One night stand with my president(chapter 436)

 

Chapter 436: she was Never Alone 

Despite the fuss and overprotectiveness, Adeline couldn't help but feel a quiet warmth in her chest. Being loved and cared for by so many people was something she would never take for granted.

The Mendoza family's private jet was already waiting at the airport.

Harrison would accompany them back to Yewhaina.

Sam and Joyce wouldn't be going.

Joyce had come to Daltoria solely out of worry for Adeline, but now that her friend was recovering well, she could finally relax.

She planned to head north to see the aurora-and Sam would be going with her.

Still, the two of them insisted on driving Adeline and the others to the airport.

Before boarding, Adeline turned to Joyce, her brow slightly furrowed.

"Callan might still be lurking somewhere in Daltoria." she warned. "You two need to be

careful."

"Don't worry," Joyce said with confidence,

"Sam's already arranged for a private team to protect us, and my godmother's people are still here, too."

She had once tried to run from it all, hoping to avoid confrontation-but now, looking back, she realized something.

It was just Callan.

If he insisted on pushing her, she would push back. If he came at her relentlessly, then fine-she'd fight him to the end.

She wasn't alone.

She had family. She had a man who loved her, and she had friends who would never leave her behind, With all of them standing beside her, what was there to be afraid of?

She used to worry that Callan would hurt the people around her again. But now, it was clear-his entire focus was on getting close to her, That meant he wouldn't have the time or attention to hurt anyone else.

And that was perfect.

She and Sam were going to chase the northern lights. If Callan wanted to tag along, let him.

Without Jamarion's power backing him anymore, if he dared try anything... he might not be the one who came out on top.

Adeline glanced at Joyce, who looked radiant and full of life. Teasingly, she said, "Ah, love really does wonders-just look at you glowing."

"Oh please," Joyce shot back with a smirk. 

"Have you seen yourself lately? You're practically walking sunshine."

They exchanged mock jabs with exaggerated sarcasm, and then finally, reluctantly, said their goodbyes.

"Let me know when you're heading back to Orianto," Joyce said. "I'm planning a trip home soon myself-need to check in on my parents."

"I will."

A few moments later, Adeline and the others boarded the plane.

Joyce and Sam walked out of the terminal together.

As they approached their car, Joyce suddenly felt a chill creep up her spine.

She paused, instinctively turned her head-and saw exactly what she expected.

It was Callan.

He stood not far away, his eyes fixed on her and Sam with a sinister intensity.

The sight still startled her-just for a heartbeat-but she quickly composed herself. 

She didn't even bother to look at him again. 

She simply turned her gaze away.

Sam noticed him too. His expression darkened.

Without a word, he wrapped an arm protectively around Joyce's shoulders and guided her into the car. 

It wasn't about marking territory.

He simply wanted to shield her.

But in Callan's eyes, that gesture was a direct provocation.

His fists clenched at his sides, jaw tightening.

He stood there, helpless, as Joyce and Sam got into the car together. The rage inside him boiled over. He took two quick steps forward.

And immediately, two bodyguards blocked his path.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

Callan exploded. "I'm just trying to talk to a friend!"

"Our orders are clear," one of the guards said flatly. "You are not to approach Miss Monroe or Mr. Juarez under any circumstances. If you try to force your way through... we won't hesitate to use force."

"You..." Callan trembled with anger. "Do you know who I am? Who my father is? You dare treat me like this?!"

The two bodyguards remained utterly unmoved.

They didn't care whose son he was. Here in this foreign country, without backup, he was just another desperate man clinging to whatever scraps of power he had left.

The car carrying Joyce and Sam had already driven away.

Callan had no choice but to turn around and leave, humiliated.

But he couldn't calm down. His mind was spinning, seething.

He could see it clearly now.

Joyce and Sam were different. They were close and intimate in a way they hadn't been before.

And the Mendoza family had left Daltoria. 

Sam could've left too.

But he didn't. He stayed-for her.

Joyce once said Sam didn't like her. Callan hadn't believed it then, and now, he was certain it was a lie. Something was going on between them-something real.

They were probably already together.

The thought made him burn with fury, and worse-helplessness.

All his authority had come from Jamarion.

Now that Jamarion had washed his hands of this whole affair, what could Callan do?

Worse still, Jamarion was actively pressuring him to return, calling him nonstop.

But Callan refused. He couldn't leave. He couldn't just stand by and watch Joyce fall into someone else's arms.

No matter what it took, he was going to break them apart.

He pulled out his phone and made a call to a friend still in Daltoria.

"I need a favor."

Back in Yewhaina, Adeline finally returned to her family's home.

She hadn't spent much time here before, but

now, standing in her old room, she felt a wave of familiarity and comfort.

"We're finally home," Gracie whispered, gripping her hand tightly, her eyes misting over. "It's such a relief...

Adeline gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Despite her long absence, the room had been kept spotless, and a fresh bouquet of flowers stood on the desk. Nothing had changed.

She was welcome here-missed.

"Everyone must be tired from the trip. Let's take a break," Isaac began to say, but before he could finish, the butler hurried over.

"Mr. and Mrs. Livingston are here," he reported.

"They heard Adeline had returned and are waiting outside to see her."

Under normal circumstances, they would've been let in without question.

But this wasn't a normal time.

Pedro had worked with Benjamin and been directly involved in Adeline's kidnapping.

No one in the Mendoza family wanted to see the Livingstons right now.

And honestly, their visit probably had nothing to do with Adeline. With Pedro still in custody, they were most likely here for his sake.

"Send them away," Gracie said coldly. "I don't want to see them."

"Yes, ma'am."

After the butler left, Adeline turned to her parents. "Actually, that reminded me. I want to talk to Pedro."

Isaac's brow furrowed. "Why would you want to see him? He was one of the people who handed you over to Benjamin."

They had been too busy rescuing her to deal with Pedro before. But now that she was home, it was time he answered for what he'd done.

"Exactly," Adeline said calmly. "That's why I want to see him. Don't worry, I'm not traumatized. I just have a couple of questions for him."

Isaac considered her for a moment and then nodded. "Alright. I'll have someone bring him up."

Pedro had been locked in the Mendoza estate's basement all this time.

He knew he had screwed up-badly. But part of him still held onto a sliver of hope. Maybe his parents would come and bail him out.

But days passed. Then more. And still, no word came.

Pedro was beginning to lose hope completely. He had no idea how long he'd been trapped down here and what was waiting for him next.

Pedro was about to break down.