Chapter b234 /bBarbed bRoses /b

da 18 Pear

The old matriarch had long since stepped away frompany affairs, but she still held shares–bso /bbpower /bbwasn’t /bbher /bgoal.

Scarlett’s eyes flickered. She had a guessb. /b

“She wants leverage.”

Sophia nodded, gazing at her daughter with pride.

“My brilliant girl, that’s exactly it! Don’t worry–she traded a granddaughter for that favor. She won’t bcash /bbit /bin lightly. If troublees, I’ll handle it head–on.”

She reached out and tousled Scarlett’s hair.

“For now, just rest. I’ll try to wrap up my work early so I can apany you to Trenwyn for your defenseb.” /b

Scarlett’s eyes lit up.

Last year, she had watched her seniors defend their theses, with family members waiting outside in formalwear or holding sunflowers to celebrate them.

She’d longed for that moment.

But back then, stuck in the Joyner family’s web, she couldn’t even dream of asking.

At that time, she couldn’t imagine ever receiving that kind of unconditional love from family.

“Okay,” she whispered, voice hoarse, like she was struggling to hold something back.

Sophia’s car arrived.

Before leaving, she reminded her, “If you run into trouble with the Yale family, tell me. Don’t shoulder it all alone.”

Scarlett gave her an “OK” gesture.

“Of course. You’re my strongest backup.”

Sophiaughed out loud. “Exactly!”

Scarlett soon got into her own car and headed toward the Kramer estate as nned.

But just after turning the corner, her car was rear–ended.

Her bodyguards stepped out to handle it. The other party, clearly at fault, still insisted onpensation, arguing aggressively.

Scarlett called the police and asked Taylor to send another car.

But just as she stepped out to mediate

One of the men from the other car rushed toward her.

bChapter /bb234 /bbBarbed /bRoses

The bbodyguards /bbhad /bassumed bit /bbwas /bjust ba /btraffic bissue/bb, /bbso /bbthey /bbwere /bstill btied /bbup /bbtalking /bbto /bthe bdriver /b

bNone /bbof /bbthem /bnoticed the others hiding inside.

bBy /bthe time they realized those men were heading for Scarlett, it was already toote.

Scarlett hadn’t expected an ambush.

She froze by the door, stunned.

Thankfully, she had her medicine pouch. As the men charged at her, she hurled it forward–bit /bbexploded /bbin /bba /bburst of powder.

“Cough! Cough–koff! Hack, hack!”

The four men instantly doubled over, choking and staggering.

The bodyguards arrived in time to subdue them.

“Speak. Who sent you? Do you have a death wishying hands on ourdy?”

Though drained of strength, the attackers clenched their jaws and refused to talk.

Scarlett narrowed her eyes, scanning the car and the street.

“It was Grace, wasn’t it?”

The leader’s head jerked up, shocked she’d guessed it so quickly.

Scarlett sneered.

That easy to rattle?

“Take them to my second brother.”

She tapped on her phone. “I’ve sent you the address.”

The bodyguards nodded andmandeered the attackers‘ vehicle.

One bodyguard stayed behind to escort her to the Kramer residence.

It was early summer. Roses bloomed wildly over the estate’s wrought–iron fences, the pink and white blossoms spilling like waves over ash–grey stone walls. In the setting sun, they glowed like gilded ink.

Scarlett stood before the ornately carved brass gate, her fingers brushing a detailed totem on the door knocker.

It was iid with a single b of He?ian jade, and its carved veins held the lingering warmth of spring. It was said Mr. Samuel’s father had personally designed the vi thirty years ago: a Baroque dome atop ssical eaves. The granite walls had been imported overseas, each stone polished to a mirror shine.

As the gate opened, a butler in dark green uniform bowed deeply. His shoes crunched over ancient bSong /bDynasty bricks, their seams filled with crushed shell that shimmered like pearls in the bdusk/bb. /b

“Ms. Lane, I was instructed to greet you here. The master is waiting in his room as you brequested/bb, /bbso /bbplease /b

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Chapter 234 Barbed Roses

bexcuse /bhim for noting down personally.”

Scarlett smiled and nodded.

“No trouble. But I do want to ask- is your youngdy here?”

The butler paused, clearly not expecting that question.

But Mr. Samuel had ordered them to treat Scarlett as an honored guest.

So he answered carefully.

“Yes. She’s been heretely, said she wanted to take care of the master.”

Scarlett understood immediately.

“Why hasn’t shee out?”

The butler gave a pained smile.

That young mistress had always been temperamental.

She’d also opposed Mr. Samuel hiring a psychologist–especially Scarlett, who she saw as an inexperienced outsider.

Just not making things difficult today would be a miracle. Showing up to greet her? Not a chance. “Madam is currently in a video meeting. It’s not over yet. She asked me to extend her apologies.”

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