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

was the top floor

gazing at Fig River, which cuts right through the

chef hired by the Michelin 5–star restaurant prepared dishes that looked

at Cloudnine Restaurant came with a hefty

to be prepared to spend at least 15 grand for

really busy

worry. I

her

We don’t

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

should be Cloudnine Restaurant’s

to

and welcomed

the waiter’s eyes as

toward Jane and stuck her tongue out. “You’re becoming more

What’s so mysterious

feeling that I

Restaurant had ten

only serve ten groups of diners at

before the waiting staff would set up an extra table

more diners there were, the rowdier the

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

table at the restaurant made it all

most popular restaurant in

Lila got a

with opulence oozing from

been two years since I’ve dined at Cloudnine Restaurant. I find myself speechless every time I step inside. It’s

you’re paying for the meal today. Come

“Okay!”

menu

cost them more

a bottle of red wine that cost a dozen grand or

money on me, so

don’t need it. You’re doing fine on your own!”

you, Lila. You stood up for me and tried to protect me when Dwayne and Madelyn accused me of

how much courage that took. Lila wasn’t the sort to speak up

gathered her courage and overcome her meek nature because she had wanted to protect Jane. Sometimes, Jane wished that she had been a member of the Sutton

a sister. She was the kind of family that Jane had always dreamed

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

do. Let’s not talk about that. Drop by my place and have dinner

how pretty and nice you

“Sure.”

were bright with

would love to be the goddaughter

like

family wouldn’t treat her like dirt while treating Madelyn

share of disappointments in

died

yearning for a family had died

walking

caught Lila and Jane chatting happily through

Jane

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

spotted Jane too.