The conference hall was no longer tense.
The negotiations had ended.
Projects were finalized, signatures placed, alliances formed.
The massive digital board that once displayed complex graphs and proposals now showed a simple closing message.
"Mariano Strategic Collaboration – Session Concluded."
For the first time that day, the room relaxed.
Businessmen stood from their seats, straightening their coats, exchanging handshakes and quiet congratulations. Some discussed future meetings, others reviewed notes with their assistants.
But even in that relaxed atmosphere, the power balance in the room had clearly shifted.
Everyone knew it.
Today, two names had dominated the meeting.
Jay Mariano.
Keifer Watson.
Across the hall, Keifer walked toward the elder who had quietly observed most of the negotiations.
Alejandro Mariano.
Jay's grandfather.
The strict patriarch of Mariano Corps.
Keifer stopped a respectful distance away.
"Mr. Mariano," he said calmly.
Alejandro turned toward him.
For a moment the old man studied him carefully.
Keifer extended his hand.
"Keifer Watson."
It was the first time they were officially meeting.
Alejandro did not shake hands quickly like most businessmen.
He observed people.
Measured them.
Judged them.
His eyes moved across Keifer's posture, his calm expression, the quiet confidence he carried.
Then the old man finally shook his hand.
Firm.
Strong.
Unexpectedly strong for someone his age.
"I know who you are," Alejandro said.
His voice was steady.
"And I must admit…"
He paused slightly.
"You are more impressive than the rumors suggested."
Keifer inclined his head respectfully.
"Thank you, sir."
Alejandro's sharp eyes softened just a little.
"Your presence of mind in the meeting," he continued, "and the way you controlled the room… that was not the work of a boy inheriting an empire."
He paused again.
"That was the work of a man who built his own."
Keifer gave a small nod.
"Power only stays with those who know how to carry it."
Alejandro smiled faintly.
For a man known as one of the strictest businessmen alive…
That smile was rare.
On the other side of the room, Percy was elbowing Jay repeatedly.
"Go talk to him."
Jay didn't move.
"Percy."
"Go."
"Percy."
"You're literally the heir of his empire and you're hiding behind a chair."
Jay sighed.
"He's terrifying."
Percy looked offended.
"That is our grandfather you're talking about."
Jay glared.
"Exactly."
Percy pushed her forward slightly.
"Go."
Jay reluctantly walked toward Alejandro.
The old man turned the moment she approached.
For a second…
His strict expression softened.
Just slightly.
A rare smile appeared.
"Jay."
She lowered her head respectfully.
"Grandpa."
Alejandro placed a hand on her shoulder.
His voice was calm but powerful.
"From today…"
The entire nearby group fell silent.
"Mariano Empire is officially under your control."
Jay blinked once.
Percy straightened instantly.
Alejandro continued.
"You will lead Mariano Corps as CEO."
He looked toward Percy.
"And Percy."
Percy immediately stood straighter.
"You will serve as CFO."
Percy grinned.
"Yes sir."
Alejandro's gaze returned to both of them.
"Lead the empire well."
His voice carried weight.
"Power is not inherited."
"It is proven."
Jay nodded slowly.
"I won't disappoint you."
Percy saluted playfully.
"Don't worry, old man. We'll make it bigger than ever."
Alejandro shook his head with a small smile.
Nearby, Angelo and Aries approached the elder as well.
"Mr. Mariano," Angelo said respectfully.
Alejandro nodded at them.
"I've heard of your work."
Aries smirked.
"Hopefully the good kind."
Alejandro replied calmly.
"I only remember people who are useful."
Aries laughed.
"Fair enough."
A few meters away, Rafael quietly approached Raphael Brown.
His voice dropped low so no one else could hear.
"I handled it."
Raphael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"No one knows?"
Rafael shook his head.
"No one."
He leaned slightly closer.
"I made sure nobody knows that Jay is actually your godsister."
Raphael exhaled slowly.
"Good."
Rafael continued.
"Even the Fernandes family has no idea."
Raphael nodded.
"That's how it should stay."
Rafael gave a small smile.
"Your secret is safe."
Outside the hall, people were already leaving.
Keifer walked toward the exit with Angelo, Aries and Percy.
As Jay walked out with the ACES group…
She looked up.
Keifer was standing near the door.
For a moment…
Their eyes met again.
No words.
Just a quiet nod.
A promise.
Then Jay walked past him with Percy and the others.
But before leaving the building completely—
She stopped.
Slowly turning toward Kaizer.
Cyrus.
And Rodrigo Abalos.
All three were standing together, still recovering from the humiliation of the meeting.
Jay smiled slightly.
