Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 121

**Chapter 121: The Lie on the Edge of Collapse**

Adriana had finally gathered enough resolve to confront Harold. The weight of the moment pressed heavily on her chest, each heartbeat echoing the turmoil within her.

If it hadn’t been for Harold’s iron grip on Curtis’s life, forcing him to sever ties with Cynthia, perhaps things would have unfolded differently. Curtis had rebelled against Harold’s demands, ultimately choosing to marry Cynthia instead. The irony was bitter; a love story twisted by the hands of an overbearing patriarch.

Harold’s controlling nature had always cast a shadow over their lives. He clearly had a soft spot for his grandson, so why was he so insistent on dictating the terms of Curtis’s happiness? What was it that made him so obstinate about Curtis’s choice of a partner?

“You’re nothing but an outsider. What could you possibly know about our world?” Harold scoffed, his disdain palpable as he regarded Adriana with an expression that suggested she was an unwelcome intruder.

Nicole, with her sharp tongue, jumped in without hesitation. “You’re just an orphan,” she spat, her voice dripping with contempt. “Leeching off Curtis, consuming his resources, living in his house. Pathetic. A clingy little vine like you should be pruned before you suffocate him.”

The comparison stung. A dodder vine may appear delicate and dependent, but its capacity to strangle was formidable. It entwined itself around its host, draining it of life until nothing remained. Harold understood this dynamic all too well, which was precisely why he vehemently opposed Curtis marrying someone he deemed beneath their status.

In their world, only unions of equals were deemed acceptable. And Nicole, with her lineage and wealth, was the perfect candidate.

Adriana locked eyes with Nicole, her gaze icy. “And what about you? Without your Barton name, what are you truly worth?”

Nicole’s face darkened, anger flashing in her eyes. “Stop wasting my time!”

“Adriana,” Harold interjected, his voice firm and unyielding, “if you’re genuinely pregnant, I’ll leave you alone. But if you’re deceiving me, I won’t hesitate to take action. Not even Curtis can shield you from my wrath this time.” He gestured for his assistant to prepare for a test, a clear indication that he was ready to uncover the truth.

Adriana’s heart raced, panic coursing through her veins like ice. Should she refuse and wait for Curtis to return, or should she comply with Harold’s demands? The thought of confrontation loomed ominously, and she knew Harold had come prepared. Resistance could lead to dire consequences.

“Stop plotting,” Nicole sneered, her confidence unwavering. “You’re not escaping this today.”

Her tone suggested she was utterly convinced that Adriana wasn’t pregnant.

“You genuinely believe Curtis will marry you just because he divorces me? Keep dreaming,” Adriana shot back, choosing to ignore Nicole’s taunts as she cast a glance at the looming bodyguards before following them toward the hospital, her mind racing with uncertainty.

Harold was resolute; today, he would unearth the truth.

Adriana stood frozen, phone clutched tightly in her hand, wrestling with the decision of whether to call Curtis. Just as doubt began to creep in, his name illuminated the screen, igniting a flicker of hope within her.

But before she could answer, Nicole snatched the phone away, her eyes gleaming with malicious intent. “Curtis, it’s Nicole. We’re at the hospital with Adriana. Mr. Harold brought us here. She’s been lying about her pregnancy—you’ll find out the truth soon enough.”

A helpless sigh escaped Adriana’s lips. It was infuriating how clueless Nicole could be.

“Put Adriana on the phone. Don’t make me repeat myself,” Curtis commanded, his voice low and laced with authority.

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