Outside the prison.

A man in a suit stood beside the Rolls-Royce, holding the door open respectfully for Serena. "Your Highness, since you were twelve, you've been stacking up military medals and even built Astral Hall from scratch. You led campaigns abroad and brought back all the territories that had been lost.

"You're the War God now. Dealing with this kind of trash? You really don't need to get your hands dirty-just leave it to me."

Serena slid into the car, idly touched the floral hairpin in her hair, then glanced up at the handsome man beside her.

"Gavin, you don't get it. Revenge only really hits home when you do it yourself."

That single look from her-sharp and breathtaking.

Even Gavin Moore, who famously didn't flinch even when honey-trapped by enemy spies, turned red from the neck up.

He quickly looked away and shut the car door, but her stunning face still burned in his mind.

Seriously, that face? Lethal.

He gave his head a sharp shake and climbed in from the other side to regain his focus.

Serena's eyes drifted toward the scenes flying by outside the window. Her lips curled into a faint, unreadable smile. "I heard my aunt's been going all out buying up land-and now she's messing around on mine?"

Gavin nodded. Serena casually instructed, "Then let's swing by. Might as well have some fun."

The chauffeur got the hint and drove off, the car speeding through traffic until it parked outside a high-end mall.

Right at the entrance sat a rumbling bulldozer, engine gunning.

Most of the nearby shops had their shutters down, and a crowd had gathered outside.

A security guy tried to keep calm: "What is this? We're still open for business-you think you can just demolish this place like that? Who gave you the right?"

"You didn't get the memo? This mall's been bought out. Get out of our way if you know what's good for you!"

A few rough-looking guys, all smug with baseball bats in hand, stood lazily with that thuggish vibe, rocking on their heels.

The security guard wasn't about to budge. "You say it's sold, but we haven't seen any notice. Show me the paperwork if you've really bought it."

Leading the pack, a punk with dyed blond hair let out a snort. Hands in his pockets, he swaggered up and shoulder-checked the guard.

"Rights? Hah, you know who's backing us? The Douglas family."

"In Draco City, being with the Douglases is all you need to call the shots."

Then, the blond guy dramatically pulled out a tissue, blew his nose, and smacked the crumpled paper right onto the guard's face. "Here, your precious paperwork."

"Alright, boys-rip it down!"

He raised his hand and the bulldozer started to rumble-only to be stopped cold by the sharp clang of metal behind them.

Serena's voice cut through the noise-light and crisp, but icy cold. "Hold it."

Everyone spun around and gasped.

She was stunning.

Dylan Price gave Serena a once-over, awe written all over his face.

Trying to pull it together, he clicked his tongue, hefted his bat, and deliberately turned his head to show off his chiseled jawline, pretending to look cool as he tried to shoo her away.

"Who are you supposed to be? Dressed all in red like this is a movie set or something. Think you're hot so you can butt in on anything now? This has nothing to do with you, so get lost."

The other guys leered at Serena, eyes shamelessly roaming.

One of them chuckled, "Hey Dylan, you think she's crushing on you or what?"

"Haha! For real, man, maybe she's one of your secret fans!"

Gavin Moore's face instantly darkened. These idiots had no clue they were messing with someone way above their league.

He reached for the gun at his waist, just about to end this mess.

But Serena stopped him with just a glance.

"You said the Douglas name means power, huh?" Her voice calm. "Then what if I say-this place stays."

Dylan Price narrowed his eyes, staring at her more closely now.

Douglas?

He'd done dirt for that family forever, yet couldn't recall any drop-dead gorgeous woman like her linked to them.

"Who're you?"

"Serena. Douglas," she said slowly, each syllable like a cold slap.

"Serena who?"

Dylan looked genuinely lost. He even dragged over a few of his guys to double-check. None of them had any idea who Serena was.

Feeling played, he spat on the ground. "You think just saying you're a Douglas gets you clout in Draco City? What, you here to stir up drama?"

"I'll tell you what," he sneered, "I don't care who you are. This dump of a mall? I'm tearing it down. God himself couldn't stop me today!"

Serena gave a slow nod. She always preferred to settle things calmly first.

But if that didn't work...

"Gavin," her tone sharp now, "take them all down."

"Yes, ma'am."

