Once Downtrodden; Now Divine

Chapter 3

Donald didn’t expect that before he could get around to dealing with Jane’s betrayal, she would come to him first.

Upon hearing Jane’s sharp words and seeing Jaxon’s provocative look from a short distance away, he sneered, leaning back in his chair.

“You flatter yourself. I didn’t come here for you. You’re not worth the effort. I’m here at someone else’s request.”

Her smile flickered, but Jaxon’s laugh cut through the tension.

“Someone else’s request? Oh, this I’ve got to hear. Who in DeGrand Corporation would lower themselves to invite trash like you?”

“Unless… DeGrand needed an ex-con to do the grunt work. Maybe security. Maybe sweeping floors. That would fit. A washed-up criminal like you would make a fine doorman.”

Donald smirked, unbothered by Jaxon’s words.

"I can see you know nothing at all,” he said coldly, stepping aside to move past him because he didn't want to see that pair of scumbags anymore.

But then, Jaxon’s hand clamped down on his arm, and defiantly blocked his path.

“Don’t rush off,” he sneered.“Imagine how pathetic the headlines would look: ‘Ex-husband of a rising CEO reduced to playing guard dog at her new empire.’”

He jerked his chin toward Jane, whose lips curved with smug satisfaction.

 “Jane doesn’t deserve that kind of embarrassment.”

Immediately Jaxon yanked out his wallet, pulled Donald back, slapped a bank card against his cheek, and let it drop into his lap.

“Here,” Jaxon said, his voice dripping with arrogance. 

“Consider this welfare. I’ll put a little money into your account each month. Enough to keep you fed and enough to keep you quiet! Don’t crawl out and embarrass yourself. Understand?”

Donald’s blood boiled and his fists were ready to strike.

But he stopped himself. 

DeGrand had cameras everywhere. If he caused Jaxon substantial harm, he would get into trouble before he genuinely helped the warden's daughter.

Instead, with one quick move, Donald twisted Jaxon’s wrist and pressed a nerve. 

Jaxon gasped in pain, dropping the card.

He stumbled back, clutching his arm, his face pale with shock.

Donald’s voice was ice.

“Touch me again, and you’ll regret it.”

Jane’s cheeks burned red with fury. 

“You—criminal! How dare you lay hands on him? I’ll call security right now and have you arrested!”

She spun toward the reception desk, but Jaxon grabbed her wrist. 

“Enough, Jane!” he snapped, surprising her. 

He lowered his voice, glancing around at the curious stares of nearby guests. 

“This is DeGrand Corporation. Do you want to make a scene or cause a disturbance here, in front of their executives? You’ll ruin our chances.”

Jane bit her lip, forcing herself into silence, but her glare toward Donald remained venomous.

Jaxon turned back to Donald. His voice was low and filled with malice. 

“You bastard, you'll pay for this. Twice over. I’ll remember it.”

Donald ignored him like he was a fool, and then turned to Jane. 

“Jane, must you be so heartless? After everything… is this truly how you want it to end?”

Though Donald knew Jane had utterly betrayed him, he couldn’t deny that he had once loved her—and that memory still stirred an ache in his heart.

"What else did you expect? You actually dared to hit my Jaxon. I'll make sure you know the consequences."

Donald’s jaw tightened. 

“Then so be it. From this moment, our ties are completely severed.”

Just then, the sharp click of heels echoed across the lobby.

 A young secretary in a navy skirt suit hurried to the reception desk, her expression urgent. 

“Where’s the visitor who came to see Miss Harrington?” she asked the receptionist in a hushed but insistent tone. 

“This time’s guest is very important. We can’t afford even the slightest mistake.”

Ivy Harrington was the CEO of DeGrand Corporation and she commanded deep respect.

Jane glanced around the reception area and realized it was only the three of them—herself, Donald, and Jaxon. She quickly concluded that Jaxon must be the VIP guest the receptionist mentioned. After all, Jaxon carried far more influence and connections than she did, and it certainly couldn’t be someone like Donald—trash like him had no place here.

“Jaxon, did you hear that? They’re talking about you! The cooperation is secured!”

Jaxon blinked, puzzled. 

He had checked Miss Harrington ’s schedule carefully—today’s only major engagement was a charity gala in the evening, nothing connected to DeGrand. 

And the idea that DeGrand Corporation would suddenly roll out a red carpet for him of all people seemed… absurd. 

The authorities had always looked down on his playboy reputation and his family. So why was this time different?

Or maybe everything was going exactly as he’d planned, after all, he and Jane had registered together this time, not seperately as they had in the past. 

Or perhaps it was simply that Harrington had suddenly taken an interest in him, Jaxon thought.

With that idea in mind, he puffed out his chest and played along.

“It's good they now know the Brown family’s worth. It was only a matter of time,” he said arrogantly.

Jane clung tighter to his arm, her voice dripping with pride. 

Just then, they spotted the secretary and hurried over, convinced she was there for Jaxon. Straightening his suit and puffing out his chest, Jaxon stepped forward with confidence.

‘That would be me—the VIP guest Miss Harrington is expecting. Shall we go in?’”

She froze briefly at the sight of Jane and Jaxon. They were two familiar names she had seen in countless proposals. 

Jane Wilson, ambitious social climber. Jaxon Brown, notorious playboy. 

Both had begged DeGrand for cooperation many times, only to be politely refused. 

These couldn’t possibly be the important guests Miss Harrington had spoken of.

She glanced toward the waiting area to see if there was someone else. 

Then she saw Donald.

Impossible. It couldn’t be him. 

This young man wore a plain T-shirt and worn jeans, he looked slightly unkempt. She didn't know why he's here, maybe to apply for a security guard position?

Pushing aside her doubts, the secretary put on a practiced smile.

“Miss Wilson, Mr. Brown—this way, please. The VIP room is ready.”

Jane’s chest swelled with triumph. She leaned into Jaxon, whispering breathlessly, “This is it. They know who we are. Finally.”

Jaxon smirked, strutting with pride as if the world had just confirmed his worth.

But as they moved toward the VIP corridor, they heard a male voice.

.

It was Donald's.

“There’s a mistake,” he said, his voice cutting through the lobby.

The secretary faltered as Donald stepped forward.

“I’m the one DeGrand Corporation invited."