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!"
