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

Chapter 45 Matthew's Revelation 13 Finished M " Don't be afraid . You've got me , " Curtis said quietly , his tone steady enough to calm every nerve in Adriana's body . " Before you leave for Pastalia , just focus on school . I'll take care of everything else . " Before going abroad , Adriana had to complete six months of Pastalian language courses . Only after passing the proficiency exam would she be eligible to continue her studies there - an opportunity she'd prepared for four She cherished it deeply . years . " Thank you ," Adriana said , smiling up at him .

She'd always been the kind of girl who smiled easily - she just hadn't had many reasons to , until now . " You still smile the same way you did when you were little . Goofy as ever , " Curtis murmured , his eyes soft . " What ? " Adriana blinked , not quite catching it . He said , turning toward the window , " Nothing . The hot dogs tonight were good ." Adriana brightened . " The owner taught me how to make them . I can make them for you sometime . " She hadn't thought before speaking - maybe because now that they were married , it just slipped out naturally .

Then she panicked , unsure if he'd take it the wrong way . " Sure , " Curtis said without missing a beat . " Just - no relish . " Her eyes lit up . " Me neither ! " Curtis didn't reply . He just looked out the window again - and smiled faintly . At Clarke Residence . While Curtis was showering , Eva mentioned something that surprised Adriana : the Clarke real estate developments belonged to the Bartons . All of Haldoria's most prestigious mansions - the ones that made the city's elite proud - had been built by the Bartons .

1/3 95 Chapter 45 Matthew's Revelation Finished : " The Bartons are at the top of Harborton . For years , they were the only family that could rival the Lincolns ," Eva explained . That was why there had been a marriage contract between the two families . " No wonder Danielle's so confident , " Adriana muttered under her breath . The Bartons were impressive . " Impressive on the outside , maybe . But anyone who knows the truth knows that Danielle's an illegitimate daughter . She's not even a real Barton . Jeremy changed his last name to theirs to save face .

If Gilbert , the eldest son , hadn't died young , neither she nor her father would've set foot in that house , let alone changed their last name , " Eva said , clearly not a fan of Danielle . Adriana hesitated . " Eva , you ... don't seem to like her much . But Ms. Reese seems to adore her ." Eva glanced around to make sure Curtis wasn't nearby before lowering her voice . " That woman's good at pretending . She's got two faces - one for the world , one for behind the scenes . She only knows how to charm gullible girls ." Adriana nodded . So she'd best stay out of that woman's way .

The Bartons weren't just above the Joneses - they were on another plane entirely . Adriana couldn't afford to offend them now . Maybe not ever . And Natasha hadn't been wrong - one day , Curtis and she would divorce . Sure , she could use this marriage to climb higher , but with no family name behind her , there was a ceiling she couldn't break . Buzz . Her phone buzzed again and again . She'd already blocked Matthew , but he had plenty of other numbers . He kept calling . Adriana didn't answer .

She knew he'd stop at nothing to keep Mia out of jail - to threaten , to bargain , to manipulate . Adriana refused to answer , not giving him a chance to reach her . Click . The door opened - Belinda was back . Adriana instinctively stood , wanting to retreat upstairs before a confrontation . " Running from me now ? " Belinda sneered . " Where's Curtis ? " 2/3 Chapter 45 Matthew's Revelation " He's ... showering . " Adriana pointed upstairs . Curtis was still in the bathroom . Finished " Shameless ." Belinda's lips curled . " You'll never measure up to my mom - or to Danielle .

Curtis doesn't even like you ." Adriana glanced toward the stairs - Curtis hadn't come out yet . She steadied herself . " Maybe not . But he still married me . Which means you still have to call properly ." Belinda stomped hard , pulling out her phone . " You have no shame , Adriana ! I just saw this in our student group - your sugar daddy photos ! Matthew admitted it himself . You were with him for four years for money ! " She snatched the phone nervously , staring at the screen . It was trending - Matthew had told reporters outright that he'd " kept " her for four years . Matthew ...

had gone public with his relationship with Adriana . Adriana's breath caught . He'd done it on purpose - to ruin her , and to hurt Curtis . If the Lincolns cared about reputation , they would never tolerate their heir marrying a woman with such a stain . They'd be the laughingstock of the business world . Matthew was ruthless . " Mr. Harold already knows . You might as well pack your bags , " Belinda said smugly , tossing her hair . " I came back tonight just to watch you get thrown out ." That was why she'd come - to see Curtis kick Adriana out of the house . Adriana's chest tightened .

She wasn't scared for herself - she was scared of dragging Curtis down with her . After all , they were legally married now . If this got out ... 108 B AdminJ