Chapter 1 Released From Prison

"Jenna, Cecily is our real daughter, and she's suffered in your stead for sixteen years. Be a darling and give your fiancé to Cecily, okay?"

"Listen, Jenna, you might not carry our blood, but if you take the fall for Skyler this time, we will take care of you."

"Jenna, it's on me, and I'm really sorry. Four years later, I promise you a grand wedding."

As Jenna Dawson hesitated, the case took a sudden turn—every shred of evidence now pinned her to the crime. She was hit with a four-year sentence and locked up in juvenile hall, where, however, she was secretly selected and taken away, never to return.

*****

Four years slid away.

Three black helicopters swooped into view over the prison, thudding down onto the field. Out stepped eight men dressed in black, all giving off a serious vibe, lining up in two neat rows.

The warden was frightened. 'Who could be big-time enough to roll up in choppers like this? Word from the top asked me to let a prisoner go, no questions asked,' he thought.

The helicopter doors swung wide, and out strutted Jenna Dawson, tall and sleek, decked out in a black coat and pants. Her dark shades veiled her face, but one could tell she had that fierce, untamed look about her—a real head-turner.

She headed straight for the changing room and grabbed an old, beat-up handbag, which was filled with the items she'd brought when she was incarcerated four years ago, including a dress that seemed a bit short now. But upon trying it on, she found it quite fitting—time behind bars hadn't added any pounds.

"Boss, you're not seriously gonna leave in that old thing, right? We've got an exclusive galaxy dress for you—literally one of a kind on the planet," one guy offered.

"Boss, there is a line-up of limited-edition luxury cars waiting for your pick. Whichever catches your fancy, just drive it away," another piped up.

Jenna's expression was unfazed. "No need, this will do."

"Boss, do you need us to come and help you deal with those jerks?" The burly men looked eager to jump into action. They'd never known their mysterious and powerful boss, so cool and ruthless, could have once been framed and thrown into prison by scoundrels. She had seemed so fragile back then. This was too interesting to miss out on; they were itching to join the fray, if only to have wild tales to share in the underworld.

"Want to watch a show?" Jenna smirked. Her brows raised slightly, her eyes sweeping over them, sending the tough guys hastily shaking their heads, even taking several steps back—they didn't dare at all.

"Tsk." With a single hand carrying her bag, Jenna walked away from the prison.

The sun blazed down outside the prison, cicadas droning lazily from the trees. The iron gate behind her shut with a slow, final creak. Along the curb, a lineup of limited-edition sports cars gleamed—each more eye-catching than the last, just her style. She pondered, 'Should I now head to the Dawson residence or drop in on my biological parents?'

Suddenly, a screech of brakes sounded, and a BMW pulled up in front of her. A middle-aged woman stepped out and said with an arrogant tone, "You're Jenna Dawson, right? Mrs. Dawson sent me to pick you up. She heard you were getting out today."

Jenna turned, her gaze serene and undisturbed.

The woman, Lora Gardner, inhaled sharply—four years had passed, and Jenna had become even more beautiful. Despite the worn dress she donned, Jenna's slim waist and long legs were effortlessly captivating. Any man would be hard-pressed not to take a second look.

"Ditch that tattered bag, Jenna. Don't mess up the BMW. You couldn't cover the cost, even if you auctioned yourself off," Lora sniped, her mind ticking over, 'So what if she's easy on the eyes? She's still slum-scrap, fit for nothing more than a toy.'

Jenna's lips curled into a smirk, her gaze drifting across the street where a lineup of supercars stood parked.

"Jenna, stop daydreaming, will you?" Lora barked, her voice dripping with disdain. "What's a jailbird with no education or background like you going to do with fancy cars like those? Bah! And look at yourself now; You could give yourself away and nobody would bite."

Hardly had Lora finished her rant when the convoy of luxury sports cars started to move. Leading the pack, a middle-aged man in a black tailcoat and white gloves stepped out and walked over.

Lora quickly switched to her sweetest tone. "Here to pick someone up? Bet those cars set you back a ton." She couldn't help wondering, 'Man, who's the big shot getting out of the clink? If only one of those sweet rides was mine.'

Jeremy Garcia, the guy in the suit, stood next to Jenna with all the respect of a seasoned butler and said, "After you, Miss."

Without even a glance back, Jenna chose one of the cars that caught her fancy and got in, shutting out the envious glare from Lora.

Once he was behind the wheel, Jeremy said with utmost respect, "Queen D, all the folks at the D Alliance can't wait to see you. We've booked the grandest hotel in the city for your big homecoming bash."

