From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9 Mr Fletcher, I Owe You

No one expected her to go that far.

Micah’s tone turned harsh. “It’s just a week of cleaning duty. Professor Miller afready cut you a break can you stop being so ungrateful?”

Rebecca narrowed her eyes.

Her cancer research topic was trending in the academic world, and she had already copied Scarlett’s experiment plan.

Originally, if she had successfully stolen those mice, she could’ve fully replicated Scarlett’s research.

But things had gotten messy. Scarlett would definitely be more cautious from now on.

Still, as long as she fed the mice following Scarlett’s method, the experiment would work.

So, it was better to take this chance and get Scarlett kicked out of the lab entirely.

That way, Scarlett wouldn’t be able to continue her trial — and wouldn’t be a threat anymore.

—

–

She wiped her tears. “Professor Miller, Micah, please don’t be upset. Ever since I was acknowledged by the Joyner family, Scarlett hasn’t been happy with me.”

She added, “But I’ve been lucky to work with all of you for this long. That alone makes me happy.”

She forced a smile through her tears. “If it’ll make Scarlett happy, then I’ll leave. That’s enough for me.”

Just as she turned to go-

Calvin grabbed her by the arm. “You’re not going anywhere!”

He shot a furious glare at Scarlett.

He’d originally wanted to show mercy for her past contributions to the lab.

But Scarlett didn’t appreciate it.

Since she refused to yield, why should he keep thinking about their old teacher–student bond?

With a long sigh, his voice echoed across the lab. “Scarlett, in truth, you haven’t produced anything notable in the past two years. By protocol, you should’ve been removed already. Since you’re volunteering to leave I’ll honor that.”

—

This time, no one objected.

Scarlett gave a quiet nod, her expression unreadable. She bowed deeply. “Thank you, Professor Miller, for your past guidance. Goodbye.”

Then she turned and walked to Rebecca’s station, picking up the cage.

Chapter 9 Mr Fletcher, I Owe You

“Wait!” Micah snapped, seeing her leave so decisively. “That cage belongs to Rebecca!”

Scarlett’s hand paused mid–air – as if a needle had jabbed her right in the chest.

She laughed coldly. “Got it.”

Without another word, she flipped open the cage.

“Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!”

All the mice bolted and scattered across the lab.

Micah had assumed she’d give in and turn back with an apology.

He hadn’t expected her to actually release the mice.

Did she not realize that losing even one trial mouse could earn her a disciplinary mark from the university?

His first instinct was to chase after them.

“Professor Miller, Micah, everyone the fall!”

+8 Pearls

—

come on, we have to help! We can’t just stand by and let Scarlett take

Rebecca took a step like she meant to run, but Micah grabbed her arm before she could.

And at that moment, everything clicked.

Scarlett was faking a breakdown to bait them into begging her to stay!

She’d changed. Calculating. Manipulative.

“Let her go. When she can’t catch the mice, she’ll come crawling back to us!”

His words struck a chord in Calvin.

He also believed it wouldn’t take three days before Scarlett would return to beg him.

“I’ve got a lot on my plate.”

Calvin didn’t actually want to expel her. But he didn’t want to feed her ego either.

“If she comes back, don’t contact me.”

Then he turned to Rebecca with a gentle smile. “Come on, let’s take a look at your paper.”

Rebecca nodded sweetly, keeping up her innocent act.

“Professor Miller, if Scarlett does come back… please don’t be mad at her, okay?”

“Hmph. Depends on how she behaves.”

214

Just outside the lab, Scarlett managed to catch two of the mice. She wrapped them in her coat.

But because of her injuries from the fire, she wasn’t as quick as she used to be – one mouse escaped.

She turned on the tracking app and followed the signal all the way to the far northern building on campus.

“Meow!”

A black cat suddenly darted across her path the runaway mouse in its mouth.

“Hey kitty… be good. Open up.”

The cat strutted away, ignoring her.

―

Scarlett tried everything, but it didn’t work. Gritting her teeth, she picked up a stone and aimed at the mouse’s position.

Just as she released the throw, a shadow flashed past her.

Even with her martial arts training, she couldn’t catch the movement.

By the time she looked up, all she saw was a tall, handsome man holding the black cat.

Those sharp, hawk–like eyes were deep and cold

enough to knock the air from your lungs.

Her stone had been knocked aside, now lying harmlessly in a nearby flowerbed.

Scarlett instantly tensed.

Her fingers moved instinctively. In the blink of an eye, thin needles were between her fingers, ready to fly.

But in the next moment, the man’s aura softened..

His deep, velvety voice sounded like a cello. “Why’d you try to hurt my research specimen?”

This was the medical school. Most research involved animals.

Scarlett realized he meant no harm and immediately lowered her guard. “Your experiment attacked mine. first.”

He glanced at the barely breathing mouse the cat had almost killed. “My lab’s just next door. I can save it.”

Scarlett didn’t move. Her mind was racing as she searched for his identity.

“Jasper Fletcher.” Her eyes widened slightly.

He was the rumored genius lecturer who had just joined the school.

—

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