The moment Melissa entered the grand hall, every head turned toward her. Conversations stilled, and whispers rose like smoke through the crowd. Her uncle and his wife froze in surprise, while her cousins Aria and Lisa stared in shock.

Guests leaned toward one another, murmuring.

"Poor child... she lost her parents and her beautiful voice on the same day. Isn't that tragic?"

"She's even more beautiful than her cousins, Aria and Lisa."

"She sang better than Aria too. Such a shame she can't talk anymore."

Melissa's heart swelled with conflicting emotions. She was touched that people still remembered her voice and saddened that they pitied her.

Her uncle and his wife approached with overly bright smiles.

"Melissa, darling, we're all so happy to see you," her uncle said smoothly, reaching forward to embrace her.

Melissa stepped back, refusing the gesture.

"Ahaha... we missed you so much," he said, trying to cover the awkward moment. "Sorry we haven't checked in on you."

Bunch of pretenders, Cherry muttered under her breath.

His wife clicked her tongue. "And why did you bring a lawyer? This is supposed to be a celebration, Melissa. Tonight marks the twentieth anniversary of this company. Don't spoil the mood-we spent a fortune on this event."

Melissa ignored her entirely. Without a word, she turned and walked straight toward the stage, Kan by her side.

Gasps rippled through the hall when the pair stepped into the light. Melissa looked radiant, but it was Kan who drew stares. He seemed to glow, like a star piercing the darkness. Girls whispered, some even sneaking pictures on their phones. Aria herself couldn't tear her eyes away.

"Good evening, everyone."

Kan's smooth voice echoed through the speakers, pulling the audience from their daze.

"My name is Kim Kan, and I'll be speaking on behalf of my beautiful boss, Miss Melissa Williams. Good evening once again."

He lifted the microphone, his eyes scanning the crowd. "As you all know, Melissa Williams was once a singer in this very industry. She wishes to thank each and every one of you for being here tonight to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of W-Gold Music."

Applause followed. Kan continued. "She would also like to extend her gratitude to her uncle and his wife for managing the company in her absence, for keeping it alive, and for raising new talents who shine as brightly as ever. For that, she is grateful."

Melissa lifted her glass of wine, and Kan's voice sharpened with purpose. "But tonight is more than a celebration. Melissa would like to officially announce that she will be reclaiming what is rightfully hers. From this moment forward, she will be taking charge of W-Gold Music. She hopes you all support and respect her decision."

Melissa raised her glass higher, her eyes cold and unyielding.

"A toast," Kan declared.

"To her arrival!" the crowd echoed, lifting their glasses. Applause rang out, though beneath the clapping, Melissa caught the flicker of rage on her uncle and aunt's faces. They smiled, but their eyes burned with venom.

When Melissa and Kan stepped off the stage, her uncle intercepted them. "Melissa-we need to talk."

They excused themselves from the guests and moved to a quieter corner.

"What was that performance?" her uncle hissed, his mask slipping. "You're still sick. You can't talk-how will you possibly run this company? After everything we did for you, is this how you repay us? And what about your cousins?" His wife's voice dripped with false pity.

Melissa's eyes hardened. She signed with sharp, precise movements, her hands slicing the air.

Kan translated in a steady tone: "Wow, Uncle Ben-drop the act. It doesn't suit you. For your information, I am fine. I will get my voice back soon. As for your daughters, if they want to survive, they can either work under me or go find their own path. If you have anything else to say, speak to my lawyer. That's why he's here."

Her last sign was final-Goodbye, Uncle Ben.

Kan's voice carried the words like a gavel striking down.

Without another glance, Melissa turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the marble as her uncle and aunt stood frozen, their smiles finally gone.

"Ma'am Melissa, that was brave of you. I'm so proud of you," Cherry said, eyes bright.

"Thanks to both of you - especially you, Cherry. I don't know what I would've done without you." Melissa smiled and spread her hands as if to demonstrate how much she meant it.

"Awww, thanks ma'am. I'm grateful you're my boss." Cherry beamed.

"What about me?" Kan asked, leaning forward.

"Thanks to you too," Melissa replied.

"You're welcome, ma'am." He took her hand and kissed the knuckles with deliberate tenderness.

"Whoa, easy, Kan - she's still your boss." Melissa flushed, and the three of them laughed.

"Why don't we have a little celebration? Just the three of us," Cherry suggested. "To celebrate you, ma'am."

Melissa nodded. "Yes. That's perfect. I'll get the wine - Kan, fetch the glasses?"

"Copy that, ma'am." He saluted playfully, and they dissolved into laughter.

"I am not going to sit here and watch her take the industry from us," Amelia hissed, pacing the length of the room. "People will laugh at us, Honey. What about Aria? And our adopted daughter, Lisa? How will they cope?"

********

"You don't have to worry, Amelia. I'll make sure she's silenced - like I did with her parents," came the cold reply.

Amelia's face twisted. "I thought erasing her memory would make her forget the company too. That crazy child - I hate her!" She half-yelled, a raw edge to her voice.

"Shh, lower your voice. The kids are still awake," the other voice warned.

"Whatever," Amelia muttered, but the menace in the room lingered like smoke.

THE NEXT DAY

"Lisa, did you see the guy who came with Melissa? Her interpreter?" Aria squealed, thrusting her phone into Lisa's face. "That guy is hot - like, so handsome. Look at this post; the likes are through the roof. I'll get him. No man can resist me."

Lisa glanced, unenthused. "Really? Keep dreaming, Sisto. He might be different - not every man is like James, who chases after whatever's under a skirt."

"Shut up. What do you know? I used James; he's finished for me. That Kan guy is everything - and that ugly Melissa isn't supposed to have him." Aria's voice snapped with jealousy.

"I don't know when you'll admit Melissa is more beautiful than you," Lisa said quietly. "God blessed her: she's naturally pretty without makeup, she has a warm voice, and she sings with her heart. You buy your songs - she writes hers. And now she has a hottie at her side. She's blessed."

"Shut up, idiot. At least I'm better than you. You're useless." Aria lunged for the most brutal insult she could manage. "If I were our mother, I would have aborted you when I knew I had you in my belly."

Lisa's expression hardened at the cruelty, but she kept her voice low. "Likewise. And by the way, I still have your sex video - so watch yourself, or I'll make sure everyone sees it."

"Get out of my room!" Aria screamed.

"Watch your back, ugly bitch," Aria sneered as she stormed out without closing the door. "I'll stab you from places you won't see. Aria is ugly! Aria is ugly!" Her taunts trailed away down the hallway.

Lisa shut her eyes for a moment, the adrenaline fading into a hollow ache. The household's laughter and chaos downstairs felt a world away; something harsher had begun to settle into the corners of their lives.