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.

Cora panicked. "Karen, Nina, you useless cowards, help me already!"

Karen Bennett and Nina Bennett stood frozen, red handprints stark on their cheeks, both trembling like leaves in the wind, neither daring to say a word.

Cora gagged as she stared into the toilet bowl filled with filth-her stomach churned like it wanted to empty out everything from the last three days.

She hadn't even flushed after using it. Disgusting didn't even cover it.

Ignoring the burning pain in her wrists, she quickly braced her elbows on the toilet seat, desperate to struggle free. No way was she putting her face anywhere near that mess.

But the pressure on her head kept increasing, and as the dirty water got closer and closer, she finally snapped. Her entire body shook from fear.

She choked out a sob, her voice breaking, "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have kidnapped Evan, I shouldn't have threatened you! You already stabbed through my wrist, isn't that enough? Can we call it even now, please?"

"I swear, if you let me go, I'll leave you alone forever! Let's move on!"

Serena let out a cold laugh. "Even? This is your idea of evening the score?"

"Yes, yes!" Cora nodded like crazy, hair sticking to her tear-streaked face, thinking the nightmare might finally be over.

Feeling the pressure on her head lighten, she exhaled in relief. But hatred burned hard in her eyes.

Wait till her brother showed up. She'd make Serena eat crap.

Just as the thought passed, Serena tilted her head and said casually, "Nope."

Cora blinked, confused. "What do you mean, nope?"

"I mean, I'm not done yet."

With a chilling grin still on her lips and eyes that could freeze fire, Serena suddenly kicked Cora hard in the back, slamming her face-first into the toilet.

"Mm-gahhh-!"

At that exact moment, the bathroom door was kicked open with a deafening bang.

A group of men stormed in, and the one at the rear walked in slowly, with a deep scar across his left cheek and a straight-backed posture that screamed military training.

"Who the hell touched my sister?"

Karen and Nina looked like they'd just seen God, puffy faces lighting up with hope. They scrambled over, voices shaky as they pointed to the bathroom. "Oscar! She's in the bathroom!"

Oscar Bennett stared at them, frowning, then made his way toward the door.

Right then, a woman came stumbling out, soaked in filth, stinking so bad it made people gag on instinct.

Seeing her about to lunge at him, Oscar reflexively kicked her away. "What lunatic is-"

Cora crashed into the floor, blood and mess all over her, sobbing painfully. "It's me! It's Cora! Your sister, goddammit! Gahhh-!"

Oscar's eyes widened. "Cora?! Who the hell did this to you?!"

He took a step forward, then retched at the smell and froze, staring at her with a mix of shock and disbelief.

Cora was crying so hard she could barely speak. "It-it was-"

Oscar leaned in but seemed to grow impatient. "Who? Speak clearly!"

"It was me."

Serena stepped out of the bathroom slowly, owning it without hesitation. She even had a casual smile on her face.

Cora instantly pointed at her, both scared and pissed off. "It's her! Bro, get her for me-kill her if you have to!"

Oscar Bennett looked up at the shout.

He was stunned for a second by Serena's looks, but the moment he saw his sister all messed up, rage started bubbling up.

"You kidding me? You did this to my sister?"

Serena shrugged, totally unfazed. "Yeah, that was me."

Oscar choked for a second, not expecting her to admit it so easily.

"Bro, she messed up my wrist-look at it! It hurts so bad!" Cora whined, lifting her arm. The bloody mess was hard to ignore.

Oscar's heart clenched. He turned and barked, "You two, get Cora to the hospital, now!"

Karen and Nina Bennett didn't need telling twice-they were more than ready to leave. Each grabbed one of Cora's arms to help her out.

But then-

"Who said you could move?"

Serena's voice came out like a whip-sharp, cold, and dangerous.

The moment she spoke, both Karen and Nina froze mid-reach. The room felt like the temperature dropped ten degrees. Just that one sentence made their hands start to shake.

Still, Karen sneaked a glance at Oscar and got a bit of courage. "What... what do you even want?"

