From Ashes To Queen Now I Call The Shots (Scarlett) novel Chapter 202

Chapter 202 The Trap Set

Susan waved a hand, signaling she was done with the conversation.

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“By the way-” She walked a few more steps, then paused to gently rub her forehead. “Did Oliver’s blood sample get sent in for matching?”

“They did. The results should be back within three days. Don’t worry, Madam Susan, I’ll report to you the moment we hear anything.”

“Good.”

Susan nodded again, dismissing her.

Monroe finally understood it was time to leave.

Scarlett was heading toward her room. Just as she reached the door, she saw Taylor waiting outside.

Oliver was on one knee, looking like he could barely hold himself together.

“Taylor,” she called softly.

Both men looked over.

That was when Oliver realized–Scarlett’s eyes were only on Taylor.

She didn’t spare him a single glance.

It hit him like a gut punch–his chest tightened, and for a second, he couldn’t breathe.

Taylor quickly stepped forward.

“You should’ve been asleep by now. But after what happened tonight, I figured there’s no way you were getting any rest. So I brought him here. You want to vent? Go ahead. I’ll handle the rest.”

Scarlett blinked, caught a little off guard.

She’d known from the night of the party that someone was setting her up.

That’s why when Jasper offered to drive her to the university in the morning, she hadn’t turned him down.

And sure enough…

The moment she stepped outside, Connor showed up. After she dealt with him, Samson didn’t even try to hide it–he kept tossing looks at the staff like they were all in on something.

That’s when she knew something shady was going on.

But she didn’t have time to dig deeper. She had to get to campus.

Then she spotted Grayson and Chloe waiting by the front steps. That confirmed her suspicions.

Tonight’s ambush?

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Chapter 202 The Trap Set

Exactly what she expected.

The only thing that caught her off guard… was Oliver.

She couldn’t believe they were dumb enough to use Oliver to frame her.

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“Vent? You mean hit him?” she asked, wrinkling her nose in disgust. “Taylor, what, are you trying to make my hand hurt?”

At that, something shifted in Oliver’s chest.

A small flicker of warmth.

He knew she was still angry.

But even now… she couldn’t bring herself to hurt him.

The truth was, he’d been set up this morning too.

Someone told him to go clean out the garage. He didn’t want to at first.

But that guy kept running his mouth–dropping Scarlett’s name, trying to get a reaction.

Oliver didn’t want to cause trouble for her. Or embarrass her.

So he went.

He figured if he finished fast, he’d come back and deal with Connor himself.

But when he got to the garage, it was locked.

That’s when he realized–he’d been set up.

Back in Trenwyn, he’d been one of the rising stars in business.

He’d handled more deals than he could count and rarely lost.

And yet somehow, this–this stupid little setup–was the first time he’d ever gotten caught off guard.

He knew he’d been framed:

But he wasn’t afraid.

Even if they handed him the investigation, he could trace every move and expose the whole thing without breaking a sweat.

What really scared him… was the idea that Scarlett might blame him.

That she’d be disappointed in him.

But now, it seemed those fears were unfounded.

They’d been through six years together. Their bond ran deep.

She’s not the kind of person to doubt me over something like this.

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Chapter 202 The Trap Set

The guilt crept in as he thought about it.

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If I’d known she’d still have my back, I should’ve stood up for her earlier. I should’ve spoken up right there in front of

everyone.

“Scarlett…” His voice came out rough.

All the emotion he’d held back was surging now, and his eyes were rimmed with red.

Only then did Scarlett look at him.

She let out a cold laugh.

“When I moved here, I brought a few little test kits with me. Haven’t had the chance to try them out yet.”

Like a magic trick, a small red pouch appeared in her hand–it looked almost like a fancy air freshener or something you’d hang in a car.

Before Oliver could respond, she tossed it at him.

Oliver blinked, confused.

“Taylor, take him down to the garage,” she said calmly. “Let him stay down–don’t bother moving him.”

Her voice was light and pleasant.

Even when she was making a point, she didn’t raise it. No shouting. No anger.

Oliver didn’t realize anything was off.

If anything, it felt like Scarlett was going easy on him–like she was letting him off the hook.

Taylor motioned for two guards to haul Oliver away.

Then he turned back to Scarlett, completely baffled.

“That’s it? You’re letting him walk?” He let out a sigh and shook his head. “You always go soft. That’s the problem. You let stuff slide, and people just keep pushing. No offense, but this is why you’ve been hurt. before. You keep everything to yourself. You never even told the family when people were mistreating you. Go get some rest. I’ll handle that bastard myself.”

He rolled up his sleeves, the veins on his hands rising as he clenched his fists.

He looked like he was about to throw down.

Scarlett couldn’t help but laugh–thinking about what she’d actually put inside that pouch.

She grabbed his arm to stop him.

Taylor still looked exasperated.

“I’m telling you, we can’t let this slide anymore. He needs to know the Lane family doesn’t mess around. I get it—you feel like you owe them for raising you. But let’s be real–we don’t owe the Joyners anything. They’re the ones who owe your

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From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots