Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 123

**When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn**
**Chapter 123: Adriana’s Price**

Returning to the club, Darren had once casually remarked that Adriana was precisely the type of woman Curtis would be drawn to.

He never anticipated that such a fleeting comment would manifest into reality. The woman Matthew had cherished for four long years had ultimately found her way to Curtis’s side.

As a wealthy playboy who had navigated through a sea of stunning women, Darren found it perplexing. Sure, Adriana possessed a certain beauty, but in their extravagant world, beautiful faces were as common as the air they breathed. In comparison to the bold and flamboyant socialites who thrived on attention, she appeared almost too ordinary, too subtle.

Adriana was the epitome of sweetness, obedient and quiet. Yet, Matthew had once mentioned that women like her often ended up bearing the brunt of heartache.

Because, inevitably, men grew weary of the same old charm.

Thus, Darren held little faith that Curtis would maintain his interest in her for long.

“Let’s go,” Darren said, a smile spreading across his face as Adriana ended her phone call.

She nodded appreciatively and rose from her seat. “Thank you, Mr. Maldonado.”

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Under the warm sunlight, Adriana’s fair skin radiated almost ethereally. Her eyes sparkled with clarity, and her bare face, free of any makeup, effortlessly captured attention. He couldn’t help but acknowledge that this gentle, innocent demeanor was precisely what often ensnared hearts at first glance.

Otherwise, Matthew wouldn’t have held onto her for four years, and Curtis wouldn’t have been captivated by her from the very start.

“Why don’t you give me your number?” Once they were settled in the car, Darren slid his business card across to her. “If things don’t work out with Curtis, you can always reach out to me.”

A smirk danced on his lips. He wasn’t the worst man in their circle, but he certainly wasn’t a saint either.

His interest in Adriana was solely based on her beauty.

Adriana hesitated, her eyes flitting to the card before she smiled innocently. “Curtis gives me thirty million dollars a year. Can you match that, Mr. Maldonado?”

Darren froze, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. Internally, he cursed under his breath. Thirty million dollars a year? Curtis was out of his mind—driving prices through the roof like that.

Clearing his throat, he swiftly changed the subject. He hadn’t expected Adriana to possess such a sharp wit.

Seeing him caught off guard, Adriana tucked the card into her pocket, a silent acknowledgment that he was a friend of Curtis’s—no need to create any awkward tension.

Darren drove her to one of his hotels, personally escorting her to a room. “You can stay here for the time being. With Mr. Harold’s influence, it won’t be a challenge for him to locate you, but hiding out here for three or four days should be safe.”

Adriana nodded, attempting to close the door behind her. “Thanks.”

He leaned against the doorframe, blocking her exit, his gaze scrutinizing her as if attempting to decipher a complex riddle.

Adriana looked up, her brow furrowed in confusion.

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