As soon as she looked into Serena's eyes, though, any trace of confidence vanished.

Those eyes were cold as ice. One look, and Karen turned her head away fast, neck shrinking back as if she could disappear. She didn't dare breathe loud.

"It's pretty simple," Serena said slowly, her gaze dropping to the still-crumpled Cora. Her cold smile crept up. "She kneels and apologizes to Evan. Then you three? Off to co-ed jail, just like she suggested. Play babysitter for a hundred inmates. Do that, and I'm done."

Cora gave a sharp laugh, full of disdain. "My brother's right here. You really think I'm still scared of you?"

"Try it and see." Oscar stepped up, scowling hard enough to crack concrete. His protectiveness radiated off him. "You're a pretty face with a rotten heart. Lay one finger on my family, and you'll find out what I'm made of."

"Rotten? Seems like that label fits your sister way better," Serena said, lifting a hand like it was no big deal. But there was no humor in her eyes. "She's the one who said she'd throw me into jail and let me get torn apart. I just repeated her words. Somehow that's worse?"

She leaned forward a bit, her voice turning into ice. "Isn't that right, Miss Bennett?"

Being called out lit something in Cora-adrenaline kicked in, even dulled her aching wrist. Hatred pinned her upright.

She grabbed Oscar's arm, face twisted. "Bro, stop wasting time. Grab her!

"Serena, right? I changed my mind-I don't want you dead anymore. I want you to suffer. I want you to wish you were!"

Once Oscar got his hands on Serena, Cora would lock that btch up in the Bennett family's basement and torture her every damn day.

Just a nobody orphan. An escaped convict, no less. And she had the audacity to shove Cora's head in a toilet?

That kind of humiliation? Even killing her a hundred times wouldn't be enough.

Cora would brand that vixen-like face of hers with a red-hot iron, strip away every inch of beauty until there was nothing left to love.

She'd feed her scraps off the floor-hell, maybe even make her live off her own filth. Yeah. Exactly that. Let her choke on it.

"Go ahead, try me."

Four simple words-but they hit like a hammer.

Cora's pupils shrank as if some hellish flower was flying straight toward the center of her forehead. Her whole back stiffened, hairs standing on end. That stabbing pain in her wrist came rushing back too.

She immediately shrank behind Oscar. "B-Bro, protect me!"

Hiding behind her brother was always her safest bet.

She'd killed someone before by accident, and even then, Oscar flipped the whole thing and pinned the blame on the dead guy.

And come on, Oscar was a government official. He had power. No way Serena had the guts to lay a finger on him.

Sure enough, Serena didn't move.

But then Oscar's brows furrowed a little.

Serena? Douglas family?

Oscar studied her, eyes narrowing. "You're with the Douglas family?"

She looked young, but she did kinda resemble Esther facially, especially around the eyes.

He'd worked with the Douglas family for years, cleaned up plenty of "messes" for them, and considered himself a close ally. Never once did he hear about Esther having another daughter besides Aria.

Could she be a secret child? Or maybe just some phony clout-chaser?

"What, you think being from the Douglas family means your sister's getting a free pass from prison?" Serena scoffed, her tone full of mockery.

That hit a nerve. Oscar's protectiveness flared.

"You've got a death wish."

He was just about to throw a punch when-bang! Cora dropped to the floor hard, her wrist gushing blood again. Her face went ghost white.

"Cora!"

Oscar caught her just in time, then yanked his gun from his waistband like lightning, aiming it straight at Serena.

"I don't give a damn who you think you are-the truth's whatever I say it is! Enough talking. You two, get her to the hospital!"

Then to his men: "Take that woman down! Now!"

But before the last word even left his mouth, Serena moved.

A knee, a kick-so fast she was a blur.

Thud! The gun went flying from Oscar's hand.

Before anyone could blink, Serena hooked a finger midair. The gun spun right into her palm, and in one smooth move, she flipped it and pressed the barrel dead center against Oscar's forehead.