Not kindly.
"Oh," she said lightly.
"Better luck next time."
Then she walked away.
Percy laughed loudly behind her.
Outside the building, the night air felt refreshing after the long meeting.
Jay walked down the steps where two familiar figures were waiting.
Raphael.
And Ava.
The moment Raphael saw her he opened his arms wide.
"Potato!"
But before he could hug her—
Jay ran straight past him.
And jumped into Ava's arms.
Ava hugged her tightly.
"My baby!"
She pulled Jay back slightly, examining her face.
"How are you? Are you fine?"
She frowned.
"You got thinner."
Jay blinked.
"Ava—"
"Are they even feeding you properly?"
Behind them Raphael looked offended.
"Wow."
He crossed his arms.
"Potato didn't even hug me."
He looked at Ava.
"You two lesbians will ever give me importance?"
A voice behind them suddenly spoke.
"Excuse me."
Everyone turned.
Michael, Adam and Samuel were walking toward them.
Michael wrapped an arm around Ava dramatically.
"Ava baby," he said. "Your boyfriend is me. Not Jay."
Ava rolled her eyes.
"She will always be my first love."
Everyone burst out laughing.
Jay wiped a tear from laughing.
"Finally."
She looked at all of them.
"After eight months…"
Her voice softened.
"All of us together again."
She looked at Raphael.
"Last time we met was your birthday, kuya."
Raphael smiled warmly.
"I know, potato."
Ava suddenly leaned closer to Jay.
"By the way…"
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"You still have to tell me about that red jacket guy."
She pointed at the ACES trio.
"These three met him."
She pouted slightly.
"I didn't."
Samuel smirked.
Adam folded his arms.
Michael grinned.
Ava crossed her arms.
"After all, he is going to be our future brother-in-law."
Jay's face instantly turned red.
"You already know him."
Ava's eyes widened.
"I do?!"
Jay smiled shyly.
"But I want to introduce him properly first."
Raphael suddenly narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"You even blocked our contacts in the Philippines."
He pointed accusingly.
"So we couldn't investigate your classmates or your love life."
Jay laughed helplessly.
"Fine."
She raised both hands.
"There's a lot to tell you all."
She looked around the group.
"But first…"
She rubbed her stomach dramatically.
"I'm starving."
Percy clapped loudly.
"Yes!"
Jay pointed toward the lights of the celebration hall nearby.
"Let's go to the party."
Then she added with a mischievous smile.
"And I'll introduce you to them after party yk we cant let others know we are connected."
She looked at Raphael.
Ava.
ACES.
"You'll love them."
Raphael raised an eyebrow.
"Why do I feel like this is going to be chaotic?"
Jay laughed.
"Oh it will be."
She started walking ahead.
"Because their chaos…"
She looked back at them with a grin.
"…is legendary."
The ballroom lights of the Celebration Gala had not yet been turned on. Staff were still preparing inside, musicians testing instruments, waiters arranging glasses. Outside in one of the quieter marble corridorSoft jazz floated through the ballroom while waiters moved silently between guests. The grand event had already passed its peak, and now only the most influential people remained—discussing deals, reputations, and the silent wars that came with power.
Near the balcony, Keifer stood with a glass of water in his hand, his posture calm, gaze steady as he observed the room.
A voice behind him broke the quiet.
"Well… well."
The tone was smug.
Almost amused.
Keifer didn't need to turn to know who it was.
Clyde.
One of the Watson relatives who always hovered around power but never truly held it.
Keifer finally turned slowly.
Clyde leaned casually against the railing, swirling his drink.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" he said with a crooked smile. "All this attention… the power… the alliances."
Keifer said nothing.
Clyde chuckled.
"But are you really sure this power will remain with you?"
Keifer's eyes sharpened slightly.
Clyde continued lazily.
"You know our family history, right?"
He took a sip of his drink.
"Every Watson man who rose to power… eventually lost control."
His smile widened.
"Especially when women were involved."
Keifer's jaw tightened slightly.
Clyde leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"Your father had plenty of partners."
He shrugged.
"So did I."
His eyes flicked across the room toward the dance floor where Jay was speaking with Percy.
"And let's be honest…"
He smirked.
"That Mariano heir of yours…"
"I must admit she's beautiful."
He tilted his head mockingly.
"But don't you think she's a little too… manly for you?"
The sentence had barely finished leaving his mouth—
When Keifer's fist connected with his jaw.
The punch landed clean and fast.
Clyde stumbled back against the railing, completely stunned.
The few nearby guests froze in shock.
Keifer stepped forward.
His voice was quiet.
But deadly.
