Prologue

SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO.

A bubbly house. Last-minute preparations and the familiar yearly rush.

A young girl giggled as she hurried past a pair of busy maids and made her way into her bedroom. Shutting the door securely behind her, she packed up her curly black waves into a ponytail and headed straight for her wardrobe.

It was the sixth of June and every sixth of June marked the wedding anniversary of the Chantel Couple. Her parents.

For this year’s anniversary, the six-year-old had prepared the most thoughtful present. She knelt on the floor to pull out a box that she had hidden away from the watchful eyes of her elder brother, Lucas, and the Chantel household maids.

Bang!

An unusual sound from someplace in the house made her hurry. Were they starting the fun already without her?

She carried the brightly wrapped up box from the floor and gave a last-minute check to her appearance in the mirror.

For the occasion, she had worn a matching dress with Sofia Chantel, her mother. It was a green flowing dress that greatly complimented her green, jade-like eyes, a proud feature that she had inherited from her father, Davon Chantel.

“Elena!.”

The sudden knock on her door made her sigh. It was one of the maids.

“Hurry out now, Elena!.”

“I’m coming, Genevieve!.”

As the sound of receding footsteps got more distinct, Elena Chantel grabbed the gift box and headed for the door to join the rest of her family in the dining hall.

Her fluffy slippers didn’t make a single sound as she walked and the caress of the cold evening breeze on her skin made her get goosebumps.

It was clear outside with not a single staff in sight.

As Elena approached the family’s large dining hall, a familiar body lying unconscious on the floor in the distance made her heart beat faster.

“Genevieve?.”

Elena set the box aside to kneel beside the maid. It was Genevieve alright but why was she out there passed out on the cold floor? She nudged Genevieve’s shoulder to wake her up and almost screamed when the maid’s body turned over. Blood!

Is she… dead?.

A voice screamed in the distance and Elena jolted from the floor with trembling hands.

Something was wrong…

“Lucas?. Mommy?. Daddy??!.” Elena yelled and forced her legs to move faster.

As she approached the hall, more familiar bodies lay on the ground. Maids and servants, the butler, even her nanny! Elena covered her mouth to stifle her scream.

Her parents!

She ran into the hall and her eyes widened in horror at the grim sight before her. A body lay not far from where she stood, the familiar dress on the body, a matching set with hers.

The little girl’s eyes welled up with tears as she recognized the body of her mother.

“Elena..” A familiar hoarse voice called from a distance.

Davon Chantel dragged his body with the last strength that he had. He was losing blood fast. His daughter’s little legs moved on their own accord and she ran to him.

Elena’s large green eyes were filled with tears and her voice trembled as she spoke. “Father… Mo..ther…”

A tear slipped down Davon’s cheek. He was barely hanging on to his life from the gunshot wound close to his heart. He grabbed his daughter’s trembling hands in his. “Find your brother… Find Lucas!. I’m so..rr..y Elena. I couldn't… protect you all from him…”

Elena screamed when her Father’s hands slipped off hers. Lifeless. Gone.

“Daddy no!!!. You can't leave!!. Come back!!!..”

Elena's hands regained their strength as she shook her father's body vigorously. She needed him. Lucas needed him. How could he think of leaving them?

“Daddy!!!.”

“It's futile, child. He’s gone.”

At the sudden words, Elena’s anger reignited. She turned to the direction of the voice.

At the entrance of the dining hall, a middle-aged man leaned against the doorway with a finger-sized cigarette clenched between his fingers. Four scary-looking men flanked him on both sides.

Elena’s eyes zeroed in on the man in the middle. The smoke from his cigarette was getting to her. He looked like a bad man…

“Did you kill my parents? Where’s Lucas? Did you take my brother? Are you here to take me too?. I WON'T LET YOU!.”

Sizing up the little girl who was barely a teenager and still very much a child, the man left his men behind and moved closer to Elena until he hovered above her.

Up close, Elena shivered. The man had a long hideous scar running down his left cheek. Although she was tempted to make a run for it. Elena’s pain made her stand her ground as she stared right back at him defiantly.

“Elena Chantel.” The man started.

His rough hands held her jaw gently as he continued. “I have no reason to kill your parents. Your father owes me a large chunk of money and I’m only here to get it back.”

Elena’s eyes narrowed. “I don't believe you. If you didn't kill my parents, then who did?.”

The man chuckled at her words.”I’m Lazarus Russo girl, I’m no petty man. You can trust me.”

The little girl swallowed as she glimpsed at the men behind Lazarus Russo. Her parents had a lot of properties and she could sell off a few of them to give back the money they owed. But this man looked like he was capable enough to help her out.

“If I return the money my parents owed to you. Would you help me find Lucas and the people who killed my parents?.” Elena proposed.

The men behind Lazarus exchanged meaningful glances amongst themselves as they looked from the child to their boss.

Lazarus frowned. He had heard a lot about Davon Chantel’s children, especially this girl who wasn't afraid to strike a deal with him.

Elena’s green eyes remained fierce and determined and she didn't blink once as she waited impatiently for a response to her question.

“I’m not sure how you plan to pay me back, girl. Your parent's properties are only worth a tenth of their debt’s percentage.”

What?!

Elena’s confidence faltered. Her parents owed that much money to this man?

“But..” Lazarus drawled, his lips curled up as he stared at Elena’s brave face.

“If you want revenge, I would offer it to you on a platter of Gold. In return, I will take you under my wing until you pay back your debt.”

For a second, Elena’s face lifted with hope. It looked easy… but was it truly?

“So what would it be, Jade eyes? Do you still want revenge or not?.”

Elena turned to stare at the center of the room where her parent's bodies lay. Her eyes clouded up with tears as her father’s last words to find her brother resounded in her ears. Today was meant to be a special night. Rather, they had taken her parents away from her.

It took a while to respond, but her decision remained the same.

“I want revenge.”