Ayishetu

In a world of wealth, power, and whispered betrayals, Jade Sinclair is an outsider. When she marries **Alexander Middleton**, heir to a powerful and ruthless family, she knows the life she’s stepping into is one of scrutiny and silent warfare. But what no one knows is that Jade didn’t just marry into this world for love—she has her own secrets, her own motives.  

At every turn, she faces resistance. **Victoria Middleton**, Alexander’s calculating mother, sees her as nothing more than an inconvenience, an unworthy intruder in their empire. And then there’s **Liliana Carter**, Alexander’s ex and the woman society expected him to marry, who is determined to reclaim her place by his side.  

But Jade is no naive socialite. She knows that in a world like this, survival isn’t about playing by the rules—it’s about rewriting them.  

When **Lady Eleanor Middleton**, the true matriarch of the family, summons Jade for a private meeting, everything changes. The old woman sees more than Jade expected, sensing the deeper game at play. As the stakes rise, Jade is forced to confront not just the enemies in plain sight but the ones lurking in the shadows—secrets buried within the Middleton family that could destroy them all.  

As deception weaves through every relationship and trust becomes the most dangerous currency, Jade must decide:Is love worth the price of power? And in a game where masks are everything, who will survive when the veil is finally lifted

the veil of deception

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Breaking Point

Gunfire erupted, shattering the tense silence. Alexander dove behind an ornate leather chair, his pulse hammering. Bullets ripped through the room, splintering wood and shattering glass. Jonathan had come prepared.

From the corridor, Damien and Elara's team stormed in, weapons drawn. The firefight was fast and brutal. Alexander moved with purpose, keeping low as he aimed his pistol at Jonathan, who had taken cover behind a heavy mahogany desk.

"You always had a talent for dramatics," Jonathan called over the chaos, his voice laced with amusement. "But you should know by now—power doesn't shift hands that easily."

Alexander's jaw clenched. "Neither does loyalty. You pushed too far this time, Jonathan."

A scream from the far side of the room sent ice through Alexander's veins.

He turned sharply to see her struggling against one of Jonathan's men, her eyes wild with defiance. She had made it inside, but now she was trapped.

"Enough!" Jonathan roared, signaling his men to stop shooting. "If you want her alive, Alexander, you'll listen to what I have to say."

Alexander's grip on his weapon tightened. The room stilled, the air thick with the scent of gunpowder and desperation.

Jade twisted against the grip of her captor, her wrists aching from the restraint. She wasn't going to let Jonathan win—not after everything he had done.

She met Alexander's eyes, a silent message passing between them. He couldn't give in.

Jonathan smirked, his confidence unwavering. "It's simple, really. Walk away now, let me disappear, and she goes free. Or—" He pulled a small knife from his pocket, dragging the blade lightly across Jade's collarbone. "I make sure you regret ever crossing me."

Alexander's hands curled into fists. Every fiber of his being told him to end this now, but one wrong move could cost Jade her life.

Jade slammed her heel down on her captor's foot, twisting sharply. The momentary distraction was all she needed. She elbowed the man in the ribs and wrenched free, diving for cover as Alexander fired.

Jonathan barely had time to react before a bullet grazed his shoulder, sending him staggering back. His smirk finally faltered, replaced by raw fury. "You think this is over?" he snarled.

Alexander advanced, his gun leveled. "No, Jonathan. It's just the beginning."

The sirens wailed in the distance. Backup had arrived.

Jonathan's reign was about to crumble.