"Director Bennett." Serena's aura exploded in an instant, her gaze icy enough to freeze the air. "Right now, I've got the truth-and this gun. Let's change the rules. Anyone dares to move, you're dead. Sound fair?"

The cold barrel pressed right against his forehead, and Oscar Bennett froze up on the spot.

Even back when he was in the field facing elite special ops, he'd never seen someone with this kind of presence.

That stance, that killing intent... Serena wasn't just some ordinary woman.

Was she... military?

"Don't move! Nobody move!"

His subordinates all froze like statues.

Meanwhile, Cora's pale face twisted with fury. "Oscar! Don't let her scare you. She's not some big shot. She's just Evan's little sister-the one who got locked up six years ago! Grew up in an orphanage, escaped from prison! Just think-capturing her would earn you serious points!"

Hearing that, most of the fear in Oscar's heart vanished.

He sneered, eyes filled with scorn. "Hey sweetheart, you even know how to handle a gun? Careful you don't shoot yourself."

Serena raised an eyebrow.

Accidental discharge?

If Gavin Moore were here to hear someone questioning her marksmanship, that ice-cold face of his might actually crack a smile.

Her "Gun Queen" title wasn't for show-it was earned with real bodies on real battlefields.

Question her?

"Bang!"

The gunshot roared.

Blood sprayed like a red mist, spattering across Oscar's face.

His guy didn't even make a sound. Just dropped like a rock, a hole right between the eyes.

Serena calmly held the gun, casually blowing the smoke off the barrel as she spoke with a light chuckle, "Director Bennett, I gave your SIG SISP330 a little test. German engineering, huh? Doesn't misfire that easily. Chill out."

Oscar stood frozen, eyes wide. Whatever color had been in his face vanished completely. He couldn't even get a word out.

The three Bennett women screamed in terror.

Cora scrambled like her life depended on it, practically throwing herself behind Karen. No way she was letting that next bullet hit her.

Oscar, a man used to seeing blood, managed to pull himself together after a moment. His voice lowered, trying to sound reasonable. "Miss Douglas... let's just talk this through..."

But heavy, steady footsteps came from outside just then.

The door creaked open. In walked a tall figure, each step radiating command.

Oscar's eyes lit up like he'd just seen a lifeline and nearly shouted, "General Moore! You're here?!"

Gavin didn't even glance at him.

And when Cora saw Gavin, her expression shifted completely.

His military uniform fit like it was molded to his body-broad shoulders, narrow waist, sharp eyes, and that cold, commanding presence you couldn't fake.

She instantly forgot the grime on her face and the pain in her wrist, scrambling off the floor while forcing herself to sound pitiful: "You're General Gavin Moore, right? Great! This woman not only hurt me, she pointed a gun at my brother! That's assaulting an officer in broad daylight! General, you have to stand up for us Bennetts!"

As she spoke, she threw a smug glance at Serena, clearly convinced Gavin would take her side.

Gavin slowly raised his hand and pulled the gun from his waist.

Seeing that, Cora looked even more pleased with herself and lifted her chin at Serena. "Be smart and drop the gun! Beg now, and I might still put in a word-let the General spare your life..."

Before she could finish, Serena calmly lowered her weapon.

With Gavin here, she couldn't be bothered to deal with these clowns anymore.

Thinking Serena was giving up, Cora's smirk deepened. Just as she opened her mouth again-

Bang!

A shot exploded by her feet.

The bullet buried itself in the floor just a hair from her toes, wood shards slicing up against her leg-so sharp it made her jump.

"General Moore, you shot the wrong person!" she shrieked, stunned, staring at Gavin.

But Gavin had already walked up to Serena, his expression respectful: "Your Highness, I'm sorry for arriving late."

"Y-Your Highness?" Everyone in the room froze.

Karen and Nina Bennett dropped to the floor in shock, while Oscar Bennett stood rooted in place.

He'd spent years in the military-if anyone knew Gavin Moore's rank and power, it was him.

So young, yet already a general with real authority under his command.