"Listen carefully."
Clyde wiped blood from his lip.
Keifer's eyes were colder than steel.
"You can insult me."
"You can question my power."
"But you will never speak about her like that again."
The room around them had gone silent.
Keifer straightened his suit calmly.
His tone softened slightly.
Almost amused.
"Besides…"
He leaned slightly closer to Clyde.
"If she's 'too manly' for me…"
A faint smirk appeared.
"…then I guess I'm exactly the kind of man who likes that."
Several people nearby couldn't hide their laughter.
Clyde looked humiliated.
Keifer turned away like the conversation had never mattered
But his mind was not.
Behind him, soft footsteps approached.
"Aren't you going inside?"
Keifer turned slightly.
It was Gemma—Jay's aunt.
Elegant as always, her presence carried the composed warmth of someone who had seen far more than she ever spoke about.
Keifer straightened slightly.
"Aunt Gemma."
She smiled faintly.
Gemma studied his face for a moment.
"You look troubled."
Keifer looked back toward the window.
For a few seconds he didn't speak.
Then finally—
"There's something I've been wondering for years."
Gemma already knew where this was going.
Her smile faded.
Keifer spoke quietly.
"that monster"
His jaw tightened slightly.
"Kaizer."
Gemma crossed her arms calmly.
"What about him?"
Keifer hesitated.
Then asked the question that had been living in the back of his mind for years.
"…he had a son."
The corridor became very quiet.
Gemma's expression didn't change.
But her eyes sharpened.
Keifer continued slowly.
"No one talks about it."
"No records."
"No explanation."
His voice lowered slightly.
"But sometimes… when I look at certain people…"
He stopped himself.
Gemma sighed softly.
"Keifer."
Her voice was calm.
"There are many rumors in powerful families."
"But some stories," she said firmly, "are better left buried."
Keifer frowned.
"ik it's true . mom mentioned it in her video?"
Gemma shook her head.
"What is true and what isn't no longer matters."
She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"That boy—whoever he was—has nothing to do with you."
Keifer's gaze hardened slightly.
"You don't know that."
Gemma met his eyes.
"I do."
Her voice softened.
"He will not threaten your position."
"He will not take your inheritance."
"And he will never interfere with your future."
Keifer stared at her.
"Why are you so sure?"
Gemma looked away for a brief moment.
"…because some paths are never meant to cross again."
Before Keifer could ask more—
The grand doors to the ballroom opened.
Music floated into the corridor.
Guests were arriving.
Gemma straightened.
"The party is starting."
She smiled again, though this time it carried something mysterious.
"Go inside."
"Tonight is about celebration."
Keifer watched her walk toward the hall.
But the question still burned quietly in his mind.
Who was Kaizer's first son…?
And why did no one want him to know?
Inside the grand ballroom, the atmosphere was completely different.
The hall glittered with chandeliers and golden light.
Music floated through the air as elite guests mingled.
And then—
SEC E entered.
Together.
Trying their absolute best to behave like dignified business elites.
But their natural chaos was barely contained.
edrix walked in adjusting his tuxedo.
"Remember," he whispered dramatically, "we are sophisticated people tonight."
rory nodded seriously.
"Absolutely."
Cin pushed his glasses up calmly.
"Please do not embarrass us."
Behind them Jay walked in.
Wearing a deep black evening gown that made half the room turn their heads.
Her hair fell over one shoulder elegantly.
Graceful.
Powerful.
Beautiful.
The moment she entered—
Someone across the hall stopped mid-conversation.
Keifer.
For a second he forgot what he was saying.
Jay noticed.
Their eyes met.
A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Keifer recovered quickly and resumed his composed posture.
But Aries saw everything.
"Oh ho."
Percy whispered loudly.
"He's gone."
Jay elbowed him.
"Shut up."
Soon music began for the evening dances.
Couples moved to the floor gracefully.
Keifer approached Jay slowly.
"May I?"
He extended his hand.
Jay looked at him for a moment.
Then placed her hand in his.
They moved onto the dance floor.
To the outside world they looked like two powerful heirs dancing elegantly.
Calm.
Controlled.
Perfect.
But between them—
Keifer leaned slightly closer.
"You look beautiful tonight."
Jay rolled her eyes.
"You look suspiciously charming."
Keifer smirked.
"I try."
They spun across the floor smoothly.
Watching them, several businessmen whispered quietly.
"They look dangerous together."
"They would dominate half the corporate world."
Meanwhile—
Chaos had already begun elsewhere.
Percy and Aries were arguing over desserts at the buffet table.
"This is clearly mine."
"You already took three!"
Jay walked over shaking her head.
