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-Eight: The Line in the Sand

Victoria Laurent's fingers tapped rhythmically against her desk as she watched the security feed of the Laurent Enterprises building. Adrian Graves stood beside her, his expression unreadable.

"Is everything in place?" she asked coolly.

Adrian nodded. "The files have been sent. By tomorrow morning, Seraphina's reputation will be in ruins. Her allies will abandon her."

Victoria's lips curled into a smirk. "Good. And what about Alexander?"

Adrian hesitated. "He's still wavering. But if he thinks he has a choice, he's mistaken."

Victoria's eyes darkened. "Then remind him who truly holds the power."

Alexander stared at the file in front of him, his hands clenched into fists. The documents exposed Seraphina's past, twisted and weaponized. If Victoria released them, Seraphina would be finished.

Jade sat across from him, her expression unreadable. "You can't let her do this."

His jaw tightened. "She's my mother, Jade. She raised me to be ruthless."

"And look where that's gotten you," she said softly. "You don't owe her blind loyalty. You owe yourself a choice."

The room was silent. Then Alexander exhaled sharply and reached for his phone. "I'm putting an end to this."

Jade watched him, a flicker of hope in her eyes. "Then let's make sure Victoria knows her reign is over."

Seraphina's private estate was dimly lit as she paced the marble floors. Her contacts had confirmed it—Victoria was moving against her. But she had anticipated this.

"Activate the plan," she instructed her assistant. "If Victoria wants a war, we'll give her one."

Her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.

"You're not alone in this fight. Be ready."

Seraphina's eyes narrowed. If Alexander was finally choosing a side, Victoria had no idea what was coming.

The Line in The Sand