The Rolls-Royce drove into the underground parking area of the Central Business District.

Once the car came to a stop, the driver stepped out and guided Alexia toward a private elevator reserved for direct access to the CEO's office.

Up on the highest floor, a man dressed in a tailored black suit stood before a wide glass window, watching the flow of traffic far below.

A soft knock sounded at the office door before the secretary spoke. "Mr. Campbell, Miss White is here."

At that, he turned around without rushing.

The moment Alexia saw his face, a quiet gasp slipped out.

This was the first time she had ever stood face to face with Ethan Campbell, the man everyone had been talking about in the business world.

The polished image shown in the media didn't fully capture him. There was something far more imposing in person. His presence carried weight, and the way his eyes settled on someone felt sharp and unyielding, like he was assessing rather than simply looking.

Compared to what she expected, he felt far more dangerous.

Ethan's gaze stayed on her as if measuring every detail. "You're Lia?"

Alexia gave a small nod. "Yes."

A faint crease appeared between his brows.

The person standing in front of him didn't match the image he had formed in his mind.

Five years earlier, Campbell Group had been caught in a storm within the market. Meetings dragged on without any real progress from the board.

Right in the middle of that chaos, an email from Lia had landed in Ethan's inbox for the first time.

The message laid out the direction the market would take and detailed what the company needed to do next.

At first, Ethan dismissed it. However, the events that followed proved every point in that email correct.

From that point on, whenever the market shifted, another message from Lia would arrive without fail over the next five years.

Doubt had once shaped Ethan's view, but over time, that doubt gave way to complete reliance.

What started as a few short emails ended up pushing Campbell Group's market share up by twenty percent.

Not long ago, their international business ran into trouble when new policies were introduced overseas.

Just then, another message from Lia appeared in Ethan's inbox.

This time, there were no detailed steps or solutions laid out. Instead, the message asked for a direct meeting.

Someone who could read market shifts so clearly and offer such precise directions should have been challenging.

Yet the woman standing in front of him looked fragile enough to be knocked over by a passing breeze.

Ethan studied her in silence before speaking. "Give me a reason to believe you're Lia."

Alexia didn't answer right away. Her eyes shifted briefly toward the secretary.

Understanding her intent, Ethan raised a hand, signaling for the secretary to step out.

The office fell quiet as the door closed, leaving only the two of them inside.

"Go on," Ethan said, his voice low. "Convince me."

A faint smile touched Alexia's lips as she began outlining the unresolved problems in Campbell Group's overseas operations. She pointed out two openings that hadn't even crossed Ethan's mind.

Everything she said followed a clear line of reasoning. The information she laid out was thorough, and her conclusions cut straight to the point.

When it came time to explain how to act on it, Alexia stopped.

Lifting her gaze to meet his, she spoke calmly. "Does that answer your question?"

Something shifted in Ethan's expression as he looked at her again, this time with a trace of curiosity.

"So it's you. You've been guiding me for five years," he said, a hint of amusement in his tone. "You've helped me make billions."

Alexia didn't hesitate. "If you want, I can keep working with you."

Ethan kept his eyes on her, studying every detail. "What do you want in return?"

"I need Campbell Group backing me," Alexia said without hesitation.

"That's it?"

"That's enough," Alexia answered. She then added, "Everything else, I'll deal with on my own."

A subtle sense of danger crept into Ethan's thoughts.

Her appearance gave off weakness, yet the look in her eyes told a different story.

Something about her felt concealed and sharp, like a threat waiting beneath the surface, making instinct warn him to stay alert.

His tone dropped. "Sounds like you're asking me to take on quite a risk."

"That's right," she said firmly. "The bigger the risk, the greater the return. Whether you take it or not is your choice, Mr. Campbell."

Silence filled the space between them.

Ethan lowered his gaze to the woman in front of him.

There was a quiet certainty in her posture, almost as if she had already decided he would agree.

"Fine," Ethan said at last. "I'll accept. But Campbell Group doesn't carry dead weight, and it won't be used for someone's personal agenda. If you fail to show results..."

Alexia cut in before he could finish, "You don't need to warn me. You already know what I can do."

For a brief second, Ethan had no reply. Instead of annoyance, a faint sense of interest settled in.

He reached for the phone and dialed his assistant, Dominic Payne, who came in shortly after.

"Dominic, take Miss White to Hillcrest Manor. Let the staff know she's to be treated as an honored guest."

"Understood," Dominic replied.

He turned and led Alexia out of the office.

The door shut behind them with a quiet click.

Left alone, Ethan leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the closed door as his fingers tapped slowly against the armrest.

One tap, then another, then a third.

As if something had just occurred to him, he picked up the phone again.

"Look into Alexia's history before prison," he said. "I want everything from those five years inside as well. And keep an eye on her from now on. Report every detail, no matter how small."

After he ended the call, his attention shifted to the email still open on his screen.

The name "Lia" no longer felt as simple as before.

Who was actually in control here?

It had turned into an interesting game.

At the James Estate, tension hung heavily in the air.

Benny James sat stiffly, his brows drawn together as he spoke. "Start from the beginning. I want every detail of what happened today."

