From Ashes to Queen: Now I call the shots
Secrets 154
Chapter 154 The Rich Girl’s Return
bHe /bcouldn’t believe how beautiful his daughter was.
Then he noticed a small line of text underneath the photo: “DQ invited Pixel to the bgroup /bbchat/bb. /b
No doubt about it–this had to be his daughter’s WhatsApp.
He quickly saved all the pictures and rushed to send a friend request.
Scarlett epted friend requests from both Taylor and Owen. A momentter, two photos popped bup/b. They had each transferred her twenty million and thirty million, respectively. The only note battached/b. “Given voluntarily.”
Expressionless, she stared at her screen as her bank ount flipped from zero to sixty million in ban /bbinstant/b. The feeling… not even a roller coaster drop couldpare to this rush.
Newly minted as a rich woman, she was in a fantastic mood. The unpleasant encounter with Martha bwas /blong forgotten as she happily followed Sophia home–along with what felt like half the mall.
There was a banquet that evening. Aurora and Quincy had already changed into their outfits and were just waiting for the makeup artist to arrive so they could begin styling. As they reached the estate, they saw the two little princesses surrounded by members of the Lane family, basking in a flood ofpliments.
Through the crowd, Aurora spotted Scarlett at the entrance. Her onceb–/bconfident expression stiffened bfor /bba /bsplit second. There was no need forparison–Scarlett’s beauty was enough to outshine everyone in the room. Aurora tried to maintain herposure, but the anger and jealousy in her eyes were impossible to hideb. /b
Axel had been chatting with Quincy. When he nced up and noticed the shift in Aurora’s expression, he asked, “Aurora, what’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?”
Aurora quickly looked away, as if startled. “I’m fine. I just think you shouldn’t always stay by my side. Same for you, Quincy. Let’s keep a low profile tonight. Remember who the main character is.”
Axel understood what she meant, but he had no interest in giving Scarlett that kind of credit. “Main character? This is Grandma’s birthday banquet. Obviously, she’s the star of the night! Don’t worry, Aurora- Grandma’s even happier when you’re the prettiest one here.”
He wasn’t just trying to tter her. The old matriarch had pinned a lot of hopes on Aurora’s family. Sadly, it seemed each generation had declined in talent: Aurora was the only one who’d gotten into Jalindale University. The olddy had been thrilled and brought her into the family home to raise her personally. She’d even used the Lane family’s resources to support her recently.
Aurora sighed. “I know, but it’s also a big day for Scarlett. If Uncle hears you two talking like this, he’ll definitely give you a beating.”
That struck a nerve in Axel. “She just got back and already acts like she owns the ce. Princess syndrome all over the ce. And now we can’t even say anything about her?”
He silently vowed that if Scarlett embarrassed the Lane family tonight, he wouldn’t show her an ounce of
mercy.
The Lane family estate had been meticulously decorated in advance. Everyone in the household bwas /bbbusy /bpreparing. By dusk, the entire estate lit up, even down to the colored lights on bevery /bflower and bde /bof grass. From a distance, it looked like a crystal castle–breathtakingly beautiful.
Chapter b154 /bThe bRich /bGirl’s Return
bBy /bb7 /bp.m., luxury bcars /bbbegan /blining bup /boutside. bA /bwave bof /bbperfectly /bbstyled /bbsocialites /bbmade /btheir entrance bCEOs /band their bwives /bdressed to impress, all trying to outdo one another bin /bbmour/b. bThough /bthe Joyner and Gu families were considered prominent in Trenwyn, they were nothing bpared /bbto /bbthe /btrue char bhere/bb. /bbTo /bthem, the spectacle was overwhelming.
These were the kinds of families you usually only saw on TV. Seeing them in person felt unreal. If ban /bbevent /blike this ever took ce in Trenwyn, the entire city would be talking about it for weeks.
“Thank God we got an invitation,” Oliver said with awe. This wasn’t just an invite–it was ba /bdder binto /bbhigh /bsociety.
Martha, however, was starting to feel uneasy. She didn’t know why. She’d already confirmed bthat /bbScarlett /bhad been lying to her before. But something still felt off. Her heart wouldn’t settle.
“Mom, let’s go in,” Eugene said, gently patting her arm.
She flinched like she’d been shocked, pulling away sharply. Then, realizing what she’d done, she grew frustrated with herself. It was just a beating–how had she be so timid?
This was all Scarlett’s fault.
The hatred in her chest surged up, and the unease faded with it. If she saw the person who had hit bher /btonight, she’d make sure to pay them back a thousand times over.
The estate was decorated with subtle yet undeniable luxury. Everyone here knew quality when they bsaw /bit. After taking in the décor, the seamless experience, and the gourmet spread, even Connor was impressed.
No wonder the Lane family’s event coordinator had such high standards. This was just a birthday banquet- yet it had been nned like a royal g.
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