Chapter 1 Scapegoat

The sound of the iron gate creaking open was like nails on a chalkboard.

"Inmate 2173, step out," the guard barked, his voice flat and emotionless.

Jasmine Wilson lifted her head, her eyes empty, devoid of any joy at the thought of freedom. She stood up, clutching the paper bag with her few belongings, and shuffled out of the cell. Five years in prison had stripped away any trace of her former grace, leaving her cautious and unable to meet anyone's gaze.

She was led to the prison entrance, where she changed back into her own clothes—a cotton dress that had faded to near white. It had been brand new when she entered five years ago. Now, it hung loosely on her frail frame.

The sunlight stung her eyes, and Jasmine instinctively lowered her head. After completing the release procedures, she stood outside the prison gates, unsure of where to go.

"Jasmine."

A familiar voice called from a short distance away. Jasmine looked up and saw her brother, Evan Wilson. He was dressed in an impeccable suit, but his face showed no hint of a smile, only disdain and contempt.

Jasmine lowered her head and walked toward him without a word.

"Get in the car," Evan ordered curtly, pointing to a black sedan parked by the curb.

Jasmine nodded obediently and whispered, "Thanks for coming to get me."

Evan sneered, "I didn't want to come. Serena made me."

'Serena Brown.' Jasmine silently repeated the name of the person whose fate was so tightly intertwined with her own.

The car started and drove away from the place where Jasmine had spent the last five years. The silence inside the car was suffocating.

"Where are we going?" Jasmine asked cautiously.

"The hospital," Evan replied coldly. "Serena was in a car accident and needs a kidney transplant."

Jasmine's body trembled slightly. She had expected they wouldn't let her off so easily. Five years in prison was not the end, but the beginning of new torment.

"I'm sorry, I have a congenital heart condition. I can't donate a kidney," Jasmine said softly, her voice barely audible.

Evan turned to her, his eyes sharp. "How dare you bring that up? If it weren't for you, Serena wouldn't be in this situation. Do you know how much she's suffered over the years?"

Jasmine remained silent. She knew that no matter what she said, it would be wrong.

"A maid's child should live a maid's life," Evan said coldly. "Over twenty years ago, the maid switched you and Serena, letting you steal everything that belonged to her. Now, it's time to give it back."

Jasmine clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She had once been the only cherished daughter of the Wilson family in Silverlight City, with a bright future and even an engagement to the Douglas family. But overnight, the truth came out, and she became a disgraceful thief who had stolen someone else's life.

"I didn't switch anyone," Jasmine said quietly but firmly. "That was May's choice, not mine."

"Shut up!" Evan snapped. "If it weren't for you, Serena wouldn't have suffered in the Brown family for over twenty years. If it weren't for you, she wouldn't have missed out on the best education and life."

Jasmine fell silent again. Arguing was pointless; they had already decided she was guilty.

The car pulled into the parking lot of Silverlight City Hospital. Jasmine's heart raced. She knew that not only Serena awaited her here, but possibly others who wanted her dead.

"Remember your place," Evan said as he parked the car and turned to her. "You're just a recently released convict, guilty of extortion. If you don't want to go back to prison, you'd better cooperate."

Jasmine nodded, a flicker of pain in her eyes. Five years ago, she had been framed for extortion, the evidence irrefutable, leaving her no room to defend herself. Back then, she hadn't understood the need for patience and had naively believed the truth would come to light.

In the hospital elevator, Evan's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, and a sycophantic smile appeared on his face. "Daniel, wait a moment. We're already at the hospital now."

Jasmine's body tensed. Daniel Douglas, her former fiancé, was one of the people who had fabricated the extortion evidence and sent her to prison.

The elevator doors opened, and Evan gave her a shove. "Hurry up."

The VIP ward area was quiet and luxurious. Jasmine followed Evan, keeping her head down. She could feel the curious stares from the nurses' station. They must have recognized her—the disgraced former heiress of the Wilson family.

