Chapter 5

“Dravyn Woods?” Jane called softly, her voice trembling with surprise.

Dravyn nodded once, his jaw tightening at the sound of his name.

“Thank you,” Jane muttered weakly.

He nodded again and adjusted the coat around her body, making sure it covered her well. After that, he picked up the bottle of water beside him, opened it, and handed it to her.

“Have some water.”

Jane took the bottle and quietly gulped down half of it. When she lowered it, she released a long breath of relief before returning it to him.

Dravyn collected it with a nod, then started the car immediately and drove off. His eyes stayed fixed on the road.

Jane, on the other hand, watched him as he drove.

His jaw was still tight. His grip on the steering wheel was firm. She could tell he was not happy.

Trying to distract herself, she studied his features instead. Dravyn was no longer the shy boy from high school.

Back then, he had been handsome in a quiet way. Now his features were sharper, more defined. He looked even better than before.

His gray eyes were bolder now, impossible to ignore. His shoulders had broadened, and the shape of muscle showed even through his clothes. His fair skin, which had once shone too brightly in school, had toned into a calmer glow that only made him more attractive.

Back then, many students mocked him for how radiant his skin looked. They said he must have some strange skin condition.

Every time they laughed at him, Jane had defended him.

Jane watched him for over twenty minutes before finally turning to the window, admiring the city lights.

A tear slipped down her cheek. She wiped it quickly.

The betrayal still weighed heavily at the back of her mind, though being beside Dravyn had somehow made her forget for a moment.

Soon, the car slowed before a grand gate. Even from outside, Jane could tell this was not a place anyone could simply walk into.

Security men opened the gate at once and bowed as the car entered. Jane looked around quietly. The compound was vast.

The car finally stopped in front of a gigantic building. Lights shone from every corner of it, making the mansion look even more beautiful against the dark night.

Dravyn stepped out first, then came around to open Jane’s side.

“Welcome, Mr. Woods,” the men dressed in black chorused with a bow.

Dravyn reached for Jane’s hand, and together they walked into the building, where househelps were already lined up waiting.

“Welcome home, Mr. Woods.”

Jane’s eyes moved around in shock. Everything inside screamed wealth. Marble floors. Tall walls. Crystal lights. Expensive furniture.

Dravyn led her to a couch.

“Please sit here. I’ll be back shortly.”

He walked deeper into the house. A few minutes later, he returned with a warm glass of milk.

“Here, take this.”

He stretched the glass toward Jane and sat beside her. Jane took it and, without warning, emptied the glass in seconds. She had not eaten anything since the previous night.

When she was done, she placed the glass on the table.

“Thank you, Dravyn, for saving me,” she said softly.

Before he could reply, a househelp approached.

“Mr. Woods, the table has been set.”

Dravyn stood. “Let’s go, Jane.” He offered his hand again.

Jane took it, and together they walked to the dining room.

As soon as Jane sat down, she pounced on the food, hunger taking over her manners. Dravyn only watched her quietly, a faint gentle smile resting on his face.

Feeling a bit of satisfaction, she slowed down, her manners finally returned.

When Jane lifted her head, Dravyn immediately looked away and began eating.

Jane used the moment to study the room. Then her eyes landed on a large portrait hanging on the wall.

It was Dravyn, and beneath it was a writeup.

Dravyn Woods

Founder & CEO of Woods Apex Intelligence

Private Strategist | The Shadow Behind Velmoura's Power

Jane froze. 

Only then did it fully register. The man seated before her was not just Dravyn Woods from high school.

He was The Dravyn Woods, Velmoura’s richest man. A man even elites and government officials feared.

Jane slowly pointed toward the portrait.

“Dravyn… is this true?”

He turned to look at what she meant. Then understanding crossed his face. A brief smile touched his lips before fading.

“Yes,” he replied.

Jane quickly lowered her eyes to her plate and continued eating.

When dinner was over, they returned to the sitting room. Silence filled the room for nearly ten minutes.

Then Dravyn straightened slightly in his seat and spoke.

“Why were you there?”

Jane’s eyes filled instantly.

“I was set up by my family, and thrown out of the house.” Her voice broke.

Then she began to explain everything. The gala, the fake evidence, the arrest, the truth about being adopted, the men sent after her.

With every word, her tears increased. When she was done, Dravyn moved closer and pulled her into a hug.

His jaw tightened again as he held her, slowly, he patted her back.

“It’s fine now,” he said quietly. “You are here with me.”

After a moment, he pulled back slightly.

“Do you have anywhere else in mind to go?”

Jane wiped her face. “I have no one. The only person who could have sheltered me is no longer in Velmoura. She is my best friend.”

“Okay. You can stay here with me.” He paused. “What about your husband?”

Jane looked up sharply.

She had purposely removed Greg from the story because only a few people knew she was married. Now that she knew the marriage was fake, she saw no need to mention it.

“You knew about it?” she asked in shock.

Dravyn nodded, his eyes lowering to the floor.

Jane exhaled slowly, it felt strange. How did he know about her marriage? Still, she answered.

“He was part of the betrayal,” she said bitterly. “The major person who forged my signature.” Her lips trembled.

“And worse, our marriage was fake. He was actually married to my sister, Lila. She is pregnant with his child.”

Jane broke down again, harder than before.

“I kept wondering why my husband never touched me.” Her voice shook. “Why did he ask me not to change my name?”

“Why did he only want me on weekends while I stayed at the Vale mansion during the week.” She covered her face with both hands.

“I wondered why Lila was never home during the week, but always back on weekends.” She lowered her hands slowly.

“I wanted to bond with my sister, but it was never possible because of her movements.” A tear rolled down her chin. “Now it all makes sense.”

She laughed bitterly through tears. “I was the clueless one, the one never meant to be in their circle.”

Jane cried openly before forcing herself to calm down. She wiped her face and sat still, battling fresh tears.

The room fell silent again, only the sound of her sniffing could be heard.

Then Dravyn finally spoke, his voice was calm, but dangerous.

“Be with me, and I will help you destroy everything they value.”

Jane turned sharply to him, her eyes widened as if they would fall out at any moment, and her lips parted in shock.

She stared at Dravyn for a long time, thoughts running wildly through her mind.

Dravyn watched her too, calm and unreadable.

They remained like that for several moments, facing each other in silence, until Jane finally turned her head away when she realised he had not stopped looking at her.

Jane coughed lightly.

“But why?” she asked curiously. “Why do you want me to marry you?”

Dravyn breathed out slowly. “Because we both have something to gain.”

“And what could that be?” Jane asked.

“Jane, you want revenge, and I want a partner so women can stop throwing themselves at me.” He paused briefly before continuing. “I have what it takes to bring down everyone who has ever hurt you, while you have what it takes to make me live freely.”

Jane frowned. “But you could have used someone else. Not me, not someone with a ruined reputation.”

“Don’t talk down on yourself that way, Jane.” His tone softened. “You are the perfect person I can ask.”

He had chosen his words carefully. He did not want to hurt her further.

Jane fell silent, thinking over everything he had said and what she should ask next.

Dravyn noticed the look on her face and quickly spoke before she could retreat into her thoughts.

“Jane, all I’m asking is that you act as my fiancée."