Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 134

Chapter 134: The Debut

Fear gripped her tightly, and she refused with unwavering determination.

Grandpa was deeply troubled by her resistance. He even suggested canceling the press conference, but insisted that the public banquet could not be skipped.

Feeling utterly powerless, she pleaded, “Grandpa, I really don’t need any of this.”

But Grandpa stood firm. “No, it’s necessary. We can cancel the press conference if we must, but the banquet has to happen so everyone knows.”

More importantly, Grandpa’s sharp mind remained clear despite his frailty. He had noticed Jasper’s noticeably changed demeanor toward the girl, and it unsettled him. This was not the outcome he had hoped for. Some things, once missed or ignored, should never be allowed to fester. He felt compelled to stage an event that would formally define the relationship between Jasper and the girl. He refused to blame himself for being harsh—he had already given Jasper a chance to regret his mistakes, but Jasper had failed to appreciate it.

In the end, Tatiana reluctantly agreed to attend the grand banquet hosted by the Jackson family.

Once the news broke, curiosity exploded. Countless people were eager to catch a glimpse of her. For a while, this enigmatic Miss Jiang became the hottest topic in every social circle.

The day of the banquet arrived, bringing with it a flood of distinguished guests. Celebrities and high-ranking officials gathered in the opulent ballroom on the top floor of the Jackson family’s seven-star hotel. The hosts had yet to make their entrance, but the room buzzed with anticipation.

Among the younger guests, speculation ran rampant about the soon-to-be-introduced Miss Jiang. Some of the braver ones teased Minnie. “Minnie, I hear you have a new sister now? Looks like your reign as the favorite is over! You might have to settle for second best forever.”

Minnie’s face darkened instantly, her eyes flashing with resentment. “Could you just shut up?” she snapped.

The teaser looked embarrassed. “I was only joking. How could some random girl who just appeared compare to you? Don’t worry about it.”

But someone who often clashed with Minnie took the opportunity to pour salt on her wounds. “I wouldn’t be so sure. Haven’t you noticed Grandpa’s attitude? That kind of honor isn’t given to just anyone!”

The comment struck a nerve. When Marilyn had taken Minnie in years ago, Grandpa had barely given a nod of approval. There had been no grand banquet, no formal announcement, and certainly no official inclusion in the family name. The difference in treatment was glaringly obvious.

Suddenly, a voice called out, “Jasper is here!”

All eyes turned toward the entrance.

Bianca appeared, linking arms with Jasper in an intimate display. She had clearly spent considerable time on her appearance, but the result was overdone. The carefully crafted image of aloof elegance was lost beneath heavy makeup and styling that felt more gaudy than graceful.

Someone muttered under their breath, “Is she trying to copy the original Tatiana? Ha, she aimed to portray a tiger but ended up drawing a dog. So tacky.”

The former Tatiana had been stunning—her beauty was natural and refined, enhanced only by subtle makeup that highlighted her flawless features. She was one of the most captivating women in any room. If she hadn’t been so devoted to Jasper, many would have tried their luck with her.

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