Chapter 30: Chapter 30



Katie pursed her lips, her tone incredulous. “No way! If that’s true, why would Joelle want a divorce?”

Lyla agreed. “Exactly! Joelle has always been sensible and obedient. For her to refuse to have children with Adrian, she must have been deeply hurt.”

Irene nodded thoughtfully, digesting their words. Amara, however, scoffed with cold disdain, “Joelle spends all year cooped up at home, barely stepping outside. Adrian, on the other hand, needs to socialize for work. It’s only natural he’d want someone presentable by his side.”

“Of course,” Lyla said, her concern laced with subtle sarcasm as she glanced at Adrian. “But what if this arrangement becomes something more? These days, girls are quick on their feet! They’ll go to any lengths to marry into a wealthy family, even if it means disgracing themselves.”

Her words dripped with subtle malice, a veiled jab at Joelle, whose marriage to Adrian was clouded by the scandal of having drugged him to seal the deal. But Joelle, long accustomed to such barbs, had grown numb over the years. She no longer saw the point in defending herself when no one believed her.

To her surprise, Adrian, usually detached from family squabbles, finally spoke up. His patience had worn thin, especially with Lyla. “Lyla, who exactly are you talking about? Rebecca or Joelle? Or do you think I’m so easily manipulated that any woman could pull the wool over my eyes?”

Lyla, caught off guard by his directness, flushed with embarrassment. “Adrian, I’m just looking out for you.”

“Don’t bother.” Adrian’s response was cold, cutting through her feigned concern. “Last month, Spencer lost a significant amount of money gambling. Ever since, the casino’s collectors have been harassing the company to recover his debts. Lyla, since you have the time to meddle in my affairs, I assume Spencer’s gambling debts have been taken care of, right?” His words struck hard, casting a dark shadow over Lyla. The only one unaffected was her husband, Quincy Miller, who looked utterly bewildered.

“What debts?” he demanded.

Spencer Miller, Quincy and Lyla’s son, spat out, “Adrian, don’t make baseless accusations here! We’re discussing your issues, not mine!”

Adrian remained unruffled, his tone infuriatingly calm. “Spencer, we’re all family here. If you’re facing difficulties, just let us know, and we’ll find a solution together.”

Quincy’s confusion quickly turned to rage. He grabbed Spencer by the collar, his voice a low growl. “You went gambling? You stupid bastard!”

Lyla rushed forward, trying to pull them apart. “Don’t hit him, Quincy! Don’t hit Spencer! He was caught up in it because of his friends.”

“Oh really?” Amara, ever eager to stoke the fire, chimed in. “From the way you’re talking, it sounds like you’ve known about this for some time. I hate to say it, but you’ve been too soft on your son!”

Lyla stammered, searching for an excuse but finding none. “A doting mother ruins her son! How could you raise him like this?” Quincy pushed Lyla aside, his anger boiling over, and delivered a brutal punch to Spencer’s face.

Katie clung to Lyla, tears streaming down her face as they watched the scene unravel before them. Quincy, still fuming with anger, kicked Spencer harshly toward Irene’s bed. “Kneel before your grandmother! Do you have any idea how much you’ve disappointed us? How did I end up with such a disgraceful son?”

Spencer, his eyes reddened with shame, lowered his head and muttered, “Grandma, I’m sorry.” Irene waved her hand wearily. She had lived long enough to see through the glittering facade of their family. The secrets, the scandals—nothing surprised her anymore.

But now, only one thing mattered to her: the hope of seeing a great-grandchild. With Adrian being the only married member of the younger generation, all her hopes rested on him.

“Ahem!” Irene struggled to sit up, and Joelle, noticing her intent, quickly moved to help.

“None of you give me a moment’s peace!” Irene said, her voice frail yet stern. “How can I trust you with the family business when you behave like this?”

Quincy’s eyes flashed with something unspoken as he glanced at Adrian. Seeing his nephew remain silent, he decided to hold his tongue as well.

“Quincy,” Irene continued, her voice tinged with exhaustion. “You need to discipline your son. If he’s already gambling, who knows what he’ll do next? Handle it as you see fit.”

“Yes, Mom. You can count on me!” Quincy was quick to seize the opportunity to prove his strictness. He delivered another harsh kick to Spencer. “You’re grounded for the next month. You’re not going anywhere!”

“Now take your wife and children and leave!” Irene told Quincy. Once they had left, Irene turned her attention to Adrian. “Adrian, I need the truth, right here, in front of Joelle. What’s going on between you and Rebecca?”

Adrian’s response was measured, almost devoid of emotion. “We’re just friends.”

Joelle didn’t believe that for a second. If they were just friends, how could he explain the videos Rebecca had posted? How could he justify spending every significant holiday—and even her own birthday—with Rebecca? The word “friends” was just a convenient excuse, a cover for Adrian to protect Rebecca.

Irene, however, seemed satisfied with Adrian’s answer. She turned to Joelle and said, “Did you hear that, Joelle? Adrian has only you in his heart.”

Joelle’s smile was bitter, a reflection of the emptiness she felt. “But I don’t have him in mine anymore!”

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