Chapter 145:

Judy had been trapped in the dark room for what felt like forever. Her throat was dry from calling out, but no one came to free her. She struggled to accept it. Didn't Jayden care about her anymore? Why had he done this? Where had she gone wrong?

Resigned, she slumped against the door, curling up on the floor—the picture of despair, forsaken by the world and the man she thought she loved. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she clung to the hope that Jayden would rescue her.

Miraculously, two hours later, the door creaked open. At the sound, Judy leapt up, her face lighting up with hope, but it wasn't Jayden who stood there. It was two muscular men.

Eyeing them suspiciously, she asked, "Who are you? Did Jayden send you for me?"

The men exchanged a knowing glance and smiled.

"You need to come with us," they stated bluntly. They hoisted her up, their authority brooking no argument. She was hauled out of Jayden's house and into a car, the men sitting silently on either side of her.

"Where are you taking me? Jayden should know where I am! What if he can't find me?" Judy demanded, a wave of dread washing over her.

The two bodyguards ignored her. Her unease grew with their silence.

Later, Judy found herself at the back entrance of a house where a stern-looking middle-aged woman waited, her gaze piercing and hostile.

They dragged Judy from the car. Staring at the house, she felt a fresh wave of fear.

"Have you ever heard of me? I'm Judy Foster. Who are you, and what do you want from me?"

The woman sneered and spat, "I don't give a damn who you are. As a maid, you should know your place. And we're short a maid."

"But I work for Jayden Owen, and no one else! How can you treat me this way?" Judy protested, shocked.

The woman held up a contract, scrutinizing it intently. "According to this contract, you're now employed by the Owen family. Bring her inside."

"I serve Jayden, not the entire Owen family! This isn't right. I need to see Jayden," Judy insisted.

The woman dismissed her with a single word: "Noisy." Then, seizing Judy's hair, she hissed, "It's clear to me now. You're someone trying to manipulate him. No wonder he's gotten rid of you."

Judy should have been furious at the insult, but the news of Jayden's rejection left her reeling. Tears sprang to her eyes as she protested, "That can't be! Why would Jayden send me away? He's been nothing but kind recently, even more so than to Elyse."

The woman cackled mockingly. "Mr. Owen adores his wife. I've witnessed it myself."

Evaluating Judy with contempt, she snorted, "You seem unable to accept their happiness. Perhaps it's all in your head. Have you lost your mind?"

"You're mistaken. He's been kind to me. I've been in his room, and he didn't object," Judy countered, her belief unshaken.

The woman's laughter grew louder. "If he was really fond of you, why would he send you here?"

Pausing, her smile twisted. "Jayden confided in me, calling you an inept maid. You're bound by contract to the Owen family. You will obey me from now on."

Hope flickered in Judy's eyes. "I'll work hard. Will Jayden take me back?"

"His house has plenty of maids." With a flick of her hand, the woman signaled the guards. "Bring her inside. I shall carry out Mr. Owen's orders meticulously."

(End of Chapter)