Night in Ravenska City was cloaked in mist, the cold air biting to the bone, as if freezing the heart of anyone wandering outside. But inside an old warehouse on the outskirts of the city , the atmosphere was heated by the desperate screams of a man kneeling with his hands tied, his face swollen and bruised. Standing before him was a graceful woman with a terrifying aura. She wore a long black coat that only heightened the oppressive presence she exuded. "Tell the truth. Why did you betray us? There's no point in lying. You'll die either way? Aliana Zavier . Adopted daughter of Gabriel Corvo, the most feared mafia boss in Ravenska. At just twenty-five years old, Aliana had become a formidable figure in the underworld-not just due to her adoptive father's influence, but because of her own unwavering resolve and fierce sense of justice. "I swear, Miss Aliana… I made a mistake. I didn't mean to betray you… they pressured me." the man whimpered, his voice trembling. his body shivering in fear. "Pressured?" Aliana stepped closer, her leather boots creaking against the damp warehouse floor. Her dark eyes pierced through the man kneeling before her "You think that's enough of a reason to betray the Corvo family? You leaked information to our enemies, Alexel. How much did they pay you?" "N-not a dime… I… I was just scared- "Scared." Aliana cut him off, her voice icy. She bent down, her face level with his "When you joined the Corvo family, what did my father say to you? Do you remember?" The man swallowed hard, but stayed silent. "I'll ask again. What did he say ?" Her voice rose an octave, the threat in her tone sharp enough to cut skin. "H-he said… betrayal is the greatest sin ," Alexei murmured, his voice barely audible . "Correct," Aliana sneered "And now you've committed that very sin. You know what happens to traitors , don't you?" Alexei wept, begging for mercy, but Aliana remained motionless. Without hesitation, she drew a pistol from under her black coat. In a single breath, the gunshot echoed through the room, ending the man's life. There was no hesitation on Aliana's face -she never forgave betrayal. "Clean this up ," Aliana ordered coldly to the two men standing in the corner. They nodded quickly, their bodies tense from witnessing Aliana's ruthlessness As Aliana holstered her pistol, a man burst into the warehouse. Tall and well-groomed, he wore a flawless gray suit despite the chans around him . This was Kafe Donovan, Aliana's personal assistant and right-hand man. reent news" "Miss Aliana," Rafe said, approaching her , slightly out of breath though his expression remained composed. "There's urgent "Speak," Aliana replied curtly, walking out of the warehouse as if she'd just completed a mundane task . Rafe matched her pace. "Your sister, Miss Alicia Zavier, has committed suicide." Aliana froze in place. For a moment, only the sound of rain could be heard. Allana turned to Rafe with a difficult-to-read expression. "My sister committed suicide!" 343 PM P Chapter 1 "Yes. You've been summoned by the Zavier family . They said the situation with Miss Alicia is grave." Aliana stood still. She had always known her gentle, vulnerable sister lived under immense pressure-but suicide? That had never crossed her mind . Especially knowing how little tolerance Alicia had for pain, self-harm seemed unthinkable. Aliana was Alicia Zavier's twin. But because twins were considered a "bad omen" by the old-fashioned Zavier family, Aliana had been given away at birth, raised far from home. She had grown up with her adoptive parents in Ravenska, about 6,000 kilometers away from. Zenith, her birthplace. Unlike the kind and yielding Alicia, Aliana had grown up under the care of a mafia family-independent, stubborn, and fiercely ambitious. Aliana scoffed lightly, a bitter smile curling her lips. "The Zavier family? They remember I exist now, after twenty-five years of throwing me away ? " "They seem to have no choice, Miss, if they're calling you back, Rafe replied, "But you know this could be dangerous. If they truly want you to return, there must be a hidden agenda . " Aliana said nothing. In her mind, bitter childhood memories resurfaced. Parents who should've loved her had instead discarded her, deeming her cursed. No one could understand how hard she'd had to fight to survive-if not for Gabriel Corvo, the infamous mafia king, she might not have lived at all. "My sister… committed suicide," Aliana murmured to herself. "Why? She had everything-family, wealth, a perfect-looking life. While I, the one they cast out, had to survive through blood and bullets" Rafe watched her with concern. "Will you go. Miss?" Aliana inhaled deeply, then nodded. "I will. Not for them, but for Alicia. I need to know what made my sister end her life." "In that case, I'll arrange our departure for tonight," said Rafe "No need 17 go alone," Aliana cut him off. "You stay here and watch over the territory. I don't want trouble while I'm gone." "But, Miss- -No buts, Rafe. You know I can take care of myself." Rafe nodded, though his face clearly showed reluctance. Very well, Miss. But please, if anything happens, let me know immediately." Aliana didn't respond. She simply stared out at the rain beyond the warehouse, her gaze narrowing. Several hours later… A black car cruised smoothly toward the Zavier family mansion. Throughout the journey, Aliana sat quietly in the backseat, her face expressionless. But her mind was in turmoil, wondering what awaited her in the place she was once meant to call home. After 25 years of living abroad and surviving in shadows as the discarded daughter, Aliana had never imagined returning. The ten-hour trip gave her more than enough time to revisit everything-especially the incident ten years ago when her parents rejected her for trying to see Alicia. Aliana's emotions swirled-rage toward her parents mixed with worry for the twin sister she hadn't seen in so long- The car stopped in front of the grand old mansion of the Zavier family . Aliana was surprised to see numerous condolence wreaths decorating the front yard. Mourners had gathered, their faces solemn, Inside the car, Aliana could only stare blankly . Her eyes gazed through the glass , observing the foreign yet undeniable scene of grief. She knew now it was too late to see Alicia . Her sister was truly gone. Suppressing the surge of sorrow that rose in her chest, Aliana clenched her fists as memories of the past flashed by-especially the moment when she and Alicia had first truly connected. Allana remembered how her sister had once said, Sis rome get me. I want to live with you" A single tear fell, but she wiped it away immediately. She fought hard to bury the guilt swelling inside her-for not being able to fulfill the one promise her sister had asked of her. Chapter 1 E