After the wedding, Niko was utterly absorbed in Mila, attending to her desires meticulously. Mila didnât even mind that he was jobless. Lost in her newfound joy, she let go of old rivalries and long-held grudges.
âYou merely got lucky that day. Look at me now, far happier than you could ever be. Still no word on your son, I presume?â Milaâs words were a calculated jab at Joelleâs vulnerabilities.
Joelle paused, reigning in her fury.
âYou better be careful.â
âThereâs no need to be jealous. Youâve always lagged behind me in every way.â
Milaâs attempt to belittle her brought a smirk to Joelleâs face. She didnât see the point in engaging further.
Little did Mila know, Niko was quietly converting his old debts into their shared burden, nor did she grasp the true motive behind those insurance policies.
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With Mila dragging Ryland into the fray to needle Joelle, Joelle decided it was time to craft a real nightmare for Mila. Joelle knew about Milaâs role in the online trolling against her.
On their departure day from Paris, Joelle, Adrian, and Aurora encountered Rafael and Allie at the airport.
They saw Allie clinging to Rafael a certain distance away. Michael said, âAdrian, do you recall how Rafael once cleared your ten billion debt in one go, including the interest?â
Overhearing this, Joelle was taken aback.
âDid Allie help with that payment?â
âYes,â Michael replied. âShe inherited her fatherâs entire fortune. Quite the heiress, isnât she?â
Allie didnât look the part of an heiress at first glance. However, Allieâs wealth mattered less to them; they were more concerned about Rafaelâs choice of a partner.
Allie clearly had a strong attachment to Rafael, though her actions seemed immature. When asked for directions, Allie quickly donned a hat and hid behind Rafael.
Bewildered, Adrian and Joelle sought clarity and received enlightening information.
âI heard from my mom that Allie struggles with mental health issues. She was neglected as a child at home. Her family mistreated her, forcing her to sleep in the basement until she was thirteen because she was born out of wedlock. She was isolated, called an âoutcastâ by everyone.â
Joelle, herself a mother, felt it was heartbreaking just to hear such stories. A nurturing childhood sets the foundation for life, while a neglected one might take years to heal.
Despite her wealth, Allie still seemed unable to find happiness.
The airport buzzed with activity. After clearing security, Rafael handled their luggage and soon stumbled upon Adrian and the rest.
Wanting to leave past issues behind and avoid discomfort, Rafael acted as if he hadnât noticed the shiny diamond ring on Joelleâs hand.
âAre you heading back home?â he inquired.
âNo, weâre off to Switzerland next,â Adrian answered.
âSwitzerland?â Allieâs face brightened. âWeâre headed there too. Might we be on the same flight?â
After verifying their tickets, they discovered they were indeed on the same flight.
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