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.

its name, the restaurant was located on the 100th

floor of an office

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 wheel and a spectacular bridge across Fig River as

hired by the Michelin 5–star restaurant prepared

came with a hefty price

be prepared to spend at least

I recall Cloudnine Restaurant being a really busy restaurant. You

worry. I have

her

lucky. We don’t

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

should be Cloudnine

to

and welcomed Jane

noticed the look of deference in the waiter’s eyes

out. “You’re becoming more mysterious by the day,

me. What’s so

feeling

had

serve ten groups of diners at any

the waiting staff would set up

more diners there were, the rowdier the

had a reputation of

table at the restaurant made it

was the most

Lila got a

restaurant with opulence oozing from

dined at Cloudnine Restaurant. I find myself speechless every time I

the meal today. Come on, order

“Okay!”

took the menu and

them more than

and got a bottle of red wine that

on me,

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

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

how much courage that took. Lila wasn’t the

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

sister. She was the kind of family

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

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

how pretty and nice you are and

“Sure.”

bright with unshed

be the goddaughter

sounded like a great

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

had had her share of disappointments

had died

a family

had Hugh walking

and Jane chatting happily

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

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

in and spotted Jane too.