Dylan snapped. "You crazy b-! Who the hell do you think you are?! Trying to act tough. Boys, get her! Don't touch her face-we'll have our fun later!"

But before he could finish the last word, Serena's expression turned ice-cold. Her hand snapped out.

Smack.

"Such a filthy mouth. Lemme help clean it."

She tossed a few bills to someone nearby, grabbed a bottle of mineral water, and forced Dylan's mouth open.

People nearby gasped and backed away-whatever was going on, no one wanted to be part of it.

"Grrmph-!"

Caught off guard, Dylan swallowed a mouthful. The cold splash hit his throat the wrong way, and he started coughing hard.

He tried shoving Serena away-nothing.

"What the hell-"

He pushed harder, real panic in his eyes. Still nothing. She didn't even blink.

He was a grown man, and he couldn't move her an inch?

Serena gave him a cold, mocking smile-and let go, tossing the half-empty bottle straight at his chest.

Furious and soaked from head to chest, Dylan didn't even bother wiping the water off. He grabbed a baseball bat and charged.

"Argh!"

Before he could even reach Serena, a sudden, sharp pain shot up from his knee.

That one kick from her felt like getting slammed with a sledgehammer.

Dylan Price cried out in agony, collapsing hard onto the floor, clutching his knee as he wailed miserably.

His lackey panicked when he saw their boss downed. He charged over with a baseball bat, yelling, "You crazy bitch! Lay a hand on Dylan and I'll end you!"

Then, a flash of silver.

No one caught how Serena moved.

All they heard was a sickening "squelch" - the lackey froze, eyes wide, hands wrapped tightly around his bleeding throat. Blood poured between his fingers, staining the red spider lily on his neck even darker.

He stared in disbelief, then crashed to the ground - dead silent.

Seeing his guy drop lifeless right next to him, Dylan was instantly terrified. Forgetting about the pain, he scrambled back on hands and knees, voice shaking. "Who the hell are you?! You're not scared of the Douglas family?"

Gavin Moore had just taken down the rest - some had twisted necks, others couldn't move their limbs. They lay all around like broken dolls.

Hearing Dylan, he pulled a gun from his coat and coldly pressed the dark barrel right to Dylan's temple. His voice was ice. "The Douglases? In front of Her Highness, they're nothing."

Just as Gavin was about to pull the trigger, Serena gave a subtle wave with her slender hand.

Her tone was flat, but left no room for questions. "Don't kill him yet."

Gavin immediately paused, holstered the gun, though he didn't quite get it. "Your Highness, he just insulted you and tried to lay hands on you. Why let him live?"

"He's more useful alive."

Serena bent down, looming over Dylan Price as she stepped on half his face and smiled. "Go tell your boss at the Douglas family - Serena is back."

Dylan glanced at the gun still at Gavin's side and frantically nodded.

"Who did you just say came back?!"

In the Douglas family's grand hall, the crystal chandelier above flickered so hard it made people dizzy.

Aria Douglas was twirling a diamond ring as she looked at her clearly rattled mother. "Mom, who's Serena?"

With a loud "clink," Esther slammed her teacup on the table, causing tea to splash everywhere.

No amount of makeup could hide her shock. "Serena's actually alive? That fat prisoner back then swore she'd taken care of her. Took the money, did nothing!"

She shot to her feet, pacing the floor like a storm, her fury barely contained. "She was sentenced to thirty years. Even if she's not dead, she's not supposed to be out! Did she escape prison?"

Then her steps stopped.

A malicious smile curled on her lips. "Fine. If she's bold enough to show up again, I'll make sure she regrets it. I got her locked up once - don't think I can't make her vanish for good."

As she spoke, her eyes slid over to Dylan Price, still barely standing with help - and full of disgust.

His knee was supposedly shattered, thick gauze wrapped around it. He looked completely wrecked.

She snorted. "Seriously? You let a woman mess you up like that? Pathetic. What about the mall-did you manage to tear it down?"

Dylan Price shook his head, face like thunder.

"We barely got there before she stopped us. My guys-some are dead, some crippled. That's no ordinary woman..."

"Enough. Spare me the excuses."

A servant brought over a fresh cup of tea. Esther took a sip, her mood getting worse by the second. "Can you believe it? The city still hasn't approved the demolition. That's why I wanted you to just force it. And you can't even handle that?"

