Chapter 137
137 The Gathering Storm
Don’t get in a stranges’s cat Jack velled after her in vain.
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Taylor simply waved in Jasper. “See you around.
Jasper gave a slight nod. He didn’t stop her. He already had a good idea of what was going on.
Searlen gave him a faint smile. “See you in Jandale.”
Taylor looked back at Jasper, as if urging him to say something–anything-
But Jasper’s expression remained indifferent, as if he wasn’t the least bit bothered.
Only after Taylor’s car sped off did Jasper turn to Jack, who was still stunned and anxious.
“Old Madam Lane’s birthday is coming up. Make sure to prepare a gift.”
Jack nearly exploded. “Is now really the time for that? Pixel just got snatched!”
Sure, it looked like she went willingly. But still! Pixel had already been tricked once into signing that “indentured contract” with Jasper. Who’s to say she wasn’t getting played again by Taylor?
The Lane family… they were black sesame dumplings through and through–sweet on the outside, scheming on the inside.
“You’re right.” Jasper replied. “This is no small matter.”
He opened the car door and looked down at Jack with disdain.
“Make it the best gift possible.”
Jack was bewildered.
In Jandale, there was a silent hierarchy among the elite families. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Findnøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access s of novels early and in the highest quality.
The Fletcher and Damian families stood at the top–powerful in both politics and business.
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The Lane family, despite its wealth and size, had only just begun tapping into the political sphere. They weren’t in the same league.
So, when the Lane family hosted a birthday celebration for their matriarch, families like the Fletchers and Damians typically gave symbolic gifts–nothing extravagant, so as not to create a sense of debt or imbalance.
It was an unspoken rule for years.
Why change it now?
Jack didn’t really mind spending the extra money–he wasn’t exactly strapped for cash.
But this might just scare the Lane family instead.
Back at the Joyner residence, the sky had already darkened.
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137 The Gathering Storm
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After an entire day of interrogation, the family had finally been cleared of involvement in the fire and released.
The company’s legal team had dropped everything to focus solely on Rebecca’s case, but the early reports weren’t encouraging.
Once home, Martha finally let down her defenses and collapsed onto the couch. She covered her face, tears. leaking through her fingers.
“How could this happen? Rebecca would never do something like that.”
The three Joyner sons stayed silent, their expressions grim. It was clear they didn’t entirely agree with her. Franklin was the calmest of them all. Once Martha’s sobbing eased, he finally spoke.
“The crux of this case lies with the criminal who pointed the finger at Rebecca.”
“She’s always been well–behaved and considerate. But the more exceptional someone is, the easier it is to become a target.”
“It’s not impossible that someone orchestrated all of this just to bring her down.”
He paused, glancing at his sons.
Seeing that none of them spoke up in defense of Rebecca, he frowned in disapproval.
“I’ve already sent a lawyer to speak with the witness. We need to get to the bottom of this.”
“Rebecca can’t be wrongfully accused like this.”
Martha’s eyes lit up with hope. “Yes, why didn’t I think of that sooner?“.
“No matter who’s behind this, we can’t let them succeed.”
“Whatever it takes–we must get Rebecca out.”
Franklin nodded. In his eyes, this wasn’t just about the arson case.
Someone was clearly trying to bring down the Joyner family itself.
They’d risen fast in recent years–fast enough to make enemies.
Rebecca’s case made one thing painfully clear: staying low–profile was no longer an option.
They needed a stronger ally.
“Previously, the Lane family’s representative misjudged Rebecca. I think I need to go to Jandale and try to explain things in person.”
He looked at his sons. “If you’re free, you should come with me.”
Martha was alarmed. “But what about Rebecca? If you all leave, who’ll stay with her?”
Franklin gently placed a hand on her shoulder
“You really think this is just about arson? What matters most now is how the people in power view us.”
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in 187 The Gathering Sprin
Only then did Martha begin to understand,
No wonder you said before that no one dared to help is wat like they were avoiding us.”
She was starting to panic. But families like the Lanes. we’re not even in their circle.*
Franklin rubbed his brow and closed his eyes.
“No matter. We’ll start in Jandale. There’s always a way.”
Then he looked to his sons. “Well? Are you coming?”
Stanley immediately nodded. “I’m in.”
The other two hesitated, but eventually agreed.
Jandale was a city of wealth and opportunity.
Even if they couldn’t win the Lane family’s favor, maybe they could find one of their enemies.
As the saying goes–just show up. Someone will always want to form a team.
Martha sighed deeply. “I’ll go pack your things.”
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