From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40 Don’t Bite Me You Rabid Ex

But Jasper had gone back to being tight–lipped, refusing to explain a thing! It was driving Jack crazy like a cat clawing at his insides. He was so curious he could explode. That meant he had to get his hands on the public lecture video. He needed to see what Jasper was really up to!

During lunch, Scarlett still chose to eat alone. The reason was simple.

Jack talked way too much, she couldn’t focus properly with all that noise.

“Scarlett.”

Just as she took her first bite, James sat down across from her with his tray.

She looked up.

The man was all smiles and even passed her the beef from his own plate.

“I heard you did great at Skycrest Labs today. The school already posted the commendation report.”

“Honestly, I think your Mr. Wayne is quite the schemer.”

“My professor finally saw some hope of poaching you, and then Wayne goes and puts out an official commendation just to make sure you stay.”

Scarlett let out a soft laugh. “You do realize that still sounds like a compliment to me, right?”

James immediately set down his fork. “Judge me fairly!”

“You’re a little too anxious for this to be casual. Professor Hamilton give you a task or something?”

James’s expression fell instantly.

“He said if I don’t bring you back to do a PhD under him, I shouldn’t bother coming back at all.”

Scarlett went quiet. Well, that’s… persistent.

“Scarlett!”

It was past the usual lunch rush, and the cafeteria was nearly empty.

So when Connor walked in, he immediately saw the two of them sitting together.

He had seen James before, and even investigated him afterward.

The guy really was impressive.

But how could someone so accomplished be interested in Scarlett?

Something didn’t add up.

He had to admit, Scarlett’s looks and figure were top–tier.

1/4

Finished

If she had used some kind of resource to make a trade, maybe she would throw herself at someone like that as a secret mistress.

Thankfully, the previous investigations showed Scarlett kept to a strict routine between her apartment and the campus, with no extra contact with James.

Which meant, maybe the deal hadn’t gone through yet. Or maybe James wasn’t interested.

It was likely that Scarlett just wasn’t ready to give up, still clinging to the idea of taking a shortcut.

That was probably what today’s scene was all about.

Scarlett heard the voice and instinctively turned around-

Only to meet the burning, contemptuous glare in his eyes.

She knew him too well.

That look was always the warning sign that Connor was about to blow up.

But, even though they were in the cafeteria, because James was considered a high–profile figure on campus, there were always security guards patrolling wherever he went.

There was no need to worry about safety here.

Connor stormed toward her.

When Scarlett had turned to look at him just now, he had imagined that life after leaving the Joyner family must’ve been tough for her–that she hadn’t managed to climb up, and was probably filled with despair.

He figured she’d look disheveled, worn down from crying.

Even if she wasn’t in total ruin, she’d be a shell of herself.

And if that version of Scarlett suddenly ran up to him, begged for forgiveness, claimed she’d only done it to make him jealous-

Tried to win him back-

Maybe, just maybe, he’d give her another chance.

After all, they’d been together for years. He wasn’t completely heartless.

But as he got closer, he was stunned.

Scarlett’s long hair fell smoothly over her shoulders; her complexion glowed with a natural flush; her obsidian eyes sparkled like polished stone.

She looked even more radiant than before.

Even more striking.

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He was momentarily dazed. Was this really Scarlett?

Why did she look like someone entirely different from the woman who’d just gone through a breakup?

Instead of falling apart, she looked like she’d come alive.

Out of nowhere, a surge of nameless fury rose in his chest.

Why should he be the one falling apart, while Scarlett got to live in peace?

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