Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 180

**Chapter 180: Adriana’s Comment**

Matthew’s expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. “Curtis has always had a fiery temper. He’s unyielding, too proud for his own good. Once, people revered him as the sole heir of Lincoln; no one dared to cross him.”

“But everything has changed now that Michael has returned. The word is out, and this industry can smell weakness from a mile away. The moment another heir stepped into the picture, half of those who once fawned over Curtis began to place their bets on Michael’s son. Do you really believe he still wields the same influence? Especially when his status as heir is now uncertain?”

Matthew took a step closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “He’s become arrogant, Adriana. He refuses to play by the rules, to bow to anyone’s authority, and that makes him a target. With Michael and his son back in the mix, everyone is just waiting for Curtis to stumble.”

“Even Harold isn’t fully in his corner anymore. Their bond isn’t what it used to be. Trouble is brewing, and you need to start strategizing before it’s too late.” He paused, letting the weight of his words settle in. “If you wait until Curtis is out of the picture and Denton seizes control after graduation, it will be far too late.”

Adriana’s face contorted with rage. “Planning ahead? You mean abandoning him while I still can? And what, running back to you as nothing but a mistress?” She shoved his hand away with force, her anger radiating from her. “Curtis was right about you. You’re nothing but smoke and mirrors. The only tactic you have is dragging others through the mud because you know you can never truly defeat him any other way.”

Her words pierced Matthew like a dagger, striking straight to his heart.

His entire existence had been built on pride, and now he felt as if he had cast it all aside in a desperate attempt to win Adriana back from Curtis.

“We were together first,” he said, his voice rough and uneven, each word a struggle. “You were mine for four years.”

He stared into her eyes, confusion swirling within him. Why was she defending Curtis so fiercely?

He had always assumed her anger stemmed from jealousy, from the fact that he had chosen Natasha over her.

“Adriana… if this is just your way of trying to hurt me, then look at me now,” Matthew implored, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. “You see me like this and feel nothing?”

For once, he wasn’t the arrogant man who thought himself untouchable. He felt small, vulnerable, and utterly broken.

Adriana looked back at him, but the only emotion she felt was pity.

Why had he waited until now to show he cared?

“Matthew, I’m not angry anymore,” she replied softly yet firmly, her voice steady. “I love Curtis. I love him with every fiber of my being. He’s my husband, and as long as we are married, he is the only one for me. Even if that changes one day, there will never be anything between you and me again. So please, stop clinging to something that has already slipped away.”

She held his gaze for a moment longer, her resolve unyielding, before turning away and walking off. She had to make her stance clear to Matthew, no matter how painful it was.

Matthew remained rooted to the spot, his chest tightening as if the very air had been knocked from his lungs.

He had always believed that Adriana would never truly walk away from him. That she would always come back, as she had so many times before.

He thought that a simple apology would suffice, that she would melt like she always did.

But now, the reality struck him with the force of a sledgehammer. He had been utterly and completely wrong.

As Adriana stepped into the house, she found Eva bustling around in the kitchen.

“Eva?” Adriana called out, her voice breaking the silence.

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