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 Forty-Three: The Shifting Battlefield

The Laurent estate had always felt imposing, but tonight, as Alexander stormed through the marble corridors, it felt suffocating. He found his mother seated in her study, sipping a glass of wine, as if she hadn't just orchestrated a media disaster.

"Alexander." Victoria didn't even look up. "I was wondering when you'd show up."

Alexander slammed a newspaper onto the table. "Jade Sinclair: A Fraud and a Liar?" The headline screamed back at him.

"Did you do this?" His voice was calm—too calm.

Victoria sighed, swirling her wine. "You should be thanking me. I'm protecting you from a woman who will ruin you."

"You don't get to decide that," Alexander said coldly. "This isn't about protection. This is about control."

Before Victoria could reply, the door opened. A tall, impeccably dressed man stepped inside. He had sharp features and an air of quiet danger.

"Ah, Alexander," Victoria said smoothly. "I'd like you to meet Adrian Graves—a crisis strategist. He's here to ensure our family's reputation remains intact."

Adrian extended a hand, but Alexander ignored it. "I don't need a strategist," he said. "I need you to undo the damage you've done."

Adrian chuckled, lowering his hand. "Undo? No, Mr. Laurent. We escalate."

While the world turned against her, Jade knew she couldn't fight this war alone. She needed an insider—someone with enough power to challenge Victoria at her own game.

That's when Seraphina Calloway walked into her office.

Seraphina was a media tycoon with a reputation for turning scandals into gold. She had once been one of Victoria's closest allies—until they had a falling out.

"I hear you need a lifeline," Seraphina said, lowering her designer sunglasses. "Lucky for you, I love a good revenge story."

Jade leaned forward. "What's your price?"

Seraphina smirked. "Oh, darling. We'll discuss that once we bring Victoria Laurent to her knees."

Elsewhere, Damien Blackwell watched the chaos unfold from the penthouse of his private club, The Obsidian Room.

He had spent years running from his past, but now it was catching up with him.

He turned to find a woman standing there—Celeste Vaughn, a name he hadn't heard in over a decade.

"Hello, Damien," Celeste said, stepping inside. "It's been a long time."

Damien's jaw tightened. "What do you want?"

She tossed a folder onto the table. "Something you thought was buried."

Damien opened it, his blood running cold.

Inside were documents—ones that could ruin him.

Celeste leaned in, her voice a whisper. "Victoria isn't your biggest problem. I am."