Chapter 167 A Name That Matters

“Scarlett, for the sake of your three brothers who once cared for youb… /bcan you spare Oliverb?/b”

Martha’s voice trembled as she pleaded.

She had suddenly realized–if Oliver truly became a servant in the Lane family, with Owen’s ruthlessness, he might as well be walking into a slow death.

She had always favored Reba, yes–but that didn’t mean she didn’t love her other children.

Sophia stepped in without hesitation, shoving Martha away. Her cold gaze pinned Franklin like a spear.

“Is your wife out of her mind?”

Franklin immediately grabbed Martha’s arm. She had been doing fine–why lose control now?

“Martha! Come with me!”

But she yanked her arm free.

She had already lost Reba.

She couldn’t bear to lose another.

“Scarlett!”

Her eyes welled up with red–rimmed desperation.

“I was the one who doted on Reba too much–that’s why I sought a matching kidney. It was ime /iwho wronged you! But you already severed ties with the Joyner family. Making your older brother your servant now–if word gets out, what will it do to your reputation?”

Taylor’s voice sliced through her desperation like a knife, cold and cutting.

“Who said Oliver would serve Scarlett?”

“Scarlett is the most honored little princess of our family. He’s not worthy.”

Martha’s breath caught. She stared at Taylor in stunned silence..

iWhat/i… what did ihe /iimean/i?

Taylor smirked cruelly. “A servant shines wherever they’re ced.”

He didn’t reveal iwhere /iOliver would be sent–letting that uncertainty fester in their minds like poison.

One thing was clear: Oliver was finished.

Owen raised a hand. “These people are no longer wee. Show them out.”

Security moved in with swift efficiency..

In moments, the Joyner family was being escorted out.

As Martha passed Scarlett, she tried to meet her eyes–only for Scarlett to lean in slightly, lips curling into a

Chapter 167 A Name That Matters

bsoft/b, almost kind bsmile/bb. /b

b“/bOh, bI /bforgot to mention–Reba would’ve fully recovered after just two more doses of bthe /bbherbal /btreatment. But if the treatment’s stopped now, her condition will rebound. Fast. It’ll elerate bstraight /bbinto /brenal failure.”

Martha’s body jolted violently.

Her twisted expression revealed just how much her fear and fury had shaken her.

“You’re lying, aren’t you?!”

Scarlett smiled again, voice calm and cold. “Won’t be long now. And when it hits, not even a god can bsave /bher.”

Martha opened her mouth to scream–but security gave her a shove, and she nearly toppled over.

Connor tried to speak up on her behalf, but a guard pped him so hard his vision went ck. They dragged him out before he could regain his footing.

Scarlett stood there, watching it all–unblinking, serene.

The Joyner family, once her living nightmare, had just be Jalindale’s biggestughingstock.

Then, before all the guests, Sophia made a formal deration.

“My daughter Scarlett has no connection to the Joyner family. Let everyone here bear witness–if they ever try to use the Lane name to their advantage again, we will show no mercy.”

Given the Lane family’s position, letting the others leave unharmed today was already mercy.

Next time?

They wouldn’t be so lucky.

But the banquet wasn’t over.

Sophiaposed herself, gently took Scarlett’s hand, and smiled.

“There’s still a proper introduction waiting. Come on, darling, let’s go back to the partyi./ii” /i

Themotion had even drawn out the Lane matriarch herself.

Before the birthday banquet resumed, the elderlydy took Scarlett’s hand with visible warmth.

“I’ll be the one introducing this girl tonight.”

Her social circle consisted of figures so powerful, a single word from them could send tremors through Jalindale.

Even with so many descendants, the old matriarch had inever /imade such a public gesture for anyone before. And once she did, the entire room shifted.

All eyes now regarded Scarlett with heightened respect.

Chapter 167 A Name That Matters

bMy /bgranddaughter suffered a lot growing bup /boutside the family,” the matriarch bsaid/b. b“/bbBut /bshe balways /bkept her bhead /bhigh, stayed true to herself, and achieved something on her own. I hope, bif /bbshe /bever makes mistakes bin /bthe future, you’ll all show her a little patience. On her behalf, this old woman thanks byou /bball/b.

With that, she led Scarlett to the front of the banquet hall—where everyone could see her bclearly/b.

b“/bFrom today on, I dere this child’s name to be Scarlett Lane. She is the true, rightful heiress of the bLane /bfamily.”

The words fell like thunder.

And apuse roared through the room.

Scarlett felt little emotion at the ceremony itself.

She had made her choice to stay with the Lane family–and this came with the territory.

The Joyner name meant nothing now.

She had cut tiespletely.

Whether she kept that name or not… no longer mattered.

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