No Way Back

Chapter 23
Diane was so frightened by Hugh that her face had gone pale.
The person Diane feared most in Stormton City was none other than Hugh Croft.
However, Diane was Hugh’s aunt, and besides, there were many people watching them...
If word got out that she had been frightened and run off due to what Hugh said, she would lose the respect of the other
socialites.
“Hugh, I am, after all, your aunt. How can you speak to me in such a manner?” asked Diane.
At this point, Diane was still trying to lord over Hugh with her seniority.
Connor Luther sniggered.
He thought Diane Croft was really d**mb.
She was trying to flex her seniority on Hugh.
Connor wondered if Diane knew Hugh hated people who did that.
“I’m only addressing you as Aunt because I’m in a good mood. Even Raymond has to kneel to me if I’m in a bad mood!
“Who do you think you are?” asked Hugh coldly.
It was as expected.
Diane’s words had hit a sore spot with Hugh.
Hugh’s low menacing tone made Diane’s chest tighten in fear.
She felt suffocated.
“Hugh...
“Hugh Croft!

“The b**stard!” thought Diane angrily.
“Diane, I... I do not feel well all of a sudden. Can you go to the hospital with
me? I do not want to eat anymore....”
Anna Fowler grimaced and clutched at her chest as if in great pain.
“Oh no! Anna, are you okay? Hang on, I’ll send you to the hospital
immediately!” exclaimed Diane.
With Anna as an excuse, Diane hurriedly helped Anna out of Cloudnine Restaurant.
Anna turned her gaze to Jane, who was behind her.
Jane moved away from Anna’s gaze without a thought.
Her expression was as cold as ice.
It was as if she were saying-
“We no longer have anything to do with each other!
“This is the end!”
Anna felt her heart clench painfully.
“Jane, I did not mean all the cr*el words I said earlier...” thought Anna. After they left Cloudnine Restaurant, Diane immediately
started grumbling.
She said, “D*mn Hugh! He not only disrespected me, but he also had no respect for his uncle at all! He even wants his uncle to
kneel to him! That’s not what a younger family member should say about his elder!”
“Diane, I’m tired. I would like to go home...” said Anna.
“Ah, Anna, we must be really unlucky today. Not only did we meet your infuriating daughter, but we also met Hugh! Let’s go
elsewhere for some good food. We will never come to Cloudnine Restaurant again!”

Anna looked at Diane silently.
She opened her m*uth but said nothing. In the end, she decided to go along with Diane.
“Hugh, you have not been back in Stormton City for a long time. Your somewhat weird relatives have not changed one bit. If
anything, they might have become more fo*lish,” teased Connor.
Connor flung one arm casually over Hugh’s shoulder.
This was unexpected.
No one expected a restaurant manager to dare treat the president of D.Y. Group, Hugh Croft, with such familiarity.
He even spoke so derisively of the Croft family.
His attitude and tone were one of disdain.
Then he turned around and flashed a warm smile at Jane and Lila.
“My sincerest apologies, ladies, to have disturbed your enjoyment of your meal.
“Cloudnine Restaurant will bear all responsibility for this. We should not have let such people in without proper screening.
“Ladies, this meal will be compliments of Cloudnine Restaurant. We would also like to gift you both with our VIP card.
“Oh, however, I do not think Miss Fowler needs another. In that case, we will just gift it to the lady over here.”
Lila was somewhat shocked by Connor’s words.
Her mind was in a mess, and she could do nothing but look on, stunned.
Hugh suddenly approached them.
His tone was casual as he spoke.
“Okay?” Hugh asked.
Jane replied, “I’m okay.”
Having confirmed that Jane was fine, Hugh left.

Jane watched Hugh’s back as he walked away. This was the first time she had met such an enigma.
She was unsure of one thing, though.
“Hugh is on my side, is he not?” she wondered.
Robert swirled the wine in his glass as he watched the scene. His expression was amused.
He thought it was a good show.
When Robert saw Hugh returning, he quickly stood up and pulled out Hugh’s chair. Politely, he motioned at the chair. “Please.”
“What, are you tired of living?” growled Hugh.
Hugh glared at Robert.
“Of course not. I treasure my life a lot!” replied Robert.
He chucked. “Is Connor not joining us?”
Hugh answered, “Soon.”
After he settled into his seat, Hugh turned to look at Jane.
Robert wisely kept quiet. He knew Hugh now had a new romantic interest. He was content with just quietly watching the show.
“Janie, do you think Mr. Luther’s words earlier were a little strange?” asked Lila.
After Lila had calmed down, she remembered what Connor Luther had said earlier. Something seemed off to her!
“It’s probably because he, as a restaurant manager, had the guts to offend Anna Fowler and Diane Croft.
“Furthermore, he seems to be on good terms with Hugh Croft. Taking all that into consideration, I doubt he’s just a simple
restaurant manager,” said Jane.
She cleverly changed the subject.
She did not mention Connor’s comment about her already having a Cloudnine Restaurant VIP card.
Instead, she diverted Lila’s attention to another matter.

“Exactly! That’s exactly what I mean! My goodness! That’s the Hugh Croft the stories spoke of...” exclaimed Lila.
Lila stole another glance at Hugh’s table.
Robert noticed Lila looking toward them and grinned. He waved at her.
Lila immediately turned back. Shocked, her hand flew to her chest in a gesture of surprise. Chewing on her lower lip, she
gushed, “My goodness, that’s Robert Shane with Hugh Croft!”
He was the successor to the Shane Group! Lila had seen him once before, at a dinner party.
That day, Robert had made a grand entrance. His charm and handsome looks were hard to turn away from.
Lila only dared steal looks at him from afar.
The Sutton family may be wealthy, but Stormton City had its fair share of hidden wealth.
Compared to the Shane family, the Sutton family was nothing!
Lila stuck out her tongue rudely. “Birds of a feather flock together. That Connor Luther is probably one of the flock. There’s
probably more to him than meets the eye.”
“That’s for sure,” said Jane.
Jane knew precisely who Connor Luther was.
Cloudnine Restaurant belonged to the Luther Group.
Connor Luther was the successor to the Luther Group.
He had been abroad the past three years and had only returned to the city the month before.
She had not expected his return to be such a subdued matter. The Luther Group had neither announced his return nor publicized
his identity.
Instead, they had arranged for him to work as a manager in Cloudnine Restaurant to gain experience.
Furthermore, he seemed to get along well with Hugh and his friends.

It seemed he was another fr*ak.
At this moment, Lila reached out.
She held Jane’s hand in her own.
Jane saw Lila’s worried expression and smiled. “Don’t worry, Lila. I’ll be fine.”
“That’s not possible! I almost stopped breathing at what Mrs. Fowler said earlier,” said Lila.
Lila unconsciously held Jane’s hands tighter.
She thought about Anna Fowler’s words from earlier.
Tears started welling up in Lila’s eyes.
“She’s too much!” thought Lila.
Lila did not understand how a mother like Anna Fowler existed.
“Without you, I might have lost myself.
“Even if I lose my family, I still have my best friend with me.
“Come to think of it, the heavens aren’t treating me too shabbily,” mused
Jane.
Jane reached out and wiped away the tears from a corner of one of Lila’s eyes. “That’s enough, babe. You won’t look pretty if
you cry. I like it better when you look pretty, Lila. Be good. Stop crying.”
Lila nodded vigorously, trying hard to keep her tears from falling. “Okay, I won’t cry. The Fowlers might not welcome you, Janie,
but you’ll always have me! We will be together forever!”
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