Chapter 460: Deep-seated Hatred

“Aunt Rachel, what do you mean? I don’t get it,” Janessa said, turning to Rachel, clearly confused.

Rachel chuckled lightly. “It’s normal you don’t understand. But you will, soon enough.”

With that, she walked to the mannequin. Right there, in front of Javier and Janessa, she peeled the face off the model—a face so flawless it seemed unreal.

Janessa and Javier froze. The sight sent chills down their spines. A strange mix of disgust and unease filled Janessa; she had no idea what Rachel was doing.

But when the mask came off, what remained was a carved wooden base—still lifelike, but far less disturbing.

Janessa breathed slowly, relaxing slightly and glancing at Rachel.

Rachel, calm as ever, pulled out a moist towelette and wiped the inside of the mask clean. Then she moved toward Janessa.

“Wait—Aunt Rachel, what are you doing?” Janessa stepped back as Rachel raised the mask, clearly intending to place it on her face. Terrified, Janessa recoiled further. Her heart pounded.

That mask… it had just been on a mannequin! Who knows what bacteria it might have? If it touches my face, what if I break out, or worse?

“Geez, why are you still so skittish?” Rachel looked disappointed, shaking her head at Janessa’s fear.

But inside, Janessa panicked. This wasn't fear—it was instinct. “Aunt Rachel, you still haven’t told me what this is for. What if it ruins my skin? What am I gonna do then—hide inside forever?”

Every woman prized her looks, and Janessa was no different. Beauty was for her, and she'd worked hard to maintain it. Weekly spa appointments, facials, expensive products—her skin was the result of relentless effort.

If she ruined her face now, what was the point?

Rachel scoffed. “Ruined? Honestly, a ruined face might be better. You think you can still go outside looking like this? That’s a fantasy.”

She turned to Javier. “I’m done explaining. Javier, you tell her what’s going on.”

“Understood,” Javier nodded slightly.

He looked at Janessa. “Ms. Sherritt, since your staged death, Mrs. Lowell has held a public funeral for you. Everyone believes you’re gone. If you show up now, as yourself, it’ll be chaos.”

“She did all this for your sake,” he added. “Honestly, you owe her. She’s gone through a lot to make this possible.”

“Honestly, change isn’t a bad thing,” Rachel said, studying the mask. She glanced from the mask to Janessa’s face.

It was subtle, but the mask's features were even more refined.

“Only by changing your appearance can you truly start over. No one will suspect a thing. But if you walk out there as you are, people will think they’re seeing a ghost,” Rachel said calmly, matter-of-factly, as if it were perfectly normal.

“That’s right, Ms. Sherritt. You don’t really have a choice anymore,” Javier added. He’d always admired Janessa’s natural beauty, but even he had to admit—this new face had its own allure.

He was willing to follow her no matter what she looked like.

“All right,” Janessa looked down at the mask, her mind racing.

In the end, she nodded. Because the truth was, Janessa—as the world knew her—was already gone. She had no other option than to go along with her aunt's plan.

“That’s a good girl,” Rachel smiled, satisfied. “Don’t worry, the material for this prosthetic face is incredibly advanced. I had to find a team of skin and biotech specialists in Clusia to make it. It won’t harm your real skin at all. With this, you’ll be able to move around freely. No one will recognize you.”

“But…” Rachel looked down at the mask again. “There is one downside.”

She ran her fingers over the smooth surface. “Once it’s applied, it can’t be taken off for six months. Over that time, it’ll slowly bond with your skin. It draws nutrients from your own tissue to sustain itself. After six months, once the inner structure has broken down, you’ll be able to remove it. Got it?”

“Six months?” Janessa hesitated. “I have to wear it that long?”

Rachel scoffed. “You think bringing someone back from the dead is a walk in the park? Think back. Who put you in prison? Who made you suffer? Who plotted everything and dragged you into hell?”

Everyone knew she meant Madelyn.

The anger in Rachel’s voice was sharp, her eyes burning with fury. “If you want revenge, then you’ll have to follow my lead. No hesitating. From here on out, the Janessa you were is gone. Dead. You’re someone else now. Only by living under a new name can you get the payback you deserve. Otherwise, you’re nothing but a dead woman—useless. And that’s how I’ll treat you.”

There was no mistaking the warning in her tone.

The moment Madelyn’s name was mentioned, something inside Janessa snapped—like she’d stepped on an emotional landmine.

A fire lit in her chest. Of course she hadn’t forgotten. Madelyn was the one who ruined her, made her suffer, orchestrated her downfall.

It was a deep-seated grudge. How could she ever forget?

And now that chance for revenge was here.

So what if it meant becoming someone else?

“Mrs. Thornton, put the mask on me.”