The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 333

Lance’s gaze darkened. “Did you not see the evidence at the wedding?”

Carola scoffed. “Who knows if that evidence was fake? Leilani has Callahan backing her. Wouldn’t it be easy to frame Tamara?”

Lance took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. “Carola, wake up! Tamara is using you!”

“Using me?” Carola sneered. “Lance, don’t be fooled by Leilani! She’s the one with the deep schemes!”

Seeing that she was impervious to reason, Lance’s face finally turned cold. “I don’t care what you think. From today on, you are forbidden from seeing Tamara.”

Carola’s eyes went wide. “Why?”

“Because I’m your brother!” Lance’s tone allowed no argument. “If you keep associating with her, you’re going to cause a disaster sooner or later!”

Carola was so angry her eyes turned red. “Who are you to control me? I’m going to find Tamara! She must be so upset right now!”

Saying this, she jumped off the bed and tried to rush out.

Lance grabbed her wrist, his voice icy. “Security!”

Two bodyguards immediately pushed open the door and entered.

Lance ordered coldly, “Watch her. Without my permission, she is not allowed to take a single step out of this room!”

Carola stared at him in disbelief. “Lance! You’re locking me up? How can you do this to me? When Mom and Dad get back, I’m telling them everything!”

Lance was unmoved. “If Mom and Dad knew about the things you did for

Tamara, they would do exactly the same thing. Cool off for a while. We’ll talk again when you’ve calmed down.”

With that, he turned and left, slamming the door shut. Behind him came the sound of Carola smashing things and screaming in rage. “Lance! You jerk! Let me out!”

With his troublemaking sister confined at home, Lance finally turned his thoughts to how he should apologize to Leilani. He had wronged her, after all. He owed her an apology.

It was only now that Lance felt the belated sting of regret for his poor judgment. Thinking of the harsh words Leilani had left him with last time, he felt helpless. His pride made it difficult, but with his grandmother suffering in pain, both reason and emotion dictated that he had to visit

Leilani.

Lance asked a friend to find Leilani’s address and planned to go ask for forgiveness once more. He carried a carefully prepared gift-a box of premium supplements he had specially commissioned from abroad,

worth a small fortune.

Standing downstairs at Leilani’s apartment complex, Lance looked up at the luxurious building, his feelings a mix of complex emotions.

When he explained his purpose to the doorman, the man simply shook his head coldly. “Ms. Sloan said she isn’t seeing visitors right now.”

Lance frowned, wanting to try again. “Please, just announce me. Tell her Lance Conner has an urgent favor to ask.”

The doorman remained expressionless. “Ms. Sloan specifically instructed that unless they are residents of this complex, she won’t see anyone.”

Leilani’s utter lack of mercy made Lance feel embarrassed, his fingers. tightening around the box. She was probably still angry. And rightfully so. Anyone who had been accused and questioned like that wouldn’t forgive easily.

Lance took a deep breath and handed the gift to the doorman. “Then please pass this to Ms. Sloan for me. Just tell her… the Conner family owes her an apology.”

The doorman hesitated but eventually took it. “I can pass it along, but I can’t guarantee she’ll accept it.”

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