No Way Back by Anna Mac

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.

name, the restaurant was located on the 100th

the top floor of

River, which cuts right through the city, as well as a Ferris wheel and a spectacular bridge across Fig River as they

Michelin 5–star restaurant prepared dishes that looked like works of

Restaurant came with a hefty price

prepared to spend at least 15 grand for

recall Cloudnine Restaurant being a really busy restaurant. You need reservations to get a

I have that

her

We don’t

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

Cloudnine Restaurant’s busiest

led Lila to the top

code and

look of deference in the waiter’s eyes as he

out. “You’re

me. What’s so mysterious

just a feeling that

had ten

ten groups of diners at any

owner before the waiting staff would set up an extra table for

more diners there were, the

of being one of

difficulty of getting a table at the restaurant

the most

Lila got a

opulence oozing from every single detail had Lila sighing

Cloudnine Restaurant. I find myself speechless every time I step inside. It’s

meal today.

“Okay!”

the menu and ordered Jane’s

cost them more than ten

menu and got a bottle of red wine that cost a dozen

keeping Dwayne’s money on me, so let’s spend

You don’t need it. You’re doing fine on your own!” Jane’s lips

You stood up for me and tried to protect me when Dwayne and Madelyn accused me of being a

took. Lila

courage and overcome her meek nature because she had wanted to

as a sister. She was the kind

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

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 for

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

“Sure.”

were bright with

be

sounded like a great

Sutton family wouldn’t treat her like dirt while treating Madelyn like the apple of their eye

had had her share of disappointments

died

family had died

had Hugh walking past Cloudnine Restaurant

caught Lila and Jane chatting happily through the

man was surprised by the sight. Jane

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

spotted Jane too.