From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots

Chapter 147 Uninvited Guest

“Forget it.”

Franklin had been on the verge of erupting. But the atmosphere in the private room was too bstrange/b. bThe /bsimmering anger had to be swallowed, forced into a stiff smile.

“Tomorrow we’re all attending the Lane family’s banquet. Here’s to rescuing Reba and making bit /bba /bplete sess!”

The room fell silent again.

He held his teacup aloft, unsure whether to drink or not. The awkwardness only made his frustration bworse/b.

iWas /iit ireally /iithat /iiserious/i?

Even if Reba 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 Reba because she seemed obedient, pure, and wless. 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 weed the fresh air.

The mother and daughter agreed without hesitation, ditched Taylor, and left the house with a bchauffeur/b.

The mall they visited was packed with high–end brands, but there was no need to browse bfloor /bbby /bbfloor/bb. /bAll they had to do was go straight to the VIP suite on the top floor, where racks bof /bgowns had balready /bbbeen /bcurated to match Scarlett’s style.

Inside, Scarlett couldn’t help but think, So this is what it’s like bto /bstumble binto a /bbridiculous /bbamount /bbof /b

Chapter 147 Uninvited Guest

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 apanied by a personal bodyguard for bsafety/b. bThat /bbguard /btoday was Hudson, who had followed Sophia since her younger days. Even though she was older bnow/bb, /bher reflexes were still razor–sharp.

Hudson also specialized in designing jewelry that doubled as weapons. The earrings, hairpinsb, /bband /bbrings /bbshe /bwore were all cleverly disguised tools of self–defense.

With someone like her nearby, Scarlett feltpletely 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 awyer and learned that unless Scarlett retracted her statement, there was no hope for Reba.

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 ssic game of hard–to–get.

Maybe she had been a little harsh in the past. But if she just yed the pitiful card and said a few soft words, Scarlett woulde crawling back like a dog, tail wagging.

Then Reba’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 Reba’s illness.

It had to mean that Scarlett was desperate for a mother’s affection.

That was why Martha had toe 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 bout /binto the shopping center.

Only the three of them remained.

Martha nced at Hudson.

She looked well–dressed, but in a city like Jandaleb, /bwhere even bthe /bbsidewalks /bbwere /bbpaved /bwith bmoney/b, bShe /b

Chapter 147 Uninvited Guest

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 tter her for showing up in Jandale.

All Martha had to do was get Scarlett somewhere quiet, exin the situation, offer a little benefit—and everything would be resolved.

After all, that brat had alwayse 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 andughing.

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