Chapter 177 No Turning Back

“You’d better behave yourself,” Aurora said sweetly.

+8 Pearls

Connor looked down at the cushion and snacks she’d brought, then gave a small nod. “Ms. Aurora, thank you. If Scarlett and I get back together, I’ll make sure you’re the first person I thank.”

Aurora feigned modesty. “It was nothing, really.”

“Well, I should head back now. If anyone finds out I helped you, Scarlett might get the wrong idea. That would ruin everything.”

Connor had been about to ask her more about the Lane family, but before he could speak, Aurora had already darted away.

He let out a small sigh and pulled the cushion closer, casing himself down onto it.

The courtyard was nearly deserted now. Most of the servants had finished their duties and gone in for the night.

He didn’t need to kneel the whole time–just enough to keep up appearances. He could continue in the morning if needed.

Scarlett’s vi was located just south of Sophia’s. The building had remained vacant bever /bsince Scarlett had gone missing, preserved in anticipation of her return.

The interior was warm and dreamy, lovingly designed. But the most striking feature was the collection of over twenty birthday gifts lining the room–one for each year since her disappearance. Sophia had inever /imissed a birthday. Each present marked another year of waiting.

Now, that room had be Scarlett’s treasure trove. She’d locked the door herself. No one else could enter.

It was her secret haven.

Sophia and Taylor had walked her downstairs and were about to say goodnight when Taylor couldn’t help blurting out, “That bastard’s in the front yard. Don’t tell me you’re nning to go bring him in.”

If she did, he’swore he’d kill Connor with his own hands.

Sophia smacked him sharply. “What, you think your sister was in too good of a mood tonight? Had to bring up that piece of filth?”

She knew exactly the kind of man Connor was. But with Scarlett’s return taking up all her attention, she hadn’t had time to deal with Trenwyn yet.

Not that she needed to lift a finger herself. There were plenty of people who’d happily do it for her.

And once upon a time, Scarlett had begged her not to target anyone from Trenwyn. Back then, Sophia hadpromised–she couldn’t risk losing her daughter again.

But now that Scarlett was home, she no longer had to hold back.

If someone thought they could earn forgiveness just by waiting for Scarlett to soften-

Chapter 177 No Turning Back

iLet /ibithem /i/bbitaste /i/biwhat /ithe Lane ifamily /iiis /iitruly /iicapable /iiof /i

“bI /bwon’t.” Scarlett said with a faint smile. “We broke off the engagement. There’s nothing between us anymore. And honestly, I’m not in the habit of picking trash back up off bthe /bbground/b?

Taylor burst intoughter. “Exactly! That’s trash!”

“Don’t worry. You just watch me–I’ll make things right for you.”

Scarlett nodded. “I trust you, Eugene.”

Taylor’s heart nearly burst.

She trusted him.

The ck sheep of the main branch, the one who’d never measured up–no matter how hard he btried/bb, /bbhe /bwas always miles behind his brother and parents. He’d thought he was destined to live in their bshadows /bforever.

And now Scarlett had recognized him. It felt incredible. Like he could take on the world.

He could crush eighteen Connors and still have strength to spare.

Sophia swatted him again. “What’s with you, acting like a lunatic?”

He scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly. “Right, right. Anyway, I’ming with you to Jalindale tomorrow to watch thepetition. I’ve got dozens of sports cars–take your pick. bI’ll /bbe your driverb!/b”

Scarlett lowered her eyes. Her voice was quiet. “No need. Someone’s alreadying to pick me bup/b.”

Sophia blinked. “Scarlett, you’ve got a friend in Jalindale?”

That was an unexpected surprise.

Q

“Did theye to the banquet tonight? Why didn’t you say something? I could’ve hosted them properly.

She knew all too well that Scarlett hadn’t had it easy in the Joyner family. She’d even lost the chance to make friends, and her personality had grown withdrawn.

If she had real friends now, they deserved a proper wee. A good friend might even help Scarlett move on from all the pain she’d endured.

Taylor, on the other hand, felt a little bitter.

She’d just gotten back to Jalindale, and he wasn’t her favorite person anymore.

“What–was it that kid from the Fletcher family?”

He might be “Mr. Jasper” in public, but at home, he was just “that kid.”

It would’ve been funny–if Scarlet hadn’t suddenly looked guilty.

“Cough, cough, cough…” Sheunched into a tactical coughing fit to cover her reaction.

Taylor saw right through it.

b13:45 /bbTue/bb, /bb12 /bbAug /b

Chapter 177 No Turning Back

“No way. It’s really that guy?”

His hands curled into fists.

Even Sophia was caught off guard. She’d considered Jasper, but the boy had a reputation bin /bbJalindale- /b

cold, aloof genius who seemed uninterested in romance of any kind. At best, he was devoted bto /bresearch. At worst, he simply didn’t care about people.

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さ

M

b13:45 /bbTue/bb, /bb12 Aug /b

ay iay /i