Chapter 52: Chapter 52



Irene ignored Adrian and turned to look at Joelle. “Joelle, what do you think? Being his assistant, you’d get to be by his side every day, and it could strengthen your bond with him.” But Joelle shook her head, her tone calm and firm. “No, thank you, Irene. I’m happy with my current job.”

Irene pressed on, but Joelle remained steadfast, as did Adrian. Neither was willing to change their stance.

After they left, Irene settled on her bed, a deep sigh slipping out as she grabbed the phone and dialed Leah. “So, how are things between Joelle and Adrian lately?” Leah’s heart gave a little jump, but she managed to keep her tone light. “Things are going smoothly.”

“If everything’s so smooth, then why did Joelle move out?” When Leah hesitated, Irene’s tone hardened. “Remember why I asked you to stay with them. Now, tell me the truth. Why did Joelle move out?”

Leah hesitated, gripping the phone tighter as her gaze flicked to Rebecca, who was quietly arranging flowers nearby. If Irene discovered that Adrian had brought Rebecca back into his home, there was no telling how furious she would become. Thinking quickly, Leah said, “There’s really nothing wrong. Joelle just wanted to be closer to her office. Adrian knows all about it.”

This explanation aligned with what Joelle and Adrian had said, but Irene wasn’t convinced. “Don’t try to fool me. I might just go see for myself. If I find out you’ve lied, you’ll lose your job.” Leah gasped, her heart pounding. Struggling to stay calm, she replied, “Madam, I’ve been with you for so many years. Please trust me. I would never hide anything from you!”

After hanging up, Leah wiped her sweaty palms, still trembling from the conversation. She patted her chest, trying to steady her nerves.

Without looking up from the flowers she was arranging, Rebecca remarked, “Thanks for covering for me, Leah. Adrian will appreciate it.”

Leah snorted in response, “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m only looking out for Irene’s health. If she finds out someone like you—a home-wrecker—is staying here, they’ll have you thrown out. Back in the old days, women like you would’ve been drowned! How dare you destroy someone else’s family!”

“Leah!” Rebecca gripped the flower stems so tightly that they nearly snapped, her smile forced and cold. “You’d better watch how you talk to me. I’m here because Adrian wants me here. And as for destroying a family, you might not know this, but if it weren’t for Joelle’s dirty tricks, I would’ve been Adrian’s wife by now.”

“Bah!” Leah sneered, her voice laced with contempt. “You’ve got a lot of nerve saying that! Joelle and Adrian are married; they’ve got the marriage certificate to prove it. And you? You’ve got nothing from Adrian, and you’re nothing to him.”

Rebecca, frustrated, tossed the flower stems aside. “He’ll admit it one day!”

“Oh, will he?” Leah kept stirring the food on the stove. “I’ll believe it when I see it. Just let me know when you finally become his wife, and then maybe I’ll start sucking up to you.”

Furious, Rebecca stormed off to her room. She angrily tossed the blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals off the bed, stomping on them in a fit.

Still not satisfied, she knocked over a chair, the loud crash echoing through the room. She waited, expecting someone to check on her, but the silence remained.

Frustration overwhelmed her, and she collapsed onto the bed, tears spilling down her cheeks. Just then, her phone rang. It was her brother, Erick.

“Rebecca, can you lend me some money? I need twenty thousand.”

Rebecca’s irritation flared. “What do you need money for this time?”

“My girlfriend quit her job, and the bills are piling up. Just send the money and stop asking questions.”

Rebecca’s anger found a new focus. “Girlfriend? You mean that woman who left you when you were broke? And now that you’ve got some cash, she’s back, hanging on to you like a parasite!”

“I’ve heard enough. Just send the money.”

Rebecca’s frustration boiled over, and fresh tears ran down her face. “Erick, do you think I’m that rich? You don’t work. You waste your time chasing women, and when you’re out of money, you come running to me. Then I’m the one who has to go to Adrian for more. How can I ever face him with you always begging for money?”

“What are you saying? Do you think I’m avoiding work? With Dad and our older brother gone, and you battling a brain tumor, who’s supposed to take care of you?”

“Take care of me? What exactly have you done to help?” Rebecca’s voice escalated. “I don’t have any money! Stop asking for it!”

“Oh, so no money, is that it?” Erick’s tone grew threatening. “Then I’ll turn to Adrian. If he refuses, I’ll extract it from Joelle. They have more money than they know what to do with. Two hundred thousand wouldn’t even faze them!”

“Erick!” Fear washed over Rebecca. She knew her brother’s capabilities all too well.

The last time Joelle was kidnapped, it was Erick who had teamed up with Landen to pull off the scheme. Without Rebecca’s quick thinking and the photo she took with Landen’s daughter, they might never have resolved it. Once that mess was sorted, Erick went right back to his frivolous lifestyle with his girlfriend.

Tired, Rebecca said, “You need twenty thousand, right? I’ll give you it, but don’t approach Adrian. You may not care about your reputation, but I do. And don’t push Joelle too far. If something serious happens, no one will be able to protect you.”

Erick’s tone softened, almost soothing. “That’s better. Adrian should be supporting us for the rest of our lives. What’s the harm if he hands over some money? Besides, I’m helping you with Joelle. The sooner she’s out of the way, the sooner you’ll become Adrian’s wife. My future depends on you, Rebecca.”

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