FAKE MOTHER - SNEAKY WIFE
As usual, Janis waited for Adrian to leave the house before she snuck out. This time, she wasn't trying to make a scene—she was heading to Grand Aura headquarters undercover, blending in as a regular employee. Dressed in a simple black business suit and heels, she swapped her signature sunglasses for clear lenses, completing the corporate look. One of the employees at Dynamic Motors had given her an ID card and passcode. She was good to go.
"Young mistress, which car are we taking?" Hermes asked, surprised to see her dressed so modestly.
"Let's take the Toyota Corolla. It looks cheap," she replied, and Hermes nodded, sliding into the driver's seat.
Once Janis left the manor, the house buzzed with gossip. Their madame was something else. She wore what she liked, did what she pleased, and didn't let Adrian control her. She was a legend in heels.
Hermes parked discreetly in the Grand Aura Oil and Gas lot—far enough from the entrance to avoid attention.
"Hermes, follow me from a distance. I don't want to raise any suspicions," she instructed, and he nodded.
Janis stepped into the building, trying to go unnoticed. But with her commanding aura, that was impossible. People always noticed her—even when she didn't want them to.
"My name is Dolores Estéban," she said to the receptionist, flashing her ID card.
Dolores Estéban—a fabricated identity. A well-traveled Spaniard, multilingual, and equipped with impeccable international corporate credentials.
Thanks to an inside ally, Janis had secured a job as a Foreign Liaison Executive – International PR & Client Compliance. The role gave her access to sensitive internal meetings and external communications.
Her job was to translate, coordinate, attend negotiations—basically, absorb all the juicy details. Her foreigner status made people underestimate her. Perfect.
Her role required her to float between departments, supposedly for visibility and coordination. No one would question it.
"You're the one from Spaniard, right?" the receptionist asked.
"Yes. I've been working on my English for a long time, so you wouldn't notice," Janis lied smoothly.
"The meeting already started. They've been waiting for you," the receptionist informed her.
Janis took the elevator up and called her inside man. "Stephen, I'm here."
"Okay. I'm coming."
Stephen had been waiting to see her since she returned to Tybis. When he finally did, he was stunned.
"What are you staring at? Didn't I tell you I was coming?" she teased.
"You did. I'm just shocked. You've changed so much."
"Of course. It's been ten years."
Stephen was her childhood friend. His father had worked for hers. After his father died, Janis's dad had funded Stephen's education. Now, he was Lead Systems Architect – IT & Digital Security at Grand Aura.
He had access to everything: emails, encrypted files, financial transactions, surveillance. Quiet, nerdy, underestimated—he was the digital eyes and ears of the operation.
He could alter records, redirect cameras, send fake data to higher-ups and the real stuff to Janis.
He was one of the few people—along with Uncle Sylvester—who knew who she truly was.
"The meeting already started. Let's go," he said, leading her into the room.
As they walked in, everyone turned. The CFO of Grand Aura glared at them for arriving late.
"¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás hoy?" Janis greeted in Spanish.
"You're late, but you're pardoned," the CFO said. Janis knew that voice.
Almondo.
FLASHBACK
"Kick them out of the house!" Almondo yelled as goons dragged them out. Janis's mother, Lesley, pleaded.
"Please, we just lost everything. Give us time."
"Time? Ha! Your family's time in the spotlight is over."
"But Almondo, you were my husband's most trusted—"
"Shut up!" He kicked her while she begged on her knees.
Weeks later, Lesley was poisoned. Almondo had come for Janis and her brother next.
Yes—her brother. She remembered now. She had a brother.
END FLASHBACK
Almondo was now CFO, smiling smugly. Janis wanted to end him right there, but Stephen squeezed her hand gently, grounding her. Just like he used to.
This meeting was being held behind Adrian's back. According to Stephen, they were about to spill secrets.
"Mr. Adrian wants us to deliver 10 billion barrels to Frankus. We can't."
"Why?"
