Chapter 88
Elisabeth’s grip tightened around the lobster she was cleaning[]
“Absolutely not. When the old lady entrusted Adeline to me, she made it clear–she didn’t want wealth or status for the child, just safety and happiness.“]
“But she’s not safe now!” Elaine’s eyes reddened. “I love her just as much as you do. We raised her to be kind and intelligent, beautiful as a flower–she’s my whole world. But look at what’s happened to her marriage, look how they’re treating her! When it comes down to it, it’s because we don’t have the connections or power to protect her. If they knew she was a Lowell, would they dare treat her this way? Amanda Jones would be falling over herself trying to win her favor!]
The Lowell family is a den of wolves, Elisabeth sighed heavily Right now, she’s just being humiliated. If she returns to the Lowells, she might end up losing her life.
“Don’t mention this again, especially in front of Adeline. Not a single word, understand?]
Tine, Elaine nodded reluctantly.[]
But inside, the injustice burned. Her daughter was so wonderful–why should she be treated with such cruelty?]
Upstairs
Adeline noticed that her mother and grandmother, who had been peacefully preparing lobsters moments ago, were now in some kind of heated discussion. Her mother’s eyes were red–rimmed, and her grandmother looked unusually serious
She headed downstairs.[]
Walking between them, she linked arms with both women. Let me cook lunch today. I learned an amazing beef recipe from a chef I know.]
Td love to taste your cooking. Elaine cupped her daughter’s delicate face affectionately.]
days experimentin
Elisabeth tweaked Adeline’s nose with a smile. You little foodle. Always experimenting in the kitchen. You’ll end up round as Garfield if you’re not careful.“]
“Garfield is adorable! All chubby and cute. Then I could just stay here with Grandma forever and make a living by being adorable.”
“As if you haven’t done enough of that already. When you were little, every time your parents came to pick you up, it would take hours of coaxing to get you to leave. And you always insisted on bringing Snowball and Sunny with you too.
Elisabeth continued sharing stories from Adeline’s childhood.[]
0
Some memories remained crystal clear to Adeline, while others had grown hazy. Snowball was a white cat with pointed ears, and Sunny was a yellow dog with short legs. Her uncle had gotten them from villagers specifically for her to play with. Later, when she went to elementary school in the city, her parents wouldn’t let her take them.]
She could only see them during holidays.]]
Every time she arrived or departed, they would be sitting on the wooden platform by the door
Until one visit, they were gone… She knew they had passed away and cried for days. Her uncle teased her, saying dogs and cats only live about ten years, and she could always get new ones. But she firmly refused]
She feared the heartbreak, so she kept her distance.]
It was true for Snowball and Sunny.
And now for Tristan as well []
Perhaps she was just a coward at heart.]
At lunch.]]
Adeline prepared a feast. Her father and uncle had returned from their fishing trip with an impressive catch of seafood.
As the meal wound down, she broached the subject of her situation with her parents, grandmother, and uncle.[]
I’m getting divorced. If all goes as planned, Ill finalize the paperwork when I get back.]
“In the one who filed I just don’t want to continue anymore.“]
“Please don’t see me as a victim. Marriage involves two people–I chose to marry him willingly, and now I’m choosing to leave. And don’t worry about me being bullied. I’d never let that happen. Anyone who tries to hurt me gets it back Lenfold
She spoke casually, as if discussing the weather []
The four family members followed her lead, assuring her they supported whatever decision made her happy. They would stand behind her no matter what []
With remarkable coordination, they all pretended they knew nothing accepting her version of events without question]
Bus with today’s ligharung fast information networks and the viral nature of her story, how could they possibly be wwware?]]
A woman betrayed by her husband, faunted by lus mistress, slandered by her mother–in–law–how could her heart not be breaking? How could she possibly walk away so lightly?]
Yet they couldn’t help her. What could they pushly do?)
