Chapter 205
From Ashes to Queen. Now I Call the Shots
205 Keep Your Enemies Close
+ Pearls
Scarlett had plans to meet up with Sharon for a shopping day downtown, so once she wrapped up business with the household staff, she was ready to head‘ out.
But just as she was walking toward the front door, Samson came rushing over.
“Ms. Joyner, I really hate to bother you with this–it’s something I’d usually handle myself–but… I’m stuck.”
“Samson,” Scarlett said calmly, “you don’t have to be so formal. Just say it.”
He looked relieved and leaned in to explain quietly. “It’s Oliver. He didn’t show up for work this morning. I didn’t know if this was something you-”
“Did he request the day off?” Scarlett cut in, her tone sharp. It was clear she didn’t want to discuss anything tied to Oliver.
Samson froze, all the other things he was planning to say suddenly catching in his throat.
“N–No. He didn’t.”
“Then treat it as a no–call, no–show.”
She took a few deliberate steps forward, now standing barely an arm’s length from him.
She was young. Newly returned. Technically inexperienced. But somehow, she carried this quiet pressure with her.
He’d dealt with plenty of powerful people before–people with titles, money, and influence. But none of them made him feel the way she did. Somehow, this girl–barely back a month–had more weight in her voice than any of them.
“You know the protocol for handling that, don’t you?” she asked, voice even.
He lowered his head immediately. “Yes, Ms. Joyner.”
“Good.” She gave a small smile, relaxed and warm. “Then I’ll let you take care of it.” S~ᴇaʀᴄh the ƒind ηøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access s of novels early and in the highest quality.
“You can count on me,” Samson said with a polite smile. “Headed somewhere nice?”
“Just out with a friend.”
“Oh, and Ms. Joyner–don’t forget about the celebration dinner tonight.”
Scarlett frowned. “Celebration? ”
“Yes, it’s part of the annual competition series. They hold a dinner every year for the participants. It’s at the Globerra Hotel tonight. Oh–your invite came in last night, but with everything going on, I forgot to pass it along.“.
He handed her the envelope.
She opened it and glanced inside. The invite was from the Competition Federation–basically a student committee that organized events between schools.
Completely optional. Whether she showed up or not didn’t really matter.
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205 Keep Your Enemies Close
But…
She flipped the card between her fingers, thinking.
If they’re setting me up, skipping this one won’t stop the next .
“Alright. I’ll be there.”
With that, she headed out.
+8 Pearls
Taylor, who had been waiting for this opportunity all morning, finally got his chance to drive her himself.
The same Taylor who ruled the outside world with an iron grip turned into a completely different person around his sister–no ego, no attitude, just a constant grin and the softest tone imaginable.
If his staff saw him like this, they’d think he’d lost his mind.
“Where to, my lady?” He grinned, giving an over–the–top bow as he opened the car door.
Scarlett blinked, speechless.
Thank God no one was watching , she thought. Cringe overload .
She climbed into the car anyway. “Oh, by the way,” she said once they were moving, “I need a favor.”
Taylor’s eyes lit up. “Seriously? You need me for something? Finally!”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” she said with a laugh.
He waved a hand dramatically. “Let me guess–you need money.”
Before she could even respond, her phone buzzed.
Incoming funds. She checked it–and her jaw dropped.
A huge deposit had hit her account. Bigger than anything she’d ever seen.
“Whatever you want to buy, buy it. Don’t hold back,” Taylor said proudly. “What’s the point of me making money if my little sister can’t enjoy it?”
Seeing how genuinely excited she was nearly made his day. Nothing–not billion–dollar deals, not major takeovers–made him happier than spoiling Scarlett.
She deserved the world.
She’d never fall for some loser just because he had a halfway decent pickup line or flashed a little charm.
Scarlett cleared her throat and quickly pocketed the phone.
“Actually, I don’t need you to drive. I just need a few good bodyguards.”
Taylor immediately looked wounded. “I’m better than any of those guys.”
Scarlett thought for a moment/“Fine. You can come too. I’ll text you if I need backup.”
She handed him the invitation.
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205 Keep Your Enemies Close
He scanned it, and the smile dropped from his face.
“So… someone still hasn’t learned their lesson,” he muttered, voice cold.
+8 Pearis
That night….
“Scarlett! There you are–I was just about to call.”
Aurora rushed forward the moment Scarlett stepped out of the car.
Tonight’s celebration was meant to honor the competition’s champion. Everyone was watching.
Scarlett showed up with no makeup–completely barefaced–yet somehow, her skin looked flawless, like it had been airbrushed. Clear, soft, and glowing.
She wore nothing but a simple button–down, but it only made her sharp features stand out even more. Even with her simple look, she turned heads the moment she stepped out.
Undeniably beautiful.
Aurora couldn’t deny it–Scarlett was stunning.
And it made her blood boil.
But none of that would matter soon.
Whatever . Let her look perfect tonight . Let everyone stare . It’ll be the last time . By the end of this , she won’t be standing so tall .
“Everyone’s already inside,” Aurora said sweetly. “Let’s go in.”
Scarlett nodded.
The two of them started walking, with two bodyguards following close behind.
Aurora blinked, confused. “Who are they?”
Scarlett smiled warmly, her tone casual–like they were just two old friends catching up.
“Oh, you know how my parents worry. They didn’t want me going out alone, so they sent a couple of guys with me. You don’t mind, do you?”
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