Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 187

Chapter 187 Adriana Fires Back

Chapter 187 Adriana Fires Back

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Denton really was their trump card–that was the only reason Michael and Juliet dared walk back into the Lincoln Estate.

Michael knew exactly what he’d done years ago: he’d signed away his inheritance. He also knew he didn’t have the chops to run the Lincoln Group. The only leverage he and Juliet had was their son, Denton.

And Curtis hated Michael’s guts. There was no universe where Curtis simply welcomed him home.

“Denton’s still in Haldoria. Smart, driven, stubborn in the best way–insists on paying his own tuition,” Juliet said, pride warming her voice.

Rosa and the others piled on with easy smiles and nods. “What a good boy. He knows he’s a Lincoln and still refuses to coast. Just like Mr. Harold back in the day.”

One of the uncles cut a glance at Harold to gauge his mood.

The old man had been stone–faced from the start. Michael’s years of absence still sat in his craw; even if the rage had cooled, there was no fondness to spare.

But the moment they mentioned the grandson he hadn’t met yet, the hard line of his mouth loosened. “Hmph. You brag about letting the boy suffer like that?”

He was angry, yes–but the anger came from concern.

Michael wasn’t stupid. He knew Denton was his only shot at a way back in. “Dad, Denton’s a good kid. He doesn’t want to live off the family. He’s not staying away to slight you–he just wants to earn his tuition first.”

A flicker of pain moved behind Harold’s eyes. “He has to earn his own tuition? You two can’t even cover that?”

Michael’s face tightened. Juliet, thick–skinned as ever, stepped in smoothly. “Dad, you’ve always had a soft spot for your grandson. Even if you don’t care for Michael’s sake, at least look at the boy. We can’t walk out of here empty–handed again, can we?”

She was outright asking for money.

Harold’s expression darkened. He snorted. “Michael signed a severance agreement with his own hand. You come back now for money–where’s your shame?”

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Chapter 187 Adriana Fires Back

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“Mr. Harold, cut him some slack.” A paternal uncle hurried to smooth things over, grinning. “You obviously want him here. No need to drive him off. How about this–I’ll take the initiative: let Michael stay, and in a few days, we’ll bring Denton back so he can be acknowledged as family sooner.”

Harold gripped his cane and let out another huff, offering no opinion for a long beat. Finally, he said, “We wait for Curtis. If he won’t agree, there’s nothing I can do.”

“Mr. Lincoln, you’re the head of the family–your word is law. Curtis is a junior. This house still answers to you,” the uncle and Rosa pressed, clearly trying to lock it in before Curtis arrived.

“In that case, why don’t we have you run the Lincolns from now on? You can take the Lincoln Group off my hands while you’re at it. How does that sound?” A cool baritone cut in from the courtyard. Curtis walked in with Adriana.

The uncle’s bravado died instantly. He ducked his head and shut up.

Michael’s face went stiff; under Harold’s eye, all he could manage was a grunt.

Rosa clamped her mouth shut, too.

Outwardly, they all feared Curtis–because they still needed him. Inwardly, they were here for the spectacle.

People could be cold in scary ways.

Adriana’s chest ached for him. In a blink, everything he’d done for the Lincoln Group and this family felt insultingly cheapened.

She used to never understand the saying, but now she really did–give someone an inch, and they’ll take a mile … and then blame you for it.

Every person in this room made money because of Curtis, and still, each one nursed their own little scheme. Greed stacked on greed. They wanted more–more side deals, more “gray” income. When Curtis shut those pipelines and demanded clean books, all they remembered was him cutting off their extra cash, not the prosperity he’d built for them.

People say you should always remember who helped you–but these folks took the water and then tried to bury the well–digger.

“Curtis, he’s still your father. And you’ve got a younger brother now. Families should be together. You can’t keep being so headstrong.” Curtis’s third uncle, Harry Lincoln, couldn’t hold it in any longer.

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