From Ashes to Queen: Now I call the shots
Secrets 128
Chapter 128 Stanley Yells Truth Into A Void
“This has to be a misunderstanding.”
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Finished
Oliver gave a cold snort. “Typical. Spent all her time messing around in the entertainment industry, didn’t learn anything real, just jumps to conclusions at the slightest rumor.”
Martha’s face was full of discontent.
“Stanley, I hate to say it, but no matter what the police say, you should be standing up for your sister! But what do you do? Not only do you not defend her–you’re just letting them say shemitted arson?”
Her tone dripped with disdain..
If it weren’t for the setting, she probably would’ve pped him a few times right then and there to knock some sense into him.
Stanley looked at the three of them, and it felt like a giant hand was squeezing his heart.
He had imagined that even after he told them the truth, the Joyner family would still find a way to protect Reba.
After all, Reba was their biological daughter. He’d even thought they might try to buy off the victims, get Reba out as quickly as possible.
But he never imagined that these three hadpletely forgotten the way Scarlett had broken ties with them at the birthday banquet.
Covered in blood, leaving a trail of crimson behind her with every step. iHow /iicould /iithey /iiforget /iithat/i? iNo/ii, /iihow /iicould /iithey /iipretend /iithey /iididn’t /iisee /iiit/ii? /i
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Oliver frowned, suddenly feeling like Stanley wanted to tear him apart.
It iwas /iijust /iia /iicouple /iiof /iimocking /iiremarks/i. iWas /iithat /iiworth holding /iisuch /iia /iigrudge/i? The guy was getting more and more out of line. He didn’t even know how to respect his elders or his older brother anymore.
Stanley slowly looked away, his heart soaking. Even his throat felt raw and sore.
He couldn’t get a single word out.
It was Eugene who finally asked in surprise,
“Do you guys remember what Scully looked like at Reba’s birthday party?”
Martha waved it off impatiently.
“What could she have looked like? All dressed up, ying the victim, tricking the guests into pitying her- nearly dragged the Joyner family down with her!”
Franklin’s face darkened at the memory. His anger red again.
“If I hadn’t brought gifts and gone door–to–door to apologize, we would’ve offended half the business
world.”
Chapter 125 Stanley Vells Truth Into A Vond
#Finished
Oliver added, “If it hadn’t been a public asion, we should’ve stopped her right then and locked her up. None of this would’ve happened.”
Eugene went quiet. Helpless.
For the first time, he feltpletely powerless in front of his own family.
Like they lived in two separate worlds, speaking two differentnguages.
No matter how he tried to exin, they simply couldn’t hear him.
Stanley, suffocating in this atmosphere, finally snapped and shouted.
“Have you all forgotten? Scarlett was covered in blood that day–she barely escaped the fire with her life!”
Martha scowled. “Why are you yelling? I’m not deaf.”
Franklin took a step forward and grabbed him by the cor.
“Stanley, what’s wrong with youtely? Can’t even tell who your real family is anymore?”
Stanley shot back, furious, “I said she escaped from a raging fire! She nearly died! Did you not hear me?”
Oliver paused, seeming to finally recall the scene from that day.
But Martha and Franklin still looked utterly annoyed.
“That’s enough!”
Martha pulled the two apart.
“Are you trying to embarrass us even more? Can’t you see people are standing at the door watching the drama?”
The cops on routine patrol at the door went quiet.
She continued, unfazed.
“Whatever reason Scarlett had for cutting ties with us, the most important thing now is getting Reba out.”
“Stop arguing.”
“Don’t you understand we need to unite right now?”
Stanley went quiet.
Only now did he realize-
Everything he’d said just now had been a waste.
A bitter smile crept onto his face.
He took a few steps back,
Not wanting to say another word.
17:03 Sat, 9 Aug
Chapter 128 Stanley Yells Truth Into A Vold-
Just then, Colt walked over and called Oliver in for a routine questioning
Franklin leaned in and said softly.
“Thewyer I called will be here soon, don’t worry.”
That finally snapped Oliver out of his thoughts and brought him back to reality.
He rubbed his forehead without thinking. What the heck was that just inote/ii? /i
He had been stuck reying the events of the day Scarlett cut ties with them.
Yeah, dad, don’t worry, I know what to say and what to do.”
Colt gave them a nce and instructed his colleagues to separate the family to prevent them from coordinating their stories.
Then he led Oliver into the interrogation room.
Finishart
The questions were simple–it asked him about what he did at the birthday banquet that day and what Reba did.
Oliver grew more and more irritated.
Colt suddenly mmed his palm on the table.
“You’d better tell the truth!”
Oliver snapped, “Tell the truth about what?”
Colt scoffed. “We’ve gathered enough evidence to prove Rebamitted arson. Did you help her in any way?”
Oliver let out augh.
“That was Reba’s birthday. If the fire had spread, it would’ve ruined the whole banquet–and that wouldn’t have done her any good. She spent the entire day getting her hair and makeup done just to look perfect.”
Colttched onto the detail.
“She spent the whole day doing her hair and makeup?”
Oliver groaned and asked again, annoyed, “Yeah, so what?”
“You saw her getting ready all day with your own eyes?”
“You serious? She’s my sister. Me sneaking around to watch would be creepy as hell!”
Colt didn’t get angry, he just kept pressing.
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