From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198 Counterstrike

“I kept her here for selfish reasons,” the matriarch said calmly.

“If you can’t accept her, you could’ve told me.”

“But I know you’re not the type to play petty tricks.”

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“You weren’t even aware of the whole situation tonight, and yet here you are, jumping to defend her–it makes me wonder if you’re hiding something for someone.”

“Grandma, don’t you think you’re overthinking this?” Taylor said with a dry smile.

The matriarch waved her hand, signaling Samson to escort the rest of the servants out.

“This is a family matter. No need to let outsiders watch us tear each other apart.”

Aurora wiped at her eyes and added tearfully, “I’m really fine. I was planning to move into the school dorm anyway. My studies have been intense lately.”

“Please don’t blame anyone for this.”

“Uncle Taylor and his wife have always been good to me.”

“If you punish anyone too harshly, I’ll be too ashamed to face them.”

Her soft–spoken defense only made the matriarch more emotional.

“You kind child. With a heart this tender, you’ll get trampled on in life.”

“But since you’re speaking up…‘”

“Fine. Let whoever wronged you apologize and promise not to trouble you again–then we’ll let it go.”

Scarlett opened her mouth to speak, but Taylor stopped her with a hand.

She blinked, slightly stunned.

Ever since the moment things started to turn strange, Taylor had positioned himself in front of her, shielding her from it all.

And somehow, that made her feel completely at ease.

Like she didn’t have to argue, prove her innocence, or panic–she wouldn’t be wronged.

“Grandma, who exactly do you want to apologize? Oliver?”

The matriarch frowned and turned to look at him.

“Taylor, you’ve been incredibly rude tonight.”

Taylor adjusted his collar, smiling lightly. “Oliver’s mistreated Scarlett before. Even if you don’t punish him, I planned to settle the score myself tomorrow.”

“But if you’re planning to let him off with just an apology…”

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Chapter 193 Counterstrike

“That seems a little too kind.”

“What do you think?” he added.

Aurora’s shoulders trembled. She immediately hugged the matriarch’s arm tighter.

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“Why are you scaring her?” the matriarch scolded. “This has nothing to do with her. I’ll make the decision.”

“Scarlett.”

She called Scarlett by name now, cutting off Taylor’s interference.

“Oliver stayed behind to make amends–to please you.”

“So tell me the truth–was it your idea? Or did he act on his own?”

Aurora’s heart leapt with joy.

Finally–Scarlett was being dragged down with her.

She may not have won the championship, but Scarlett had done wrong first.

The matriarch had promised a reward–but surely she couldn’t reward someone who caused trouble.

Aurora, on the other hand, though not victorious, was clearly the victim. She deserved compensation.

It would be only natural for the shares meant for the champion to go to her.

Once the matriarch exploded, Aurora would feign forgiveness, saying she didn’t care about the prize, playing the role of the generous, suffering girl.

That sympathy would be hard to shake.

From now on, no one would dare try to force her out of the Lane family.

Taylor’s expression darkened. “Grandma…”

“I’m asking Scarlett,” the matriarch cut him off sharply.

Scarlett stepped forward on her own.

She took a moment to evaluate the trap laid before her.

Then she understood what Aurora had been aiming for.

Despite Taylor’s subtle efforts to protect her, she brushed past him, walked up, and plopped herself down beside the matriarch.

Just like Aurora, she wrapped her arm around the old woman’s and leaned against her shoulder, playfully.

The matriarch stiffened.

She instinctively wanted to push Scarlett away.

But something about this girl’s presence made her feel oddly at ease.

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Chapter 198 Counterstrike

Even her chronic migraines felt lighter.

So, she hesitated.

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