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-Four: A War of Shadows

Jade sat across from Seraphina Calloway in a dimly lit private lounge, the weight of the world pressing on her shoulders. Seraphina, on the other hand, exuded effortless confidence as she swirled a glass of red wine.

"You do realize who you're up against, don't you?" Seraphina asked, arching a perfectly sculpted brow. "Victoria Laurent doesn't just destroy her enemies—she buries them."

Jade met her gaze, determination hardening her expression. "Then we dig up everything she's buried and use it against her."

Seraphina's lips curled into a smile. "That's exactly what I was hoping you'd say."

She pulled out a sleek tablet and tapped the screen. Within seconds, images, financial reports, and confidential memos filled the display.

"You're not the only one Victoria has crossed," Seraphina continued. "I have connections—journalists, whistleblowers, even a few disillusioned board members from Laurent Industries who would love to see her fall."

Jade's breath hitched as she scanned the documents. Offshore accounts, hidden transactions, political bribes—Victoria had built an empire on deception.

"This is enough to cause a scandal," Jade whispered.

Seraphina smirked. "A scandal? Darling, this is enough to burn her empire to the ground."

By morning, the headlines had shifted.

"Victoria Laurent Under Investigation for Financial Misconduct."

"Anonymous Sources Leak Evidence of Corruption at Laurent Industries."

"The Fall of a Titan? Victoria Laurent Faces Unprecedented Backlash."

Jade stared at the news reports, her pulse racing. Seraphina had moved fast, too fast.

Seraphina: Step one: Discredit her. Step two: Isolate her. Step three: Destroy her.

The answer came when another message appeared on her screen.

At the Laurent estate, Victoria paced her study, her fingers clenched around the morning's newspaper. The headlines mocked her, whispering of her impending downfall.

Adrian Graves sat calmly across from her, watching her fury with interest. "Whoever did this is precise," he mused. "Calculated. They had access to files no one should have."

Victoria slammed the paper down. "It's Calloway. That snake has always wanted to ruin me."

Adrian leaned back, steepling his fingers. "Then it's time we remind the world why Seraphina Calloway disappeared from media five years ago."

Victoria's lips curled into a vicious smile. "Yes, let's remind everyone who she really is."

Jade arrived at Alexander's penthouse that evening, her mind racing.

She barely had time to greet him before he stepped forward, gripping her arms gently. "Jade, tell me the truth—are you behind the attack on my mother?"

Jade swallowed hard. "Would it matter if I was?"

Alexander searched her eyes, his expression torn. "You don't know what she's capable of."

Jade lifted her chin. "And she doesn't know what I'm capable of."

A war Of Shadows