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.

the restaurant was

floor of an

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 wheel and a spectacular

Michelin 5–star restaurant prepared dishes that looked like works

meals at Cloudnine Restaurant came

had to be prepared to spend at least 15 grand

really busy

I have

her phone

got lucky. We don’t need a

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

should be Cloudnine Restaurant’s busiest

Lila to the

their QR code and

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

out. “You’re becoming more mysterious by the

me. What’s so mysterious about

feeling that

had ten

could only serve ten groups

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

there were, the rowdier the restaurant

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

getting a table at the restaurant made

the most popular

a table

from every single detail had

since I’ve dined at Cloudnine Restaurant. I find myself speechless every time I

you’re paying for the meal today.

“Okay!”

menu and ordered Jane’s

dishes cost them more

menu and got a bottle of red

Dwayne’s money on me,

doing fine on your own!” Jane’s lips quirked

protect

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

meek nature because she had wanted to protect Jane. Sometimes, Jane wished that she had been a member of

Lila as a sister. She was the

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

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

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

“Sure.”

were bright with unshed

be the goddaughter of

like a great

like dirt while treating Madelyn like the apple of

had her share of disappointments in her past

died

yearning for a family had died alongside

Hugh walking past Cloudnine Restaurant

caught Lila and Jane chatting happily through

surprised by the sight. Jane didn’t seem

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

spotted