Chapter 4 JOJEAN's REVENGE

Jojean barely made it to the exit before the tears threatened to spill.

Not here. Not in front of them.

The moment she stepped out of the grand ballroom, she quickened her pace, ignoring the murmurs from the guests. She wouldn't give Jason the satisfaction of seeing her break.

He had already taken enough from her.

Her love. Her dignity. Now, her reputation.

And Owen?

He had been her last hope.

And he had thrown her away like she was nothing.

Her hands curled into fists.

No.

She wouldn't let them win.

Not this time.

Jason thought he had destroyed her?

Owen thought he could doubt her and walk away?

They were about to learn exactly who they had underestimated.

Jojean Dawson was done being the victim.

It was time to fight back.

TWO WEEKS LATER– The Gala Setup

Jojean stood in front of the mirror, her fingers gripping the cool edge of the vanity table. Her reflection stared back at her, a woman transformed.

Gone was the Jojean Dawson who had once begged for love from Jason Wolfe.

Gone was the Jojean who had let Owen Carter ruin her with a single doubt.

Tonight, she wasn't the heartbroken woman they thought they had destroyed.

Tonight, she was their reckoning.

The silk of her emerald-green gown hugged her curves like armor, the high slit exposing just enough leg to command attention but not enough to appear desperate. Her makeup was sharp, her eyes lined with vengeance and control.

She had been a pawn in their game.

Now, she was about to become the queen.

A sharp knock at the door made her straighten.

Her best friend, Ruby, poked her head inside, her expression filled with both nerves and excitement.

"You sure about this?" Ruby whispered.

Jojean met her gaze through the mirror. "More than ever."

Ruby grinned. "Then let's burn them to the ground."

Jojean smirked. "Gladly."

She turned away from the mirror, exhaling slowly as she grabbed her clutch.

Tonight, Jason Wolfe was going to pay.

And if Owen Carter thought he was walking away unscathed?

He had another thing coming.

INSIDE THE GALA – Jason's Downfall Begins

The ballroom at the Greec Enterprises Charity Gala was packed with New York's wealthiest elite. The champagne flowed, the orchestra played a soft, haunting melody, and the air buzzed with power and deception.

Jojean stepped inside, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

Every head turned.

Whispers followed.

She caught glimpses of familiar faces-investors, Elites, CEOs, socialites. They all knew what had happened to her.

They had all believed Jason's lies.

But by the end of the night?

They would be repeating a different story.

Across the room, Jason stood at the center of attention, a glass of whiskey in one hand, laughing with a group of executives.

He hadn't seen her yet.

Good.

Let him enjoy his final moments of power.

Let him bask in his empire before she tore it all down.

She grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and took a slow sip, her pulse thrumming with anticipation.

Then, she felt it.

A gaze.

Burning. Watching.

Her breath hitched.

She turned-and locked eyes with Liam.

THE CONFRONTATION– Owen's Regret Begins

He was standing near the back, his broad frame clad in a black tux, hands in his pockets, exuding the kind of presence that made the air heavier.

Jojean pulse skipped.

She had told herself she didn't care.

She had told herself that tonight was only about Jason.

But the way Owen was looking at her, like she was the only thing in the room that mattered, made her stomach twist.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then, Owen pushed off the wall, cutting through the crowd with effortless grace, heading straight for her.

Emily held her ground.

She wouldn't run.

Not from him.

Not anymore.

"Jojean."

Her name rolled off his tongue like a confession.

She lifted her champagne glass, arching a brow. "Mr. Carter."

His jaw tightened. He looked down at her, blue eyes dark with something unreadable.

"What are you doing here?" His voice was low, controlled.

Jojean smirked. "Why? Are you afraid?"

Owen's fingers flexed at his sides.

"You should be."

A flash of amusement flickered across his face. "Is that so?"

Jojean leaned in slightly, just enough that he could smell the vanilla and jasmine of her perfume.

"Watch me."

Then, before he could stop her, she stepped past him-and walked straight toward Jason.

THE MOMENT OF DESTRUCTION

Jason was mid-laugh when he saw her.

His expression froze.

The conversation around him halted.

Jojean tilted her head, letting her lips curl into a slow, dangerous smile.

"Miss me?"

Jason blinked. His grip on his glass tightened.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he hissed.

Jojean took another sip of champagne, feigning indifference.

"Enjoying the party."

She let her gaze sweep the room. "You always did throw such spectacular events. Too bad this one's going to be your last."

Jason's eyes darkened. "You're making a mistake."

Jojean laughed softly.

"No, Jason. The only mistake here was thinking you could get away with what you did to me."

Then, she raised her hand.

The signal.

And right on cue

The ballroom screens flickered to life.

THE EXPOSÉ -Jason Falls

A video played.

Jason's voice filled the silent ballroom.

"I made sure those photos of Jojean looked real. You think I'd let a woman like that ruin my name?"

Gasps. Murmurs.

Jason's face drained of color.

The next slide-financial records.

Jason's account.

Large payments made to a private investigator.

More whispers.

A woman in a red dress-one of Jason's biggest investors-spun toward him.

"Jason, what is this?"

Jason stammered. "I-This is fake!"

But Jojean wasn't done.

The final image appeared-a signed confession from Jason's investigator.

Proof.

Irrefutable.

And with that, Jason Wolfe was finished.

OWEN'S REALIZATION

The crowd turned against Jason.

Executives walked away.

Socialites murmured in disgust.

Jason was destroyed.

Jojean had won.

But as the chaos erupted around her, she felt another gaze.

Owen.

Still standing there.

Still watching her.

Something unreadable flickered across his face.

And then-he started walking toward her.

Jojean's breath hitched.

She turned to leave-but suddenly, a hand gripped her wrist.

She gasped, spinning around

Only to find herself face-to-face with Jason.

His eyes burned with rage.

"You think this is over?" he hissed, his grip tightening. "You have no idea what you've just done."

Jojean's pulse skyrocketed.

Before she could react

A fist slammed into Jason's jaw.

He stumbled back, crashing into a table.

The room went silent.

Jojean whipped around.

Owen stood there, fist still clenched, eyes blazing with fury.

"Touch her again, and I'll destroy you."

Jason wiped his bleeding lip, eyes murderous.

"You already chose your side, Carter. I hope you're ready for war."

Owen's jaw tightened.

He turned to Jojean, his gaze filled with something almost desperate.

"Jojean, I-"

But she wasn't listening.

Her heart was pounding.

Because Jason's final words echoed in her mind.

This isn't over.

And deep down,

She knew he was right.