Return, My Love: Wooing the Neglected Ex-Wife

Chapter 79:

Joelle entered the office alongside Michael. Inside, Adrian was absorbed in his work, and the chilly air conditioning prompted Joelle to wrap her arms around herself for warmth.

Michael called out to Adrian, “Are you still busy with work? Joelle brought you lunch!”

Adrian glanced up briefly, adjusted the Bluetooth earpiece on his ear, and said something into the microphone.

Joelle was not there by choice. Regardless of whether Adrian was busy, she felt no inclination to engage with him. She walked to the coffee table, methodically set up the four-tiered lunchbox, and then sat quietly on the sofa to wait.

Michael grabbed a chicken wing and took a bite. “Joelle, your cooking is still excellent. This is delicious!” Joelle replied indifferently, “Leah prepared it. I had work commitments and couldn’t make lunch for him.”

Michael felt awkward for a moment. “Oh, is that so? Leah’s cooking is excellent too.” He tried to change the topic quickly, but Joelle sensed something odd in his words.

“Michael, why did you mention my cooking? I don’t recall you ever having my food.”

Michael looked slightly flustered and coughed lightly. “I haven’t? That seems improbable.”

Joelle’s expression became more intense. She thought about it and realized that since getting married, she had rarely been out of the house. How could Michael have experienced her cooking?

Feeling the weight of her stare, Michael looked over at Adrian, who was still engrossed in his work, and chose to be honest. “Joelle, to tell you the truth, the meals you used to bring for Adrian were eaten by me.”

Joelle couldn’t tell how she felt right now. The meals she had prepared with care had been casually passed on to someone else by Adrian. In the eyes of Adrian’s friends, she must have appeared utterly foolish.

Michael hurried to justify the situation. “Adrian was overwhelmed with work. He didn’t want your food to go to waste, so he gave it to me.”

Joelle no longer wanted to think about the past. She managed a forced smile and said, “So, he gave it to you every time? It seems you were the one who got to see my culinary skills develop.”

Michael scratched his head, searching for a way to amend the situation. “Sometimes, when I wasn’t there, Adrian would distribute the food to other employees. He was hiding the fact that he was married to you, and he made himself appear single. It wasn’t that he disliked your cooking. It was just that many people brought him meals.”

However, his attempt at clarification only deepened the awkwardness. Joelle’s expression grew distant, and noticing her change in mood, Michael apologized. “Joelle, I’m sorry. Let’s just forget I mentioned it!” He quickly stood up, realizing his casual visit had unexpectedly caused tension. He wasn’t there for anything important, yet he managed to create a rift between Joelle and Adrian.

He rushed out before Adrian could notice anything unusual. Just as the door shut, Adrian finished his remote meeting. He removed his Bluetooth earpiece, tossed it onto the desk, and approached the sofa.

Joelle got up, her expression blank. “The food’s here. I need to return to work, so I’m leaving now.”

As she attempted to walk past him, Adrian grabbed her wrist. “Wait.”

“Adrian, I’m neither your assistant nor your maid! You can’t expect everyone to be available at your beck and call.”

Adrian kept his cool and said, “Mom called me earlier. She mentioned you threatened to prevent me from having an heir. Did you really say that?”

Joelle caught her breath. It seemed Amara had made a complaint about her. Had Adrian even considered Amara’s disrespect towards her?

After taking a deep breath, Joelle faced him. “Yes, I said it. What about it?”

Adrian’s expression hardened, showing clear displeasure and frustration. “Call my mother now, apologize, and agree to that medical check-up,” he demanded.

Joelle’s anger ignited immediately. “Why should I be the one to get checked? What if you’re the one who’s infertile? Why is the woman always blamed when there’s no child?”

Adrian’s face grew cold with anger. “What did you just call me?”noveldrama

Joelle pulled her hand away and tried to leave, but she only got a few steps before Adrian lifted her off her feet and placed her on the sofa. She was trapped in a vulnerable position, with Adrian holding her down. The fear that someone might enter at any moment intensified her panic that Adrian could do something drastic.

From above her, Adrian growled, “Do you want me to prove right here that I’m perfectly fertile?” His gaze was icy and filled with a menacing threat.

Joelle swallowed nervously, trying to defuse the tension. “There’s no need for that…”

Adrian wore a satisfied smirk. His hand moved down, lingering on her chest. “Then, will you agree to a check-up at the hospital?”

Joelle nodded quickly. “Yes, but please release me first.”

“Why should I?” Adrian scoffed. “We’re married. This is what marriage is about. I’m simply doing what a husband should, Joelle.”

Joelle pressed her lips together, struggling to stay calm. “Adrian, I don’t have time for this. I need to leave.”

Determined to follow through with his plans, Adrian held on to her firmly. He needed to have a baby with Joelle as soon as possible. Amara had pressed him about it again during their call today.

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