They were all people Jenna had saved from the underworld. Without her, none of them would even exist.

Propping her chin up, Jenna half-opened an eye and said, "Also, get the scoop on the Dawson and Johnson families." Her long fingers tapped the folder she'd brought—old evidence that might just shake things up. 'Time to even out some old beefs,' she mused silently.

The fleet of cars sped off, leaving quite the impression.

Lora stood there, slack-jawed. 'What the heck? How'd Jenna land a ride like that? No way! She meeting big shots? Yeah, right. Something's fishy. Mrs. Dawson's gotta hear about this right away. Jenna's gotta have a sugar daddy behind bars; there's no other explanation for that kind of luxury!'

*****

At the Yorkrity Hotel, Lucy Dawson felt her world tip when Lora's call came through. It turned out her Jenna had been picked up by some high-rollers. How on earth was Lucy supposed to cash in on Jenna's marriage now? There had been a deal in place, all teed up, with a hefty payout hanging on Jenna's release day meet-and-greet. Lucy couldn't believe it. Their golden goose had just up and flown the coop.

"What's wrong, Mom? You don't look so good," Cecily Dawson remarked, dressed in designer brands, prideful as a princess. Today was her day, the center of attention, soon to be Skyler Johnson's fiancée—everyone was envious.

"Lora just called; she missed picking her up. It seems like Jenna met some rich folks in jail, and they took her away," Lucy replied.

Samuel and Fiona Johnson shared a quick look before Fiona scoffed, "So she's rubbing shoulders with a few street toughs? What's the big deal? Here in Yorkrity, we Johnsons fear no one." After all, they were the leading family in town.

Cecily held onto Fiona's arm, her smile wide with triumph. 'So what if Jenna's out of the slammer? The Dawson family and Skyler both belong to me. I'm the real deal, the legit heiress.'

"Ma'am, she's here." Lora hurried over, out of breath. Lucy frowned. "Who's here?"

"It's Jenna," Lora panted. "I know the ritzy car that picked her up clearly. It's definitely her, no doubt about it."

The two families exchanged glances, their thoughts unreadable. Four years ago, Jenna had been the scapegoat that united them on one front.

Outside the Yorkrity Hotel, a row of luxury sports cars lined the curb. Jenna stepped out, standing tall despite her worn-out dress and old handbag. Still, nobody dared to underestimate her, especially not with a crew of tough-looking guys trailing behind her.

"Isn't that Jenna Dawson, the so-called fake heiress from four years ago?" someone murmured. "She got out?"

"After the Dawson family acknowledged their real daughter, this one just vanished. I thought she'd gone back to the slums. Turns out she was doing time."

"I heard she couldn't deal with losing her status, got into an accident, and ended up in jail. And now she has the gall to show up at this party? Does she still think she can pass as the Dawson heiress?"

"Rumor has it Jenna got cozy with some rich folks in jail. How else could she afford such a ride?"

The women watched with a mix of sneers and envy, while the men couldn't hide their awe. 'Four years locked up, and she's still drop-dead gorgeous?'

Right then, a sleek black Bentley eased in, its window gliding down to show a man casually propped up by the sill, a cigarette dangling from his fingers. His gaze landed on Jenna—or more precisely, on her striking legs showcased beneath an old, flowery skirt that she wore with unexpected grace.

"Randal, looks like Jenna's making quite the entrance fresh out of jail," Thomas Sanchez said, glancing at his friend, Randal Jefferson, who was perched lazily beside him, a half-smoked cigarette between his fingers. Randal had that kind of lazy, laid-back posture that only the truly loaded can afford, with an air of aristocracy that was hard to ignore.

Just a few days ago, Randal had returned from the underworld, claiming he was looking for someone. Then, without another word, he headed straight to Yorkrity. Thomas couldn't help thinking, 'Could he be here for Jenna? That doesn't add up!'

Chapter 2 Time To Pay Back

Randal casually flicked his cigarette, shifting his gaze away without uttering a single word.

"What's the deal, Randal? Why are you even here in Yorkrity?" Thomas asked, puzzled. Randal had been roaming around town for the past few days and even turned up at the Dawson family's party today. Thomas thought, 'He isn't really interested in this soap opera-like drama, is he? Anyway, Jenna couldn't be the one he's hunting for. She had been locked up for four years with virtually no contact with the outside world.'

"I'm looking for someone," answered Randal faintly.

"Yeah, but who are we talking about here? You must have a clue. Male? Female?"

