Jane's POVMy thoughts went wild. Killing… who? Talked about what? “Marisol who is killing who? What are you saying?” I reached out and felt something wet and sticky on her sleeve. Blood. My stomach twisted.She pulled away from my touch. Her eyes were wide and kept jumping from corner to corner like she thought someone—or something—was hiding nearby. “The man… the one from the garden. He found me. He knows… he knows what I told you.”“Slow down. Breathe.” I helped her sit on the edge of the bed. “Tell me everything. Who hurt you? Where?”She was breathing fast and hard. “Near my apartment… I was getting out of a cab. He came from nowhere… really fast. He knew my name. He said… he said I should’ve stayed quiet.”I felt ice in my veins. This wasn’t just someone robbing her. This was because she gave me the USB Ledger… the Banker. It was all connected. “Did you see his face? What did he look like?”She shook her head tears in her eyes. “It was dark… he had a hat on… but his eyes… w
Jane's POVThe red lipstick on the mirror felt like a punch to the gut. “Next time it’s Nate…” The words were hard to read but full of hate. I couldn’t sleep. I spent the whole night on the sofa jumping at every sound in the hotel. I waited for the morning like it was my only hope.The sunlight came through the curtains so bright compared to the fear in my mind. I picked up my phone and looked at Nate’s name in my contacts. Should I tell him everything? Warn him? The message was meant to scare me and it was working. I decided to wait. I needed to understand it first before putting it on him.After a quick shower, I called room service. I ordered a cup of coffee and a lot of pastries. I needed something to comfort me. It wasn’t much but I had to feel normal. While I waited, I thought about the fundraiser again—every moment, every hidden warning. Rachel’s fake smile, Mae’s harsh words, Damien’s desperate begging. They were all suspicious. But this felt bigger. This “Banker.” is this
Jane's POVThe fundraiser felt fake and made me uncomfortable. Everyone was pretending to be nice but it didn’t feel real. Nate’s hand on my back was the only thing keeping me calm.“Ready?” he whispered in my ear.“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I said trying to smile even though it didn’t feel real. I stood up straight and forced a smile like the fake one Rachel always wore.And then she came toward us—Rachel my stepmother. She wore a fancy dress that probably cost more than my old apartment.“Jane darling!” she said sweetly but her eyes were cold. She gave me a quick hug that didn’t feel warm at all. “It’s so nice to see you back. I was surprised though. What made you come back after all this time?”I looked at her straight and smiled in a way that wasn’t really friendly. “Rachel, how could I miss a Lawson family event? It’s been too long. I just had to catch up.”She smiled but I saw a flash of irritation. “Of course. Enjoy yourself. But remember family has limits.” She paused befor
Jane's POVA relative sense of calm settled on my conference room as I stood at the head of the table. Nate was next to me. He didn’t say much, but having him there made me feel stronger.“Good morning, everyone,” I said in a calm and steady voice. “We’re here today to talk about something very serious, and it’s about the Lawson Charity.”I saw some people shift in their seats. A few exchanged worried looks. They could tell something big was coming, but they didn’t know how big.“We’re starting an audit,” I said. “We’re going to check all the money and records of the Lawson Charity.”No one said anything as they still wanted more elaboration.“Nate, would you explain the details?” I asked.Nate stepped forward and looked around the room. “We’ll check every donation, every expense, and every account from the very beginning. Nothing will be hidden. We’ll check everything to be sure.”“Be sure of what?” Someone muttered.But then the door opened.Rachel Lawson walked in like she owned t
Jane's POVThe notebook felt cold in my shaking hands. Each note inside was like a ghost from my mother’s life and sudden death. It was time to bring out the truth and face it. This time I would not hide. I would not let myself be a victim.Marisol. She used to help my mother. She was the key—the only one who might know what I needed to find out. It had been many years, but I still remembered her kindly and hoped she would be willing to help me.I set up the meeting as a secret one at a small café hidden in a quiet corner. I remembered that place from when I was a kid, when life felt easier before the pain and lies began.The afternoon sun made long shadows on the ground while I waited. I heard the sounds of dishes and quiet talking, but inside me, everything felt loud and stormy. Marisol was late. I was getting more nervous by the second.At last, I saw her. Her hair was now gray in parts, her face lined with age, but I still knew her. She looked around the café, then saw me and rush
Jane's POV“Hello?” I said cautiously.“Jane, it's Damien. I... I wanted to apologize for last night. I lost control. I’m so sorry.” His voice sounded strained and contrite.“Damien, you made a scene. I don’t need you fighting my battles.”“I know, and I shouldn't have. It’s just…I’m worried about you, Jane. I can feel the danger closing in. I can help you bring down Zack. I have connections and resources...”“Why now, Damien?” I asked my voice laced with suspicion. “After all this time, why are you suddenly so eager to help?”There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Because…because I owe you, Jane. I owe you everything. I want to make things right.”“And what about my mother, Damien?” I asked in a barely a whisper. “What about the accident?”The silence stretched between us thick with unspoken guilt and pain.“Jane, I...” he stammered,, his voice cracking. “I was young, careless,, and I did something foolish. I was a fool.”My heart pounded in my chest. “You were fooled, Da