"The higher-ups ordered us to deliver only 8 billion. The rest stays at the docks—for other purposes."
"We'll still write 10 billion on the reports. No one, I repeat, no one is to leak this. We've done this for years, and we won't let a rookie ruin it."
So this was how Grand Aura operated. Lies, deception, secret meetings.
Now Janis had seen enough. It was time to find out who was pulling the strings.
After the meeting, she hatched a plan. A nasty one.
She unbuttoned her top slightly, showing cleavage, and walked up to the general manager.
"Good day, sir," she said with a thick Spanish accent.
"Oh, good day..."
"I'm Dolores, the Foreign Liaison Executive."
"Ah, the latecomer," he replied, ogling her shamelessly. Janis felt sick.
"I came about the Spaniard shipment. They're devenir sospechosos," she whispered in Spanish.
"Let's discuss in my office—"
"Sir," Almondo's assistant interrupted, whispering something.
"I'm sorry, bonito. I have a meeting. Here's my card," he said, handing it over with a wink. "Come to my home next Friday."
"I won't disappoint."
As he walked away, Hermes emerged from hiding and handed her sanitizer. She scrubbed herself like she'd touched a demon.
"Tina, heading home?" Stephen asked.
"It's Janis now—my middle name. No one used to call me that."
"So you're Janis Wyatt, Adrian Pedro's wife?"
"Yeah."
"But the Pedro family..."
He trailed off. He didn't trust Hermes.
"I know what they did. I'm doing this for my family."
"I get it. But are you going home?"
"Adrian won't be back till ten. I've got time."
"Want to hang out? Visit our old places?"
"I'd love a tour guide."
Stephen was uneasy about Hermes but said nothing. He'd work around him.
10 PM. Adrian was still in his office when his undercover agent called.
"Sir, Cecilia is at Moonlit Club."
Adrian stood up immediately, gave quick instructions, and left without his driver.
Cecilia Pedro sat at the bar, watching dancers. This place brought back memories—the bad kind. But tonight wasn't about the past. It was about the future.
Her son Robert was failing. Adrian was rising. She wouldn't let that happen.
"Cecilia!" Almondo called.
"I've been waiting," she said coldly.
"Forgive me, my queen. I was held up," he said, kissing her hand.
"Did you bring what I asked for?"
"Yes, but not here."
"Why not? My son owns this place. It's safe."
"Adrian knows you're here."
"What? Even his father doesn't know!"
"He has eyes everywhere. But don't worry—I blinded him at Grand Aura."
"Good. I won't let him steal what Robert earned. That vile woman messed him up. Her last words still haunt me."
FLASHBACK
"I will be avenged. You'll suffer like I did. Your son's punishment will be worse."
END FLASHBACK
"Being Robert's mother is exhausting. Everyone has something to say."
"Don't worry, Cecilia. Ten years of planning won't go to waste."
"I know."
Moments later, someone alerted them that Adrian had arrived.
"You have to leave. If he finds you, everything's ruined."
"What about you?"
"I'll stay. Drop the package with Joshua and sneak out the back."
Adrian entered, scanning the club. He spotted Cecilia and approached.
"No need to hover. Sit down," she said.
"Why are you here? Do the dancers interest you?" Adrian asked.
Cecilia laughed. "Please. I've had enough men. But I can introduce you to some women."
"No, thanks. I prefer brains over bodies."
"Brains? Is that why you dated Vivian? I heard she's in Frankus."
"She is."
"Your father hated her. Said she'd leave you over anything. I'm glad you married someone submissive like Janis."
Adrian's expression turned cold.
"Don't talk about Janis like that. She's one of the most sincere people I know."
"So she's more sincere than me?"
"Anyone is more sincere than you."
"Well then, I'll leave you to drink alone son."
"Don't call me your son. You and I both know you only have two children."
"No, Adrian. I have three. You are mine, and I'll use you as I please."
With that, Cecilia walked away, leaving Adrian alone, wine glass in hand, and a storm brewing in his eyes.