The only thing they sould offer was hul to add to her burdens.[]
Adrue warded their careful clumsy perfumance and fell her heart squeece like a crushed lenon
Here to win & pown we still making her analy pretend for her sabell
She was such an ungrateful daughter.}
bloed never to put the Through Thas again
Adele stay in Strugton Maze fur the days.}}
Med unly asked Cater for five days ult and even that aber tad tu practically begu
If she put up work so he tealls wond te ber
ister extra to pincets 10 stay for more way wol the quest Brand]
Chapter 88
Before departing. Adeline turned on her phone to check how the public opinion had developed.]
She hadn’t won, but neither had they []
It was what she’d expected.[]
But on balance, they’d come out worse
They represented the Kelce and Grantham families, Harmonex and Ansonic. She only represented herself []
She quickly checked her messages, automatically ignoring the fake concern from people fishing for gossip. But when she saw a message from Mandy Titianne, her former team leader from Project Group Three, she paused.]
It had been sent three days ago ]
The message stated that the joint project between Harmonex and Ansonic was in crisis. Ansonic’s loan had been frozen–by Dominex Bank.[]
Dominex…]
Adeline’s heart skipped a beat.[]
She immediately called Mandy. Tell me more about the project situation.
Mandy ducked into a stairwell for privacy. “Ansonic says the order came directly from Dominex’s CEO. The official reason was that recent negative publicity could impact the project and create repayment risks, so they needed to reassess. I know I shouldn’t say this as a Harmonex employee, but Dominex’s CEO is pretty badass.“]
“Apparently, that day Tristan went to the Granthams and things got ugly. The Granthams threatened that if Tristan wouldn’t marry Evelyn, they’d terminate the project. Tristan shot back that…” she lowered her voice further, Tristan sand he only loves his wife! He only loves you! And he absolutely refused to marry Evelyn!“[]
“Right as the families were having this blowout, Jayden’s assistant rushed in with the urgent news about the loan being frozen. Talk about perfect timing! It’s like Zarek has some kind of sixth sense.
Adeline: That is impressive![]
After a pause, she asked, “So is the project really dead?
Mandy Jayden’s been camping in Tristan’s office every day. Nobody knows if they’re discussing his sister or the project. They’ve gone to Dominex together twice, but Zarek won’t see them.]
Adeline’s heart beat faster.]
So Zarek had immediately stepped in to help her.[]
He hadn’t just made the Kelces and Granthams suffer in the moment–he was ensuring their discomfort would continue
She could imagine Amanda getting berated mercilessly for stirring up trouble, and the Granthams probably wanted to lock Evelyn away.]]
Business people prioritize profit. The Granthams‘ project threats were just bluffs that Tristan recognized as empty. But Zarek freezing the loan was very real–not a joke at all]
After ending the call, Adeline stood in the yard for a long time. Under the clear sky, with the endless blue ocean in the distance, brilliant sunshine, and gentle clouds…]]
She had to admit, having someone powerful in your corner felt… pretty damn good.[]
The drive from Stonington to New York took about six hours.[]
By her calculation, she’d arrive in the city around 8 PM]
Adeline was in good spirits the entire journey.[]
her chest felt completely unburdened. She swore she would give Dominex her absolute best, to the last breath If necessary!
AI 7 PM []
As she left a restroom at a service area and returned to the parking lot, she noticed a man standing on a nearby patch of grass, talking on his phone. Something about him made her pause)
She realized she’d seen hum at the first service area too…
Shed felt something odd then, but now she understood why–three days ago, when she’d stopped at a convenience store for food, this same man had been in the store![]
Adeline’s heart rate immediately spiked.[]
She slipped her hand into her coat pocket, keeping her expression neutral as she calmly got into her car []
Instead of driving away imediately, ale locked the doors, put on an eye mask, and reclined her seat as if preparing to nap
She left a large gap below the mark that allowed her to see the area in front of her clearly []
The man was now standing by the road shaking. He appeared to be in his thirties, average height, with tanned skin wearing a T–shirt under a jacket with jeans the kind of unremarkable appearance that blends into a crowd. He continuat lus phone conversation, laughing and smiling but his gaze occasionally drifted toward her car]]
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.