THE NECKLACE AND THE CONTRACT
Janis woke the next day feeling worse than she had the night before. Her sleep had been haunted by fractured dreams, old memories, and shadows she thought she had buried.
When she stepped into the hallway, a maid bowed politely.
"Master Adrian has already left for work."
Janis smiled faintly. A good way to start her day.
"Mistress, you have a package," Anita, the head maid, announced as two male servants carried in a large, carefully wrapped box.
"It's fragile," one of them added.
"Take it to my room," Janis instructed. She followed behind, watching until they set it down gently. "Thank you," she said, and closed the door quickly. She didn't want anyone else to see it.
Janis unwrapped the package with deliberate care. When she peeled back the final layer, her breath caught.
It was Aeries—her mother's necklace.
Her fingers trembled as she lifted it, caressing the familiar cool metal. The memories came rushing—her mother's smile, her laugh, the warmth she brought into every room. The tears came unbidden. She hadn't realized how much she missed her until this moment.
As Janis placed the necklace back, her eyes fell on an envelope tucked inside. She opened it and began to read.
---
Dear Antina,
If you're reading this, I am at the airport on my way to Frankus. I don't even know where to begin. When I heard Adrian Pedro had married, I didn't think much of it—until I saw his wife. Until I saw you.
I couldn't believe it at first. You looked different. Healthier. Stronger. And your name had changed. But when I saw you yesterday, I knew it was you. And I was so happy.
I remember when you once cried because you felt you didn't look like anyone in your family—you even wondered if you were adopted. Darling, you were wrong. You looked exactly like your grandmother, the great Gloria Jackson. I'm surprised no one else has noticed it.
---
Janis paused, her chest tightening. Her grandmother. Her father used to say the same thing, even calling her "mother" at times in his grief.
She blinked away the memories and continued reading.
---
**Antina, I know why you're back. I know why you changed your name. What happened years ago broke me too—I thought I had lost the Jackson family forever. To see you alive… it is a miracle.
I trust your pursuit of revenge because you've always been observant and wise. But promise me this: don't let it blind you from happiness. Adrian could be your happiness. I saw the way he looked at you at the party. That was love, darling.
I left something else for you in this package. I know you'll know what to do with it.
With love,
Arielle.**
---
Beneath the letter was a thick envelope containing a contract. Janis scanned the pages and froze.
The Eugene family had signed with Kings Minerals.
Her chest lifted with a quiet laugh. How had Mrs. Eugene guessed her identity? Or had Arielle given her the hint?
Whatever the case, Kings Minerals had claimed one of the most coveted contracts in Tybis.
---
Meanwhile, across the city, Adrian Pedro stormed into his office. His mood was already soured—Janis hadn't said goodnight to him the previous evening, nor good morning today. Always treating him like he was the problem, though he didn't even know what he had done.
"Boss, I have news," Williams interrupted cautiously.
"What is it?" Adrian asked coldly.
"The Eugene family has signed."
"With who?"
"Kings Minerals."
Adrian's jaw tightened. He had expected negotiations to drag longer. Losing the Eugene contract was a blow he wasn't prepared for.
"What do we know about them?" he asked.
Williams handed over a folder. "Their portfolio. Products, mines, trade routes. They specialize in diamonds, rubies, and precious stones. Operations in Amiret, Kendal, and now Tybis."
Adrian flipped through the file, eyes sharp. "Precious stones…" He muttered, deep in thought.
"Yes, boss. They've been aggressive in expanding. It won't be easy to lure Eugene back, but—"
"We'll find a way," Adrian cut in. His voice was steel. "Prepare an alternative offer for Eugene. Better terms, better returns. I don't lose contracts, Williams. Not to anyone."
"Yes, sir."
Williams hesitated, then added, "Chef Macron has invited you and Mrs. Pedro to his new restaurant this evening. Personally."
"This evening?"
"Yes, boss."
"Understood. You may leave."
Once Williams was gone, Adrian leaned back in his chair, glaring at the Eugene file. Losing this contract was unacceptable. Kings Minerals might have won the battle—but the war was far from over.
---
Later, at her own office, Janis smiled faintly as she settled into the leather chair. For the first time since returning to Tybis, she truly felt like herself again. Not a wife. Not a mistress of a mansion. A CEO.
Phoenix Fendore, her trusted ally, entered with his usual broad smile.
"How is my beautiful CEO today?"
"You know how I am," Janis replied, lips curving.
"Let me see it." He reached for the Eugene contract and squealed like a delighted child the moment he touched it. "Glorious. This is exactly what we needed!"
Janis couldn't help but laugh softly at his energy.
"You chose the necklace well," Phoenix added.
"Research," she replied simply. "Have you told the directors yet?"
"No need. The news already spread like wildfire."
Janis frowned. "How? I just received it."
Phoenix shrugged, just as confused. "The world has a way of sniffing out power."
He set a heavy stack of files on her desk. "And here is the work you've been neglecting. Everything for Kings Minerals… and your personal investigation."
Janis sighed at the sight. Too much. It weighed on her chest, just as her revenge did.
"This is why I keep telling you—you need a secretary," Phoenix teased.
"I've told enough people my secret. I'm not adding another."
Phoenix raised his hands in surrender. "Suit yourself. But don't burn yourself out."
As he left, Janis reached for one of the darker files. Grand Aura. She flipped through it and wasn't surprised by the rot she found inside—layers of illegal dealings, clever enough to fool even Adrian.
Her phone rang. Collins.
"What do you have?" Janis asked.
"It's about Evelyn Jackson."
Her heart stilled. "Tell me."
"Evelyn attended the same high school as Robert Pedro. But from the records I found, they were never supposed to meet. Robert was engaged to Wilda, and Evelyn was a model student. She kept her distance from his notorious circle."
"Then how?"
"Do you know Querra Wolf?"
The name meant nothing.
"She used to go by Sandra."
Janis's eyes widened. "Sandy. My sister's best friend."
"Yes. She's now a renowned actress. Started with Winstone Lux Media Group—owned by the Winstone family."
Janis gripped the phone tighter. "What are you saying?"
"I think Querra Wolf is the link. Maybe even the key to what happened to your sister."
Janis sat in silence, her pulse loud in her ears.
And across town, Adrian was sending her a text:
Meet me at Macron's Splendor tonight.
No chauffeur. No warm words. Just an order.
Janis exhaled. If Adrian wanted her at the restaurant, he would get her—but on her terms.
She turned to her closet, already stripping out of her work clothes. The Janis who dressed for Adrian was never the Janis who dressed for herself.
And tonight… she intended to remind him of that.