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 Thirty-Six: The Queen's Gambit

Victoria Middleton sat in her dimly lit study, her fingers elegantly wrapped around a crystal glass of wine. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine and old books, a deceptive calm masking the storm she was about to unleash.

Across from her, Jonathan Pierce leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. "You've always been a master at this, Victoria. But even for you, this move is bold."

Victoria arched an eyebrow. "Desperate times call for calculated measures, Jonathan."

She slid a file across the table. He opened it, his expression sharpening as he skimmed the contents. Documents, financial records, a paper trail meticulously crafted to suggest Jade had been siphoning company funds into offshore accounts—accounts Victoria had created in her name.

"This is airtight," Jonathan admitted, impressed. "You're framing her for embezzlement?"

Victoria took a slow sip of her wine. "I'm simply revealing what everyone already suspects—that Jade is untrustworthy. I just happen to be expediting the process."

Jonathan chuckled. "And Alexander?"

Victoria's gaze darkened. "My son is blinded by that woman. But when the authorities come knocking, he'll have no choice but to abandon her."

Jonathan closed the file, nodding. "It's ruthless. I like it."

Victoria set her glass down, the weight of her plan sinking in. "Jade thought she could take my son from me. Now, I'm taking everything from her."

Jade paced in her penthouse, the city lights sprawling beneath her like a kingdom she was barely holding onto. Damien stood by the window, arms crossed, watching her.

"She's going to move soon," Jade muttered, her mind racing. "Victoria never acts unless she's certain of the outcome."

Damien sighed. "Then you need to be three steps ahead."

Jade's phone vibrated. A message from an unknown number. "Check your accounts."

Her blood ran cold. She rushed to her laptop, logging in.

The numbers didn't add up. Funds she never touched were suddenly traced to accounts she didn't recognize.

Jade slammed her laptop shut, her breath shaky. "She's framing me."

Damien was already dialing a number. "We need to cut this off before it reaches the board. If they think you're stealing from the company, you're finished."

Jade clenched her fists. "No. I'm not running. I'm going to prove Victoria Middleton is the real snake in this game."

Alexander stepped into his mother's estate, his jaw tight. He found her in the study, swirling her wine lazily as if she hadn't just tried to destroy the woman he loved.

"I know what you're doing," he said, his voice controlled but deadly.

Victoria didn't even look up. "You'll have to be more specific, darling."

"Framing Jade." His voice was low, dangerous. "You're setting her up, and I won't stand for it."

Victoria finally met his gaze, a flicker of something—annoyance? Amusement?—crossing her expression. "Alexander, I'm only protecting you from your own foolishness. That woman will ruin you."

"She's not the one ruining me," he shot back.

Victoria sighed, standing. "One day, you'll thank me. When she's gone, when you see her for what she really is—"

"No." Alexander's voice was sharp, final. "I love her, Mother. And if you keep pushing, you won't just lose this battle. You'll lose me."

Victoria's expression barely flickered, but he saw it—the briefest crack in her armor.

"You would throw away your family for her?" she asked quietly.

"I would throw away anything for her," he answered without hesitation.

A long silence stretched between them.

Then Victoria's lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. "We'll see."