Chapter 5
When Tyler noticed Xena’s gaze lock onto something across the room, he was mid–conversation with Zin
Following her line of sight, he quickly spotted the person in the wheelchair–his cousin, Spencer, of course.
But there was something else that caught his eye someone was holding his hand, a girl, by the looks of
That wasn’t something Tyler had ever seen before. The family all knew Spencer’s condition–he rarely seemed interested in anyone. Definitely unexpected.
So this?
Zion, who’d noticed their staring, shifted his focus. “What the hell is she doing!” he muttered. “Janic’s at it again, huh? Always up to something. First thing she does when she walks in, she’s already trying to get in his good graces.
-Zion. you shouldn’t be so harsh to Janie Xena shot back before he could dig himself deeper.
Zion’s discontent lingered even he shut his mouth, but Tyler was not going to let the gossip slide. “Janie?” He gave the Jenkins a strained glance, “You mean Janie the ought–to–be Jenkins?”
Few people knew about the “ought–to–be thing, but Tyler happened to be one of them,
And that was why Xena’s face paled slightly as she replied, forcing a smile. “Yes”
I think I see your cousin there, too” Zion raised his eyebrow and turned to Tyler, “What’s his name again, Spencer Alvarez!”
Tyler gave a quick nod. “Yeah, that’s him”
“Well, he’s got a decent face, Zion snorted, “but guess what? That’s about it Janie must be after him for his looks, huh? Typical–trying to climb the Ladder. Too bad she’s got it all wrong. That guy’s got nothing to offer
Tyler didn’t speak up, but it was pretty clear he was on the same page as Zion. His opinion of Janie had also
also taken a turn for
the worse.
But, honestly, it wasn’t hard to see why. Growing up with people whod snatch kids for a living in a dumpy environment? Yeah, she was bound to g dazzled by the shiny world of the rich, wanting to rub elbows with the upper crust.
Its a given. But man, she was way too green–nothing like those high–class, well–educated socialites who’ve been trained to play the game since day
Dic.
“You seriously shouldn’t have said that, Zion, Xena gave him a side–eye. “What if people start thinking weird stuff about our sister! But since Tyler’s family, I’ll let it slide this time, just be cool with Janie next time, yeah?”
Tyler kind of got into it. He asked curiously, “Sister, you say?”
“Well, it’s a long story Xena let out a sheepish look. It’s me who own her the apology. She’s young, been through a lot but from now on, we’ll see her as the youngest Jenkins and make it up to her. Please don’t hold it against her if she’s not handling things well. She’ll figure it out.”
Tyler let out a sigh, almost like he was pitying her. “You’re too soft–hearted, Xena. This mess isn’t your fault, don’t beat yourself up over it.”
Xena grinned, accepting what Tyler had said, and added, “Now you and Janie still have that ‘engagement hanging over your heads, right?”
Tyler frowned, clearly not buying it. “That’s just some lame joke from the elders. Doesn’t mean squat. I’m not going to pretend like there’s some
real engagement.”
“Of course!” Zion chuckled, “Tyler, you and Xena are basically made for each other. Janie’s got no shot!”
Tyler didn’t say a word. Honestly, he wasn’t a fan of Xena at all.
Her looks came from Lindsey Carter, and compared to all the other celebs and socialites he knew, she just kind of of blended into the background. Plus, now that she was a fake daughter, the Krieger family wasn’t even giving her a second thought,
Noticing Tyler’s reaction, Xena felt a little let down, but still pushed through and turned to Zion, “Janie’s a good girl, I’ve told you a million times— stop holding a grudge against her, don’t make things hard for her. After all..!
Her face drained of color, and she struggled to get it out. “You two are real siblings. With the same mother
“Xena, you’re always going to be my number one sis Zion shot back immediately, heartbreaking. “No one can ever replace you, I promise.”
Xena managed a weak smile, looking fragile as hell. That only made Zion, the overprotective brother, feel even worse for her and even more pissed at Janie.
Tyler, however, tilted his head and looked away, clearly unimpressed.
1/3
12:08 PM
Chapter 5
After parting ways with Spencer and Noah, Janie had barely taken a few steps when she ran into Kathy
“My sweetie, where’d you disappear lo!” asked Kathy with a bright smile, “Everyone’s out on the dance floor–why don’t you join them?”
I don’t know how to dance Janie shook her head lightly, trying to be patient. “Ill sit this one out.”
Kathy quickly caught on. “Ah, of course, you’ve never She paused, then added, “Well, Ryan can show you everything you need to learn to be a pro He’s amazing at dancing, I’m sure he’d be a great teacher!”
