From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3 He Came to Take Her Back Himself

Stanley followed her out the door, voice cold and sharp. “Are you seriously not going to apologize to Rebecca?”

Scarlett was covered in injuries. After severing ties with the family and calling off her engagement, her body and mind were both nearing their limits.

–

But when she stopped walking, Stanley sneered. Just like always causing a scene out of fear the Joyner family would cut her off.

She pulled a stunt like this, and now the Joyners, just to save face, would be forced to keep supplying her with resources to help her maintain her standing in the academic world.

How hypocritical.

Not like Rebecca – who had fought her way to the top and become a core member of the research team in just one year.

“You went too far this time. When we get back, you’ll have to kneel outside until Mom wakes up before you’re allowed to move. Otherwise, you’re not getting forgiven.”

When Scarlett didn’t respond, he figured she was regretting it but didn’t know how to walk it back.

So just like always, he smacked her down then offered a sweet treat.

“Once you apologize and restore the Joyner family’s image, I’ll take you to dinner at Starhaus – just the two of us.”

That line had always worked before. Scarlett would burst into tears, touched by his kindness, and obediently apologize.

She’d gone too far this time. It would be hard to fix things.

But he, as her brother, was stepping up – surely she’d worship him as a hero now.

So when he saw her slowly turn around, he felt a rush of certainty.

Just as expected.

But oddly, he also felt a little disappointed.

If she could’ve just walked away – just once — he might’ve actually respected her. What a shame…

–

Still, he was her brother. If she realized her mistake and wanted to make amends, he’d give her the chance.

Hold a press conference, have Scarlett apologize in public, then let Rebecca forgive her on stage. The narrative would shift — the adopted daughter made a mistake out of jealousy, but returned to the right path in time. The Joyners were a warm, loving family.

It would boost their public image and bring in plenty of attention.

*Only I care about you this much. I came here myself to bring you back. From now on, no more tantrums!”

Scarlett felt like her chest had been split open, blood pouring from the wound.

Favor?

Did he mean those cheap little trinkets he gave her whenever she tried to leave the Joyner family?

A strawberry hair tie. A stuffed toy. A pin. Altogether, not even ten dollars.

She used to treasure the thought behind the gifts, not the price.

Now she realized how utterly foolish she’d been.

“You-” Stanley started to speak, but froze as soon as he met her eyes.

Scarlett’s face was pale. Her wounds had reopened, blood soaking through the jasmine–white dress in vivid splotches.

He couldn’t help but recoil, pupils contracting. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Was she really going this far just to play a part? Was she trying to get herself killed?

And like this

–

how could she appear at a press conference?

“You act so sincere, but behind the scenes, you’re calculating every move. Right now, all Mr. Stanley’s thinking about is how to use me to salvage the Joyner family’s reputation, isn’t that right?”

Scarlett suddenly laughed, but her eyes were filled with despair. “They say home is a safe harbor… but for me, it’s where I crashed hardest.”

Stanley flinched, her words striking dead center. He grew uneasy but refused to admit anything. “I just don’t want you making another mistake.”

Scarlett sighed softly. “Still using ‘for your own good‘ as an excuse to control me.”

But she wouldn’t fall for it anymore.

“Wrap a trash can in a plastic bag and it’s still trash. Mr. Stanley, I never got past any of those old wounds. So stop pretending. And if you try to block me again, I don’t mind dragging the Joyner family’s name straight through the mud.”

With that, she turned and walked away without sparing him a single glance.

It was a long time before Stanley snapped out of it.

She left? She really left? Impossible.

Furious, he punched the wall.

He’d spoiled her too much. She actually thought she was the Joyners‘ real daughter.

But he calmed down quickly.

Scarlett had only dared to challenge him because she thought he’d never stop protecting her.

Just wait

– she’d be back in less than three hours, begging the Joyners to take her back.

Thinking of all the times she had apologized and Rebecca had pleaded her case, he immediately pulled out his phone and sent a message in the family group chat:

“If she comes back begging for forgiveness this time, none of you go soft. She needs to be taught a lesson!”

Scarlett had never been added to the family group chat, so she didn’t see it.

Not that it would’ve mattered if she had.

She took a cab back to the small apartment she’d rented two years ago using scholarship money.

She showered, tended to her wounds, and fell asleep almost immediately.

It wasn’t until early the next morning that she woke up out of habit.

She checked the time 5:30 a.m.

—

That was when she usually got up to prepare herbal supplements for Rebecca.

Even though she had left the Joyner family, her body hadn’t adjusted yet. She gave a bitter smile and rolled over to sleep some more.

She had fifteen days left. All she wanted now was to finish her research.

Everything else… no longer mattered.

“Where are my herbal supplements?”

The birthday party the day before had ended in disaster. Martha had faked a fainting spell to avoid being labeled a wicked adoptive mother.

Franklin had spent a fortune buying off the media and gifting all the guests. Though they managed to contain the situation, it cost them heavily.

Out of anger, he declared Scarlett wouldn’t be allowed back in unless she knelt at the front

gate and

begged

–

and only then would she be let in the next morning.

They were certain she’d come crawling back. In their eyes, everything she did was just to pressure the Joyner family.

Besides, where else could she go?

So when Stanley got up and didn’t see the prepared supplements, he frowned.

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