Chapter 319: Chapter 319



Just as Dunn left the supermarket, he saw Lara grabbing Aurora roughly and sprinted towards them. “Hey, what are you doing?”

Lara hesitated and pulled her hand back, realizing the inappropriateness of her actions. “Did you get everything?” Without a word, Dunn climbed into the car, and Lara started changing Ryland’s diaper.

“Dunn.” Aurora pulled at his sleeve, tears streaking her cheeks. “Don’t be scared, I’m here.” While Lara was preoccupied, Dunn secretly handed Aurora a piece of candy he had bought with the change, hoping to lift her spirits.

Yet, it didn’t make much difference because Aurora was deeply hurt.

“Dunn, that mean woman said my dad isn’t my real father.” Dunn inquired, “Who did she say is your father then?”

“She mentioned I look like Adrian Miller quite a bit.”

Dunn got it. He had always thought Aurora looked like Adrian from the moment they met, but he was aware that such comments shouldn’t be made lightly. Even a child like him understood that, but Lara seemed oblivious.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

Lara struggled but finally managed to change Ryland’s diaper. “I’m going to throw this away. Stay put.”

She grimaced as she held the dirty diaper at arm’s length and opened the car door.

As she stepped out, Dunn cleverly caught her skirt in the car door as it shut.

“Ah!” Lara didn’t notice and fell, landing right on the dirty diaper. It was unpleasantly warm.

Seconds later, she let out a horrified yelp. Dunn and Aurora stifled their giggles.

Half an hour later, Joelle received a message from Lara with a specific address, emphasizing again that only she and Adrian should come.

In the parking lot, Adrian was ready in the driver’s seat.

Joelle hurried to the passenger side.

“Adrian! Wait!” It was Fred and Gracie, Dunn’s parents.

“Is there any word about my son? I need to come too!” The typically composed CEO of Finch Group was visibly distressed, a stark contrast to his usual authoritative demeanor.

“Fred, Lara specifically mentioned just Joelle and me. I promise to keep you updated with any news,” Adrian said, patting his shoulder.

“That’s not acceptable!” Fred’s eyes reddened with urgency. “I have to go! My wife endured so much to bring our son into this world! Where are you headed? I can’t just sit back and do nothing! My wife and I are coming with you!”

Gracie was on the verge of breaking down. “Joelle, please, our son has never spent a night away from us!”

Joelle and Adrian shared a knowing look, fully aware of the parents’ distress.

Adrian gave a nod. “Alright, let’s handle this together.”

“Thank you,” they responded and climbed into the car.

As Fred buckled up, he asked, “Where are they now?”

“They’re in the top suite of the Royal Hotel.”

Once they reached the Royal Hotel, Adrian and Joelle were the first to enter the suite.

But Fred and Gracie stayed back.

The door slammed shut behind Joelle just as she sensed something was amiss. It was too late.

The inside handle was broken, and the door could only be opened from the outside.

Joelle knocked urgently on the door. “Hey!”

“Adrian, Joelle, I’m sorry!” Fred’s voice came from the other side. “We had to do this, or Lara would harm my son!” Joelle and Adrian exchanged a serious glance.

Adrian had always trusted Fred and Gracie due to their longstanding friendship and had let his guard down around them.

He hadn’t anticipated falling into Lara’s scheme.

He asked calmly, “What else did Lara instruct you to do?” Fred and Gracie shared a hesitant look. “She wants you two to stay here for the night.”

“That’s all?”

“Yes, that’s all. Don’t worry, we’re going to check on the kids now. By morning, you’ll be free, and the kids will be home.” Inside the locked room, Joelle and Adrian were puzzled by Lara’s motives.

Suddenly, the room’s phone rang, and Joelle answered it. “Hello?”

“Do you like the surprise I’ve set up for you?”

Recognizing Lara’s voice, Joelle yelled, “What is it that you want?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You’ve had feelings for Adrian for years, haven’t you? Well, prove it then.”

Joelle shot a nervous look at Adrian, who was checking the room for another way out. She whispered, “How does this benefit you?”

“It’s simple! If you sleep with Adrian, Jonathan will lose interest in you. Then he’ll return to Bristania and marry me!” Joelle was so furious she nearly collapsed.

Had she known Lara would stoop to such lows, she would never have admitted her feelings for Adrian. How could she face him now?

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