Td rather not stand out too much before my identity gets revealed, Janie said politely, though she didn’t actually think there’d be any such parties. I really don’t want to cause any trouble”
Kathy thought for a moment before nodding. “Alright. I see your point. We’ll skip the dancing then”
They sat down at one of the side tables, and the conversation turned quiet. Janie wasn’t used to being alone with Kathy, and it felt a bit awkward.
Kathy, unsure of what to say next, chose silence. The tension hung in the air until Janie pulled out her phone and started scrolling through it. But before she could make it to the end of the party, Zion, Xena and Tyler had arrived.
“You two already done with dancing?” Kathy’s voice cut in.
“I figured I’d keep Mom and Janie company instead Xena gave a playful grin. “No need to join the dance floor,”
Kathy beamed with happiness. It was clear that seeing her children getting along made her heart full.
“Hey Janie, Xena tumed to Janic, “Why didn’t you join us?”
“I don’t know how.” Janie replied,
Zion snickered. “Oh! What a dope”
Kathy shot him a disapproving glance, but Z
just shrugged and turned away with a huff,
“Oops, my bad, Janie. Didn’t think that one through, Xena quickly apologized, flashing a sheepish grin. “But hey, don’t worry–Il teach you next time”
Janie just shrugged. “Quit it”
Zion chimed in, sneering. “Talk about ungrateful!”
-shut up a
and get lost, would you?” Ryan shot him a glare.
Ignoring Zion sulking in a corner, nursing his drink, and growing more annoyed by the minute, Kathy just turned to Janie, trying to smooth things over. “Don’t mind him. Come, Janie, let me introduce you to Tyler”
“Nice to meet you, Janie,” said Tyler, cracking a smile, “You look absolutely stunning tonight”
He wasn’t juu talking nonsense–Janie’s looks were top–notch, no doubt about i
In fact, he could honestly say she was the most stunning person he’d ever laid eyes on. The manent he saw her face, he was genuinely taken aback by her beauty
But how patiful, alar didn’t have the right upbringing. It showed in the way the carried herself–ambitious and calculating. He was out of her league.
Still, there was a part of him that felt a bit regretful. II Jande had grown up in the Jenkins family, they could’ve been a perfect match, just like childhood sweethearts.
Jande
e nodded in response. “Hello”
She was about to continue the conversation, but Zion seemed to remember something, and couldn’t resist speaking up again, clearly trying to make himself heard. “Janic, we all saw what happeurd between you and that sickly loser earlier.” He smirked triumphantly. “Just a little friendly adver—don’t let the fancy setting fund you. Bei lie can’t even…
Tyler furrowed his brow, and Ryan’s face immediately darkened. “Keep your opinions to yourself if you’re just fooling around.”
Xena frowned in disagreement, too. “Zion, that’s righTM
A surge of anger and disgust rose in Janie’s chest. Zion was truly unbearable. The way lie talked was like he was spewing garbage. He didn’t know a damn thing but still had the audacity to run his naaith, dragging innocent prople into his mess.
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Chapter 5
Zion, on the other hand, was getting more and more heated. “But 1 get it, okay? You’ve been poor all your life, low–class, no education, so it makes sense. Just so you know, don’t go making a fool of yourself, and whatever you do, don’t embarrass ust”
The people around them stayed quiet, like they were all in on it.
Janie sneered, her voice was cold as ice, “I was checking Mr. Alvarez’s aura.”“
Zion couldn’t hold back, bursting out with laughter. “What’s with the ‘aura‘ thing? You’re watching cartoons for too long, aren’t you?”
“Oh, who knows,” Janie shot him a cold look. “Maybe I can see your aura thing, too–you want to know when you’ll die or something?”
Zion’s laughter died instantly, his face reddening with rage.
Before he could say anything. Janie fired back, “Well, no matter what, l’in still doing better than you–at least I don’t look like a blind idiot or talk like I’ve been eating shit my whole life.”
Zion’s anger flared, his fists clenching
Watching the chaos, Xena couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
Janic!” Kathy quickly interjected, her tone sharp. “How can you talk to Zion like that?”
Janie turned to Kathy, her expression neutral. “And how exactly has he been talking to me?”
Kathy stunned. She didn’t have an answer for that.
Janie turned back to Zion, flashing a cool smile. “You’re almost eighteen, not right. Oh wait–scratch that, eight–year–olds have more sense and better manners thun you.”
She grinned just slightly. “At least they know how to act like they were raised right.”
