Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 197

**TITLE: Even the Night Couldn’t Silence Her Light**

“Damn it!”

A sharp knock echoed through the room, and a staff member rushed in, their expression grave and urgent. Leaning in close, they whispered into Anna’s ear, “Anna, Mr. Jackson is here.”

Anna barely glanced up, her mind already racing with thoughts. “So he’s here. What’s the big deal?” Jasper often dropped by to see Harpie; their connection was common knowledge within the company walls, a secret that everyone was privy to.

But the staff member’s face twisted with discomfort. “Anna, not that Mr. Jackson. The other one.”

Anna’s annoyance flared momentarily, but as the words registered, her heart sank. Her pupils dilated, a wave of panic washing over her. “What? The big boss is here?” A bead of sweat trickled down her brow, and she felt flustered, her mind racing with the implications. “You two chat. I’ll be right back.”

Tatiana, blissfully unaware of the exchange, continued her work, oblivious to the fact that this company also fell under the expansive Jackson umbrella.

Meanwhile, Harpie was already slipping into his star persona, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. “How long will it take you to write it?” he asked, his tone teasing, as if the answer was trivial.

“I need some time to understand you,” Tatiana replied, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her stomach. Crafting a lead single was no simple task; it had to resonate with the singer’s unique voice and personal style.

Harpie chuckled, a sound that danced in the air. “I’m not interested in women who’ve had kids.”

Ann, sitting nearby, pulled her mother’s hand away in a dramatic fashion. “Narcissist,” she declared, her small voice filled with innocent defiance, before a hand swiftly covered her mouth again.

Tatiana, feeling a headache creeping in, leaned closer to her daughter and whispered, “No more talking.” Ann nodded, her eyes wide and innocent, as if she were a little angel.

Harpie found Ann’s presence increasingly irksome—she reminded him of that brat Hubert!

“You’ve misunderstood,” Tatiana interjected, her tone measured and serious. “I have no ulterior motives. I need to understand your vocal tone and habits to write the song. I wasn’t trying to cross any boundaries.” Her sincerity made Harpie’s earlier assumptions seem haughty and misplaced.

“Fine. How long will that take?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Three days,” she estimated, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Alright, I’ll wait. But how are you going to ‘understand’ me?”

“Could you possibly record a song for me now?”

Harpie, surprisingly, didn’t refuse. He strode over to the recording setup, and as he began to sing, Tatiana couldn’t help but be impressed. His voice had a depth that wasn’t solely reliant on his striking looks; there was talent there, too.

Yet, Tatiana struggled to concentrate, her mind wandering as she caught glimpses of his face… Damn it! What was this guy’s connection to Jasper? She mentally scolded herself, reminding her thoughts to focus on the work at hand—he’s not Jasper.

After a few deep breaths, she managed to regain her composure, pouring her attention into the details of his performance. She grabbed a pen and paper, scribbling notes that only she could decipher.

Ann, however, sat quietly, not crying or causing any fuss, which caught the attention of a nearby staff member. “Your daughter is so well-behaved,” they remarked, a hint of admiration in their voice.

Tatiana paused, a flicker of longing crossing her mind. She wished her daughter had a bit more mischief in her.

But when the person beside her didn’t respond, a wave of concern washed over her. Was he not cooperating? She looked up, about to voice her worries, when her words caught in her throat.

Her breath hitched as she took in the deep-set eyes, the handsome features, and that cool, noble air that surrounded him.

Oh no.

This wasn’t just an imitation. This was the real thing.

Instinctively, she took a step back, a primal urge to flee surging within her. But then, a memory flickered in her mind, and she suppressed the instinct, forcing herself to speak quickly. “Sorry, wrong person.”

She turned to leave, her heart racing.

“Wait.”

Her pace quickened, and in her haste, she collided with Anna, who had been searching for her.

“Careful! Are you okay? Why are you in such a hurry? You…” Anna’s words trailed off, her gaze falling to the floor.

A pair of black-framed glasses lay abandoned, and as Tatiana’s face was revealed, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes sparkled in the light, unhidden for the first time.

“You shouldn’t wear glasses,” Anna murmured softly. “It’s a shame to hide such lovely eyes.”