The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 91

When she looked up again, a faint smile played on her lips. “My money is dirty, but yours is clean?” She spoke softly, her voice laced with mockery. “Josiah, do you know how ridiculous you look right now?”

Seeing that Leilani intended to leave, Josiah’s expression darkened with hostility. “Leilani! Don’t play dumb! Milford suddenly wants to call off the engagement with Tamara and claims he’s fallen for you. Did you hook up with him a long time ago? How can you be so cruel? No matter what, Tamara is still your sister!”

In Josiah’s eyes, Leilani was unrepentant; four years in prison clearly hadn’t cured her of her malicious intent to harm Tamara.

Leilani paused, turning sharply, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. Milford wanted to break the engagement? And he was using her as the excuse?

She instantly realized Milford had likely been pushed too far by Tamara and Gloria, so he decided to use her, the “disgraced daughter,” as a convenient shield.

A wave of irritation washed over her. Dealing with the Sloan and Sherwood families only ever brought endless trouble.

She had no patience for Josiah’s accusations. She looked at him coldly. “Keep me out of your messy drama with the Sherwood family. Whether Milford breaks the engagement or not is none of my business.”

“You!” Josiah was taken aback by her blunt vulgarity, then exploded in anger. “It really was you interfering! You hold a grudge against Tamara for taking Milford, so this is your revenge, isn’t it?”

Leilani actually laughed out of anger. “Josiah, is your brain damaged?” she articulated clearly. “A man like Milford? I wouldn’t take him even if he came wrapped in gold. Just because you treat him like a treasure doesn’t mean the rest of the world cares!”

“Shut up!”

Josiah’s face went completely dark as he raised his hand to slap her. Leilani was prepared and about to block the strike, but a hand intercepted Josiah’s wrist first. The grip was so powerful that the sound of bones grinding was almost audible.

“Mr. Sloan,” a deep, cold voice came from behind her. “Raising your hand against a woman is an ugly look.”

Leilani froze. That voice…

She turned slowly to meet Callahan’s abyssal gaze.

Josiah’s wrist was clamped in a vice-like grip, pain twisting his features. He looked up

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sharply, meeting Callahan’s eyes, which were cold as blades.

“M… Mr. Langley?” Josiah’s voice cracked with shock. Why was Callahan here? And why was he helping Leilani?

Callahan looked indifferent, but the strength in his hand didn’t wane until beads of sweat formed on Josiah’s forehead. Only then did he slowly release him.

“Mr. Sloan, getting physical in a public place isn’t appropriate, is it?”

His voice was low, carrying an undeniable pressure.

Josiah’s expression kept shifting as he tried his best to keep his composure amidst the pain. “Mr. Langley, you misunderstand. This… this is my sister. We were just discussing family

matters.”

“Even if she is your sister, you shouldn’t use force. Family matters should be discussed at home. By making a scene in front of so many people, whose reputation are you trying to

ruin?”

Callahan swept a cold glance over him, ignoring him thereafter to look at Leilani. “Are you alright?”

Leilani looked calm as she shook her head. “I’m fine.”

She hadn’t expected to run into Callahan here, nor that he would step in to help. wasn’t he injured? How was he back in the country so soon?

Josiah watched their familiar interaction, a storm brewing in his mind. Clive and Tamara had mentioned that Leilani seemed to have a connection with Callahan, but he had assumed it was just a fleeting whim of Callahan’s or a ploy by Leilani to climb the social ladder.

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Cedella

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.