Evan stopped in front of a room and knocked. "Serena, we're here."

The door opened, and a tall man stood in the doorway, dressed in a tailored suit. His handsome face was marred by a look of disdain. Daniel, who had once adored her, now looked at her with nothing but contempt.

"You're here," Daniel said coldly, his gaze sweeping over Jasmine as if she were something filthy.

Jasmine instinctively took a step back but forced herself to stand still. Five years in prison had taught her that in moments like this, the only option was to endure.

"Serena wants to see you," Daniel said, his voice filled with loathing. "Remember your place."

Jasmine nodded and followed them into the room.

A beautiful girl lay on the bed, her face pale but her eyes filled with hatred. Serena, the real Wilson family heiress, the child who had been switched, was now back in her rightful place.

"Jasmine," Serena said weakly but with a hint of sarcasm. "Long time no see."

Jasmine stood still, unsure of what to say. In her memory, Serena was the stranger who had suddenly appeared and taken everything from her. But to everyone else, she was the thief who had stolen someone else's life.

"I need a kidney," Serena said bluntly. "The doctors say you're the best match."

Jasmine bit her lip. "I have a congenital heart condition, so I can't donate a kidney."

"Is that so?" Serena sneered. "I have a congenital heart condition too. The illness that should have been yours, I've suffered from for years."

The air in the room grew tense. Jasmine understood their intention—to make her atone with a kidney, even if it might cost her life.

"I've already spent five years in prison," Jasmine said softly.

"That's not enough!" Daniel suddenly shouted, his eyes blazing with anger. "Do you know how much Serena has suffered in these five years? How can five years in prison repay the twenty-plus years of life you stole?"

Jasmine looked up and met Daniel's eyes. Where there had once been love, there was now only hatred. She remembered that rainy night five years ago when Daniel had brought the police to her, accusing her of extortion without a moment's hesitation.

"I can't donate a kidney," Jasmine insisted. "The doctors can prove it."

"Do you think you have a choice?" Evan sneered. "Don't forget, you just got out of prison. You can go back anytime."

Jasmine understood their threat. If she didn't cooperate, they would frame her again and send her back to prison. Five years had nearly destroyed her; she couldn't go back.

At that moment, the door opened, and a doctor in a white coat walked in.

"Dr. Ryan," Serena immediately put on a pitiful expression. "You're here."

Bailey Ryan nodded, glancing at the people in the room, his gaze lingering on Jasmine.

"I need to speak with Miss Wilson alone," he said, his voice calm but firm.

Daniel frowned. "What can't be said here?"

"Patient confidentiality," Bailey replied curtly, gesturing for Jasmine to follow him.

Jasmine gave Bailey a grateful look and followed him out of the room.

"I've reviewed your file," Bailey said, stopping in the hallway. "With your heart condition, donating a kidney is absolutely out of the question. I've already explained this to Miss Brown."

Jasmine nodded, feeling a bit of relief. At least with medical evidence, they couldn't force her to donate.

"But I'm worried they'll find other ways to pressure you," Bailey said quietly. "You know the Douglas family's influence in Silverlight City."

Jasmine bit her lip. Yes, she knew all too well. In Silverlight City, who would dare cross the Douglas family? Especially Daniel, now Serena's fiancé, who would stop at nothing to support her.

Unless...

A thought crossed Jasmine's mind. The only man in Silverlight City who could protect her was Ethan Douglas, the CEO of the Douglas Group and Daniel's older brother.

Ethan, who rarely appeared in public, controlled the city's economic lifeline. It was said he had severe OCD, rarely interacted with people, and stayed out of family disputes. But he was the true power behind the Douglas family, and even Daniel wouldn't dare defy him.

If she could get Ethan's protection, she might escape this nightmare.

"Thank you," Jasmine said softly, a new determination in her eyes.

No matter how slim the chance, she had to try. To survive, to avoid returning to that nightmare of a prison, she had to find Ethan.