I couldn't help it. I pushed the study door open.
Abner saw it was me, and a flicker of panic crossed his face before he snapped at me. "Why aren't you in bed? What are you doing standing in the doorway?"
Joyce sat up straight in a hurry, all false sweetness. "Cousin, I'm sorry. I was just curious about the notebook. Don't be upset, I'll go now."
I said coldly, "These are my things. What gives you the right to go through them?"
Abner frowned, his face full of irritation. "It's just a beat-up diary."
"Joyce wants to look at it, so I let her. What's the big deal?"
"Do you really have to be this petty?"
I let out a cold laugh, furious. "Abner, every talisman, every array in there could save your life."
"And you call it a beat-up notebook?"
He said impatiently, "Don't start losing your mind in the middle of the night!"
"If there's nothing wrong with you, go back to bed. Don't make trouble."
Joyce stood and headed for the door, dropping her voice as she passed me. "Cousin, a man's heart isn't with you. It doesn't matter how many treasures you guard."
"The place of Mrs. Henson will be mine, sooner or later."
She lifted her chin, pleased with herself, opened the door, and left.
Only Abner and I were left in the study. He raised his voice. "Joyce came over out of kindness to help me get the materials ready for the gala, and you put on a sour face for who to see? I'm telling you, this notebook stays here with me. Joyce can look at it whenever she wants, and you're not to hide it away again."
I said flatly, "Abner, you're taking Joyce to the gala?"
He gave a snort. "What, take you instead?"
"What would you even do there? Embarrass me? Joyce is the star. Of course I have to be with her."
I said coldly, "The Sky Pool Compass, you're letting her use that too?"
He said it like it was obvious. "You don't understand feng shui. In Joyce's hands it can reach its full value. Once she makes a name for herself, it reflects well on me too."
I said calmly, "I'm going to the gala as well."
Abner blanked for a moment, then sneered. "What are you going for? To make a fool of yourself in front of everyone? I'm telling you, Wanda, don't go and cause trouble for me, or I won't let it go."
I said nothing more. I turned and walked out of the study.
Back in the bedroom, I took the eight-trigram jade pendant out of the safe.
My fingertip traced across the pendant, and spiritual power slowly poured in through it.
The spiritual power I had sealed for three years, in this moment, began to wake, little by little.
Since he thought I wasn't fit to stand on that stage, since he thought Joyce was the true genius,
then I would go to the gala, and in front of the entire industry, let them see who the real heir of the Swanson family truly was.
