From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots novel Chapter 52

Chapter 52 Keep Your House Rules

But Eugene refused to let it go.

“You can’t leave! You haven’t explained anything!”

Scarlett blinked. “Explain what? If you’ve got a question, then ask already!”

She just wanted to get this over with so she could walk away before his bad energy rubbed off on her.

Eugene’s temper flared when he met Scarlett’s slightly annoyed and impatient gaze.

Cutting ties–that had been Scarlett’s mistake from the start.

The fact that he had come here personally to check on her–that alone should’ve been more than enough.

And yet, she still had the audacity to throw a tantrum.

On instinct, he reached out, ready to grab her arm; ready to force her to kneel and apologize like before, to speak humbly and admit she was wrong.

But before his hand could touch her, he felt something slash across the back of it–sharp and stinging. He yanked it back in pain.

“Meow!”

The robot cat had scratched him, then leapt onto Scarlett’s shoulder, baring its teeth at him in a mockery of

menace.

Scarlett gave it a genuine thumbs–up. “Good job, kitty.”

“That thing’s yours?” Eugene clutched his hand, face flushing with anger. “Get rid of it, dangerous animals like that shouldn’t be kept.”

Scarlett cradled the robot cat in her arms, glaring coldly at him.

“And who exactly are you to tell me what to do?”

Eugene froze.

In the past, his word was law–never once questioned.

“Scarlett, I’m your brother. That damn animal just scratched me!”

“Not my fault. My cat’s well–trained–it knows to protect me. That’s a perfectly natural instinct. Not all beasts can understand that.”

Eugene was just about to snap back when he suddenly processed what she’d said. He stared at her in disbelief.

“Did you just insult me?”

Scarlett flashed him her signature smile.

“Just a random comment. Why’d you take it so personally?”

Chapter 52 Keep Your House Rules

Eugene was stunned.

For a split second, he honestly wondered if someone had possessed her body,

“You’ve only been away from the Joyner family a few days, and this is what you’ve turned into You’re coming back with me today—copy the house rules a hundred times! This is already me being lenient. One you’re done, come to my study. I have something to ask you.”

Scarlett let out a laugh–she was so mad, she couldn’t help it.

If this had been the past, she might have even felt relieved that the punishment was light. Might’ve been grateful that Eugene had shown her mercy.

Now, it just made her sick.

What year did he think this was? Being lenient… seriously?

“You’re a doctor. You should at least know where the psych ward is. Don’t bother me again.”

She turned and walked off.

She’d only planned to return some books to the library, maybe look for a collector’s edition of some old texts. But her mood was completely ruined.

Definitely cursed just by being near him!

“Stop right there! You still haven’t explained anything!”

Scarlett was officially fed up. Her voice snapped, annoyed.

“Then ask already!”

Eugene froze.

Only now did he realize–they’d been going in circles this whole time.

Half his anger dissipated, at least they could talk without shouting now.

“Did John really want to take you on as a PhD student?”

Scarlett looked up at him.

Eugene’s expression was a mix of tension and urgency. Like he already knew the answer, and once she confirmed it, he’d pounce with his terms.

Her chest tightened at the thought of everything from the past.

Her voice turned sharp, cutting.

“If I say yes, then what–are you going to ask me to give the spot to Rebecca? After all, I’d only be giving up an opportunity. But poor Rebecca–she’d have to keep doing research and wouldn’t get to spend time with family.”

Eugene instinctively started to nod.

But for once, his brain caught up.

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Chapter 52 Keep Your House Rules

He stopped himself.

Instead, he argued, “Rebecca’s research has nothing to do with John’s field”

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