He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 519

There was a brief pause before her son's deep voice came through the speaker. "Mom, are you absolutely sure you don't need me to come home?"

Jacqueline covered her mouth, fighting back tears while keeping her tone incredibly light. "I'm sure. See? I'm perfectly fine."

"You just focus on your business over there," she insisted. "I'm with Scarlett and Julian right now. Don't come back unless it's absolutely necessary."

Scarlett looked at her mother, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. She knew better than anyone how desperately Jacqueline wanted her son to return so their family could be whole again.

Why was she refusing him so fiercely? Was she genuinely afraid he'd be in danger if he came back to Bay City?

Though the questions swirled in her mind, Scarlett stayed quiet. After a brief, reassuring chat, Jacqueline ended the call.

Julian drove them back to the Magnolia Villa.

It was already late afternoon. By the time they reached Sutton City, it would be dark. Though Jacqueline was desperate to see Dawn, Scarlett insisted she stay home, rest, and travel the next morning. Reluctantly, Jacqueline agreed.

After showering, Scarlett cooked a simple, comforting dinner. As they ate, they left the local news playing in the background.

As expected, Sylvia's disastrous drug party was the top story. The scandal had utterly nuked the Flynn family's standing in the business world.

Mr. Morgan and Mr. Lowell had spearheaded a massive coalition of corporate leaders, officially demanding Yardley step down as the president of the Bay City Business Association.

Bowing to the overwhelming pressure, Yardley had issued a public statement late in the evening. He formally resigned from his position and offered a humiliating public apology on behalf of his sisters.

The once imperious patriarch sounded incredibly humble, almost pleading. Scarlett was genuinely shocked.

It seemed Franklin was the only person in the Flynn family with an ounce of self-awareness. Aside from their first disastrous encounter, he had maintained a strategic, albeit cowardly, retreat. She had to give him credit—he knew when to bow his head.

But she also recognized the manipulative trap in his words. Luckily, her mind was crystal clear.

Scarlett's tone turned icy. "Mr. Flynn, I have no idea what you mean by 'show mercy'."

A heavy silence stretched across the line before Franklin's voice dropped an octave.