Chapter 1

Jane Vale opened her eyes slowly, studying her reflection as she did a final touch of blue eyeshadow across her lids.

She leaned closer to the mirror, adjusting the blend carefully. Her makeup was bold, her foundation, well layered. The blush sits perfectly on her cheeks.

Jane paused, stared at herself and for a second, she almost didn’t recognize the woman staring back.

“Makeup just has a way of revealing the other side of my beauty,” she murmured, tilting her head slightly.

Jane tested expressions, smiling, pouting, blinking slowly, then rapidly, a quiet, playful side of her she has hidden.

A knock broke the moment and the door opened, and a maid stepped in.

“Ma’am, the driver is here to pick you up.” Jane turned, already reaching for her purse.

“Thank you, Madam Tiffany. I’m done.”

Jane replied.

“Before you go, ma’am… may I have a word?”

Jane paused, then shook her head lightly.

“Like you said, the driver is here.” She flipped open her purse, pulled out a folded paper that she had written her speech. She glanced at it briefly, then tucked it back in. “I can’t be late. It’s the company gala and also my promotion night. We’ll talk when I get back.

She didn’t wait for a reply before walking out.

Tonight wasn’t just any night, it was The Vale Corp gala, her family’s company.

But Jane had never leaned on that name. She had worked for everything. She had a taste of the late nights, endless revisions, outperforming expectations again and again.

And tonight, it will finally pay off.

From Head of the Cosmetic Department to Executive Director.

She stepped outside, the cool air brushing against her skin as the driver hurried to open the car door.

“Ma’am, you look very beautiful tonight,” he said, stepping aside. “And your dress, it introduces you before you do.”

Jane smiled as she slipped into the car. “Thank you, Nathan.”

The door shut, and the car pulled away. As the city lights streaked past, her thoughts drifted.

Greg.

She wondered what his reaction would be when he saw her tonight. Greg Morris her husband for four years.

They had been married for four years, yet nothing about it felt like a marriage. He had insisted she keep her maiden name. She only came around on weekends and Greg had never touched her.

Sometimes it felt like they were still dating but somehow, she had accepted it.

Work has always filled the gaps. Vale Corp had demanded her attention, and she had given it willingly. Her father relied on her judgment, her instincts. Over the years, she had proven herself, time and time again. Tonight was proof of that.

Her dress alone had to speak before she did. She had made sure of it, calling her designer the same day her father mentioned the promotion.

“A masterpiece,” she had said. “Something unforgettable.”

“Ma’am, we’ve arrived.” Nathan’s voice pulled her back.

Jane stepped out of the car, smoothing down her dress. She took a breath, then began walking toward the entrance, counting each step quietly in her head.

One.

Two.

Three.

The doors opened.

Every head turned. Her heart leapt, but she didn’t falter. This was exactly what she wanted. She stepped inside with a poised smile, shoulders back, chin lifted.

Conversations dipped into whispers. Some stared at her dress, others at her face. Jane acknowledged everyone with a slight bow of her head as she moved deeper into the hall.

Her eyes searched the room for Greg.

He had said he would come, but he wasn’t there.

The smile on her face didn’t drop, but something shifted behind her eyes. She moved toward a quiet corner instead.

A few colleagues approached, offering compliments. She responded politely, thanking them, exchanging brief words before they drifted away.

Alone, she reached into her purse, and unfolded the small paper. She scanned it quickly, lips moving as she rehearsed under her breath.

A voice echoed through the hall, drawing her attention. Someone had taken the stage. Jane folded the paper and slipped it back into her purse. She glanced around one more time. Still no Greg.

Her focus returned to the stage. Everything was moving smoothly, exactly as planned. Then her father stepped forward. A smile spread across her face, a moment she has been waiting for.

“Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for being here tonight.” Henry Vale’s voice carried easily across the room.

“We’ve spent quite some time already, so we’ll proceed to the final activities.” He paused, letting the anticipation build.

“At Vale Corp, we value talent, hard work, and humility. And one of our staff members has shown all these qualities time and time again.”

Jane’s fingers curled slightly at her sides.

“She has broken records repeatedly, exceeded expectations, and proven herself beyond doubt. It is only right that she is promoted.” A ripple of agreement moved through the crowd.

“The screen behind me will display a few of her achievements, so you know she truly deserves…” Henry paused.

Murmurs spread, low at first, then louder.

“What is that?”

“This is unbelievable.”

“She’s been hiding behind all that hard work.”

Jane’s breath stopped, her head snapped toward the screen and her smile disappeared.

Images flashed across the screen, documents, her signatures, transactions.

“No…” she whispered, shaking her head, then louder

“Turn it off! That’s not true! I never did any of this, I’m being framed!” Her voice cut through the noise, but it didn’t silence it.

“You’re being framed?” someone scoffed. “Your name is on every document.”

“I swear, I’ve never done anything illegal,” Jane shot back, her voice trembling despite her effort to steady it. “Not drugs, not anything!”

“You expect us to believe that?”

“You’re the head of the cosmetic department,” another voice added sharply. “If anyone could pull this off, it’s you.”

Jane’s chest tightened. “I didn’t do this. I don’t even know how this is happening.”

“And the bank accounts?” someone else pressed. “Those are yours too, aren’t they?”

She opened her mouth but footsteps interrupted her. A group of uniformed men entered the hall. There was silence.

“Who is Jane Vale?” one of them asked.

No one answered. Every gaze turned toward Jane.

The officer stepped forward. “Jane Vale, you are under arrest for promoting and selling illegal drugs within and outside the country.”

The words hit harder than anything else. Tears spilled instantly, blurring her vision, her knees weakening. Jane pushed herself back up.

“Dad…” Her voice broke as she stumbled toward Henry. “You trust me, right? Tell them. Tell them I would never do this.”

Henry didn’t look at her, he turned away, eyes fixed on the screen.

Footsteps approached. “Jane… how could you do this?” Leo Vale, her brother asked.

His voice carried a mix of anger and disbelief.

“Do you want to ruin Vale Corp?”

Jane stared at him shocked but quickly read more to his question.

Vale Corp stock was very important and any negative news would make it crash. Leo obviously wanted to protect that.

Jane’s shoulders straightened slowly. She wiped her face with the back of her hand.

Then, without another word, she extended her hands toward the officers.

The handcuff was snapped around her wrists. The sound echoed. Everywhere was dead silent. Jane didn’t look back as they led her away.

Outside, the night air felt sharper.

The police van door opened, and she stepped in. The door slammed shut behind her.

As the vehicle pulled away, Jane leaned back against the seat, as she steadied her breath. The Vales had to play along publicly but privately, they would fix everything.

They would come for her. Her family will bail her out and clear her name.

Aggressively would destroy the Vale Corp. The reputation they had spent years building.

With that realization, she closed her eyes.