Drex’s tone and expression were cold and unflattering and the air in the room immediately turned heavy.Janice glared at him for what felt like minutes, like a volcano on the verge of eruption.Steven scoffed and looked at her. “Sis, calm down. By now, nothing this nobody says should affect you.”Martha nodded in agreement as she continued eating. “Exactly. Why bother worrying about whatever strange feelings he may or may not have for you when you have someone like Jordan Whitmore? A man who can actually give you everything you want.”Janice’s face lit up as she looked at her mother. “Yes, Mom. Jordan is coming today, and he promised to buy me something really special. I can’t wait.”Excitement instantly filled her expression.Across the table, Drex narrowed his eyes slightly. ’And here I thought I could make her upset for a little while. But with Jordan boosting her ego like this…’Just then, his phone suddenly buzzed in his hand. He glanced at the screen and saw a message from Aric

They took the elevator to the third floor, where the most exclusive pieces were displayed behind reinforced glass and velvet ropes. And upon arrival, it did not take long to locate the counter showcasing Midnight Promise.Drex’s steps slowed the moment he saw the sales attendant in charge.Yolanda.She was one of his wife’s friends, Yolanda, the sort who lived to please Janice and the rest of the Ellingtons.'This will be troublesome,’ he thought.When Yolanda heard why they were there, her gaze slid to Drex. The disgust in her eyes was undisguised, as if something filthy had just brushed against her shoe.“What is this nonsense, Drex?” she said sharply. “Is this supposed to be some kind of joke? You expect anyone to believe you came here to buy the 'Midnight Promise' necklace?”She let out a long, dramatic sigh and shook her head. “Enough. Stop this foolishness and get out of my sight.”Drex’s expression remained flat. “I’m not joking.”Yolanda laughed. "Oh please. Not too long ago,

Yolanda had been staring at Drex with mixed emotions and the day suddenly became a long one for her with different questions spiraling in her head but she was scared. She knew it was best to stay silent, but how could she?Finally, voice shaking so badly it barely carried, she forced the words out.“I… I don’t understand, Drex…”Her words pulled both Drex’s and Mr. Grayson’s attention. She swallowed painfully, the memory of how she’d spoken to him earlier flashing like a warning siren in her head.“…How can you just… casually drop thirty million on a necklace? How are you this rich? Have you been lying to everyone this whole time? Playing some long game? Fooling Janice… the Ellingtons… all of us?”Drex gave a single, slow shake of his head.“I don’t owe you any explanation.”Yolanda’s fear spiked, but desperation overrode it.“No… please, just tell me. What is going on?” Her voice cracked. “You walk in here like you own the place, throw around millions on jewelry, when just yesterday

Night had fallen by the time Drex reached home.He knocked on the door and it swung open almost instantly, revealing a giddy Martha who thought it was Jordan.The moment she registered Drex’s face, her expression crumpled and a deep scowl replaced the excitement.She stood there in rumpled brown pajamas, hair mussed and wild which was enough to know that whoever she was expecting to knock on her door was someone she was impatiently waiting for."Of all the faces I could see before bed, it had to be yours?” she spat, voice dripping with disgust. "I don't want you bringing any bad luck to me, Drex, so get out! Go back to where you came from.”Drex let out a tired sigh and stepped forward, pushing her out of the way.Martha stumbled back with a sharp gasp, nearly losing her balance. She recovered quickly, cheeks flushing with fury, ready to lunge at him, until Drex thrust the velvet box directly in front of her face.“I brought a gift for Janice,” he said evenly. “Where is she?”Martha s

Martha let out a sharp, derisive scoff, her lips curling in disgust. “Of course you’d defend him, Yolanda. Why wouldn’t you? You’ve always had your greedy little eyes on this worthless deadbeat. Do you honestly expect any of us to swallow that pathetic lie?”Jordan smirked inwardly, thoroughly entertained.“Because it is the truth,” Yolanda shot back, unflinching.Janice rolled her eyes dramatically and shook her head, her voice dripping with contempt. “I don’t believe a single word coming out of your mouth, Yolanda. We all know Drex is broke and always has been. His own father died penniless and pathetic.” She turned to Drex with a nasty snicker. “And you’re not even ashamed, are you? Your dad barely cold in the ground, and you’re already harassing me with some cheap, fake garbage? I'm telling you, you're crazy! You're delusional!”Drex looked at her angrily, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides as a violent urge to punch her surged through him. How dare she? Janice noti