Chapter 1
At a single mansion in Blue Ridge Heights, a yellow cab idled by the curb, the driver's fingers tapping impatiently against the steering wheel.
He glanced through the rearview mirror at the woman wearing sunglasses in his backseat.
Her doll-like face was half-hidden behind those dark shades, revealing only her delicate nose, flawless skin, and full, perfectly shaped lips. She'd been sitting there for fifteen minutes, hesitating to exit.
"Miss, if you don't get out soon, I'll lose my entire day's earnings," The driver finally said.
Ophelia Hayes slowly turned her head, meeting the driver's gaze through her sunglasses, a slight smile forming on her lips. "Sorry, just wait a little longer. Take me back afterward, and I'll pay double the fare."
The driver's face immediately brightened. "No problem! Take your time, I'll be right here!"
He curiously examined the luxurious property beside them. Living in a place like this was certainly a privilege—beautiful surroundings, complete privacy.
If he remembered correctly, this was the residence of a Silver Bay City Council Finance Committee member. He couldn't recall the exact name, but was this woman his daughter?
Her appearance and demeanor certainly suggested high society, though something seemed off—especially considering he'd picked her up from Oak Haven Retreat.
The ornate iron gates of the Hayes Mansion slowly opened. Ophelia had expected to encounter some resistance, but surprisingly, the fingerprint system from three years ago still recognized her.
She had assumed that three years ago, all traces of her existence in the Hayes Mansion had been thoroughly erased.
Following the meticulously designed garden maze, left turn, then right... After about ten minutes, Ophelia stopped at an unremarkable red brick, crouching down.
She began to dig with her hands.
Since childhood, she'd known she wasn't the Hayes family's biological daughter, but she'd always felt fortunate to be adopted by them.
Even understanding she was merely there to absorb Emily Hayes' misfortunes—the real daughter of the Hayes family, who had become a famous social media influencer three years ago, Ophelia had never lost hope.
She had always remained obedient, serving as Emily's personal assistant, handling all her dirty work, unwanted admirers, and obsessive followers. She believed that if she did enough, she would earn Victoria Hayes and Richard Hayes' affection.
How foolish she had been.
Ophelia scraped away the dirt, revealing a small red box embedded in the ground.
Inside was her savings from eighteen years of living with the Hayes family, earned through various part-time jobs.
Emily had always suppressed her, never allowing her to look pretty or have money, forcing her to remain the ugly duckling.
This money came from summers spent fetching coffee and saving seats, winters delivering hot drinks, answering roll calls for others, and working from dawn till dusk.
She tucked the money into her pocket and slowly looked up at the castle-like mansion in the distance. Her calm yet manic gaze finally rippled with emotion.
Her lips moved silently. "It's been three years, and I'm back. Since I've chosen revenge, let me first present you with a gift."
Shortly after Ophelia left, the Hayes returned to their mansion.
They had just returned from a European vacation and had arranged for cleaners beforehand.
Victoria and Emily were first to exit the car, entering the house and switching on the lights.
Emily stretched dramatically. "Okay, Mom and Dad, I'm exhausted. I have that photoshoot for the new brand tomorrow, so I'm heading to bed."
Victoria nodded. "Alright, sweetheart, remember to stay warm."
Emily continued chatting with Victoria as she headed upstairs and opened her bedroom door.
Seeing her room cleaner than ever before, she froze.
Where were all her belongings?
Emily's heart raced as she quickly checked the drawers where she kept her jewelry and cash reserves—empty, completely empty!
She rushed to the safe next to her nightstand, entered the code, and opened it—also empty!
Emily turned pale, collapsing to the floor, clutching her head and screaming.
Downstairs, Victoria and Richard heard Emily's scream and rushed upstairs.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?"
"Dad! Mom! Everything from my room is gone! My jewelry, my cash—everything has vanished!"
Victoria and Richard felt their hearts sink as they rushed to their master bedroom.
An even more piercing scream followed.
Emily ran to her parents' room and, seeing even the sofas were missing, stumbled backward in shock.
Victoria signaled her to calm down. " We have security cameras. Let's check the footage—it must be the cleaning staff who took everything!"
The three hurried to the mansion's surveillance room, where something bizarre awaited them.
None of the security footage showed anything suspicious—no strangers appeared anywhere near the mansion, not even a bird.
The cleaning crew they'd hired had indeed come, but their behavior showed nothing unusual.
"Then why is all our stuff gone!" Emily screamed hysterically.
Richard, as if suddenly remembering something, rushed to the basement.
He opened the massive safe—all the cash and several handguns were missing!
Richard's legs gave out as he slid down against the wall. Covering his face with his hands, he actually broke into tears. "My things, my life savings! All gone! Which goddamn bastard did this?"
Victoria and Emily arrived, and Emily noticed a small ledger left in the safe.
"What's this?"
Emily's voice caught their attention. Richard looked up, saw the ledger, and his mind went blank.
He snatched it away, seeing the falsified accounts recorded so clearly that even a child could understand them. His face instantly turned ashen.
The malice and cunning in his eyes could no longer be concealed. His fists clenched tightly.
"This can't remain out there! Whoever has seen this book absolutely cannot continue living in this world! We must find that person immediately, or the next thing to disappear will be the entire Hayes Group!"
Victoria's expression changed dramatically. "What is this thing that could cause such serious consequences if seen?"
"You idiot!" Richard snapped furiously. "If anyone sees this, I'll end up in prison! For life, understand?"
Victoria trembled so violently she could barely speak. "Then we need to search immediately—check every inch of this mansion. That person might still be here!"
Victoria's voice transmitted through intermittent radio waves to Ophelia's earpiece.
At that moment, Ophelia sat in a narrow, dimly lit basement.
Before her was a small radio, alongside a blue-glowing device that clearly displayed everything happening in the Hayes Mansion.
Ophelia watched with a cold smile as the three scurried about like cats on a hot tin roof.
Around her, the entire basement was filled with jewelry and valuables.
Indeed, everything of value from the Hayes Mansion had been relocated to this basement—a place only she knew existed.
Even if the Hayes called the police, they would only find this place, with no trace of the Hayes' property circulating outside.
This was her first gift to the Hayes family.
Ophelia slowly raised her hand, admiring the gun in her grip, a mocking smile curving her lips.
This was merely the beginning of her revenge. Richard, Emily, and Victoria had sent her to Oak Haven Retreat, and for three years, she had suffered tremendously, but she had also learned many survival skills.
Now, her real game was about to begin.