She waved her hand in annoyance. "Forget it. Stay out of the mall mess-I'll talk to General Gavin Moore myself and try to smooth things over. As for you-"

Esther's voice turned icy. "I'll give you a new team. Don't bother with anything else-I just want Serena dead."

Meanwhile, at the mall.

Serena and Gavin Moore had just wrapped up a walkthrough.

The manager had rushed over the moment he heard the big boss was around, falling over himself to report.

Serena couldn't be bothered. "You deal with it," she told Gavin, and turned to leave.

Honestly, after all those years out in the field, she hadn't had time to enjoy something as simple as a mall stroll. She figured she'd pick up some chamomile tea and supplements for Mabel. The old lady already had bad sleep-finding out Serena was back would probably keep her up from pure excitement.

She stepped into the elevator and pressed a button.

Just before the doors closed, they slid open again-and in stumbled two women practically dragging a man between them.

The guy's head hung low, messy bangs covering his face. He reeked faintly of alcohol, his steps unsteady. Clearly drugged, letting the women pull him along without resistance.

The second the women saw Serena's face, they froze for a beat-then narrowed their eyes with visible hostility.

Serena knew her looks often made her a target. She rarely gave random hostility any mind. Eyes closed, she leaned back and pretended to nap.

Apparently, the silence made them think she was intimidated. Both women looked smug, rolling their eyes and shifting back into pose.

One of them hit the elevator button, then sneered, "Once Cora gets his first time, we get our turn. I'm filming it, too. Dunno if he can even perform with how strongly we dosed him."

The other laughed. "If he can't, we'll spike him again. He's not getting away today! Cora's waiting."

Serena's brow twitched, eyes snapping open.

Love-sick girls chasing a guy? Maybe. But like this? Drugging him? That's not love-that's assault.

She was just about to say something when-ding-the elevator reached the 8th floor, and they quickly dragged the man out.

One of them kept yammering, voice full of mockery:"Act all high and mighty, Evan Carter, but look at you now. Too good to even glance at us before, and today you're falling right into our hands-Cora's little plaything now!"

Serena froze at the name, her face going hard.

Evan?

Her body moved before her brain caught up-she sprinted straight out of the elevator.

She rushed down the corridor, but the two women had already vanished.

The eighth floor was all luxury suites, thick carpets muffling every step like walking on clouds.

Serena flared her nostrils slightly, picking up the trail of cheap perfume the two women had drenched themselves in. It didn't take her long to narrow it down to a small area.

She took the elevator down in silence and headed for the front desk.

The moment she stepped into the lobby, the front desk girl's eyes lit up.

Red dress, snow-white skin, features delicate like a painting-stunning at first sight.

Swallowing nervously, the receptionist hurried over. "Hello, miss. Can I help you with anything?"

Serena didn't waste words. Her gaze flicked to the tablet in the receptionist's hand, locking on the recent check-ins: Karen Bennett, Nina Bennett, Suite 801.

"I'm with those two. Room 801. I need a key card."

Her voice was calm, but it carried weight-a quiet kind you couldn't ignore.

The receptionist hesitated-but between Serena's looks, her confidence, and the way she said it like a fact, she just nodded.

"Of course. Here you go."

Serena took the card without another word and headed straight for the elevators.

Moments later, she was standing at the door to Suite 801.

Beep-

As the door unlocked, a man's strained voice came through from inside.

She pushed the door open. Through the entry partition, she caught sight of three women by the bed-none of them noticed her arrival.

The two from the elevator had their phones out, filming. And the one climbing onto the bed? Must be the "Cora" they mentioned earlier.

Evan was chained by all four limbs to the bedposts, his wrists already red and bruised. He forced his head up, voice hoarse. "Cora, let me go! I'd rather die than let this happen!"

Cora Bennett smirked, running a hand over Evan's face, her voice sickeningly sweet and twisted. "Didn't wanna marry me? Fine. Then I'll make you into some cheap thing anyone can use."

"Should've just said yes. Would've saved you all this." She reached for his shirt buttons. "But no worries... your first time? It's mine regardless. After that-"

"Ah!"

Before she could finish, her scream ripped through the room. She flailed and tumbled off the bed.

