Chapter 18: No Way Back

James nodded. “Of course.”

James had recorded their statements and had a copy of the security recording. He had every bit of evidence that he needed. If Dwayne’s and Madelyn’s accusations turned out to be unsubstantiated, Jane had every right to demand compensation.

Madelyn felt an uneasiness stirring in her gut as she eyed the look of bold confidence on Jane’s face.

She had intended to make a dig at Jane and put her in a spot.

She didn’t believe that Jane had 150 thousand dollars and was convinced that Jane had somehow stolen it from the Fowler family.

She insinuated that Jane was a sex worker in an attempt to anger Jane and ruin her reputation.

But Jane had called the cops instead and claimed she hadn’t gotten the money through illegal means with such confidence.

Could Jane possibly have found a way out of getting caught?

“Dwayne, let’s forget about it. Janie is a part of our family. If news about our dispute spreads, it’ll ruin the Fowler family’s reputation. Daddy and Mommy will be so upset.

“Why don’t we..”

While Madelyn wanted to forget about it all, Jane wasn’t prepared to back down.

“Do you think you can escape the consequences of your actions if you back down now? Dwayne, be a man of your word. It’s too late for you to be a coward and back down now.”

The hot–tempered Dwayne lost his cool instantly. “Who are you calling a coward? Sir, go ahead with the investigation. Make sure you’re thorough. Jane couldn’t possibly have earned all that money!”

What an idiot.

Madelyn cursed inwardly.

Jane wasn’t an idiot. She had given the cops complete access to her account details. What did that mean?

It meant that she hadn’t done anything wrong!

If Dwayne had seized the opportunity that Madelyn had given him, used the excuse of avoiding further embarrassment to the Fowler family, and backed down, they could have prevented this entire thing from

blowing up.

But he had killed all chances of doing that with his proclamation.

“Janie, please don’t be upset with us. We were simply worried that you had been led astray…”

“Shut up, Madelyn, and stop calling me ‘Janie.‘ You make me sick!”

Jane’s rebuke had Madelyn snapping her mouth shut instantly. Her eyes began to tear as she lowered her head and hid behind Dwayne.

“Jane!”

Dwayne glared furiously at Jane. If he could, he would tear her apart right this instant.

Jane didn’t care. She wrote down her bank account details and handed the information to James.

The cops had the authority to access confidential information for their investigations. James took the information that Jane had given him, filled in the necessary forms, and submitted them.

Throughout it all, Lila never let go of Jane’s hand. She clutched it tightly as if she could give Jane strength through her touch.

It was as if she were telling Jane silently.

Don’t worry, Janie. You still have me!

Your family may insult and hurt you, but you still have your best friend. I’ll always be by your side.

fend off the darkness and injustice of the world for

Time passed steadily.

Madelyn grew increasingly flustered.

and Lila remained calm

seem anxious about the outcome of the

made Madelyn panic even

to Dwayne but didn’t know what

to compensate Jane if they had mistakenly

want to

the results of the

returned with a

bank account did come from legitimate sources and had

outcome was not

secret sigh

Jane looked composed.

legitimate the source of

the Darknet, but Andy had been the one who handled her

the necessary laundering before transferring the money to Jane’s

just say? That’s impossible. You must have made a mistake of some

the proper channels for the investigation.

“I’ve heard much about your exploits as an international professional fighter. Our government sings praises of you. Please refrain from doing anything that will damage your reputation. Do remember that everything

all, Dwayne had participated in WWE and had sworn that he would become

a sudden chill as realization struck

to

he needed to achieve, and he could

Jane manage to earn so much? It seems impossible. She’s just a

information the bank shared with us and the confirmation that we’ve obtained from the company that Ms. Fowler provided her services to, she has been providing services to a listed company in return

the documents to

the documents His face

included classes on fighting techniques, a strict training regimen that trained his physique, and courses on culture. As a member of the Fowler family, he had received the best education one could afford for elites

that of his family members, he shared their sharp sense regarding financing

a quick

company was a listed company that

the company’s accounts, Jane had been

the company had

it was paying her, she could

with incredulity in his

She was competent and

successful person with “new money”

sophomore at the University of

that would

more

revelation sent Dwayne

but stare at

he were seeing

Madelyn stepped forward.

It was as if she were reading

on the sons in the family but

didn’t help that Madelyn was their only

a princess

a decent student. Her successful admission to the University

an arts student who had gotten admitted to

the entrance examinations like the

was not exactly your average student who excelled in

no doubt

Madelyn was

one

They had lost this time.

“Are you done with the documents? You’ve got the proof staring in your face. Let’s move on to the subject of compensation now.

“First of all, I demand Dwayne and Madelyn to apologize to my friend. You are to apologize immediately, right

now!”

Jane said sharply and firmly, with a tone that brooked no argument.

The air of authority that she exuded felt heavy. Dwayne and Madelyn found it nearly impossible to look her straight in the eye.

Dwayne’s fingers tightened around the documents as he clutched them to his chest. Slowly, he lowered his hands and handed the documents back to James.

“My apologies, Jane, Lila.”

Dwayne’s apology was swift and unexpected.

It made sense, though.

He couldn’t deny the facts. It would ruin his reputation and destroy his country’s trust in him.

There was another thing.

There was no doubt that Dwayne was a hot–tempered man.

But he wasn’t an unreasonable one.

He lost his head quickly when it came to Madelyn.

But he had come to his senses quickly after James had reminded him of who he was.

The concrete evidence staring him in the face didn’t help too.

Dwayne was a man of his word. He had to fulfill his promises.

Denying that he was wrong when the facts clearly showed that he was would not be the behavior fitting of a decent person.

How could someone like that be worthy of the title of the best professional fighter in the world? He might as well give up his dreams right now!

Madelyn did not expect Dwayne to cave so quickly.

She dipped her head immediately.

“I’m sorry, Janie, Lila. We were wrong. I’m so sorry!

“Just tell us how much you want. We’ll do everything in our power to pay you!”

The matter of compensation was ironed out in a matter of moments.

Dwayne transferred the money to Jane immediately.

Everyone left the station.

Jane grabbed Lila’s hand and walked away without glancing at Dwayne or Madelyn.

“Jane.”

Dwayne called out suddenly.

Jane didn’t turn around.

She didn’t care.

After all, nothing good could possibly come out of Dwayne’s mouth.

Jane wasn’t going to waste her precious time on people like him.

“I’m sorry…”

Dwayne murmured softly, in a voice so soft only he could hear.

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