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

Ms Escape Marrying to Run , Fighting to Rise Chapter 174 He Stayed 99 Finished " Curtis , thank you , " Adriana's voice wavered as she whispered , " Thank you for trusting me . " Curtis helped her lie back , his palm brushing gently over her hair . " Thank me ? " His tone dropped lower . " You really think we're still strangers ? " Adriana blinked fast , her throat tightening . " Belinda's just a kid . Maybe this'll scare her straight . If she really ends up in prison , I'll feel terrible . " Curtis's jaw stayed tight . " We'll deal with it later ." His voice left no room for debate .

But the truth stung him . Belinda's betrayal cut deeper than he wanted to show . He didn't trust many people . Hardly anyone . And she'd been one of the few he thought he could count on . She'd grown up right in front of him , and still , she'd stabbed him where it hurt most . Adriana's hand slid into his , her fingers trembling as she squeezed . She didn't say a word , but he felt it . She understood . Then a sudden buzz broke the quiet . The phone on the table vibrated hard against the wood . Curtis frowned as he picked it up . The screen showed an unknown number from Haldoria .

Not many people had that line . Only family . Only the ones who mattered . He answered anyway . " Yeah ? " " Curtis . " The voice on the other end was rough and bitter . Michael . The sound of it alone made Curtis's skin crawl . " Your grandfather said to call you . He told me I can't come back to the Lincolns unless you agree ." Curtis's blood started to boil . His fingers tightened around the phone , So that was it . Harold had handed his number over . Set him up like this . He could feel his temper rising , slow and sharp . " Is that right ? " Curtis said , his voice flat and cold .

" Then you can forget it . Because as long as I'm breathing , you're not coming back . " Michael's tone hardened . " I'm calling out of respect , Curtis . I'm still your father . Whether you like it or not , everything tied to the Lincolns belongs to me before it ever belongs to you . " 1/4 Chapter 174 He Stayed Finished Curtis's lips curled . His laugh came out short and sharp . " When you walked away , the Lincolns . were drowning in billions of debt . How about you pay that off first before you start talking about what's yours ? " " You- !

" Michael's voice snapped with rage , but Curtis hung up before he could finish . Adriana stared at him , startled . " What was that ? " Curtis set the phone down , his expression calm again . " Nothing . Just some scammer pretending to be my dad . " Adriana let out a breath . " Seriously ? That's insane . They didn't even bother to check your father's been dead for years ." Curtis smiled faintly but said nothing . The anger still burned somewhere inside him , but looking at Adriana - so fragile , so alive- dulled it . Michael had always been a shadow that poisoned everything he touched .

But here , in this quiet room , with her lying in front of him , the darkness felt lighter . Adriana spent three days in the hospital before Curtis finally brought her home . He put his job on hold and began working from home so he could watch over her himself . During those few days , the police called Adriana about Belinda's case . Nothing had been settled . Adriana , the victim , didn't want to press charges . Curtis , who filed the report , refused to drop it . And Belinda , the offender , wouldn't leave the police station . Everything was stuck like a three - way standoff . " Curtis ...

can you just stop going after Belinda ? " Adriana stood by the study door , leaning in with her head slightly tilted , her voice soft and careful . Curtis shut his laptop and met her eyes . " Being kind to someone who hurt you is the same as betraying yourself ." Adriana went still , her gaze falling to the floor . He was right . She shouldn't pity Belinda . But something in her still felt sorry for that girl . " But the one who deserves my anger is Cynthia , not Belinda ... " Adriana's voice dropped to a whisper , almost trembling .

2/4 Chapter 174 He Stayed Finished Cynthia was the woman who had once saved Curtis . Curtis could be harsh with Belinda , but not with Cynthia . Maybe it was because he didn't have proof . Adriana didn't dare to test that line . " I understand . " Curtis stopped pressing her . He rose , crossed the room , and pulled her into his arms . " Tell me what you want to cat . " He didn't want anyone meaningless getting between them . Once Michael returned to the Lincolns , Curtis would be swamped again . Michael had no drive and no real talent .

But he was greedy and petty , always scheming for his own gain . " Curtis you've seemed upset lately . " Adriana's voice trembled as she studied him . She wanted to ease his heart but didn't know where to start . " Don't worry about it . " Curtis gave a small shake of his head . Adriana just nodded , her lips pressed tight . Haldoria . Langford Group . Matthew had barely stepped into his office when his phone started ringing . It was Michael . He glanced at the screen and smirked . " Hey there . " " Hello , Mr. Langford . This is Michael . " Matthew had known this call would come .

Curtis had full control of the Lincoln Group now . Even Harold couldn't touch it . If Harold wanted Michael to come back , he'd have to think twice . And Curtis would never allow that man to walk back into the Lincolns . Michael had nowhere else to turn . Matthew was his only move left . " Michael ," Matthew said with a calm grin . Michael went quiet for a long moment . Then his voice came through the line . " Mr. Langford , I'm taking my kid to Haldoria tomorrow to tour the school .

If you're free , we should meet ." 3/4 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.