In the camera feeds of Karen and Nina, a hairpin had shot straight at Cora's wrist, right as she touched Evan's shirt, then embedded itself cleanly in the wall.

Blood gushed from the hole now punched through her wrist.

The pin still gleamed, unstained by a single drop of blood.

Karen and Nina froze like statues, eyes locked on the wound, too stunned to even scream.

Cora's face twisted in agony, tears spilling immediately.

She stared at the hairpin in sheer disbelief, then whipped her head around toward Serena, voice shaking. "Who the hell are you?! Did I do something to you?!"

Serena's tone was ice-cold. "I'm your worst nightmare."

Without sparing her another glance, she strode to the bed.

"Evan? You okay?"

There was no answer, only a low groan. He was clearly out of it, completely drugged.

Karen and Nina finally snapped out of their daze.

"You were the woman in the elevator!"

"And you knew his name?"

Karen, clutching Cora who was still gasping in pain, suddenly had a lightbulb moment. "Wait-I know who she is! She's that Serena! The one who got thirty years and vanished! She can't be out yet, must've broken out!"

"So she's a convict?!"

Nina Bennett instantly lost all fear. "Then what are we even scared of? Seriously, our family's full of cops-if she's stupid enough to break out and hurt Cora, she's basically asking for it."

Cora was shaking from the pain, her whole face twisted in fury. Her voice was sharp and venomous. "I already messaged my brother! He's the chief of police-he's on his way!

"You hear me? You better start begging for forgiveness now, or I'll have you thrown into a co-ed prison, serving a hundred men. You still have a chance to say sorry!"

Serena didn't bother replying. Instead, she quickly undid the chains around Evan.

But the second she removed them, the drug hit him full force. His face flushed red, and he started tugging at his own clothes, even reaching for Serena's skirt in a drugged haze.

Serena narrowed her eyes, pulled a silver needle from the hidden slit in her sleeve, and stabbed it into a pressure point on top of his head with surgical precision.

As the needle went in, Evan trembled, and his gaze slowly cleared. He blinked, gripping her hand tightly. "Serena? Is it really you?"

"It's me, Evan. I'm back." Serena gently patted his hand. "Don't worry. What they did today? I'm not letting it slide."

She pierced another point, sending him into a peaceful sleep.

Then she turned, her eyes landing on Cora and her two lackeys trying to sneak out.

Cora froze under Serena's gaze, instinctively recoiling a couple steps. Pain shot through her injured wrist, but she still tried to act tough. "I already called backup! You're dead meat!"

As long as her brother showed up, she'd make Serena regret ever being born.

But Serena's approach had her legs shaking. When Serena got close, Cora instinctively raised her arms to shield her head, terrified she'd get hit again by something sharp.

Serena let out a soft scoff. Pathetic bully who only picks on the weak.

She walked right past her, pulled the hairpin out of the wall with ease, and calmly wiped it clean.

Cora stood there stunned.

Seeing she wasn't being attacked, she thought her threats had worked and her smugness returned. Still pissed about being humiliated, she shot Serena a hateful glare and barked at Karen and Nina, "Well? What are you standing around for? Get me to the hospital already, I'm in agony!"

Serena slid the slender hairpin back into her bun. Just as the three were inching toward the door, she spoke, slow and cold: "Did I say you could leave?

"We're not done talking about what you did to Evan."

Cora swore under her breath. "Fck off! You think I'm scared? Karen, Nina-she's just one person! Grab her!"

Karen and Nina glanced at each other. They were scared, but the numbers gave them confidence. They charged forward, thinking strength in numbers might work.

But before they even touched Serena, she countered with two slaps, fast as lightning.

"Smack!"

"Smack!"

Both girls hit the ground with a crash, blood trickling from their mouths and swelling blossoming on their cheeks.

Seeing that, Cora turned and bolted, only to be yanked back by her hair.

Serena pulled hard, forcing her to look up, and the pain had Cora howling curses. "Let go! Btch! When my brother gets here, you're toast!"

Serena clicked her tongue. "With a potty mouth like that, bet you're used to chewing on crap."

"How about a reminder?"

With that, she dragged Cora straight into the bathroom and shoved her head into the toilet like it was nothing.