"Do you think I'd be here if I knew?" Randal retorted with a hint of sarcasm. Catching a few admiring looks, he snuffed out his cigarette and rolled up the car window.

*****

Just as she walked into the party hall, Jenna captured the room's attention, despite her poor dressing. She was drop-dead gorgeous, the kind that made one do a double-take and forget to look away.

Cecily was full of pride, eagerly awaiting Jenna's arrival, itching for the chance to rub Jenna's misfortune in her face. She was convinced that four tough years in the clink would have taken a hefty toll on Jenna's looks, leaving her ragged and ugly. Meanwhile, Cecily saw herself as Yorkrity's new darling, a sought-after heiress with the city's catch, Skyler Johnson, as her soon-to-be husband, while Jenna had nothing.

But when Jenna walked in, Cecily's expectations crumbled. Jenna was stunning—tall, with skin so flawless it looked like the slightest touch could mar it. Her exquisite beauty shocked and scared Cecily, who quickly glanced at Skyler, only to see his eyes fixated on Jenna. Cecily's mood darkened instantly. 'Why didn't Jenna just drop dead in that prison?' she thought bitterly.

Skyler's face also revealed a flash of awe. He hadn't expected Jenna to become even more beautiful than she was four years ago.

Lucy, snapped back to reality first, hastening to say, "Lora, get her upstairs, now! What's she doing showing up in those rags?" She too was shocked at how ethereal Jenna looked, and that was bad news for them.

Jenna's expression was unreadable as she cast a cold, piercing glance at the approaching servant, who froze in fear at the intensity of her gaze. She then turned her eyes to the gathered members of both the Dawson and Johnson families. "Long time no see," she said, her tone laced with an edgy arrogance that signaled she wasn't here to play nice.

"Jenna, you're out today, huh? I've missed you, dear. Even though you're not my flesh and blood, we have always kept a place for you," Lucy hurried to say, eager to defuse the tension.

"Jenna, you've just gotten out, why don't you go upstairs and change into something nice?" Lucy suggested, hoping to whisk Jenna away. Jenna was too eye-catching, and Lucy wouldn't allow her to overshadow her daughter, Cecily. If Jenna weren't still somehow useful to keep around, Lucy would have had her chased off long ago. Seeing Jenna was a constant reminder to her how much her own daughter had suffered. In Lucy's eyes, the poor should stay with the poor; Jenna had no business enjoying luxury at the Dawson residence.

"How about the truth of why I went to prison four years ago? To take the fall for your daughter and Skyler?" Jenna's words dropped like a stone, rippling the calm of the crowd. Everyone looked on curiously. 'Took the fall?'

Lucy's face paled, and she reached to grab Jenna's arm. "What are you blabbering about? I know you can't accept the change in your status, but Cecily is my true daughter, the rightful Dawson heiress, and that's that."

"For goodness' sake, Jenna, you were raised by Mom for sixteen years. She was kind to you, despite the wrongs your mother did. She even let you continue as the lady of the house. How can you be so ungrateful?" Cecily put on her most pitiable look, making anyone want to believe her. After all, Jenna was the so-called fake heiress.

Jenna's eyes, cool and detached, looked as if they could see right through them. She pulled out a document from her bag. "Here's the evidence from back then," she said, not bothering with any more chitchat.

Even Skyler turned pale. 'If Jenna really has evidence, could it be my undoing?'

Cecily was even more panicked. 'Is there really still evidence?'

Fiona stepped forward. "Jenna, I understand you're holding onto some resentments. Out of the affections you and Skyler once shared, I'll compensate you. I'll find you a promising young man right here in Yorkrity, how about that?"

"Jenna, I promise you're always the Dawson heiress. Can't we just stop this fuss?" Cecily's voice was full of pretended generosity.

'The Dawson heiress, huh?' Jenna held her chin high, her eyes barely concealing the disdain. "So, you think I actually care about that?"

"Don't bite the hand that feeds you, Jenna. With your background, dreaming of marrying well is like a fantasy," said Lucy, suddenly stepping close, her voice a harsh whisper intended only for Jenna. "The Dawson family made you who you are. Without us, you'd be nothing but a kept woman." In Lucy's eyes, Jenna should be forever grateful; after all, without them, she would never even brush shoulders with high society.

Jenna's lips curled into a smirk full of contempt. She casually leaned back on the couch, a transformation in her demeanor as she tossed a folder onto the table. "The ungrateful ones are you," she snapped. "Get out. I don't want to see you again."

