Chapter 147
From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots
147 Uninvited Guest
“Forget it.”
Franklin had been on the verge of erupting. But the atmosphere in the private room was too strange . The simmering anger had to be swallowed, forced into a stiff smile.
“Tomorrow we’re all attending the Lane family’s banquet. Here’s to rescuing Rebecca and making it a complete success!”
The room fell silent again.
He held his teacup aloft, unsure whether to drink or not. The awkwardness only made his frustration worse .
Was it really that serious ?
Even if Rebecca really did start the fire–so what?
Scarlett was fine, wasn’t she?
He truly didn’t understand them.
What he didn’t know was that the others held strong moral standards. They’d always favored Rebecca because she seemed obedient, pure, and flawless. That same standard led them to assume Scarlett was scheming and morally corrupt.
But now that the truth was staring them in the face, it was impossible to ignore the guilt.
No one at the table had the appetite to eat anymore.
The next morning.
Scarlett was woken up early to choose jewelry and a gown for the banquet scheduled that evening.
Technically, she had over a dozen dresses prepared. But Sophia hadn’t expected her daughter to be this slim -most of the dresses didn’t fit quite right.
In a family like the Lane family, top designers would normally bring their collections straight to the estate for private selection.
But after what had happened with Chloe yesterday, Sophia was worried there were still people at the estate who didn’t want Scarlett to thrive.
So she decided to take her daughter qut instead.
Scarlett didn’t mind. As grand as the estate was, it felt a bit stifling. She welcomed the fresh air.
The mother and daughter agreed without hesitation, ditched Taylor, and left the house with a chauffeur .
The mall they visited was packed with high–end brands, but there was no need to browse floor by floor . All they had to do was go straight to the VIP suite on the top floor, where racks of gowns had already been curated to match Scarlett’s style.
Inside, Scarlett couldn’t help but think, So this is what it’s like to stumble into a ridiculous amount of
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wealth! I’m never letting go of these rich people ever again!
“I’m going to say hi to an old friend. You and Auntie Bai go up first,” Sophia said.
When they went out in public, they were accompanied by a personal bodyguard for safety . That guard today was Hudson, who had followed Sophia since her younger days. Even though she was older now , her reflexes were still razor–sharp.
Hudson also specialized in designing jewelry that doubled as weapons. The earrings, hairpins , and rings she wore were all cleverly disguised tools of self–defense.
With someone like her nearby, Scarlett felt completely secure.
“Alright. Aunt Bai and I will wait for you in the VIP suite.”
Sophia nodded. “I’ll be up in fifteen minutes at most.”
At the elevator, they split up.
Scarlett and Hudson entered with a crowd of other shoppers. They stood near the edge of the elevator.
At the very back, hiding in the corner, was Martha–who had secretly followed them to Jandale.
She had spent all night growing more anxious.
Eventually, she consulted a lawyer and learned that unless Scarlett retracted her statement, there was no hope for Rebecca.
As Scarlett’s adoptive mother, even if she hadn’t raised her for long, Martha believed she knew the girl better than anyone. The estrangement? Just a ploy for attention. A classic game of hard–to–get.
Maybe she had been a little harsh in the past. But if she just played the pitiful card and said a few soft words, Scarlett would come crawling back like a dog, tail wagging.
Then Rebecca’s problem would be solved in no time.
After all, no matter how cruelly she’d treated Scarlett before, that shameless brat had still poured her heart into treating Rebecca’s illness.
It had to mean that Scarlett was desperate for a mother’s affection.
That was why Martha had to come to Jandale herself.
The Joyner men were all hotheaded and short–tempered. One argument and everything could go up in smoke.
She took a deep breath and returned/her attention to the elevator.
Right at that moment, the bell dinged, and the elevator doors opened. Most of the people inside rushed out into the shopping center.
Only the three of them remained.
Martha glanced at Hudson.
She looked well–dressed, but in a city like Jandale , where even the sidewalks were paved with money , She
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probably wasn’t anyone important. Just another hired hand.
40 Pearls
Martha, on the other hand, was one of the top–tier socialites in Trenwyn. She was leagues above them.
It would be humiliating to grovel in front of someone like that.
But Scarlett hadn’t noticed Martha standing behind her at all. She stared straight ahead, unaware.
Martha frowned and gave a loud cough.
If Scarlett so much as turned around, she’d surely greet her warmly, maybe even flatter her for showing up in Jandale.
All Martha had to do was get Scarlett somewhere quiet, explain the situation, offer a little benefit—and everything would be resolved.
After all, that brat had always come running back, no matter how terribly she was treated.
It had to be because she was desperate for affection.
That was what Martha believed.
She coughed again. Then again. And again.
But Scarlett didn’t turn around.
The elevator reached the top floor.
Scarlett and Hudson walked out together, chatting and laughing. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access s of novels early and in the highest quality.
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