The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 311

Although the other guests couldn’t hear the exact words exchanged

between the two, Zadie’s reaction made it clear that whatever Leilani had said wasn’t pleasant.

‘Leilani.”

_eilani turned toward the voice and saw Josiah calling her. She assumed he was about to guilt-trip her just like Hackett and Clive had attempted.

Jnexpectedly, Josiah took a deep breath. His attitude was friendlier than usual, his tone significantly softer. “I know… the Sloan family failed you in this matter.”

He paused, looking at her with a complicated expression.

‘But what’s done is done. Continuing to cause a scene won’t benefit anyone. As long as you’re willing to let this go and allow things to settle down, we will make it up to you.”

Leilani looked at him and suddenly laughed. “Make it up to me? Josiah, what do you think I lack? Money? Status? Or the Sloan family’s hypocritical affection?”

Josiah’s expression shifted slightly, and his voice deepened. “Leilani, I think our apology has been sincere enough. Don’t make this uglier than it needs to be. Do you really want to burn every bridge just to see us fall? Is that what it will take to satisfy you?”

“Ugly?” Leilani scoffed. “When you all forced me to take the fall for Tamara, you didn’t think that was ugly? When you watched me rot in prison for four years without lifting a finger, you didn’t think that was ugly? But now that the truth is out, suddenly you’re afraid of losing dignity?”

She looked straight into Josiah’s eyes, enunciating every word clearly. “Josiah, don’t play ‘good cop, bad cop’ with me here. If you really want to

compensate me, then meet me at the notary office to legally sever our family ties. That is the best compensation you can give me.”

Josiah choked on his words, rendered speechless. He opened his mouth as if to argue, but facing Leilani’s cold, resolute gaze, he ultimately fell

silent.

Seeing that neither Zadie nor Josiah could talk Leilani down, Hackett’s face darkened instantly. He strode forward to block Leilani’s path.

“Leilani! What kind of attitude is this?” He lowered his voice, filling it with an undeniable authoritarian weight. “In front of all these people, do you insist on humiliating us? Fine, you want to cut ties, right? As long as you stop causing trouble today, let the wedding proceed smoothly, and come home with us tonight, I’ll go to the notary tomorrow to sign the papers. Is that enough?”

Hackett was calculating. He simply wanted to trick her into returning to the Sloan estate, where he could have her controlled. Once he had her in his grasp, whatever happened to her would be entirely up to him.

Seeing Leilani’s silence, Hackett assumed she had been pacified. A flash of triumph crossed his eyes. He reached out to grab Leilani’s wrist, softening his voice as if coaxing an unruly child. He almost managed to look like a benevolent father. “Alright, your mother and I were wrong in the past. Dad is apologizing to you right here. Don’t hold a grudge against your parents, okay? We can talk about everything when we get home!”

However, before his hand could touch Leilani, it was forcefully blocked by a long, powerful arm. Hackett froze and looked up.

Callahan was standing beside Leilani. His handsome face was devoid of expression, but his eyes were sharp as knives, piercing straight through Hackett.

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