Chapter 142
142 The Weight of Armor
19 Finished
Sophia’s words landed like sterl against stone sharp, echoing, and impossible to ignore. Her presence carried undeniable weight, slicing through the tension with case.
Chloe instantly lowered her head in submission, while Aurora stood frozen, face flushed with shame, from afraid to utter a word.
Scarlett, meanwhile, found herself startled. Her whole body tensed, uncertain whether it was Sophia’s sudden defense or the words themselves that struck her.
Was she really feeling wronged?
Compared to everything she’d endured in the Joyner family, this little scene didn’t even register. She’d learned a long time ago not to argue with people like this–it only hurt herself. All she had wanted, in that moment, was to get out of the room and find a quiet place to rest.
But she hadn’t expected this–she wasn’t alone anymore.
A sudden warmth rose in her chest, sharp and unmistakable: So the saying was true: when you have family behind you, it really does feel like armor.
Chloe and Aurora stood awkwardly, their faces stiff with humiliation. Inside, both harbored resentment toward the main branch of the family. If Scarlett got to keep her dignity, why did theirs have to be stomped on in front of everyone?
But Sophia’s open confrontation–and the old matriarch’s silent approval–meant they had to swallow their pride and smile through their teeth.
Chloe forced a strained grin. “Then I’ll go make arrangements to be sure Scully’s satisfied.”
Sophia’s expression chilled. “No need to trouble yourself. I’ll handle it personally.”
Chloe was silenced immediately. Her face twisted as she clenched her fists behind her back, but she dared not say a word. Instead, she retreated quietly to stand behind Grayson, stewing in silence.
Taylor’s tone turned frosty. “The air in here’s getting a little stuffy. Scully, want to take a walk in the garden?”
Sophia brightened at once..“Yes, I’ll show you the new hybrid roses I’ve been cultivating. I think you’ll like
them.”
Scarlett had grown so used to being ignored that she wasn’t sure how to respond to such warmth. She couldn’t bring herself to turn it down. Before she knew it, she was being gently led out into the garden.
The Lane family’s garden was massive, a full acre of exotic plants and rare flowers, with a separate section. devoted to medicinal herbs .
“Your eldest brother Jimmy took over the research institute and buried himself in studies ever since,” Sophia said with a sigh. “I haven’t been able to get in touch with him for three months.”
Scarlett glanced at the herbal beds, her eyes narrowing in confusion. Why were ginseng and asarum planted together? Both were shade–loving, yes–but they required very different levels of light and moisture. Together, they’d only end up competing and stunting each other’s growth.
As if to confirm her thoughts, Taylor muttered with clear irritation, “Jimmy said I had to take care of his herbs while he’s away. Look at them now–half dead! If he doesn’t come back soon, this whole patch is
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going to be worthless”
Sophia reached for Scarlet’s hand, her voice softening “Scully, your brother doesn’t mean to ignore you
When we first found you, and you refused to come home, he was really upset. Then the institute starred a new catalyst study, and he just threw himself into it.
Scarlett hadn’t known about that. The revelation left her a little shaken.
never blamed him,” she murmured.
Sophia let out a quiet laugh. “No, that’s just me thinking he’s being an idiot. When he comes back, I’ll give him a good talking–to.”
“Oh! What do you like to eat? I’ll make it myself.”
Taylor’s face paled. “I, uh, have to get ready for Grandma’s birthday party. So I’ll skip dinner.”
Before either of them could react, he darted away like a man fleeing for his life. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the Findηʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access s of novels early and in the highest quality.
Owen, who had just turned to follow his son, froze mid–step. He turned back with a pained smile, the look of a man volunteering for a firing squad. “I’ll help.”
Scarlett blinked. Suddenly, she wasn’t feeling very hungry.
At Jandale’s Globerra Hotel, the four members of the Joyner family had checked into their rooms and gathered in Franklin’s suite for a strategy meeting.
Franklin pulled out his phone and tapped on several photos, then turned the screen toward his three sons. “Look. Scarlett’s in Jandale too.”
The three exchanged glances before leaning in anxiously to examine the images.
In the photos, Scarlett stepped out of a luxury car. A driver carried her luggage. The coordinates showed the location: Jandale’s outskirts.
“See? She must’ve found a way in,” Franklin muttered. “Probably hoping to attend the Lane family banquet.”
After all, at the recent medical exchange conference, Scarlett had made a huge impression. Several professors and experts had publicly expressed interest in making her their protégé. So being invited to the Lane family banquet wasn’t out of the question.
Still, Franklin found it hard to swallow. Everything Scarlett had now–this attention, this prestige–should have belonged to Rebecca. But instead, Rebecca had become a laughingstock, while Scarlett climbed to the top, trampling over her.
The more he thought about it, the more he believed that even if Scarlett had saved Rebecca with her herbal concoctions, Rebecca owed her nothing now.
“These photos don’t prove anything,” Stanley argued. “I remember there’s a competition being held at Jandale University. Maybe she’s just here representing her school.”
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