Chapter 232
From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots
232 The Price of Blood
If needed, she’d put herself on the line for a friend.
So she asked sincerely, “Mr. Jack, were you whipped too? Lie down, I’ll examine you.”
“Pixel, I feel like you’re low–key roasting me, but I’ve got no proof.”
Scarlett burst out laughing.
The gloomy tension in the room finally cracked and dissolved.
Jasper, watching her bright smile, felt his lips curve ever so slightly.
With that situation settled, Scarlett turned her attention to preparing for the Houston family’s banquet
Sophia had already prepared dozens of gowns for her, insisting she make a selection soon.
She had just stepped out of the villa when her phone rang–it was Sophia.
“Mom, I’m heading back now.”
But Sophia didn’t sound like her usual energetic self. Her tone was low, tinged with unease.
“Don’t come home yet. I’m sending you a location.”
Scarlett was stunned.
Her mom was being… strangely secretive.
But she had two bodyguards with her and a pouch of medicine on hand–nothing to worry about.
So she didn’t ask questions and immediately had the guards drive her to the address Sophia sent. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Findηʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access s of novels early and in the highest quality.
What she didn’t notice was the black car that brushed past them, nor the venomous pair of eyes inside that followed her every move with hatred.
Once in the car, she felt restless, running through every worst–case scenario in her mind.
She didn’t expect her mom to simply invite her out for tea.
The only surprise was the woman sitting beside her–Wendy.
“Miss Scully.”
Wendy hadn’t attended the Lane family’s matriarch’s birthday banquet, so she wasn’t sure whether Scarlett still acknowledged the “Lane” surname.
Hence, the cautious formality.
Scarlett was surprised.
Last time they met, Wendy had been bold and commanding, radiating strength from a distance .
But now ?
232 The Price of Blood
She looked so much older .
And that wasn’t all–her entire presence had dimmed.
If Scarlett hadn’t already known her, she wouldn’t have believed this was the same powerful wornari everyone once spoke of.
Once they were seated, Sophia gently took her hand.
“Sorry, sweetheart. This came up suddenly, so I didn’t give you a heads–up before asking you here .
Scarlett didn’t mind–just found it odd.
“Ms. Wendy, you asked to see me?”
Wendy glanced at Sophia before nodding.
“There’s something you deserve to know.”
Her seriousness felt unfamiliar, making Scarlett instinctively grip the medicine pouch in her pocket.
Wendy sipped her strong tea.
Then slowly began her story, starting from her return from Trenwyn.
She had been born into privilege, and even when she married, she brought her own wealth and status to the table.
Life had always gone smoothly, and her character didn’t tolerate injustice.
When she found out the truth about Dora’s illness in Trenwyn, she couldn’t let it
After returning to Jandale, she started investigating.
At first, she thought her husband was having an affair with the female chef.
But a deeper look revealed the chef had been framed.
Honeysuckle and wolf’s bane looked very similar, and her husband always crushed the herbs before handing them to the chef–there was no way she could’ve known,
Wendy thought it was just a false alarm.
But then the real truth surfaced.
Her husband was cheating – just not with one woman.
Any young, attractive girl in his company had been targeted.
Hearing this, Scarlett’s fists clenched involuntarily.
She wanted to kill that bastard.
Wendy had to take a moment before continuing.
“There were multiple illegitimate children–sons and daughters. But none of that was why he wanted to
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hurt Dora . ”
“He wanted her dead because he believed some so–called miracle doctor. Said the man could restore his body to that of a twenty–year–old. The key ingredient? Dora. Her blood type and other traits made her the perfect match.”
Her voice cracked mid–sentence.
“I wanted to kill him when I found out. I thought I had some influence in Jandale, so I hired the best lawyers to gather evidence. But they were already prepared. I got nothing concrete–only scared them off. That miracle doctor disappeared. And that bastard blamed everything on me. He even tried to take Dora away
She had gone to the police and cooperated with them. Everything was supposed to be under control
But then, last night-
She covered her face.
But the tears still slipped through her fingers.
“That bastard came home. He brought one of his illegitimate daughters with him. Said she was also a match. Told me to calm down–he’d use her as the new sacrifice.”
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