From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24 Root and Rot

When did Wendy get so cold?

Sean looked confused and turned to Scarlett. “Did you say something to her?”

Scarlett answered honestly.

“Her daughter doesn’t have much time left.”

He nearly dropped to his knees then and there.

Come on, she really went and said that?!

Wendy was a notorious mama bear!

“Honestly, the fact that you made it out alive might be a miracle.”

At the university.

Calvin brought Rebecca into the president’s office.

Wayne was a busy man. He’d dedicated years to cultivating top talent and even mentored a few grad students himself. At Trenwyn University–one of the top institutions in the country–you had to be the best of the best to even get a meeting with him.

“Look, this is the star pupil I told you about.”

Calvin praised Rebecca like she was heaven–sent, even claiming that Professor Hamilton’s prized protégé James had come to poach her.

Wayne’s face lit up as he looked kindly at Rebecca.

“Alright, I’ll authorize a special pass for her to access the herb repository. I’m counting on you both to shine at the upcoming medical symposium!”

Calvin laughed heartily and urged Rebecca to go study right away.

He stayed behind.

After a couple sips of tea, he sighed and said, “There’s one more thing. I debated for a while, but I decided to forward this email to you.”

Wayne raised his brows, then opened his inbox and scanned the document.

“You want to expel this student named Scarlett?”

The name rang a bell–he vaguely remembered she’d once brought in several awards for the school.

Calvin let out a pained smile. “I misjudged her. She’s framed fellow students before, but now she’s even out

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there playing doctor without credentials, ruining the school’s reputation. The evidence is solid. I can’t protect her anymore.”

Wayne read the files and slammed the desk in anger. “A student with no morals deserves to be kicked out! Standard procedure takes three days-” he slapped the table again, voice rising, “—but I’ll fast–track it. She’ll be expelled by tomorrow!”

Calvin didn’t look pleased–just relieved. Finally, a nagging thorn had been pulled out. No more stains on his name or reputation.

“I’ve been away too much these past couple years,” he said with a sigh. “Didn’t keep a close enough eye on her behavior. It’s my fault too.”

After firing off a disciplinary email, Wayne personally poured him another cup of water.

“Some people are just rotten to the core. Even if you were there, it might not have changed anything. But what matters is that you took action and cleaned house. Getting rid of a cancer like Scarlett? That’s a good thing. If you’re feeling guilty, maybe get her a job in her hometown. That’d be more than generous.”

Calvin took a sip of tea, nodding with feigned sorrow. “They say there are cold–hearted students, but no cold–hearted mentors.”

Wayne nodded solemnly. “Go get some rest. The school’s still counting on your team to make a splash at the symposium.”

They chatted a bit longer before Wayne left work and headed home.

Dinner was already prepared by his daughter and granddaughter. The moment he stepped through the door, the smell made him smile.

He scooped his granddaughter up and lifted her high, wheezing with the effort but glowing with joy.

A picture–perfect family moment.

Until halfway through dinner–his granddaughter suddenly clutched her chest, her face draining of color and turning purple.

“Dora!”

Wendy’s face twisted in panic as she scrambled to call an ambulance.

Night had fallen.

Scarlett, full and satisfied, popped a digestion pill after getting home.

She received an email asking for an update on the missing body.

Her reply: “None.”

She went to her room and burrowed under the covers.

In the middle of the night-

Headlights suddenly lit up the quiet street.

A convoy of black, bulletproof vehicles pulled up. Dozens of well–trained bodyguards filed out silently and began climbing the stairs.

They stopped in front of Scarlett’s door.

The moment those cars had arrived, Scarlett’s eyes had snapped open.

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