"You two are unbelievable."
Percy pointed dramatically.
"He started it!"
Jay laughed.
Across the hall Rico had spotted Jay.
And immediately decided this was his moment.
He walked over with a confident smile.
"Well well…"
"Miss Mariano."
Jay turned politely.
"Yes?"
Rico leaned closer.
"You know… a woman like you shouldn't spend the evening with boring businessmen."
Jay raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Rico smiled flirtatiously.
"I could show you a much more interesting time."
Before Jay could respond—
A shadow appeared behind Rico.
Cold.
Silent.
Deadly.
Keifer.
He didn't say a word.
He simply looked at Rico.
That was enough.
Rico's confidence evaporated instantly.
"Oh—uh—I just remembered I have somewhere else to be."
And he practically ran away.
Jay covered her laugh.
"You scared him."
Keifer shrugged calmly.
"I didn't say anything."
"Exactly."
Unfortunately for Rico…
His luck didn't improve.
He spotted Ava standing beside Raphael and thought maybe he could recover his dignity.
"Hello beautiful—"
Before he finished—
A hand grabbed the back of his tuxedo collar.
Michael.
He calmly dragged Rico backward.
"Stay."
"Away."
Rico nodded rapidly.
"Yes sir."
Cin watched from nearby, barely holding back laughter.
Later in the evening the SEC E group created their usual chaos near the drink table.
Cin and Jay started arguing about some random strategic theory.
Percy added unnecessary commentary.
Aries feeding ella.
Meanwhile—
Jay and Keifer still maintained their composed public image whenever someone important approached.
Perfect business heirs.
But the moment they were alone—
Their expressions softened.
Small smiles.
Quiet teasing.
Unspoken understanding
Jay was walking toward the entrance when someone stepped into her path.
Kaizer Watson.
His presence was as cold and sharp as always.
Jay stopped.
Her expression remained calm.
Kaizer looked at her with something that almost resembled amusement.
"You know," he said slowly, "there's an old saying in our family."
Jay raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Kaizer stepped closer.
"When a Watson falls in love…"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"…he becomes a beast."
Jay didn't react.
Kaizer continued.
"You should be careful."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"Watson men don't stay loyal to one woman."
His voice carried quiet mockery.
"They always have many."
Then he pulled a photo from his pocket and handed it to her.
Jay looked down at it.
The picture showed Keifer standing close to a woman—Clyde's secretary.
The angle made it look intimate.
Like something more than a simple conversation.
Kaizer watched her carefully.
"Disappointed?" he asked.
Jay stared at the picture for a few seconds.
Then she laughed.
Not loudly.
Just softly.
Kaizer frowned.
Jay looked up at him calmly.
"Oh…"
She held up the photo between two fingers.
"So you're trying to show me the picture you fabricated?"
Kaizer's expression hardened slightly.
Jay tilted her head.
"You manipulated Clyde's secretary to stand close to Keifer."
She tapped the photo lightly.
"Then had someone take this from an angle that makes it look suspicious."
Her smile sharpened.
"I've been in business for ten years."
"Do you really think I don't know how these tricks work?"
Kaizer's eyes narrowed.
Jay continued calmly.
"The only reason I didn't react back then…"
She handed the photo back to him.
"…was because I didn't consider it worth my time."
She looked straight into his eyes.
"But don't mistake silence for ignorance."
Her voice softened slightly.
"I trust Keifer."
Her hand rested lightly over her heart.
"From here."
The confidence in her voice was absolute.
Jay stepped past him slowly.
Then paused.
Without turning back she said quietly—
"And I also know one thing."
Kaizer waited.
Jay finally looked over her shoulder.
"A curse only exists if someone believes in it."
Her eyes were calm.
Unshakable.
"Keifer Watson is living proof that your so-called curse is a lie."
Kaizer's expression darkened.
Jay gave him one last small smile.
"Good night, Mr. Watson."
Then she walked away.
Leaving Kaizer standing alone in the hallway—
Holding the useless photograph in his hand
In one quiet corridor outside the ballroom—
Gemma Mariano was walking toward the exit when she suddenly stopped.
Her eyes widened.
Standing near the entrance…
Was Raphael Brown.
For a second her heart nearly stopped.
Her mind raced.
Raphael… here?
Fear flashed across her face.
Because the last time she had heard that name…
It had been connected to danger.
Her eyes immediately searched the room.
Looking for Jay.
Her voice dropped into a worried whisper.
"No…"
Her heart pounded.
Please tell me he's not here to hurt her…
And without realizing it—
Gemma began walking quickly toward them.
Ready to protect Jay if necessary.
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