Chapter 35 – After the Ceremony
Author's POV
The grand hall of Watson Mansion remained lively even after the inheritance ceremony had officially ended.
Elegant music filled the room as waiters served drinks and desserts to the guests.
Everywhere...
People were talking about only two names.
Keifer Watson.
Jay Mariano.
"I still can't believe she's the President of JJM Enterprises."
"And she's so young..."
"No wonder JJM became Asia's biggest company."
"I heard she's been running the company for years."
"The future of Watson Enterprises is going to be interesting."
Nearby...
Keifer stood with Mr. Ryder, Honey and Kegan as several business leaders congratulated him.
"Congratulations, Mr. Watson."
"We look forward to working with you."
Keifer smiled politely.
"Thank you."
"I won't disappoint you."
Mr. Ryder looked at him proudly.
"Your mother would be smiling today."
Keifer smiled faintly.
"I hope so."
On the other side of the hall...
Section E had completely surrounded Jay.
Ci-N stared at her in disbelief.
"So..."
"You're seriously the President of JJM Enterprises?"
Jay scratched the back of her neck awkwardly.
"...Yeah."
Ci-N dramatically held his chest.
"I've been calling one of the richest CEOs in Asia 'bro' this whole time."
Jay laughed.
"And?"
Ci-N grinned.
"I'm never stopping."
Everyone laughed.
David looked at Jay.
"You really fooled all of us."
Jay smiled apologetically.
"I wanted a normal school life."
Edrix nodded.
"Now it all makes sense."
Calix smiled.
"You've always been different."
Ella hugged Jay tightly.
"I'm so proud of you."
Jay smiled and hugged her back.
"Thanks."
Aries smiled.
"You kept one huge secret."
Jay shrugged playfully.
"I had to."
Just then...
Little Kerian ran toward her.
"Ate Jay!"
Jay knelt down and opened her arms.
Kerian hugged her tightly.
"I'm proud of you."
Jay kissed the top of his head.
"Thank you."
Keifer watched them from across the hall.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Near the balcony...
Angelo stood beside Ion.
For a moment...
Neither of them spoke.
Finally...
Ion broke the silence.
"You've changed."
Angelo smiled.
"I had to."
"And you?"
Ion laughed softly.
"I think I've finally stopped running."
Angelo looked at her.
"I'm glad."
Ion met his eyes.
"So am I."
They shared a quiet smile.
Years of distance...
Finally replaced by peace.
Inside the hall...
Percy quietly placed his glass on a nearby table.
He glanced toward Keifer.
Then toward Aries.
His smile slowly disappeared.
"...It's time."
Without saying anything to anyone...
He walked out of the hall.
Keifer noticed immediately.
"...Percy?"
He frowned slightly.
Something about Percy's expression felt different.
Without thinking...
Keifer excused himself from the guests and followed him.
A few moments later...
Aries noticed both of them leaving.
He looked confused.
"What are they doing?"
After a brief hesitation...
He followed them too.
Outside...
The mansion garden was quiet.
The sounds of the celebration became distant.
Percy stood beneath the evening sky with his hands in his pockets.
Footsteps approached behind him.
Keifer stopped a few metres away.
"You wanted to talk?"
Before Percy could answer...
Another pair of footsteps echoed through the garden.
Aries arrived.
He looked between the two of them.
"You called us?"
Percy slowly turned around.
His playful smile was gone.
His expression was more serious than either of them had ever seen.
He took a deep breath.
"...There's something both of you deserve to know."
The night suddenly felt heavier.
And for the first time in years...
The truth about the past...
Was finally ready to be revealed.
To Be Continued...
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Author's Note
The ceremony may be over...
But one conversation is about to change everything. 👀
What truth has Percy been hiding all these years?
Will Keifer and Aries finally learn what really happened?
Don't forget to vote, comment, and support me! ❤️
Love you all veryyyyyyy much! 🫂✨
Your Author 💕