Eric dipped his head slightly. "Yes, sir. As instructed by Mrs. James, I invited Miss White to Moorland Villa so she could rest and recover. But she refused."

Benny leaned forward, his voice sharp. "What exactly did she say?"

Eric lifted his gaze just enough to answer. "She said that from this day on, she has no ties left with the James family." He paused briefly before continuing, "She also said that whatever Miss James owes her, she will collect it bit by bit."

Alan James, Benny's second son, pushed his chair back and rose to his feet. "She actually said that?"

At that moment, Rachael stepped out of the kitchen holding a tray of fruit juice.

The words hit her like a blow. The tray slipped from her hands, and the glasses shattered as juice spread across the floor.

Her eyes quickly turned red as she spoke, her voice trembling. "So she really blames me... I took her place in the family. If I leave now, maybe she'll come back."

Alan reached out and stopped her. "Don't say things like that. You've lived your whole life here. How could you just walk away from the family?"

Norah James, Alexia's birth mother, watched with red eyes. "It wasn't right to put the blame on her for Rachael, but we care about them the same. If she hadn't stepped in, were we supposed to send Rachael to jail?"

Standing nearby, Cayden James, Benny's first son, adjusted his glasses, his gaze turning cold as it landed on Eric. "What happened next? Where did she go?"

Keeping his head lowered, Eric answered clearly, making sure everyone heard him, "After saying that, she got into a car waiting by the road. It was a..."

He stopped again, letting the silence stretch.

Alan frowned, his patience running thin. "Stop dragging it out. What kind of car was it?"

Only then did Eric continue, his tone steady. "A Rolls-Royce. It was a newly customized model. The driver treated her with great respect. From what I could tell, he was there just to pick her up."

A strange stillness settled over the living room, no one speaking for a while.

Breaking the silence, Alan let out a cold laugh. "You must have mistaken it. A girl who grew up in the slums and just got out after five years in prison riding in a Rolls-Royce? That doesn't add up."

Eric shook his head without hesitation. "I'm certain of what I saw. There's no way I could be wrong about that car."

Years of service in the James household had exposed him to all kinds of luxury vehicles.

With that kind of experience, his words carried weight, and no one could easily dismiss them.

Rachael stepped closer to Norah and gently held her arm, her voice soft and concerned. "Do you think Alexia might have picked up some bad habits in prison? Maybe she got involved with the wrong kind of people?"

Alan's temper flared again. "That has to be it. Otherwise, where would she get the nerve to act like this toward our family? I'll go find her right now and drag her back!"

"Enough," Cayden said sharply. "Rushing to her without knowing the full situation will only create more problems."

Alan turned to him, frustration clear on his face. "Then tell me what we're supposed to do."

Cayden paused for a moment before shifting his gaze toward Benny. "Dad, we should hold off for now. Let's figure out what's really going on before we make any moves."

His eyes then moved to Alan and Rachael. "Until then, both of you stay here. Don't try to find her. If she's really connected to someone powerful, provoking her could backfire on us."

Rachael lowered her gaze, looking wronged, while anger burned even stronger in Alan's expression. "Cayden, how can you say that?"

"Cayden's right," Benny said, pressing his fingers against his temples as exhaustion showed on his face. "Alexia won't cause any major trouble. We'll look into it first."

Rachael nodded obediently, but the look in her eyes told a different story.

Deep down, she had hoped that woman would never make it out of prison. Yet somehow, she had returned.

It didn't matter. She still had plenty of ways to deal with her.

After all, she was the only daughter of her parents.

No one could ever take that away from her.

Over at Hillcrest Manor, the doors swung open, revealing two neat lines of servants standing in perfect formation.

Stepping inside, Dominic raised his voice so everyone could hear him. "This is Miss Alexia White, a guest personally invited by Mr. Campbell. She'll be staying here for some time, so make sure she's well looked after."

In unison, the servants bowed and greeted Alexia. "Welcome, Miss White."

Alexia slowed her steps, taking in the scene before her.

Noticing her reaction, Dominic spoke again. "Mr. Campbell knows you've just come out of prison. He wants you to focus on resting for now. Everything else can wait."

Alexia gave a small nod. "Please pass along my thanks to Mr. Campbell."

Even as she said it, her thoughts stayed sharp.

Her connection to the James family wouldn't stay hidden for long. Sooner or later, word would spread, and Ethan would piece everything together.

If she failed to show her worth soon, he could easily change his mind about working with her.

She couldn't afford to waste any time.

Once he made sure Alexia was settled, Dominic left the villa.

A middle-aged woman then stepped forward and introduced herself with a polite smile. "Miss White, my name is Lucy Miller. I manage the household here. If there's anything you need, you can come to me."

Alexia inclined her head slightly. "Thank you, Lucy."

Her calm and respectful attitude quickly put Lucy at ease.

Although she was there as Ethan's honored guest, Alexia spoke to the staff as equals, something few in her position ever did.

With a gentle tone, Lucy added, "I'll have a bath prepared for you right away."

Warm steam filled the bathroom, blending with the soft scent of lavender in the air.

Resting against the edge of the tub, Alexia let out a quiet breath as the tension in her body slowly eased.

