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.

to its name, the restaurant was located

the top floor of

the stars and enjoy Stormton City’s lovely nighttime scenery, gazing at Fig River, which cuts right through the city,

hired by the Michelin 5–star restaurant prepared

Cloudnine Restaurant came with a

to be prepared to spend at least 15 grand for a

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

worry. I have that

her phone at

lucky. We

“Really?”

Lila seemed slightly stumped.

Cloudnine

led Lila to the

waiter scanned their QR code and welcomed Jane and Lila to the

look of deference in the waiter’s eyes as he

leaned toward Jane and stuck her tongue out. “You’re becoming

What’s so mysterious about

feeling that I

had ten

ten groups of diners at any one

restaurant owner before the waiting staff would set up an extra table for you. Otherwise, you would be turned

more diners there were, the rowdier the restaurant would

of being one of the

a table at the restaurant made

the most popular restaurant in the

a

restaurant with opulence oozing from every

at Cloudnine Restaurant. I find myself speechless every time I step inside.

for the meal today. Come

“Okay!”

the menu

cost them more than ten

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

keeping Dwayne’s money on me, so let’s spend every single dollar

do it! We don’t want that asshole’s money. You don’t need it. You’re doing fine on your own!” Jane’s lips

Lila. You stood up for me and tried to protect me when Dwayne and Madelyn accused me

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

had gathered her courage and overcome her meek nature because she had wanted to protect Jane. Sometimes, Jane wished that she had been a member of the

have Lila as a sister. She was the kind of family that Jane had always

had ever given her was pain. They had hurt and

best friends do. Let’s not talk about that. Drop by my place and have dinner some

keeps going on about how pretty and nice you are and

“Sure.”

eyes were bright with unshed

be the

sounded like a

her like dirt while treating Madelyn like the apple

share of disappointments

died for

yearning for a family

Hugh walking past

Lila and Jane chatting happily through the

by the sight. Jane didn’t seem like someone

“Something wrong, Hugh?”

spotted Jane too.