Chapter 1

What does it take for a woman to go from being the celebrated queen of a multi-million-dollar empire to a humiliated criminal in handcuffs in just five minutes? Jane Vale was about to find out.

Jane had sacrificed everything for this night. Countless late evenings at the office, weekends occupied with doing research, and years spent proving that she deserved her place in Vale Corp were finally paying off.

Tonight, she was becoming the Executive Director, even thinking the title made her fingers tighten around the folded speech resting on her lap.

Inside the luxury car, the cool air hummed softly, yet it did little to settle the uneasiness sitting heavily in her chest. She unfolded the paper again, scanning the first few lines she had rewritten at least twenty times.

Her promotion wasn't simply another step in her career; it was the dream she'd carried ever since she was old enough to understand that the Vale family owned the largest fragrance company in the country. She had promised herself she would earn that position. Not because she was Henry Vale's daughter, but because she deserved it.

So why couldn't she enjoy this moment? A face flashed through her mind, Madam Tiffany.

Only thirty minutes earlier, the head housemaid had burst into her bedroom without knocking. The older woman's face seemed pale, and her trembling hands pressed against the door as though trying to stop Jane from leaving.

"Miss Jane... please," her voice cracked. "May I speak with you? It's urgent."

She had glanced at the time, knowing the driver was already waiting. "Tiffany, we'll talk when I get back."

"No." Tiffany shook her head quickly. "I don't know what they're planning, but... I'm scared for you. Please be careful tonight."

The memory refused to leave. "Planning what?" Jane frowned. Perhaps Tiffany had misunderstood something.

"Ma'am," Nathan's voice pulled her back. "We've arrived."

Jane looked through the tinted window. The Vale Grand Hotel stood before her, glowing beneath rows of golden lights.

Nathan smiled as he opened her door. "You look exceptionally beautiful tonight."

A genuine smile finally appeared on Jane's lips. "Thank you, Nathan."

She stepped on the red carpet, smoothing invisible wrinkles from her gown.

'Tonight changes everything,' she thought naturally. 'Greg would finally see me differently.'

Four years of marriage had never truly felt like marriage. Greg insisted she keep her maiden name, only allowed her to visit on weekends, and treated her more like a guest than his wife. He had never even touched her. But tonight, she would become Executive Director. Surely that would be enough to make him proud.

She lifted her chin and walked toward the entrance. As the towering glass doors swung open, conversation died almost instantly. Dozens of eyes turned toward her.

Jane kept her smile steady, acknowledging greetings with graceful nods as she crossed the ballroom. Crystal chandeliers bathed everything in warm light, illuminating the investors, executives, politicians, and business partners who filled every corner of the hall.

She searched the crowd for Greg. He wasn't there. A tiny knot tightened inside her stomach.

'Maybe he was running late. He wouldn't miss this. Would he?'

The stage lights brightened as Henry Vale walked on the platform, commanding the room without effort. Applause echoed around the ballroom, and Jane drew a quiet breath. This was it.

"My friends," Henry began, "welcome."

His familiar voice filled the hall as he spoke about Vale Corp's growth, its values, and its future. Jane barely heard most of it as the fast beat of her heart took over her hearing.

"At Vale Corp, we value talent, hard work, and humility. After careful consideration, the board has unanimously agreed to promote one outstanding employee." He smiled. "Please welcome our new Executive Director... Jane Vale."

Thunderous applause exploded through the ballroom. Jane climbed the steps, every clap feeding the excitement she'd worked years to earn.

She stopped beside her father, thrilled she had finally made it. She unfolded her speech, adjusted the microphone, and smiled at the audience.

"Good evening, everyone. Standing here tonight is an honour beyond words. I'd like to thank my family, my hus..."

Whispers swept through the ballroom. One by one, heads turned away from Jane toward the projector behind her.

But still she continued. "I'd like to thank my family, my hus..."

"What is that?" Someone from the audience said loudly.

"Oh my God..."

"That's unbelievable."

More comments flew in the air.  Jane's smile faded. Slowly, she turned. The massive projector screen behind the stage had changed, and her breath caught in her throat.

Financial reports. Confidential documents. Shipment records. Bank transfers. Every page carried one unmistakable signature: Jane Vale.

More pages flashed across the screen detailing millions of dollars, illegal drug transactions, and international smuggling routes flowing right through her cosmetics department. All bearing her signature.

"No!" She grabbed the microphone. "Turn it off. That's not true. I'm being framed."

A man near the front attacked her. "Your signature is on every document."

"I've never seen those files." Jane's voice shook. "I've never done anything illegal."

An investor pointed angrily toward the screen. "You supervise the cosmetics division. Who else could move products through that department?"

"I didn't." Jane looked desperately across the hall. Someone... Anyone... Her father. Leo. The board. No one moved. No one spoke. Her chest tightened until each breath felt painfully small. "I know nothing about this," she whispered.

The ballroom doors burst open, and heavy footsteps approached. Silence swept through the crowd. The lead officer climbed the stage without hesitation.

"Jane Vale," his voice rang through the ballroom. "You are under arrest for promoting and selling illegal drugs within and outside the country."

Everything seemed to tilt, and the room blurred. Jane's knees nearly gave way beneath her. 'Not here. Not now.' She forced herself upright as the camera flashed from every direction.

"Dad..." Her voice cracked as she stumbled toward Henry. "You know me." Her fingers caught his sleeve. "Please tell them. Tell them I would never..." Henry pulled his arm free as though her touch disgusted him. He didn't even look at her.

Cold spread through Jane's chest. Footsteps approached, and she saw Leo. His jaw was clenched, his eyes burning.

"Jane," his voice carried across the silent ballroom. "How could you do this to us? Do you have any idea what this will do to Vale Corp?"

She stared at him. He never asked what had happened or whether she was innocent. To Jane, his only concern seemed to be Vale Corp.

Madam Tiffany's warning crashed back into her mind. "I don't know what they're planning..." Goosebumps covered her skin.

Her eyes moved slowly between her father and brother. Had she been set up? No. Surely not. The thought came so suddenly but she rejected it.

Then her father's favourite words came to her mind. "Vale Corp stock must never plummet. The company comes first."

With that, Jane straightened her back, wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand and extended both wrists.

The sharp sound of the handcuffs echoed through the ballroom. Jane didn't look at her family again as the officers escorted her away.

Outside, the cold night air hit her skin. Camera flashes blinded her while reporters shouted questions she couldn't answer. Microphones pressed toward her face as hands pushed from every direction. The police guided her into the waiting van, and the heavy metal door slammed shut behind her.

As the vehicle pulled away, Jane leaned against the cold steel wall and closed her eyes.

"They'll come. They have to. Dad couldn't defend me in front of everyone, and neither could Leo. The company's reputation had to come first. Once this is over... They'll clear my name."

The van shook as it struck a deep pothole. Jane caught herself against the wall, but as she did, something brushed her fingertips. When the van stabled she saw a piece of paper beside her.

Confused, she picked it up, her cuffed hands fumbled with the edges until it finally unfolded. Only one sentence had been written.

"You were never supposed to make it to that stage, Jane Vale. Next time, DON'T."