If someone could make Gavin speak with that much respect and call them "Your Highness"...

A terrifying thought flashed through Oscar's mind, cold sweat soaking his back as he turned to look at Serena again. The contempt from earlier was now replaced with raw fear.

And Cora was still completely clueless, hopping on one foot and shouting, "Highness? You've gotta be kidding! General, don't let her fool you! She's a convict! She broke out before finishing her sentence!"

Smack!

A loud slap echoed.

Oscar swung his hand and slapped Cora hard across the face, his eyes filled with fury.

Totally clueless. Couldn't even read the damn room.

He still didn't know exactly who Serena was, but one thing was clear-letting Cora spout off like a maniac was a death sentence for all of them.

If she got herself killed, fine. But if she dragged the whole Bennett family down with her, that was it.

They couldn't even afford to piss off Gavin Moore, let alone someone the general would bow to.

Who the hell was Serena to have Gavin himself treating her like royalty?

If Cora kept running her mouth, she'd send the whole family straight to hell.

Cora was stunned by the slap, covering her cheek and crying, "Why'd you hit me, bro? I'm telling the truth!"

Gavin shot her a frosty look, disgust practically written on his face.

Unbelievable. Eyes wide open and still so blind.

They knew who he was... but had no clue about her.

Idiots. No wonder they were courting death.

Yeah, makes sense. Back in the day, Her Highness tore up the battlefield like a nightmare-took out enemy commanders from three kilometers away without even blinking. She literally ended the border war on her own. No wonder the enemy troops used to call her the "Scarlet Valkyrie."

These small-time thugs who bully people around Draco City? Not even qualified to stand at attention in front of her, let alone know who she is.

He raised his gun again, calm and steady as the barrel pointed right at Cora's forehead. He tilted his head, asking Serena, "Your Highness, someone this clueless... want me to take her out right now so she doesn't keep disgusting you?"

"No need." Serena's voice was calm, icy. "Didn't I just say? She's already headed for where she belongs."

She turned her gaze toward Karen and Nina Bennett, who were shaking like leaves. Her voice carried not a hint of warmth. "You two. Repeat exactly what I told you earlier."

The sisters were already scared stiff. Now they were just sobbing and huddled together, stammering in sync, "Apologize... apologize to Mr. Carter and beg for forgiveness... And we-we're all being sent to the co-ed prison... to serve a hundred inmates..."

Only then did Serena seem satisfied. She let the gun fall to the floor by Oscar Bennett's feet with a casual toss.

The thud it made on the ground echoed through the room, making Oscar flinch like he'd been zapped.

"Director Bennett," she said, her tone almost teasing, "What do you think of this method of law enforcement?"

Oscar nodded so hard and fast he nearly snapped his neck. His back was bent nearly in half. "Y-Yes! Of course! Absolutely yes!"

Then he whirled to yell at the three, "What are you waiting for? Don't just stand there-hurry up and apologize to Mr. Carter!"

Terrified, Karen and Nina dropped to their knees immediately and bowed their heads to Evan.

But Cora wouldn't budge. Chin up, teeth clenched, she refused to kneel. Seeing this, Oscar broke out in a cold sweat and shot a glare at his men.

Two officers rushed in, held Cora down, and slammed her head to the ground.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Only when the three of them had busted foreheads and bloodied faces did Serena finally speak, slow and lazy, "That's enough for now."

She put a finger to her lips and turned to the crying trio. With a soft smile she warned, "Shh. If you wake up my brother, forget prison-you'll be buried alive."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Oscar quickly barked out, "Don't just stand there, drag them out of here! Follow protocol!"

"Oscar! You can't do this to me! I'm your sister! I don't wanna go to prison!" Cora finally broke, struggling wildly as her screams echoed. Her nails dug deep gashes into the officers' arms.

"Serena is a liar! She's not some highness! Let me go!"

Oscar couldn't even look at her. Only when her cries faded down the hall and silence returned did he dare wipe the cold sweat off his face.