets contrasting sharply with the dark machinations at play, the next chapter promises a captivating blend of romance, tension, and intrigue. Will Curtis\u2019s heartwarming moments with Adriana be enough to shield him from the storm brewing just beyond the door? As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, readers are left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover who will emerge victorious in this high-stakes game of power and love.<\/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 166 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-24077","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\/24077","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=24077"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24077\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24077"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24077"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24077"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}