ECHOES OF THE JACKSONS
Wyatt watched as Janis drifted back toward her husband with her usual blank expression. His jaw tightened. Arielle had met her. That encounter could unravel years of carefully laid plans—and he wasn't about to let that happen.
"Where have you been?" Adrian asked, eyeing her intently.
"The restroom," Janis replied flatly.
Too flat. Too polite. No sharp retort, no cold dismissal. Adrian immediately knew something was wrong. But instead of pressing, he let it go. For now. He would find out what really happened once the anniversary was over.
Across the room, Phoenix's lips curved into a sly smile as the Eugene couple entered. It was time for Kings Minerals to shine.
Mr. Eugene gave his speech, brief but warm, thanking the guests for celebrating thirty years of marriage with them. Everyone knew why the hall was so full—this wasn't about romance; it was about business. The Eugenes were ready to choose who would earn the coveted contract.
The parade of gifts began. Robert and Wilda Pedro presented theirs with smug confidence. Wilda unveiled a Feline Bag worth 1.9 milliontybs, sure it would win Arielle's favor.
Arielle accepted it with a gracious smile, but her eyes betrayed no interest. She had never cared for handbags, and she certainly had no intention of working with Robert Pedro.
One by one, families tried their best to dazzle. When it was Janis's turn, she quietly studied her reflection in her compact mirror. What's wrong with me? she thought. Why does that woman shake me so much? Arielle could have mistaken me for someone else. Mother wasn't the only Lesley in Tybis.
"Let's go, husband," Janis said suddenly, her voice sharp again. Adrian blinked—one moment she was silent as stone, the next she was fiery and confident. This woman would drive him mad.
Together, they presented their gift.
"Mother-of-pearl and stainless steel cufflinks, with pearl tie clips," Arielle read aloud, her smile softening. "How thoughtful. Pearl is indeed the symbol of a thirty-year anniversary."
Mr. Eugene beamed. "Brilliant choice. Nothing better than a smart wife beside you. Congratulations on your marriage."
Janis inclined her head politely, Adrian doing the same. Across the room, Robert seethed. Outsmarted again—by his brother's wife.
Just as the couple prepared to rejoin the crowd, the atmosphere shifted. Several men entered, carrying a vault. Gasps rippled through the ballroom.
"What is the meaning of this?" Mr. Eugene demanded, voice edged with authority.
"On behalf of the CEO of Kings Minerals, I present this jewel to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene," Phoenix Fendore announced.
The name alone sparked murmurs. Phoenix Fendore—once one of Amiret's most famous exporters of minerals, vanished without a trace years ago. And now, he was here, representing a mysterious CEO?
"This should be interesting," Arielle whispered to her husband.
The vault creaked open, revealing the Mermaid Pearl Necklace.
The crowd erupted in awe. Arielle froze. That necklace had belonged to her dearest friend, and she thought it had been lost forever. Mr. Eugene's hand tightened around hers. He knew what it meant.
The necklace was placed gently around Arielle's neck. Her composure slipped, and with too many emotions flooding her heart, she excused herself from the room.
"Looks like your cufflinks didn't impress her after all," Catherine sneered at Janis. "You were supposed to win the contract for your husband, but it seems a stranger bested you."
Janis's eyes flashed. "Why don't you shut your mouth and go find yourself a husband to bother?" She brushed past without waiting for a reply.
Robert's fury simmered. Wilda tried to console him but failed.
"A Feline bag," Janis said icily when Wilda mocked her. "You gave one of the wealthiest women in Tybis a Feline bag. Study a person before you gift them. Did you really never notice she never carries one?"
"So you're calling me dumb?" Wilda snapped.
"I'm not saying you're dumb. I'm saying you are dumb."
Wilda's face burned. "You think you're better because you're Adrian's wife? Just wait until Vivian Lawrence comes back. Then you'll see."
"I don't need Adrian to raise my shoulders," Janis shot back. "I can stand tall on my own." And with that, she left the ballroom.
Outside, the night air bit at her skin. She waited for the driver when a familiar figure approached—her uncle, Sylvester Wyatt. He lit a cigarette casually.
"You know I hate smoke," Janis muttered.
"You used to like it. What changed?"
Her jaw clenched. Yes, she used to smoke, used to drink. But not anymore. Not in Tybis.
"I saw your little stunt inside. Impressive. But that CEO overshadowed you." He blew a stream of smoke into the night.
"I don't need your praise, Uncle. And I don't care if the CEO outshone me." Especially since the CEO is me, she thought bitterly.
Sylvester's voice dropped. "Arielle was very important to your mother."
Janis turned to him sharply. "Who was she?"
"Your mother's water broke while shopping for baby clothes. Arielle was there—she helped her, stayed with her until you were born. She even gave you your name, Antina. She was your godmother. But she was in Frankus when tragedy struck… and couldn't protect you."
Janis's chest tightened. Memories flickered—faded dresses sewn by Arielle's hands, fleeting smiles. But if Arielle had been her godmother, why hadn't she been there when everything fell apart?
"You can't let people know you're a Jackson," Sylvester pressed.
"I can't stop people from remembering me," Janis snapped. "This is Tybis. Everyone knows everyone."
"It will ruin our plans."
"Our plans?" Her eyes hardened. "This was never yours. You didn't even lift a finger when your own sister was murdered." Her voice shook with fury. "This revenge is mine."
Before Sylvester could reply, Adrian appeared. His timing precise as ever.
"Good evening, Mr. Wyatt," he said, bowing slightly.
"No need to be formal. I am, after all, your father-in-law," Sylvester replied smoothly.
Adrian's eyes flicked toward Janis before returning to Sylvester. "Indeed. But my wife is tired. I must take her home." He bowed again, then helped Janis into the car.
"Of course," Sylvester said, smiling faintly. "I've noticed her dizziness."
The car pulled away, leaving Sylvester and his mocking wife Desiree behind.
Inside the car, Janis stared out the window in silence. Adrian clenched his jaw. Her quiet worried him more than her sharp tongue ever could. He wanted to ask, but he knew she wouldn't answer. He would give her time.
At the Gray Manor, Janis swept past him without a word and shut her door. Adrian stood in the hall, fists tightening. Her silence hurt more than her insults—but he would wait.