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.

name, the restaurant was located on

the top floor of

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 that looked

meals at Cloudnine Restaurant came with a

had to be prepared to spend at least 15 grand for

busy

worry. I have

waved her phone at

got lucky. We

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

be Cloudnine Restaurant’s

Lila to the top

code and welcomed Jane and Lila to the

of deference in the waiter’s eyes as he looked at

stuck her tongue out. “You’re becoming more mysterious

so mysterious

feeling

had ten

only serve ten groups of diners

the waiting staff would set

the rowdier the restaurant

reputation of being one of the best

of getting a table at the restaurant made it all the

fact, it was the most popular restaurant

got a table by

with opulence oozing from every single detail had Lila sighing in

years since I’ve dined at Cloudnine Restaurant. I find

you’re paying for the meal

“Okay!”

took the menu and

them more than ten

and got a bottle of

me, so

doing fine

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

courage that took. Lila wasn’t the sort

had gathered her courage and overcome her meek nature because she had wanted to protect Jane. Sometimes, Jane wished that she

Lila as a sister. She was the kind of

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

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

nice you are

“Sure.”

bright with unshed

love to be the

sounded like a great

her like dirt while treating Madelyn like the apple of their eye like the

had her share of disappointments in

died for

family had died alongside

Hugh walking past Cloudnine Restaurant

Jane

surprised by the sight. Jane didn’t seem like someone capable

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

spotted