Chapter 17 — The Countdown ⏳🌙
The boat ride back felt different. The same ocean stretched endlessly, the same breeze tangled in my hair, but this time… my heart was lighter.
Keifer's hand never left mine. Every now and then, his thumb brushed over my skin, grounding me, reminding me that what happened on the island wasn't a dream.
We were real.
We were us.
When the villa faded from view, I found myself staring back one last time. That island wasn't just a gift—it was the place where I finally let go of my bitterness. Where I finally forgave him. Where I finally admitted what I'd been denying for years.
But as the horizon swallowed it, a new weight pressed on my chest.
My birthday.
One week. Just seven days.
And the world would no longer look at me as just Jay, the quiet student, the girl who blended in Section E. They would know me as the ghost CEO of Crownveil. 👑
I leaned my chin on my hand, eyes locked on the sea. Will they understand? Will they look at me differently?
"Penny for your thoughts?" Keifer asked, watching me with those stormy eyes that always seemed to see through me.
I smirked faintly. "You couldn't afford them."
He chuckled, leaning closer. "You forget—I'm very, very rich."
I laughed, but the sound felt brittle. "Some things money can't buy, Keifer."
His smile softened, but he didn't push. He knew me well enough now—when I wanted to speak, I would. And when I didn't… no force in the world could make me.
Back at home, everything felt the same—school corridors buzzing with chatter, Section E's usual chaos, exams finally over. But beneath the routine, a storm was brewing.
Because while my classmates planned projects and hangouts, I was planning something else entirely.
A banquet. ✨
Not just any banquet—one that would bring together CEOs of powerful corporations, renowned reporters, and my entire school. Everyone who had ever looked down on me, underestimated me, ignored me… would see.
They would all see.
At night, I'd stay awake with my laptop, typing out invitations, finalizing the guest list, mapping out the speech that would change everything.
Not about the mafia. Not about blood or shadows.
But about my journey. About resilience. About the empire I built with my own hands.
The secret I'd kept for so long was about to come to light.
I just didn't know how it would change everything else.
Lying in bed, I traced the date on the calendar with my finger. One week…
My phone buzzed suddenly on the nightstand.
A message.
No name. No sender. Just one line:
"We know what you're planning. See you at the banquet."
My blood ran cold.
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✨ End of Chapter 17 — The Countdown ✨
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TYSM for 40k readers
I mean I never thought that soo many people will read this ff story
TYSM it means soo much to me
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If I get 15 comments on this chapter I will post next chapter today itself.
Spoiler: In next chapter she is going to reveal her identity and something else will also happen
Bye bye 👋
Love you all 💕