They Wanted Her Gone, Now They Kneel by Evelyn Marlowe novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Scumbag, I Didn’t Sleep All Night Because Of You

Just as Rebecca slipped out through the back door, Wanda came running back in a panic.
“Mr. Stanley! Something’s wrong—really wrong!”
Stanley rubbed his ear, irritation flashing across his face.
“I’m fine, Wanda. Take a breath and speak properly.”
Wanda braced herself against the doorframe, chest heaving.
“Ms. Joyner—she’s not outside!”
Stanley snorted. “She must’ve climbed over the wall again last night. I’ll go wake her up.”
Without waiting for another word, he turned and headed upstairs.
He didn’t knock.
With a sharp kick, he burst the door open.
Silence.
The room was unnervingly tidy. The bed was made with military precision. Morning light slipped through the curtains, stirring them gently. On the floor lay the shattered remains of a framed family photo.
Stanley’s heart dropped.
He strode inside and yanked open the wardrobe.
Only three sets of clothes hung neatly inside—carefully matched, worn thin.
Now that he thought about it… Scarlett had always worn the same things.
In winter, she added a coat. In summer, she took it off.
Had she ever bought new clothes?
Had their parents ever given her spending money?
His phone rang.
Rebecca.
“Stanley,” she whispered, cautious, almost fearful. “Is Scarlett… not at home?”
He stiffened. “Why do you ask?”
“I—I saw her this morning. She came out of a hotel with a man.” Rebecca hesitated, then added softly, “I’m worried… worried she might get taken advantage of.”
Stanley’s face darkened.
“Send me the address.”
Hum, so much for having a backbone.
He’d almost believed Scarlett had finally left the Joyners for good.
Turns out she’d just realized they were displeased—and immediately latched onto another man.
Was she really that desperate?
Already selling herself?
Rage boiled over. He stormed out, not even noticing when his shoe crushed the shattered photo frame on the floor.
The glass splintered completely.
…
Outside the hotel, a tall, refined man smiled at Scarlett.
“Honestly,” James Logan said, “with your skill set, you should’ve figured it out already. The patient doesn’t need a kidney transplant.”
Scarlett’s mind flicked back to the conversation she’d overheard before the birthday banquet. Her lips curved into a bitter smile.
“A lot of people don’t trust alternative medicine,” she said. “They think surgery is the only real solution.”
James nodded thoughtfully. “Professor Hamilton reviewed your prescription. Based on his assessment, if the patient continues herbal treatment for another month, they’ll recover fully.”
Scarlett nodded. That matched her own conclusion.
But that patient would never receive her herbal supplements again.
James hesitated, then tried once more. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider Professor Hamilton’s offer? All your papers this year are classified. He really values your talent.”
Scarlett exhaled quietly. “I’m sorry, James. I’ve already decided to leave Trenwyn.”
He looked startled. “Is it about the conditions? I can talk to him—get you a better lab.”
She shook her head.
“You’ve probably heard about the Joyner family’s ‘mistaken heiress’ mess,” she said. “I’m just… tired of the infighting.”
James frowned. “What a waste. The Joyners can’t tell gold from garbage. Absolute idiots.”
Scarlett laughed softly. “Hey, don’t make it sound like we’re saying goodbye forever. Who knows? We might run into each other at an academic conference someday.”
“Scarlett.”
A familiar voice cut in from behind.
Her smile vanished instantly.
The disgust in her eyes was unmistakable.
“You were with this man last night?” Rebecca demanded, her voice trembling. “Scarlett, how could you be so shameless?” Connor cares about you so much—have you thought about how this would hurt him?”
Running into the one person she couldn’t stand first thing in the morning.
Just her luck.
Scarlett turned, her voice icy. “I’ve already cut ties with the Joyner family. Don’t act like we’re close. And my business is none of yours. Please stay away from me.”
Rebecca looked wounded. “I’m just worried about your safety.”
Scarlett laughed, pure disbelief.
“Great,” she said dryly. “Then why don’t you lend me your driver and your private car? That way I won’t have to squeeze onto a bus every morning just to get to class.”
They’d lived under the same roof, but because Scarlett prepared herbal supplements every morning, she always left later. The family car was never arranged for her.
She had to walk over a kilometer just to catch the bus.
They called her the Joyner family’s heiress—
Yet even the maids had it better. At least they got a nanny car for errands.
Rebecca froze for a split second.
Then tears welled up.
She staggered backward, as if unsteady.
Scarlett frowned, about to speak—
When a tall figure rushed in and caught Rebecca in his arms.
“Rebecca, are you okay?” Connor asked urgently. “Is it your vertigo again?”
Rebecca turned her pale face toward him and immediately choked up.
“I’m fine,” she said softly. “I was just worried Scarlett might be deceived by a stranger. I spoke up… Please don’t be angry with her. She didn’t mean it.”
Connor didn’t bother asking what had happened.
He turned straight to Scarlett, eyes dark, then flicked a cold glance at James.
“Still causing trouble?” he said harshly. “Haven’t you had enough? Apologize to Rebecca. Now.”
Yesterday, he’d been humiliated—turned into a joke in his social circle.
But after a sleepless night, he had reached a conclusion.
To fix his image, Scarlett had to make a public statement.
Ideally, she’d beg his mother for forgiveness, then they’d announce the engagement.
Yesterday’s chaos would be reframed as Scarlett’s desperate attempt to force his hand.
The Jude family’s reputation would be restored.
The Joyners could neatly blame everything on the “mistaken heiress.”
And Scarlett could continue serving as the Joyner family’s public face.
Sure, she would suffer a bit.
But he had status.
He couldn’t marry a woman with no background.
Scarlett would understand.
He had gone to the Joyners to discuss the plan this morning.
He hadn’t expected Rebecca’s call—or to see James.
And the sight of another man beside Scarlett lit a strange, irrational fury inside him.
“I didn’t sleep all night trying to help you stay in the Joyner family,” Connor snapped. “And this is what you’re doing? Running around with some random man? You’ve really disappointed me!”
Even though he knew Scarlett had always adored him—would never cross the line—he still chose to accuse her.
Because no matter what, whenever he lost his temper, Scarlett always gave in.
She would apologize.
She would cooperate.
She would help him clean up the mess.
Except—
This time, Scarlett had gone too far.
He decided he’d only forgive her after she cried and begged.
But in the next second, Scarlett’s expression turned glacial.
“Did your brain spring a leak?” she said flatly. “I already told you I have nothing to do with you. What gives you the right to order me around?”
Connor froze.
He stared at her, stunned.