Chapter 3 The Betrayal at the Gala

The moment Jojean stepped into the grand ballroom, she knew she had made a mistake.

Crystal chandeliers dripped from the ceiling, casting a golden glow over the high-society elite. Soft music played, and waiters in crisp black uniforms glided between guests carrying glasses of champagne.

She should have felt privileged to be here.

Instead, she felt like a lamb walking into a lion's den.

Because standing next to her, in his perfectly tailored suit, was Owen Carter.

And somewhere in this room... was damn Jason.

The Setup

Owen's hand rested on the small of Jojean's back, guiding her through the crowd.

His touch was light but firm, a silent reminder of who was in control.

"Smile, sweetheart," Owen murmured in her ear. "People are watching."

Jojean forced a polite smile, but inside, her stomach twisted.

She still didn't understand why she was here.

Owen had insisted she accompany him, but he hadn't told her why.

And that made her nervous.

What was he planning?

She was about to ask when she heard it-

That voice.

"Jojean?"

Her heart stopped.

Slowly, she turned... and her entire world tilted.

Jason.

Her silly, cheating, lying ex-boyfriend stood across the room, a glass of whiskey in hand, his sharp brown eyes locked onto her.

Jojean's breathing hitched.

She hadn't seen him in months.

He still looked exactly the same.

Golden-haired. Arrogantly handsome. The kind of man who destroyed hearts with a smile.

And right now, he was looking at her like she was the ghost of a past he never expected to see again.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Jason demanded, stepping closer.

Jojean opened her mouth, but before she could speak-

Liam's arm slid around her waist, pulling her against him.

"She's with me."

The room went silent.

Jason's eyes darkened. He looked between them, his jaw tightening.

"You've got to be kidding me."

Jojean's pulse raced.

This wasn't just an awkward run-in.

This was a trap.

And Owen had set her up.

Her head spinning

´These men are after my entire existence'

THE BETRAYAL

Jason let out a harsh laugh.

"Wow. I knew you were desperate, Jojean, but this?" His eyes flicked to Owen. "You're sleeping with my best friend now?"

Jojean's stomach churned.

She wasn't going to let Jason make her feel small again.

"I'm not sleeping with him," she said coldly. "I work for him."

Jason's eyes narrowed.

Then, his lips curled into a smirk.

"Oh, sweetheart," he drawled. "That makes it so much worse."

Jojean breath caught.

Owen's grip on her waist tightened.

"Careful, Wolfe," Owen warned, his voice low, dangerous. "You don't want to make a scene."

Jason scoffed.

"Oh, I think we passed that point the second you walked in here with her."

He turned back to Jojean, his eyes gleaming with something cruel.

"Tell me, darling... does Owen know the truth about you? Or are you still pretending to be the victim?"

Jojean's chest tightened.

Jason was playing his favorite game.

Manipulation.

Twisting the truth until he looked like the one who had been wronged.

She took a step forward, her hands trembling. "The truth?" Her voice was quiet, but firm. "You mean how you cheated on me?"

The words hung in the air.

Jason's smirk faltered.

Owen's jaw tensed.

For a moment, Jason said nothing.

Then, he chuckled. "That's rich, coming from you."

Jojean frowned. "What?"

Jason's eyes gleamed.

"You really think I'm the villain here?" He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Tell him, Jo'. Tell Owen what you did."

Her blood turned to ice.

Owen's grip on her loosened.

Slowly, he turned to her. "What is he talking about?"

Jojean's mouth went dry.

She had nothing to hide.

She had never cheated.

She had never lied.

But Jason... Jason was a master manipulator.

And judging by the gleam of doubt in Owen's eyes, he was winning.

No.

Not again.

Jojean squared her shoulders.

She wouldn't let Jason control the narrative.

She looked Owen dead in the eyes and said, "He's lying."

Jason laughed.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm lying?" His smirk turned sharp. "Then explain these."

He pulled out his phone, tapping the screen.

A second later, a series of images appeared.

Jojean's breath caught in her throat.

The pictures showed her and another man-close, too close.

It looked like she was kissing him.

Jojean's stomach dropped.

No. No, no, no.

She had never seen these before.

Where had he gotten them?

She turned to owen, desperate.

"This isn't real."

Owen's face was impossible to read.

But something in his blue eyes shifted.

Doubt.

And just like that, Jojean felt her heart shatter all over again.

He doesn't believe me.

Jason leaned in, his voice mocking.

"See, Owen? She's not as innocent as she pretends to be."

Jojean's vision blurred.

She turned to Owen, praying he could see the truth. "Owen, you know me."

His jaw clenched.

For a moment, she thought 'hoped' he would defend her.

But then...

He let go of her waist.

Stepped back.

And said the words that broke her completely.

"I don't know what to believe anymore."

Jojean felt like she had been punched.

Her entire world tilted, her chest aching so badly she was suffocating and could barely breathe.

Jason smiled.

He had won.

Again.

And Owen had let him.

Jojean swallowed back the pain, her voice cold and empty.

"Then we're done here."

She turned, pushing through the crowd, her vision blurry.

She didn't look back.

Because she knew If she did, she'd fall apart.

She got home sobbing and cussing at Jason.

Swearing not to let go.

He's Just acting like the devil! I hate Jason so much and I am never letting it end here

'she said'

while trying to source information on Jason.