Deception

Jasper's POV

The note taunted me from the table. It's bold letters carved into my mind. This wasn't just a warning; it was a declaration of war.

I strode to the penthouse security room, and pushed the door open.My team’s surveillance setup was state-of-the-art, impossible to breach—or so I thought. I scanned the footage, my eyes darting across the monitor.

Nothing.

Every angle was clear. No sign of the blonde woman, entering or leaving the apartment. Whoever has been here was meticulous, slipping past my defence without leaving a trace.

"Impressive," I muttered under my breath, my jaw tightening. No one was supposed to outsmart, especially in my own domain.

How the hell did she in?

I pushed away from the desk and strode out, frustration burning in my veins. As I approached the elevator, something glinted faintly under the dim hallway light. I paused, crouching down to pick the small object.

A piece of jewelry.

A piece of earrings —simple, elegant and distinctly similar. I'd seen them before. On Mia.

My mind raced, the realization hitting me like a slap. Was she working against me? Could she be tied to my father? Come to think of it—this woman, Mia has been acting suspicious in the past few weeks. It's most definitely, she's working against me.

By the time, I reached the mansion, my patience was wearing thin. Bursting in through the door, I demand answers.

"Where's Mia," I barked at Elise, who startled and quickly pointed towards her room.

I stormed down the hall, shoving the door open without knocking. Empty. My chest tightened, suspicion growing like wildfire. She wasn’t here, Which could only mean one thing— she was out reporting to her boss.

Jayden. I had entrusted him with the task to investigate her. How come I never heard anything from him. Was he covering her up?

I found Jayden in the library, his ever calm-demanor only fuelling my irritation.

"Where's she?" I demanded, my voice low and dangerous.

Jayden looked up from his book, frowning. "Who?"

"Mia," I threw the earrings on the table. "Explain this."

Jayden picked the earring, turning them over in his hands. "What about them?"

"Those were found at my penthouse, Jayden," I snapped. "The one place, no one should have been, but yet they were there. Care to explain how they belonged to Mia."

Jadyen's face darkened.. "Jasper you must be mistaken. Mia can't be involved with whatever this is. She can't betray." His defence left me awe. When did Jayden get so stupid to trust blindly?

"Wouldn't she?" I countered, stepping forward. "What have you been doing when I told you to keep an eye on her. Or are you blinded by her innocence that you've failed to notice anything suspicious."

Jayden’s jaw tightened, but his tone remained calm. “I have been keeping an eye on her. She hasn’t done anything out of the ordinary. If she had, I’d have told you.”

I studied him for a while, suspicion creeping in. Was Jayden covering up for her? Could he be involved too.

"You're slacking off," I said coldly.

Jayden sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not slacking off, and Mia isn't a threat."

My fingers itched to strike something—someone—but I held myself back. “Don’t lecture me, Jayden.”

He stood, his gaze landed on my arms. "At least, let me help you treat your wound before it's get worse."

"I don't need your help," I snapped, turning sharply towards my room. "If you want to help, get me that girl."

Jayden followed me, but before he could speak, footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Mia

She stood by the door way, her hair dishealved, her pale but resolute. She froze when she saw us, her eyes darting between me and Jasper. Interesting. She must have been stunned to see me alive.

"Welcome to the game, Mia," I smirked, holding the earring up. "Let's see how long you would survive."

"What's going on?" She asked, her brows perfectly knitted in confusion. Such a good actress. She wants to play the hard way.

I strode toward her, holding up the earring. “Care to explain how this ended up at my penthouse?”

Her brows knitted together as she stared at the jewelry. "I don't know. That's mine. But why would I go to your penthouse?"

“Lies,” I growled, taking a step closer. “Do you take me for a fool, Mia? This was found after someone tried to kill me. Are you working for him?”

"Working for who?" She shot back, her voice trembling.

"Enough of your games." My patience wearing thin. "You'll talk one way or the other. I turned to the guards nearby. "Lock her away until she's ready to confess. No one sees her without my permission."

"Jasper, this is insane," Mia shouted as the guards grabbed her. "I didn't do anything."

Jayden stepped forward, his voice firm. “Let her go. She’s telling the truth.”

I rounded on him, my fists clenched. "You're defending her? After everything?"

"She's innocent," Jayden insisted. "You're letting your paranoid cloud your judgement."

I didn't hesitate. My fists connected with his jaw and he stumbled back, glaring at me as he wiped his mouth.

"Don't test me Jayden," I said, my voice like ice.

He stepped forward, landing a punch too. "You're losing it, Jasper. Open your damn eyes!"

The fight was short, but brutal, only ending when the guards pulled us apart. My heart heaved with anger as I pointed to Jayden.

"Lock him up too," I snarled.

Jayden didn't protest as they dragged him away, his eyes filled with anger and disappointment.

I turned to Mia, who stood frozen, her face was a mix of pain and fear. Those look tugged at me deeper, than I cared to admit. My heart twisted in pain as I watched this woman— who unravel me so much go through so much pain.

Why does it feel like I'm making a mistake. But just as quickly as the thoughts came, it was quickly replaced by something darker.

I don't forgive betrayals. I always make sure they pay.

"Enjoy your stay," I said coldly, before walking away.

But doubts gnawed at me. Why was Jayden so certain of her innocence. Is it purely loyalty, or something deeper?

Wait....wait!!! Is he attracted to her?