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

was the top floor of

Fig River, which cuts right through the city, as well as a

the Michelin 5–star restaurant prepared dishes that looked like works

Restaurant came

at least 15 grand for

being a really busy

worry. I have that

waved her phone at

lucky. We don’t need a

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

should be Cloudnine Restaurant’s

to

code and welcomed Jane

noticed the look of deference in the waiter’s eyes as

leaned toward Jane and stuck her tongue out. “You’re becoming more mysterious by the

me. What’s so

just a feeling that I

Restaurant had ten

could only serve ten groups of diners at any

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

the rowdier the

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

a table at the restaurant made it all

the most popular

Lila got a

decorated restaurant with opulence oozing from every single detail had Lila sighing in

been two years since I’ve dined at Cloudnine Restaurant. I find myself speechless

paying for the meal today. Come

“Okay!”

took the menu

them more

got a bottle of red wine that cost a dozen grand or

money on me, so let’s spend every single dollar of

it! We don’t want that asshole’s money. You don’t need it. You’re doing fine on

up for me and tried to protect me when Dwayne and Madelyn accused me of

Lila

her meek nature because she had wanted to protect Jane. Sometimes, Jane wished that

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

given her was pain. They had hurt and abused

talk about that. Drop by my place and have dinner some time. I’ll have my

mother keeps going on about how pretty and nice you are and how much she wants

“Sure.”

were bright

to be the

sounded like a

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

Jane had had her share of disappointments in

had died

a family had died alongside

Hugh walking past Cloudnine Restaurant

and Jane chatting

by the sight. Jane didn’t seem like

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

spotted Jane too. He