Chapter 164 No More Mercy

Why hadn’t she told him?

If Scarlett had just said one word–one single word—he wouldn’t have been put in such a terrible position.

Granted. Connor thought he’d done well enough. He’d resisted his tnother’s pressure and refused to break off the engagement.

But Scarlett had chosen to keep everything from him, clearly because she didn’t trust him.

That realization burned. And it made him furious.

The worst part?

When the Lane family’s liaison first began working with Jude Group, Connor had proudly bragged about bit/bb. /bNow, thinking back, he could only imagine how hard Scarlett must’veughed behind his back.

His face flushed hot with shame.

“Scarlett…” he began, trying to step forward.

But Taylor grabbed him by the cor and yanked him back, eyes full of murderous rage.

“I’m warning you–stay away from Scarlett. Do you really think you were ever good enough to cooperate with the Lane family on your own? You were allowed in because it gave her an excuse to see iyou/i.”

Taylor’s voice turned cold, every word a de.

“But you let her ideas get giarized, tried to trample on her–stupid and cruel. You don’t deserve Scarlett. From now on, act like you’re dead. And if I ever hear you’ve tried to approach her again–I’ll make sure you can’t even crawl.”

He shoved Connor hard.

Connor stumbled into a pir, but he hardly felt it. His entire body was numb.

So all the recognition, all the progress he thought he had earned–hade from Scarlett?

And he’d traded it away. For Reba.

He had believed she was his lucky charm.

But it was Scarlett–his real fortune–whom he had personally driven away.

If he hadn’t insisted on recognizing Reba, if he’d resisted growing close to her… would things have turned out differently?

His regret mattered to no one now

The rest of the Joyner family stood in stunned silence, rocked by the recordings.

Stanley looked like a ghost. His lips moved as he muttered to himself.

“So she already knew the truth that day…”

Chapter b164 /bNo More Mercy

“bNo /bwonder she didn’t call me for help during that fire.”

b“/bbShe’d /balready given up on the Joyners…”

His mind drifted back to the day she cut ties with them..

He remembered her walking up to the stage, her steps slow and heavy, a trail of blood behind bher/b.

He hadn’t cared then.

But now–now that image stabbed into his mind, raw and bloody.

“I med her for ruining Reba’s birthday banquet,” he whispered. “I thought she just wanted attention…

“I was so stupid. I turned a gentle girl into someone who had no choice but to cut all ties.”

He raised his hand and pped himself hard. Again and again.

The sound echoed. Heads turned.

At that moment, two inclothes officers stepped forward and held up their badges.

“Eugene, you are under investigation for medical fraud and illegal human experimentation. Pleasee with us.”

Eugene’s face went ghostly pale. His legs nearly gave out, and the officers had to keep him from copsing.

He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Two years ago, the Joyners had broadcasted their “joyful reunion” with Reba, and Scarlett had been found by the Lane family.

Yet Scarlett had chosen to stay–out of gratitude.

She kept helping them, even while knowing the truth.

If not for Scarlett, how could the Joyners have risen so quickly in two years to be Trenwyn’s top family?

The guilt hit Eugene like a wave. His eyes turned red. He nearly wept.

What had they done?

He looked up, desperate for Scarlett’s forgiveness.

But she didn’t even nce at him.

To her, he was already a stranger.

That cut deeper than anything.

Oliver, too, was restrained.

“What are you doing?! I didn’t break anyws!”

He iled, panicking as the guards pinned him down.

b08:33 /bMon, 11 bAug /b

Chapter 164 No More Mercy

Finished

Owen’s expression was dark, his temple throbbing with restrained rage. His gaze alone could slice through

steel.

“If you think you didn’t break thew, take it up with mywyers. But for now, let me tell you something- two minutes ago, Lane Grouppleted a full acquisition of the Joyner family’s assets. You’re no longer a rising star in Trenwyn.”

He leaned in, voice like ice.

“And after auditing your ounts, you’re short thirty million. To make repayment easier, the Lane family will let you work it off–as servants. Starting today.”

He waved his hand.

A secretary stepped forward, presenting freshly printed contracts.

Franklin’s face twisted with disbelief. He had known the Lane family was powerful, but surely not that powerful. No way they could pull off something this massive in such a short time.

Then his phone buzzed.

Frozen ounts.

Followed by a flood of debt notifications.

His face went sheet white. He shook uncontrobly, unable to speak a single word.

This… this iis /iithe /iiend/ii. /i