From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots novel Chapter 5

apter 5 Scarlett, Don’t Argue With Idiots

He honestly thought he was hallucinating from sleep deprivation. “What did you just say?”

Scarlett’s disgust was written all over her face.

“Was I not clear enough? Don’t mistake my tolerance for an invitation to shamelessness.”

Connor’s pupils contracted in shock.

In his memory, Scarlett had always been obedient and soft–spoken around him.

–

Even with all the fights over Rebecca in the past year, she’d never glared at him like this — let alone talked back.

Did she really call off the engagement and cut ties with the Joyners last night to end things for good?

No. No way.

Scarlett had once humiliated herself just to act like a servant for his mother. There was no way she’d just walk away from him.

She must be doing this to make him bow his head first – clearly just posturing.

The thought only made him more irritable. “Scully, you’ve gone far enough! If this keeps up, I won’t help you anymore!”

Scarlett actually laughed.

This so–called “help” always came with demands for her to lower herself and suffer in silence.

She really didn’t need it.

In fact, she shouldn’t have even said a word just now. It had been a waste of breath.

“Figures. There’s no point arguing with idiots.”

She turned to James.

“James, let’s go.”

James gave the two standing there a mocking glance, then walked off to open the car door.

Scarlett didn’t even glance at Connor again. She turned and left.

Connor stood frozen, stunned again. He started to wonder if someone had cast a spell on her.

He was so thrown off, he didn’t react at all standing there like a puppet.

Behind him, Rebecca’s brow was furrowed.

She’d heard Scarlett call that man “James.”

1/4

If she remembered right, their professor had said a genius named James would be joining the lab soon.

Could it be…

Bang!

Before she could figure out the implications, a dull thud broke her thoughts.

She looked up instinctively.

At some point, Stanley had shown up

–

and tried to punch James.

But James moved quickly and dodged. The punch slammed into the car’s hood instead.

Stanley’s knuckles instantly turned purple and swollen.

“You lay a hand on my sister, and you’re dead!”

Stanley didn’t care about his injury. He moved in to strike again.

“Stanley!” Rebecca ran over and grabbed his arm.

“Calm down. Scarlett’s just trying to build a better relationship with her senior from the lab – it’s not what you think.”

She only said it to test the waters.

When she wasn’t corrected, she knew she was right that was James.

—

He had skipped grades, held numerous national patents, and most importantly – he was rich, the kind of man with an unlimited future.

If someone like him really started working with Scarlett…

It would be a disaster.

She looked down, thinking hard, then added softly, “Scarlett hasn’t won any awards lately. Wanting to connect and improve herself isn’t a bad thing. Stanley, calm down – don’t get in her way.”

Stanley’s rage finally began to fade.

When he saw Scarlett about to get into a car with a strange man, his mind had filled with awful assumptions. He’d felt nothing but disgust for her behavior.

But as her brother, he couldn’t just stand by so he lashed out.

–

Now that Rebecca explained it, he realized he might’ve jumped to conclusions.

Not that he thought it was his fault.

Scarlett hadn’t come home all night and was now hanging around with some guy first thing in the morning.

And… this was their senior?

―

Rebecca had mentioned this guy before apparently he was also one of the evaluators reviewing their

lab’s work.

Some new thought flashed through Stanley’s mind, and his face darkened as he glared at Scarlett.

Yesterday he’d said she hadn’t achieved anything lately – and now she was turning to this senior for help?

Typical shortcut thinking from someone with no brains.

No matter how much the Joyners threw resources at her, she’d always be worthless.

“She’s doing something serious? What, flattering people so she can slap her name on papers you spent weeks writing?”

He turned to Scarlett. “Scarlett, I’m warning you – plagiarize Rebecca’s work again, and I won’t go easy on you just because we used to be family!”

James blinked at that, staring at Scarlett in shock.

His expression clearly said: What kind of idiots are these people?

But Stanley interpreted the look differently – he thought James had just realized what kind of person Scarlett really was.

“As their brother, I normally wouldn’t interfere. But since you’re here to evaluate their work, I suggest you take a hard look at who actually has the talent.”

James was speechless.

Did the Joyner family really not know how much Scarlett had contributed to medicine?

“Don’t worry,” he said coolly. “I know exactly what I’m doing.”

Rebecca gave a delicate sigh. “James, please don’t be upset. Scarlett’s been stuck in her research lately, which is why she’s been reaching out for help. Please, help her.”

She looked like she wanted to say more but didn’t dare. Her expression was perfectly calculated to provoke curiosity.

Usually, anyone seeing that look would ask what was wrong.

And if James so much as hinted, she’d be able to destroy Scarlett’s image in his eyes.

Even if Scarlett’s research succeeded, no one would believe in her again.

James, however, looked like he had a giant question mark over his head.

Help Scarlett? Who do you think I am, her lab assistant?

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