The water soothed her skin, yet her thoughts refused to settle.

After waking up with a second chance, she had wasted no time. The cellmate who poisoned her in her previous life was dealt with, and she kept her distance from everyone else in prison, leaving behind an image of someone no one dared approach.

Still, she knew Rachael wouldn't give up that easily.

No matter how careful she had been with her food and clothing, the prison had never been a place where safety could be guaranteed. Anyone determined enough could find a way to get close.

The road ahead would not be simple. One wrong step now could ruin everything before the vengeance even began.

After stepping out of the bath, Alexia slipped into the silk pajamas Lucy had prepared for her.

Alexia stood at the mirror and dried her hair while Lucy watched from the side, a hint of admiration in her eyes.

Alexia already had a face that drew attention, and the smooth fabric only made her presence stand out even more.

Her movements remained unhurried, yet the look in her eyes carried a distant chill that kept people from getting too close.

There was a contrast in her that couldn't be ignored. She seemed relaxed, almost careless, but something about her still made others uneasy.

That mix of quiet charm and hidden edge gave her a pull that was hard to look away from.

Anyone who earned Ethan's recognition would never be ordinary.

Once she finished, Alexia placed the hairdryer down and turned toward Lucy.

"Lucy, go get some rest tonight," she said. "Come with me to Tranquil Health Center tomorrow."

Lucy blinked in surprise. "Should I arrange an appointment first?"

"No need," Alexia replied as she walked toward her room. "We'll just head there."

Lucy watched her disappear down the hallway and shook her head without thinking.

Alexia didn't seem to realize that Tranquil Health Center wasn't open to just anyone. It required membership and was known for its strict privacy and high-end care.

Without a prior booking, even getting through the entrance would be difficult.

After a moment, Lucy turned to a nearby servant. "Go and arrange an appointment for Miss White."

The servant nodded at once. "Understood."

The following day, inside Tranquil Health Center, the hallway felt quiet and orderly.

Seated on a bench, Alan looked at Rachael with concern written all over his face. "If Alexia hadn't caused concern, you wouldn't have lost sleep last night. Look at you. You look exhausted."

Rachael leaned gently against his shoulder, her voice soft and affectionate. "Thank you for arranging such an expensive checkup for me, Alan. You always take such good care of me."

Alan reached out and tousled her hair with a fond smile. "You're my sister. Of course I'm going to take care of you. Who else would I do this for?"

A short distance away, the display screen called out the next number.

Alan lowered his gaze to the slip in his hand and did a quick count. "Just five more ahead of us. We won't be waiting much longer..."

His words trailed off as noise suddenly broke out deeper inside the clinic.

Several well-known medical experts rushed out at once, their white coats moving in unison as they formed a line at the entrance. Then, without hesitation, they bowed together. "Welcome, Miss White!"

The scene left everyone around them stunned.

These doctors weren't ordinary staff. Each one held a respected position in the field, and securing an appointment with them usually took months.

Even the high-ranking officials' wives had to wait until they had time.

Yet now, they had all gathered just to greet one person. Whoever she was, her status had to be extraordinary.

At the doorway, Alexia turned toward Lucy with a faint look of resignation. "Did you make an appointment for me?"

Still processing what she had just seen, Lucy struggled to respond, "I did. I thought it might be hard for you to get in otherwise. I just didn't expect... this."

A quiet breath left Alexia. "I had a feeling this would happen. Next time, don't make decisions for me."

Lucy lowered her head at once. "I understand."

At that moment, Philip Murphy, the director of the health center, stepped forward and personally led Alexia toward the VIP lounge.

"Why come here in person? If you needed anything, you could have told me. I would have arranged treatment at your residence."

Before Alexia could answer, a sharp voice cut through the moment. "Alexia? What are you doing here?"

Alexia paused and turned her head, spotting Rachael and Alan waiting nearby for their turn.

A sharp look flashed across Rachael's face as she stared at Alexia. She was unable to make sense of what she was seeing. How could someone who had just come out of prison, someone who grew up in the slums, be personally received by the director of Tranquil Health Center?

She was still waiting for her turn like everyone else, yet Alexia was already being led into the VIP area for a private consultation. It felt completely unfair.

Philip turned slightly toward Alexia. "Miss White, are you acquainted with them?"

Alexia cast Rachael and Alan a distant glance. "No, I don't know them."

She was about to continue walking with Philip when Rachael suddenly raised her voice.

"Alexia, why are you saying that? Are you really cutting ties with your family? You've just come out of prison, and you're probably not feeling your best, but we're still family. No matter what, we'll stand by you."

The hallway quieted at once, and every pair of eyes shifted toward Alexia.

So this was the James family's real heiress, the one who had just been released from prison.

Five years earlier, the James couple had made a public announcement about finding their biological daughter, stirring up a lot of attention.

Not long after, word spread that she had been jailed for fraud tied to business dealings.

Since then, the story had been passed around in elite circles as a source of gossip.

Many looked down on the girl who came from nothing, saying she lacked experience. She could have lived comfortably as the rightful heiress, yet she ended up behind bars because of her own choices.