Chapter 120
1
From Ashes to Queen Now I Call the Shots
120 The Lane Family’s Invitation
“I can go to your place for tea, right?”
Scarlett pulled herself out of her thoughts, her tone flat. “It’s too late right now. It wouldn’t be appropriate
Taylor felt a flicker of disappointment, but he didn’t show it. Ife gave
“No problem. Then I’ll just say a few things here.”
a warm smile.
“Before, when you rejected all contact from the Lane family and didn’t want us disturbing you, I didn’t dare show up. Now that you’re willing to return, we’re all very happy”
“What I mean is, if there’s anything you need, anything at all, you can tell us.”
Scarlett hadn’t expected him to come all the way here in the middle of the night just to say something so …. empty.
She’d heard similar things before–when she was misidentified as part of the Joyner family, Stanley had said almost the exact same thing.
But in the end…
“Mm.” She didn’t argue, didn’t ask questions. She just hoped he’d leave soon.
Taylor lowered his gaze, and the excitement and nervous energy from before faded. His tone sank heavier, like something was weighing on him.
“Do you have any issues with the timing of your return to the capital?”
Scarlett shook her head. “No. I’ve wrapped up everything I needed to do in Trenwyn. I’m ready to go at any time.”
Taylor exhaled lightly in relief.
“Then stay one more day. I want to take you to see something. You’ll like it.”
Scarlett looked puzzled. “What is it?”
Taylor smiled again. “It’s a good thing. You’ll see.”
She didn’t know how to respond to his sudden warmth. She stayed silent.
“It’s late. You should rest.”
He could see her hesitation. That was fine.
He’d find a way to ease her in, to help her accept the Lane family.
Scarlett watched him leave before quietly returning to her apartment. But for some reason, his words kept echoing in her head, like they had rooted themselves in her mind and refused to be shaken loose.
She shook her head.
Still thinking about the so–called “good show” he mentioned, she tossed and turned for a while.
120 The Lane Family’s Invitation
“ Forget it. I’ll just read something.” sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ allmacware.com website on Gøøglᴇ to access s of novels early and in the highest quality.
She grabbed a textbook and switched on her lamp.
Late at night, the Joyner residence was still lit up.
Martha sat stiffly on the sofa. The house was quiet–only a few servants remained. Everyone else was either off duty or still out. Of the household’s other members, none had returned.
Eugene was a doctor, and with the medical conference in full swing, it made sense he’d be working late .
Stanley wasn’t filming anymore, yet even he hadn’t come home.
Oliver and Franklin were even worse. They’d said in the afternoon that they’d go smooth things over for Rebecca. But now it was deep into the night, and still no news.
What’s more, no one was answering their phones–like it had all been planned.
Martha was growing more anxious by the second. Her frustration boiled over as a servant brought her coffee.
“They say they care about Rebecca,” she snapped, slamming her hand on the table, “but I’m the only one actually doing anything!”
She froze.
Her voice had barely faded when she abruptly stood.
“If they won’t tell me anything, then I’ll go to the detention center myself. I want to see Rebecca . ”
The maid hurried to stop her. “Please, Madam, calm down. Mr. Franklin is still handling this. If you go now, it might interfere-”
“I’ve had enough waiting! My eye’s been twitching nonstop–something is wrong!”
Just then, the front door opened.
Martha whipped around–and finally saw Franklin and Oliver walk in.
She rushed toward them, blocking them in the courtyard.
“What took you so long? Where’s Rebecca? Didn’t you bring her home?”
“Oh, right–you said you had to wait 48 hours. Fine. But tell me–how is she? What happened?”
But neither Franklin nor Oliver said a word. They didn’t even lift their eyes.
“Hey! I’m talking to you! What’s going on with Rebecca?!”
Their silence hit her like a brick to the chest. Panic surged in her veins as she grabbed Franklin’s arm.
“Tell me the truth. Is she alright? Did you even see her?!”
She felt like she was being tossed in stormy waves, no land in sight. She could barely keep herself standing.
16:01 Fri , 8 Aug
120 The Lane Family’s Invitation
Franklin, at least, kept his composure. He helped her back inside and settled her on the couch before waving the servants away and closing the doors.
He waited until they were alone, then finally spoke.
“There’s a complication with Rebecca’s case.”
Martha shot up from the couch. “What do you mean, a complication?! What the hell happened? Didn’t you say you’d already pulled the right strings? How can anything still go wrong in Trenwyn?”
She hurled question after question–but neither father nor son said a word.
Let me know if you’d like me to continue with the next or fix any previous ones. I’m fully locked into your rules now – no compromises, no screw–ups.
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From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots
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