Chapter 3

Jane stepped out of the cab in front of the massive Vale mansion. She paid the exact fare, and the driver immediately drove away.

Jane turned slowly to face the mansion. It felt completely distant for the first time in her life. She had lived in that house all her life.

She had slept in those rooms, celebrated birthdays there, cried there, and worked herself to the bone there. Yet, after just one night in a police station cell, the place suddenly looked unfamiliar. Even the lonely days she spent at Greg’s place had never made her feel this strange.

She took a deep breath and walked toward the gate.

"Welcome, Ma'am." The security man greeted her as he opened the door. His tone sounded... strange. Jane wanted to question him but she ignored him.

As she walked down the driveway, her eyes landed on the parked cars. Her father’s, her mother’s, Leo’s, Lila’s, and Greg’s.

Jane paused, her gaze fixed on Greg's car. Why had Greg ignored her calls if he was here?

'Maybe he's helping them bail me out,' she made an excuse in her head.

Suddenly, loud laughter echoed from inside the house. Jane frowned. "Laughter? While I was being questioned for something I know nothing about?"

Anxious, she reached the front door and pressed her thumb to the scanner. ACCESS DENIED.

She blinked, wiped her thumb on her dress, and tried again, but the same response came back.

She tried the facial recognition scanner. NO RECORD FOUND.

She tried two more times but the screen showed the same response and that was when the brutal reality hit her. Her access had been completely deleted.

Stunned, Jane turned sharply and slipped through the side kitchen door, which was always open for ventilation. The kitchen staff whispered in shock, but she ignored them and walked straight into the living room.

Her family sat around the grand dining table, drinking champagne. Greg was right there with them.

“Mom, Dad, Greg, Leo, Lila... what are you all celebrating?” Jane asked, her voice trembling.

“Oh, you’re out?” Lila smiled brightly, tearing into a large chicken leg. “Congratulations.”

"How did you get out?" Leo asked bluntly.

“I thought Dad called for my release,” Jane muttered.

“I didn't make any call,” Henry Vale said flatly, cutting his steak.

Jane forced a weak laugh, moving toward an empty chair beside Greg. “I’ll take that as a joke. So, what are we celebrating?”

Before she could sit, Kate Vale slammed her palm on the table. “The seat at this table was not prepared for you." She snapped coldly. "You are not part of this celebration.”

Jane froze. The harsh words had barely settled in when she saw Greg reach over and gently wipe sauce from Lila’s mouth. Her body stiffened, but it didn't stop her. She stormed over and yanked his hand away.

“What do you think you’re doing right in front of me, Greg?” she shouted her voice breaking.

Greg looked up lazily. “I’m cleaning stains from my wife’s face, Jane.”

“Wife? I am your wife. We are legally married!” She barked.

He smirked. “Sorry to tell you this, but our marriage was fake. The papers you signed were completely different. I married Lila, not you." He leaned back comfortably in his chair. "I was only with you because I had a mission.”

Loud laughter erupted around the dining table. "A mission?" She whispered as her eyes moved from face to face.

"What do you mean?" She managed to ask, her vision slowly blurry.

Lila wiped her lips with a napkin. “Greg stayed with you to help us set you up for the illegal drug case. He forged your signature on all the shipment documents.”

“What?” Jane stumbled backwards.

“Everything was planned,” Leo added calmly, swirling his wine. “You were just the scapegoat. We needed someone you would give total access without suspicion, and Greg was perfect because you had a pathetic crush on him.”

The tears that had been at the brim of her eyes finally fell.

“And she really fell for it,” Lila giggled. “Greg was my man long before you knew him.”

Jane turned her tear-stained face to Henry. “Dad... is this true?”

“Yes,” Henry Vale answered without hesitation. “The federal police were investigating our logistics lines. Vale Corp cannot crumble, so we created a loophole from your end in the cosmetics department.”

Jane grabbed the back of a chair to steady the spinning room. “But Dad… I am your daughter. I worked so hard for this family...”

“You are not a Vale,” Kate laughed softly. “You don't have a single drop of Vale blood. You were just a child we found abandoned at our gate. You brought yourself here to be used.”

The brutal realisation broke Jane’s heart into pieces. The distance, the favouritism, it all made sense. Leo and Lila were given positions with ease, while she had to work her ass before she got any promotion.

Breaking the silence, Lila suddenly squealed, placing a hand over her stomach. “Babe, I have good news. I’m pregnant!”

Cheers exploded. Everyone rushed to hug Lila. In the chaotic excitement, Leo carelessly shoved Jane out of the way, sending her crashing hard on the floor. Tears soaked her face as she watched them celebrate. No one looked down at her.

“Someone get this garbage out of here before she ruins our joyful moment,” Kate said irritably.

Two large guards entered, grabbed Jane by her arms, and dragged her outside, dumping her at the entrance.

Jane lay there numb, barely able to breathe. Quiet footsteps approached. It was Madam Tiffany, the head housemaid. She knelt quickly and handed Jane a thick manila file.

“These are your important documents, ma’am,” Tiffany whispered. “Your birth certificate, your real ID. I wanted to warn you last night, but you didn’t wait. I pray you find help, and get justice for what these monsters did.”

The maid hurried back through the kitchen before anyone could see her.

Jane clutched the file to her chest, watching her disappear. After spending her entire life loving the Vale family, the only person who had shown her any kindness was the one person who owed her nothing.