Chapter 110: Chapter 110



Adrian didn’t realize how much influence Joelle held in the institution. Luckily, the driver was able to alleviate some of the tension, and Adrian didn’t have to answer any more questions. However, the lunchbox he was holding was enough to speak a thousand words.

“They’re such a lovely couple. Just look at them! Joelle’s boyfriend is pretty great, isn’t he? It takes a lot of effort to come here in the middle of the day just to bring her lunch.”

Amid the whispers behind him, Adrian clenched his fist and gave a soft cough. The murmurs died down, but he stood even taller and straighter than before.

He looked through the small window in the door and watched Joelle. She certainly had a unique charm as a teacher, dressed in a light green flowing dress with beige flats. As she moved, the hem of her dress fluttered gently, and her long hair flowed with each step.

She demonstrated violin techniques and adjusted her students’ postures, but strangely, she never played a single note on her own. When the class ended and the students left with their parents, Adrian went to the visitor’s room to wait. Joelle saw all her students off and glanced towards the doorway.

The driver thought she was looking at him and was about to wave, but a tall figure moved quickly past him. It was Rafael!

Unsure whether to stay or leave, the driver decided to hide and keep an eye on the two of them. Joelle was putting away her teaching materials when Rafael glanced at his watch. “I had an emergency patient. I wasn’t sure I’d make it in time for the end of your class.”

“It’s fine,” Joelle replied while checking her phone. Leah hadn’t sent any message about bringing lunch, so she left with Rafael to get lunch together.

After they left, the driver hurried over to the visitor’s room to find Adrian. The four-tiered thermal lunch box was neatly set out, and Adrian, focused on his phone, did not look up when he heard someone come in.

“You should eat it as soon as possible. Leah’s waiting to wash the dishes.”

“Mr. Miller.” The driver was so nervous that he broke out in a cold sweat. “I just saw Mrs. Miller leaving with Rafael Romero. It seems they’ve arranged to have lunch together.”

Adrian stiffened, crushing his phone in his hand within seconds. “Mr. Miller!”

A chilling aura radiated from Adrian, a menacing presence filling the room. “Where are they?”

The driver attempted to dissuade him. “Mr. Miller, you know the kind of person your wife is. It’s merely lunch with a friend. Please, don’t get upset. She has just lost a child. Her spirits have only just begun to lift; it’s not the right time for a confrontation!”

Adrian, not entirely unreasonable, regained his composure with the mention of the child. He stood motionless for a full minute, managing to quell the rising anger. The issue of the child was always his debt to Joelle. Deciding to let her have an abortion, he had resolved to make their future together a harmonious one. Having made that decision, he needed to trust her.

“Pack up the things. Don’t tell her I’ve been here.” Adrian’s voice was low, and his footsteps echoed heavily as he departed.

Meanwhile, Joelle followed Rafael to a nearby restaurant, where they encountered Lacey. She knew Lacey was well-connected with Adrian and his circle. Joelle had brought Rafael along to curry favor with Lacey.

“I’ve found some leads regarding the matter you asked me to look into.” Lacey didn’t inquire about Joelle’s relationship with Rafael, seemingly unconcerned about them being a couple.

This degree of trust was unusual, even from Adrian’s friends or Adrian himself. People believed that she had drugged Adrian and then employed Irene to coerce Adrian into marriage. She was taken aback that Lacey treated her like anyone else.

Upon further reflection, Joelle found herself observing Lacey more intently. Before meeting her, Joelle had regarded Lacey’s stories as mere entertainment. Tales of how Lacey had boldly canceled an engagement at a dinner party, vandalized a disliked professor’s car overseas, or generously supported the nanny who had raised her painted a picture of her independent spirit.

After spending time with Lacey, Joelle found it straightforward to connect, trusting that Lacey formed friendships based on her personal observations and genuine feelings.

“What did you uncover?” she asked.

Lacey presented a document. “I’ve uncovered an offshore account in Ned’s name. Roughly an hour before his confession, someone wired $500,000 into this account.”

As Joelle and Rafael examined the document, Joelle quickly pieced things together. “Are you implying someone paid Ned to confess?”

Lacey gave a nonchalant shrug. “It’s highly probable.”

Joelle frowned. “Could it be that there are people willing to go to jail for money these days?”

Lacey filled a glass with water. “You need to determine who gave money to Ned.”

As Joelle pondered, her thoughts grew clearer. Lacey was correct; the individual funding Ned’s false confession intended not just to harm her but had nearly caused the death of her child.

Had Ned not confessed, Adrian would have doubted the paternity of their child. If she had lost the child, who would have benefited most? Rafael gently placed his hand on her shoulder. “Take your time.”

A few moments later, a name emerged in Joelle’s mind.

.

.

.