Ms. Escape: Marrying to Run, Fighting to Rise Novel

Chapter 168 Matthew's Plan 10ished Michael didn't want people calling him a coward . But he couldn't bring himself to crawl back to the Lincolns either . His son , Denton , was everything he wished he could have been . Bright . Steady . Hungry for success . He'd just crushed the SATs and ranked first in the entire state . Michael let out a long sigh . His thoughts tangled like fishing lines in a storm . If he returned now , what would he even find ? Harold would still be there . And so would the son he had abandoned . The idea made his stomach twist .

He couldn't even remember that boy's name anymore . All he remembered about his firstborn was the bitterness , the disgust that lingered every he thought about him . time " Dinner's ready ! " Juliet's gentle voice called from the kitchen . " We're having salad and clams tonight ." She stepped out with a soft smile , her calm presence filling the small house . " Denton , go check the stew in the yard . See if the bones are tender yet ." Tonight was a celebration . Denton's acceptance letter from Haldoria University had just arrived . It was the best college in the region .

When Denton left , Juliet's smile faded . Her voice dropped . " Michael ... the tuition's going to be a lot . You know how expensive Haldoria is . It's not the best college around for nothing . " Michael frowned . " Didn't we save some money ? " Juliet shook her head . " There's nothing left . We used everything on his schooling these past few years . " She hadn't worked since they'd come here . Taking care of Michael and Denton was already a full - time job . Michael's body was strong enough for small things , but he wasn't who he used to be .

He was no longer the leader of the Lincoln Group . Life at the village was quiet and peaceful . He hadn't left the Lincolns empty - handed . He'd kept a few valuables . A luxury watch worth millions . A few gold bars he could sell quietly . But years of living had eaten through all of it . There wasn't much left now . 1/4 8:44 Sat , Jan 10 A Chapter 168 Matthew's Plan Finished Michael's brows drew tight . He sat in silence for a while before speaking . " I'll handle it . Don't say anything to him .

" On the way back to Haldoria , Matthew sat in the backseat flipping his lighter open and shut , the small click echoing through the car . " Mr. Langford , " the assistant said carefully , " are you certain Michael will call you ? " Matthew grinned faintly . " He'll call . " Michael might have been too proud to go back . But his wife ? She didn't have that kind of resolve . Matthew had already gotten in touch with Michael's wife, Juliet . He knew she was the key . All it would take was one little nudge , one hint about who her husband really was , and she'd be the one pushing him to go back .

A woman who'd married a crippled man and lived off him her whole life without working a single day ? Saying she wasn't after money was laughable . Only a man like Michael - pampered , sheltered , and foolish - would ever believe that . By the fourth day of their vacation in Neocoralis , Curtis's phone rang . It was Harold . He wanted Curtis home . " What's wrong ? " Adriana asked as she stepped inside and saw the shadow in his eyes . " Grandpa wants me back , " Curtis said , his tone cold and quiet . Adriana stared at him . Something about the way he said it made her uneasy .

This wasn't just a family visit . Something bigger was waiting . " I'm flying to Harborton tomorrow , " Curtis said after a pause . " You'll go back to Haldoria with Irene . " He reached out and brushed her hair from her face . Adriana's voice was soft but firm . " Then I'm coming with you . " Curtis stayed silent for several seconds . Then he shook his head . " No. " It wasn't that he didn't want her there . He just couldn't let her see what lay behind his world . He wanted to be her shelter . He wanted her to believe he was strong , someone she could rely on completely .

The filth inside the Lincolns ' name wasn't something she needed to see . Adriana could feel it . Curtis was hiding more than he let on . She could sense the walls he kept around his past . 2/4 8:44 Sat , Jan 10 Chapter 168 Matthew's Plan And she realized she'd stepped too close . 99 Finished He'd been so kind lately that she had started to lose herself . For a while , she almost forgot what they really were - two people bound by a contract , not love . Adriana flew back to Haldoria with Irene . At the gate , a man was waiting for them . " Adriana , right ?

I'm Gary ," he said , his tone casual . Adriana reached out quickly to shake his hand . " Nice to meet you . I'm Adriana . " Irene smiled faintly . " He's Curtis's uncle . You can call him Uncle Gary . " Adriana froze . That explained the resemblance . The eyes . The jawline . The same air of confidence . But Gary carried himself differently . Harder . Like someone who'd been through battles and never lost one . " Uncle Gary , " Adriana said , trying to sound polite , though she was still caught off guard . She couldn't believe Curtis had never mentioned he had an uncle .

" You know , Irene's my wife . " Irene immediately kicked him in the leg . She sighed and looked at Adriana . " Gary and Curtis are related by blood . But the two can't stand each other . " Adriana blinked , stunned . She wanted to ask why , but the words wouldn't come out . Something told her not to . She'd learned to read Curtis well . There were things about his family he didn't want anyone to touch . " Drop it ," Gary said curtly . " Let's not talk about that . " Irene rolled her eyes . Gary could be infuriating . He acted tough with everyone else , always had something to say .

But when it came to her , he backed off every time . Except with Curtis . That was the one fight he never walked away from . Cedella Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella's storytelling style is immersive and addictive-perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.