By the ti the gala ended, it was already several minutes past midnight. The news of the launch dominated every tabloid and trended across all social dia platforms in Noveria.
Families discussed the products over late dinner, considering them perfect gifts for their loved ones.
Lovers, intrigued by the romantic line, pre-ordered matching sets.
Friends browsed online stores, couples shared their excitent, and even children had sothing to look forward to as samples of the new skincare candy packaging was rolled out.
It was safe to say that every living soul in Noveria had been considered in the creation of the J&D product line.
Lady Bright, ever elusive, slipped away from the event without a trace. By the ti investors turned to schedule etings with her, she was nowhere in sight and had vanished as always.
Alex, having experienced this disappearing act of hers several tis at similar functions, resolved that tonight would be different. After all, she had stepped into his territory and surely, that had to count for sothing. He took it as a sign that his prayers were finally being answered.
Before the guests began dispersing, he hurried out to catch up with her. Davis, noticing his friend’s anxious movents, sighed quietly, torn between telling him the truth or letting him chase a fantasy.
Outside the hotel, Alex spun around repeatedly, scanning every vehicle for signs of the one she had taken but it was a futile effort.
As the hotel was under his na, he quickly turned to the surveillance system to locate her exit. Yet even the 3D surveillance footage showed no sign of her departure. He reviewed every exit point, every tistamp. Nothing. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.
Frustration gripped him. He marveled at her skill in evading detection, her tactics far beyond what one would expect of a re designer.
"She’s more than just a designer," he muttered to himself, returning to the hall with a storm cloud on his face, as if the whole world owed him sothing. Davis, seeing his friend’s expression, already knew what had happened — or rather, what hadn’t.
"She’s gone," Alex said, his voice low and bitter. "I even left early to find her, but sohow she disappeared. It’s like she dissolved into the night..."
Davis took a deep breath. He wanted to steer Alex away from this path, but doubts crept in. Was he doing the right thing by staying silent? Jessica’s presence in his life felt threatened, especially with Alex’s growing interest in her and for this only light in his life, he wouldn’t let go.
He decided to test the waters.
"Alex... have you fallen in love with her?" Davis asked, his gaze fixed intently on his friend’s face.
The question hit Alex like a jolt. Alex’s hand trembled briefly, his breath hitched and a flicker of mixed emotion coursed through his eyes before he steadied himself, but these series of emotions didn’t go unnoticed.
"Shouldn’t you ask if she’s already married?" Davis added, smirking, a mix of amusent and unease crossing his face.
"Do you think she is?" Alex asked, his voice cracking as he imagined the worst-case scenario.
"Shouldn’t I be asking you that? After all, we all saw the ring on her middle finger," he replied calmly, though his heart surged with quiet pride and happiness. He hadn’t expected Jessica to wear the ring to public events—yet she did.
Alex remained silent for a few monts, his gaze distant. He couldn’t afford to make assumptions—not now.
"If she’s married... then I’ll let go," he finally said, his voice low and reluctant.
Yet even as the words left his lips, a dull ache settled in his chest. It was a truth too painful to embrace.
A long silence followed. The tension between them was thick enough to cut.
Alex eventually ran a hand through his hair and muttered, "I don’t know what’s happening to ."
Davis gave a dry chuckle and turned away.
He knew exactly what was happening. And it terrified him.
Because it wasn’t just Alex falling, it was him too.
Davis studied him for a long mont. "A short pain is better than a long one," he thought. Perhaps it was better to tell him the truth — to help him put an end to this fantasy.
But not here, not like this. It had to be a conversation with closure, in a setting that allowed room for acceptance.
~ Davis’s Bungalow ~
A sleek black car pulled into the compound, headlights cutting through the quiet night. As the gate opened smoothly, Deborah stepped out of the house to welco them ho. Her eyes sparkled with worry, pride, and maternal relief.
She had watched the launch’s live broadcast until the very end. After the whirlwind of scandals and rumors, she hadn’t expected it to be such a resounding success.
Becky alighted first, then Jessica. She gripped the car door for support as she stepped down, her movents sluggish and unsteady.
Sensing her fatigue, Becky quickly moved to support her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Jessica had clearly burned through whatever energy the nutritional drink had provided earlier — she hadn’t expected to be this drained.
Deborah, alard at the sight of her pale face and trembling steps, rushed forward. She didn’t need anyone to tell her that Jessica had been pushing herself far beyond her limits.
"Madam, You pushed too hard. You shouldn’t have stayed that long. Co, let’s get you upstairs. I made sothing light for you. Just a few bites, then your dicine," Deborah said softly.
Jessica’s eyes softened and she nodded,a faint smile touching her lips. There it was again—that warm presence she never asked for but had co to quietly rely on.
Deborah had been a comforting presence these past few days, quietly filling a void she had felt ever since the start of her pregnancy.
Would her mother have said the sa thing? Would she have fussed like this, nagged gently, supported silently?
"I’m fine," Jessica insisted gently, straightening herself. "I can manage. I’m not that weak."
Her head pounded, her veins pulsed erratically, and her legs threatened to give way but she held on and walked with determination.
Every step was a test of her will but she made it through the door with a quiet grace that concealed the storm inside her.
In her room, the soft lighting welcod her. Deborah was already laying out a tray with exquisite dinner and a glass of milk.
Jessica didn’t touch it imdiately. She quickly changed and dragged herself into the bathroom, drew a bath, and sank into the warmth, letting the water wash away the weight of the evening.
When she erged, Deborah had made sure everything she needed is within reach. Before she sat, she gave one last instruction:
"Please make sure Becky is comfortable. She’ll be staying with us for a while."
Deborah nodded and left.
Jessica picked up her phone and dialed a number. Her voice was cold and firm.
"Get everything on Tricia. I want the dirty details — and I need the full operational record of the Watts Group."
A voice replied, hesitant. "That may be complicated, ma’am. This is Noveria—"
"There’s nothing too complicated," Jessica interrupted. "Trying to sabotage my launch? That was their mistake. I want an invitation into the launch tomorrow."
On the other end, her subordinate hesitated. The worry in his tone was obvious, but Jessica wasn’t fazed.
She then called Richard. After a brief conversation about the night’s events, she gave a final command:
"Prepare the necessary docunts. We may be initiating an acquisition."
"Which company are you going after?" Richard asked, skepticism lacing his tone. He knew Jessica well—she never moved to acquire a company unless she was thoroughly provoked.
Managing the vast empire she already had was exhausting enough. Taking on more wasn’t sothing she did lightly.
As Richard mulled over which unfortunate company had made its way into her blacklist this ti, her voice ca through, cold and composed—like ice slicing through the air.
"The Watts Group."
There was a stunned silence. Richard could barely imagine what the Watts Group had done to deserve this level of retaliation.
With her affairs in order, Jessica took her dication and lay down for a well-deserved rest.
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