No Way Back

Chapter 19 An Unlucky Coincidence

Dwayne hadn’t felt bad when he had brought up the online scandal. That was because he had had no part in it.

Besides, he had been preoccupied with and worried about Madelyn.

This was different. Dwayne had gotten involved.

He had accused Jane of theft when he had had no proof.

Dwayne felt unworthy of the WWE gold medal that he had just won.

“What did you say, Dwayne?”

Madelyn hadn’t heard him.

However, she knew that it couldn’t be anything good.

“It’s nothing.

Dwayne yanked himself out of his thoughts.

It didn’t matter. What was done was done.

There was no point regretting it now.

Besides…

Dwayne wasn’t going to hurt Madelyn just because he felt bad about Jane.

“Dwayne, if you catch up with Janie right now, you can try and convince her to come back to the Fowler family. Janie looks so lonely. I feel so sorry for her.

“We had been misled right from the start and accused Janie of something she hadn’t done. She had every right to be upset and disown the family. If only I hadn’t been part of the family. This wouldn’t have happened in the first place if I never existed.”

Madelyn said with a pained look on her face.

“Silly girl, that’s utter nonsense. You’re a part of the Fowler family. Nobody’s going to change that fact. “You’re right. We were wrong about Janie. But that has nothing to do with you. She’s already made up her mind. We should respect her decision.”

Dwayne said gently, shoving whatever guilt he felt toward Jane to the back of his head as he turned his attention back to a remorseful Madelyn.

Jane took Lila on a long ride in her newly purchased Porsche Cayenne. She felt on top of the world.

Dwayne had given her thirty grand. She wasn’t going to turn down money.

She decided to treat Lila to a meal at the best restaurant in Stormton City.

“Let’s not, Janie. Why don’t we dine at my place instead? We should save the money. You need it…”

“Lila, don’t forget. Half of that money belongs to you too. I’ve never been to Cloudnine Restaurant. I really want to try it. Humor me, please.”

“All right then.”

Lila had decided that she would support Jane in her every decision, no matter what it was. That was what best friends were for.

Jane was having a bad day today, and Lila was going to cheer her up!

They arrived at Cloudnine Restaurant.

Cloudnine Restaurant was the most famous restaurant in Stormton City.

At the height of its fame, it had a waiting list that spanned a month long.

True to its name, the restaurant was located on the 100th floor.

the top floor of

River, which cuts right through the city, as well as a

hired by the Michelin 5–star restaurant prepared dishes that looked like works

Restaurant came with

spend at least 15 grand for

busy restaurant. You need

I

waved her phone at

We don’t need a

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

should be Cloudnine Restaurant’s

led Lila to the top

their QR code and welcomed Jane and Lila to

look of deference in the waiter’s eyes as

out. “You’re becoming more

so mysterious

feeling that I

Restaurant had

could only serve ten groups of diners at any

to be a friend of the restaurant owner before the waiting staff would set up an extra table for you. Otherwise, you

the rowdier

a reputation of being one of the best

table at the restaurant made

fact, it was the most popular

a

oozing from every single detail had

Cloudnine Restaurant. I find myself speechless every

for the meal

“Okay!”

menu

few dishes cost them more

took the menu and got a bottle of red wine that cost a dozen grand or

feel comfortable keeping Dwayne’s money on me, so let’s spend every single dollar of it

need it. You’re doing fine on your own!” Jane’s lips quirked

and tried to protect me when

much courage that took. Lila wasn’t the sort to speak up

overcome her meek nature because she had wanted to protect Jane. Sometimes, Jane wished

would be amazing to have Lila as a sister. She was the kind of family

Fowler family had ever given her was pain. They had hurt and abused

friends. That’s what best friends do. Let’s not talk about that. Drop by my place and have dinner some time. I’ll have my parents whip up something nice

how pretty and nice you are and how much she wants you

“Sure.”

were bright

love to be the

like a great

family wouldn’t treat her like dirt while treating Madelyn like the

share of

died for

yearning for a family

had Hugh walking past

and Jane chatting happily through

surprised by the sight. Jane didn’t seem like someone capable of

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

spotted Jane