Chapter 168
168 The Shattered Mask
But even surrounded by applause and admiration, Scarlett couldn’t help feeling a little nervous
For the first time in her life, she was receiving so much kindness. And that—more than anything– made her afraid she might somehow fall short.
Down below the stage, Jack dabbed at imaginary tears.
“Pixel’s finally getting her happy ending.”
He’d always felt sorry for Pixel, assuming she had no family. But now? She had not only found her kin–she was being introduced like royalty. Maybe everything would really turn out okay after all.
Jasper’s gaze lingered on Scarlett–no, he corrected himself silently, Scarlett Lane. Her serene expression didn’t waver.
“She knows how to keep her composure,” he remarked.
Jack blinked. “Wait, what do you mean?”
Jasper arched a brow. “When someone is lifted so high, what’s the thing they should fear most?”
Jack’s expression turned solemn. “That one day, they’ll come crashing down–and have nothing left.”
If they were lucky, they’d merely fall.
But most people got trampled into the mud.
Jack looked at Scarlett again, this time with a touch of pity. That girl had really endured more than her
share.
Meanwhile, outside the grand venue-
Oliver took a sharp kick to the shin.
“Why are you just standing there? Move! Or are you thinking about slacking off?”
Even back in the early days of the Joyner family’s rise, Oliver had never been humiliated like this.
His first instinct was to fight back.
“You wanna resist? Go ahead–make my day. But if you don’t wanna work, leave now. There’s a line of people waiting to take your place!”
Oliver’s clenched fists trembled… then loosened.
Right. If he walked away, his father would just sacrifice one of his brothers.
As the eldest son, he couldn’t let that happen.
He glanced one last time toward/Scarlett, then looked away.
There had been a time when he was her whole world. When their family was everything she had.
Now, she stood like a star surrounded by galaxies. And she deserved every bit of it.
168 The Shattered Mack
Jealous , huh? ”
The supervisor sneered.
“Everything our young lady gets is earned. And you? You don’t even deserve to look at her.
Oliver let out a bitter laugh.
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He didn’t deserve it anymore.
Outside the Lane estate-
The Joyner family had been tossed out like garbage. Their faces were grim as they hurried into a cab and back to their hotel.
They had barely stepped inside when Franklin slapped Stanley so hard it echoed through the room.
“Ah!” Stanley staggered, stunned speechless. It was the first time his father had ever hit him.
Martha rushed forward, heart clenching. Stanley was her baby–she caught him just before he fell.
“What are you doing?!”
But Franklin wasn’t done.
“You think I forgot how I told you to stay away from the entertainment industry? I let it slide, but you still kept screwing around. And now–now–you’ve lost your damn mind! Standing there, confessing like some kind of martyr. You’ve destroyed the Joyner family’s reputation, you fool!”
Until that moment, their public image had still left room for doubt.
But Stanley’s teary confession had shattered it completely.
Now, they were the biggest joke in Jalindale.
Stanley covered his face in disbelief.
He had nearly forgotten. Franklin had never really been the kind, supportive father others imagined. When he’d been a nobody, he’d taken his frustrations out on his sons all the time.
“You gonna beat him to death now?”
Martha shoved herself between them .
Franklin turned on her with a sneer.
“Hmph. I haven’t even started with you yet.”
“You snuck off to Jalindale. You offended Madam Lane. Lthought all these years you were helping me–but. you’re the one who ruined everything!”
Martha’s temper finally exploded.
168 The Shattered Mask
Her words flew out without a second thought.
“ Franklin, are you out of your damn mind? I’m your wife! He’s your son! You want us all dead ? You’re so tough –why didn’t you do anything back at the Lane estate? All you know is how to bully your own familly What kind of man is that?!”
Franklin’s veins throbbed. His face turned red with fury, his eyes nearly bulging from his skull.
With a growl, he snatched up the ashtray from the table and hurled it at her.
Stanley and Eugene rushed forward, pulling Martha aside just in time.
Eugene even stepped between them, holding back Franklin’s raised hand.
The ashtray crashed to the floor.
Shattered.
Just like the Joyner family.