Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 41

**TITLE: When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 41**
**CONTENT: r 41 Jealousy and Gossip**

Adriana stood her ground, her heart racing wildly as she faced Linda, her voice steady and firm as she demanded the deletion of the video that threatened to tarnish her dignity. The air between them was electric, charged with an intensity that made every breath feel heavy.

For a fleeting moment, Linda appeared taken aback, her surprise quickly morphing into a cruel, mocking laughter that echoed through the crowd. “Seriously? Am I dreaming? Is this really the same Adriana? Has she completely lost her mind?” she cackled, her laughter ringing out like a malicious bell, shattering the fragile silence that surrounded them.

“What are you even talking about? Legal team? Hahaha! You’ve been reading way too many novels. You’re just an orphan. Where on earth would you find a legal team?” she sneered, her words laced with scorn, each syllable dripping with disdain.

The laughter of the onlookers pierced Adriana’s heart, their mockery unabashed and relentless. It was painfully clear that they had settled into a comfort with their cruelty, reveling in her discomfort as if it were a sport.

Curtis observed the spectacle with an unsettling calmness, his eyes betraying a flicker of satisfaction as he took in the scene. He noted that, despite the relentless onslaught, Adriana was not entirely defenseless.

“Hey, handsome,” one of the bystanders chimed in, a smirk plastered across his face, “did you know she’s got a private life? She was already being kept by someone back in her freshman year. Ha, we even have videos. Want to see?” The taunt hung in the air, heavy with malice, as if it were a dagger aimed directly at Adriana’s heart.

“Yeah, dude, why are you even into her?” another jeered, their voices a cacophony of mockery as they prepared to pull out old videos, remnants of Adriana’s past torment.

A tremor coursed through Adriana’s body, a tumultuous blend of anger and humiliation. She shot Linda a fierce glare, her voice low but resolute. “Don’t push it too far,” she warned, her words a quiet storm.

—

Meanwhile, at the Langford Estate, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the chaos outside. It was Raymond’s birthday, a day meant for celebration, and the entire family had come together in joyous unity. Natasha, Matthew’s future bride, added an air of excitement to the gathering, her presence a bright spot in the otherwise mundane family dynamics.

“Natasha, how’s the wedding planning coming along? When do you think you’ll tie the knot?” Elise asked, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as she turned to Natasha, who was shy yet eager to share her thoughts.

“I’m ready whenever he is,” Natasha replied, casting a hopeful glance toward Matthew, who seemed lost in a labyrinth of his own thoughts. “It’s really up to Matthew.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Just pick a date and get engaged already,” Raymond urged, playfully nudging Matthew, encouraging him to take decisive action.

Yet, Matthew was far from present in the moment. His utensils hovered mid-air, his mind swirling with vivid memories of Adriana. He couldn’t shake the haunting image of that day when he had slapped her, the regret gnawing at him like a relentless tide.

“Matthew?” Elise’s voice sliced through his reverie, pulling him back to the present with a jolt.

He blinked, attempting to shake off the fog of memories. “I’ll let you know once we settle on a date,” he replied, trying to sound casual, though the weight of his thoughts lingered.

Natasha’s expression dimmed slightly, her grip tightening around her utensils as a sense of foreboding washed over her. She could sense the brewing storm within Matthew; the wedding could not be postponed any longer. “Oh, I forgot to mention,” she said, forcing a light tone, “Danielle and I saw Curtis with Anna at the mall today.”

Matthew’s fork clattered against his plate, his heart racing as disbelief and anger surged within him. “Adriana and Curtis?” His voice was a mix of incredulity and fury.

“Yeah,” Natasha replied, her tone casual but her eyes keenly observant. “I have no idea what Curtis is thinking. He’s a Harborton’s Crown Prince, loaded with wealth, yet he’s considering marrying an orphan. We were even trying to find someone suitable for Adriana, but it seems she has lofty aspirations.”

Matthew’s mood darkened like a storm cloud gathering overhead. He shot up from the table abruptly, his frustration boiling over. “Curtis marrying Adriana? Absolutely not!”

Natasha’s fingers trembled as she fought to maintain her composure, sensing the tension escalating. “Curtis took Adriana shopping and bought her a lot of luxury items,” she stated, her voice steady but laced with concern.

“That kind of girl only cares about money. Bags, jewelry… so superficial,” Elise chimed in, her voice dripping with contempt.

Matthew barely registered her words; his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Curtis… marrying Adriana? The very idea felt absurd to him. Curtis hailed from one of the wealthiest families, while Adriana was nothing in comparison…

“Natasha, look at this!” Mia burst into the room, waving her phone excitedly. “Camelia sent me this! Adriana was seen at the food street near campus with a guy. Who is he?” she exclaimed, her voice intentionally loud enough for Matthew to hear.

Matthew’s expression hardened into a mask of fury. He snatched Mia’s phone, his heart racing as he saw the image of Adriana enjoying hot dogs with Curtis, laughter dancing in her eyes.

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