Chapter 179

From Ashes to Queen: Now I Call the Shots
Chapter 179 A Spectacle of Shame
All of Connor’s anger evaporated.
“Scarlett.”
# Peads
After a sleepless night, his face had taken on a sickly yellow hue, and his chin was covered in scruffy stubble. His eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was hoarse beyond recognition.
He had checked his reflection with his phone half an hour earlier and was pleased with the result.
The more pitiful he looked, the more sincere he would seem.
“I’ve been waiting for you all night. I’m just glad… you came.”
He tried to get up, but his knees gave out beneath him. He collapsed back down, looking even more disheveled and broken.
But he wasn’t embarrassed. Not in the slightest. In his mind, he began to count.
Three seconds. Three … two… one …
Scarlett would definitely give in.
She’d kneel beside him, help him up with gentle concern, tend to his knees herself.
And once that happened, all the servants who’d laughed at him? They’d pay for it.
Scarlett stood above him, expression unreadable, eyes cold as she watched him act his little scene.
She felt nothing but nausea.
She had once loved the wrong person with all her heart, and she didn’t regret it. Love was something you gave willingly, and it wasn’t anyone else’s fault if it didn’t last.
But right now, for the first time, she did regret one thing-
That she hadn’t looked more closely before agreeing to the engagement.
She gave a cold laugh, her voice laced with mockery.
“Don’t think that pretending to look pathetic will make me take you back. It only disgusts me.”
Connor froze, like he’d just hallucinated her words.
They were too familiar.
Whenever Scarlett had done something extreme to compete with Rebecca for his affection, he was the one who used to say things like that to her.
Now she was throwing those exact words back at him.
Even so, he didn’t get angry. He convinced himself it meant she still hadn’t let go.
That she was only saying this because she was upset.
Chapter 179 A Spectacle of Shame
“Scarlett,” he rasped, letting his voice go even rougher, “I didn’t look into things properly. I misunderstood you. That was my fault. I’ve wanted to apologize for a long time, but you’ve been so busy — I haven’t been able to find you. So I came here just to see you. To explain everything.”
He put on the most pitiful tone he could manage. If he weren’t a man trying to maintain dignity, he might’ve even let a tear fall. But he figured he’d done enough.
Scarlett was bound to be moved. She’d forgive him.
And then he’d be welcomed into the Lane family as their honored guest.
Sure enough-
Scarlett moved.
His heart leapt. His expression remained composed, but his eyes gleamed with victory.
But then-
She looked around, stepped forward, and sat down on the rattan chair beside the path.
“Alright. Explain.”
Explain… what?
He stared at her, stunned.
Didn’t she see his emotional performance? Didn’t she feel anything?
Her attitude made his chest tighten.
“Scarlett, you-”
Scarlett slowly lifted her gaze.
Her eyes were sharp, cold, utterly detached.
Like she’d just emerged from a mountain of ice.
Even the tiles beneath her seemed to frost over in her
presence. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ
Connor shivered.
This Scarlett…
She wasn’t the same person at all.
Upstairs, Aurora tugged the curtains shut with a satisfied smile.
Perfect.
Connor had done exactly what she needed–he’d held Scarlett back.
If Scarlett didn’t leave within the next half hour, she’d miss the start of the competition.
13:45 Tue, 12 Aug
Chapter 179 A Spectacle of Shame
Aurora didn’t think Scarlett could outdo her team anyway, but if Scarlett placed near the top people would
say
she was a prodigy. The main branch might start throwing resources at her. Even the old madam miche – step in to support her.
That was the last thing Aurora wanted.
But if Scarlett skipped the competition for some man?
Not only would she fail Trenwyn University, she’d also disappoint the entire Lane family.
No matter how hard she worked afterward, or how many awards she earned, this incident would always haunt her–one reckless choice, remembered forever.
And once Aurora secured the old madam’s promised shares, she’d make sure Scarlett never got the chance to rise again.
The Lane family was powerful–but eventually, it would be in her hands.
She drew a deep breath and peeked through the curtain.
Scarlett was still in the courtyard, tangled up with Connor.
Perfect.
She quickly straightened her clothes and stepped out of the room.
“Get the car ready,” she told the maid. “I’m leaving through the side entrance today. Scarlett just got home- she has personal matters to handle. Tell everyone not to bother her unless it’s urgent. Got it?”
The maid nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll take care of it right away.”
Aurora gave a pleasant smile, grabbed her bag, and walked out the door.
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