No Way Back by Anna Mac

Chapter 19 An Unlucky Coincidence

Dwayne hadn’t felt bad when he had brought up the online scandal. That was because he had had no part in it.

Besides, he had been preoccupied with and worried about Madelyn.

This was different. Dwayne had gotten involved.

He had accused Jane of theft when he had had no proof.

Dwayne felt unworthy of the WWE gold medal that he had just won.

“What did you say, Dwayne?”

Madelyn hadn’t heard him.

However, she knew that it couldn’t be anything good.

“It’s nothing.

Dwayne yanked himself out of his thoughts.

It didn’t matter. What was done was done.

There was no point regretting it now.

Besides…

Dwayne wasn’t going to hurt Madelyn just because he felt bad about Jane.

“Dwayne, if you catch up with Janie right now, you can try and convince her to come back to the Fowler family. Janie looks so lonely. I feel so sorry for her.

“We had been misled right from the start and accused Janie of something she hadn’t done. She had every right to be upset and disown the family. If only I hadn’t been part of the family. This wouldn’t have happened in the first place if I never existed.”

Madelyn said with a pained look on her face.

“Silly girl, that’s utter nonsense. You’re a part of the Fowler family. Nobody’s going to change that fact. “You’re right. We were wrong about Janie. But that has nothing to do with you. She’s already made up her mind. We should respect her decision.”

Dwayne said gently, shoving whatever guilt he felt toward Jane to the back of his head as he turned his attention back to a remorseful Madelyn.

Jane took Lila on a long ride in her newly purchased Porsche Cayenne. She felt on top of the world.

Dwayne had given her thirty grand. She wasn’t going to turn down money.

She decided to treat Lila to a meal at the best restaurant in Stormton City.

“Let’s not, Janie. Why don’t we dine at my place instead? We should save the money. You need it…”

“Lila, don’t forget. Half of that money belongs to you too. I’ve never been to Cloudnine Restaurant. I really want to try it. Humor me, please.”

“All right then.”

Lila had decided that she would support Jane in her every decision, no matter what it was. That was what best friends were for.

Jane was having a bad day today, and Lila was going to cheer her up!

They arrived at Cloudnine Restaurant.

Cloudnine Restaurant was the most famous restaurant in Stormton City.

At the height of its fame, it had a waiting list that spanned a month long.

to its name, the restaurant was located on the 100th

the top floor of

gaze upon the stars and enjoy Stormton City’s lovely nighttime scenery, gazing at Fig River, which cuts right through the city, as well as a Ferris

5–star restaurant prepared dishes

at Cloudnine Restaurant came

at least 15 grand for

busy restaurant. You need reservations to get a

worry. I have

waved her phone at

lucky. We don’t need a

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

Cloudnine

to the

scanned their QR code and welcomed Jane

the waiter’s eyes as he looked at

tongue out. “You’re becoming more mysterious by

so mysterious

just a feeling

had

could only serve ten groups of

restaurant owner before the waiting staff would set up an extra table for

were, the rowdier the restaurant would

Cloudnine Restaurant, which had a reputation of being one of the best restaurants in

of getting a table at the restaurant made it all the

fact, it was the most popular restaurant in the

a

lavishly decorated restaurant with opulence oozing from every single detail had Lila

Restaurant. I find myself speechless every time I

you’re paying for the meal today. Come

“Okay!”

took the menu and

them more than

menu and got a bottle of red wine that

Dwayne’s money on me,

don’t need it. You’re doing fine on your own!” Jane’s lips quirked up into a smile. She tousled Lila’s hair

me and tried to protect me when Dwayne and Madelyn accused

how much courage that took. Lila wasn’t

she had wanted to protect Jane. Sometimes, Jane wished

amazing to have Lila as a sister. She was the kind of family that Jane had always dreamed

family had ever given her was pain. They had hurt and abused her and left

best friends. That’s what best friends do. Let’s not talk about that. Drop by my place

going on about how pretty and nice you

“Sure.”

bright with

would love to be

sounded like a great

her like dirt while treating Madelyn

share of disappointments in

died for

for a family had died alongside

walking past Cloudnine Restaurant

and Jane chatting happily through the

Jane didn’t seem like

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

and spotted Jane too.