The world shattered.One moment, the jet was a storm-tossed metal coffin, plunging through the night. The next, it slammed into the ocean with a force that ripped the air from Jenna’s lungs.The impact was brutal, a deafening explosion of steel and water. Glass shattered. Metal screamed as it split apart. The cabin tore open like paper, a violent rush of black water devouring everything inside.Jenna’s body jerked against her seatbelt, pain snapping through her ribs. The breath she’d managed to hold punched out of her in a burst of bubbles. Freezing water surged past her face, dragging her into darkness.For a moment, there was no up, no down—only chaos. A scream echoed, muffled by water, th
The first hour of the flight was uneventful, wrapped in the low hum of engines and the soft glow of cabin lights. Jenna leaned back against the leather seat, Tiara perched on her lap like a content kitten, humming occasionally. Steeve Evans sat across from her, scrolling through his phone with a relaxed ease that came naturally to celebrities accustomed to private jets and first-class luxury.But Jenna was not relaxed.Something in her chest refused to quiet. At first, she thought it was the residue of Rex’s words at the terminal, echoing like a shadow she wanted to shake off. But it wasn’t just Rex. The unease clawed deeper, prickling against her skin like invisible static.The engines had a rhythm, a steady cadence she had learned to ignore in her many flights. Tonight, though, the rhythm faltered, almost imperceptibly. A hiccup. A cough. A whisper of strain beneath the roar.Her eyes snapped open, head tilting slightly as she listened. Tiara’s LED eyes flickered. “Mama,” the AI chi
The announcement came with the kind of weight that reshaped futures. Jenna Anderson stood before her board and her family, her voice steady and resolute as she declared: "J&J's next step will be in Paris. A headquarters at the heart of Europe. We are no longer just a domestic powerhouse — we are international."Applause filled the room, but beneath it lay tension. Rex, leaning against the wall with arms crossed, watched Jenna intently. He had argued against this trip in private meetings, warning of the dangers. Yet Jenna, with her usual resolve, barely acknowledged his concerns. Their relationship was strained and distant, and though Rex's unease was genuine, Jenna's path was already chosen. She wasn't the kind of woman to let anyone — not even him — dictate her next move.Later, when the boardroom emptied, Jenna lin
The success of the J&J project rippled far beyond Anderson Tower. It echoed through the Anderson estate, where Jenna’s father gathered Gino, Kelvin, and Melvin at the long mahogany table. They had never been ambitious rivals, nor fractured by distance or pride. Each of them simply chose different paths and professions, following their own passions. But this time, they united together — because of Jenna’s return and their hope of helping her rebuild her strength and name. The triumph of J&J was not just hers; it was theirs, a chance to stand with her in solidarity.Her father, stern but proud, spoke first. “The world finally sees what I’ve always known. My children are builders. Jenna, you carried the weight of shame and did not bend. Melvin, you chose to step into the light, and in doing so, you gave strength not only to your sister but to this family.”Gino leaned forward, his voice tight with suppressed emotion.
The morning after the breakthrough announcement, Anderson Tower felt like the beating heart of the business world. Phones rang non-stop. Emails poured in from every corner of the globe. Investors who had once distanced themselves during the scandals now fought for a seat at Jenna Anderson’s table.“Fifty-two requests for private meetings in less than twelve hours,” Lucas reported, scrolling through his tablet with wide eyes. “Europe, Asia, even South America. They’re lining up with checks in hand.”Tiara chirped happily on Jenna’s desk, her glowing eyes blinking. “Mama, this is record-breaking! Everyone wants to join the J&J wave!”Jenna allowed herself a small, firm smile. “Then we’ll give them more than a wave. We’ll give them a revolution.”Days later, the siblings arrived at an international technology expo in Berlin, where the world’s brightest innovators gathered to unveil their visions. Melvin, usually quiet and hidden behind lab doors, walked beside Jenna with a calm confidenc
The night before Jenna’s bold morning announcement, her phone buzzed with an unexpected call. Marydel’s voice, hurried but thrilled, came through the line.“Jenna, you need to hear this. The J&J project… It’s not just holding steady. It’s exploding. And it’s thanks to your Melvin.”Jenna blinked, fatigue from the day’s battles giving way to sharp focus. “Melvin?”“Yes, Melvin,” Marydel said, breathless. “He’s been quietly advising us for weeks, through me. At first, I didn’t even know how brilliant he was — he just kept giving me solutions whenever I hit a wall. Last night, he officially joined the project team. His prototypes… Jenna, they’re revolutionary. Investors are already reaching out.”Jenna leaned back in her chair, hand pressed to her forehead. She knew Melvin was brilliant, the Anderson sibling who preferred labs over boardrooms, science over politics. But for him to commit to J&J meant everything.“Put him on,” Jenna said softly.The line shifted, and then came Melvin’s st