Chapter 137

Ramona's smile sparked a family laugh riot. Lillian and Kevin joined in, their giggles filling the room. They might not understand the joke, but their joy was contagious.

Meanwhile, in Macloria, the Mitchell home was tense. Gary's trip to the Aotori shooting base to see Rebecca had failed. Security blocked his entry to the Carter family's gated community, and Rebecca wasn't even at the film set. He waited, but an urgent company call yanked him back, costing him precious days. By the time he returned, the Carters had already arranged transport for the banquet.

Gary panicked. "What if they think we mistreated Rebecca? What if everyone finds out?" Sleepless nights plagued him. Desperation drove him to Cynthia, but she wouldn't answer. His last hope: Janet. "Maybe she can get us an invite," he thought, doubt creeping in.

Janet, at the Aotori base, was knee-deep in "Her Majesty," a rewritten "Empress" script. They were writing and shooting simultaneously, fueled by late nights and the ambition to eclipse "The Empress"—and Rebecca.

That evening, a call from her father interrupted her rehearsal. Irritation flared. "Dad wants me to get us an invite? Rebecca's nothing to us! She's ungrateful!" Janet exploded.

Gary sighed. "Janie, the Carters didn't invite us. People will talk. They'll think we mistreated her."

"Mistreated her? Without us, she'd be nothing!" Janet retorted.

"But they're powerful, Janie. People side with them. You're close to Rebecca. Can you get us an invitation?" Gary pleaded.

"No! Don't go! She doesn't want us, and we don't need her! After twenty years, a dog shows gratitude, but she bites the hand that fed her! She can just—" Janet hung up, slamming her phone on the bed.

Back at the Mitchell villa, Gary sighed. He'd expected that.

Later, Janet called. Gary answered anxiously, "Janie?"

"Dad, stay out of it. She's with the Carters. But don't worry—the higher she climbs, the harder she'll fall. I'll make sure of it." Her voice was chilling.

Dread washed over Gary. "Janie? What are you planning?" He knew Janet's history with Rebecca. Now, with the Carters' backing, Rebecca was untouchable. Despite his selfishness, he worried about the consequences.

"Janie, don't do anything rash. Let me handle this. Just focus on your work," he urged.

Janet, impatient and swamped, snapped, "Okay, Dad. I'm busy. Gotta memorize the script."

Gary, relieved by her focus, said, "Okay, concentrate on your work."

After the call, Janet grabbed her script. In the next room, Tina Morgan, the screenwriter, typed furiously, racing to finish the script.