"Why not just call the cops?" a deep, cool male voice suggested. Jenna followed the sound and saw Randal lounging with an air of authority—white shirt, and black trousers, features sharp and attention-grabbing in the best way.

Skyler felt a surge of panic. "Call the cops for what? And who the hell are you?" The last thing he needed was police involvement.

Leaning back, Randal propped an arm on the sofa back, lips curved in amusement. "I'm a good Samaritan."

A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd.

Skyler scowled. "I don't remember inviting you. Leave. Now."

"Feeling guilty? I always step in when I see injustice," Randal continued in his calm tone, laying out the facts before them. "If you had any shame, you'd turn yourselves in. Might even get a lighter sentence."

Thomas' eyes nearly popped out. 'Is the sun rising from the west today? Randal is playing the hero? That's a sight to see.'

"Quite the duet you two are singing. So, Jenna, is he your money man? Birds of a feather, both jailbirds, I suppose," accused Fiona, trembling with rage. "Someone, kick these two out!" It didn't matter whether Jenna's evidence was real or fake; they would never admit to anything, much less verify the evidence in front of an audience.

"The ones who need to leave are you guys," Jenna declared, staying put on the couch.

Fiona scoffed, "Jenna, you think you own the place? Today, we've reserved the Yorkrity Hotel. You and your jailbird boyfriend should just scram." Thugs would always be thugs, never fitted for high society."

Randal raised an eyebrow in amusement. "It's just a hotel. What's so hard about that?"

"Exactly," Jenna added, her eyes gleaming with mockery. "Even if the big boss himself drops by, you lot still have to get out!"

"You've got quite the mouth on you, Jenna. You think you own the hotel?" retorted one guest.

"Yeah, trying to act all high and might like one of us. Do you even understand what a private event means?" sneered another.

Just then, the hotel proprietor rushed in, all flustered. He stood respectfully in front of Jenna. "Can I clear the venue for you immediately?"

The Dawson and the Johnson families stood there, absolutely stunned. 'What's going on? We must have misheard.'

Skyler quickly insisted, "Today is our private event."

"I apologize, but the reservation is canceled." the hotel proprietor remained unfazed. "Please vacate the premises within ten minutes."

Cecily's eyes flashed with defiance. 'Why should we leave? I'm not going anywhere.'

Chapter 3 Welcome Back

"Why do we have to leave? If anyone should take a hike, it's Jenna and that guy. Get your facts straight—we, the Johnsons, paid for this, and you need to hold up your end of the deal, got it?" Fiona spat, her face shadowed with anger. If they were shown the door today, how could they ever show their faces in Yorkrity again? It'd be mortifying. For her, Randal was just a gangster, and the Johnsons were the top name in Yorkrity.

"You'll get your money back, just like the contract says. But for now, you need to clear out, or it's not gonna be pretty," the hotel owner warned, gesturing slightly. Security guards appeared, ready to escort the unwelcome guests out.

Fiona's face turned ghostly, and her finger trembled violently as she pointed at Jenna. "Y-You're just trying to get even with us, huh? Tell me, how much money do you want?" Today was supposed to be the Johnson family's big day. If they were kicked to the curb now, they'd be too embarrassed ever to step outside again.

"Would 70 thousand dollars cover it? Or 200 thousand dollars? Don't be greedy, Jenna. Even with that guy, you probably won't see this kind of money," Fiona said derisively.

Jenna laughed, utterly amused. These people really hadn't changed—arrogant and condescending to the core.

Skyler frowned and walked over. "Jenna, I know you hate us. But can you please not make a scene?"

'Make a scene?' Jenna snapped back with a slap across his face. "Can't hear, do you?" She then glanced at the security guards. "Kick them out, and if someone gets hurt, it's my tab."

Randal witnessed the whole thing and couldn't help but crack a smile. He admired silently, "Nice move."

Skyler took a hard fall, his vision swimming as he looked at Jenna with utter disbelief. 'She actually hit me! How did a woman who'd done time get that kind of nerve?'

Fiona screamed and lunged at Jenna, only to be sent flying with a swift kick. The scene erupted into mayhem. The ones who tried to fight back ended up getting a dose of their own medicine. By the time they were shoved out the door, they were still trying to make sense of it all—how had they been discarded like this?

Cecily steadied Skyler on his feet and threw a last glance at the hotel, her mind spinning. Today was supposed to be the day they put Jenna in her place, but because of Jenna's sugar daddy, it all went south. Their scheme had not only fizzled out, but the Johnsons themselves were booted out like unwanted pests. Murmurs of discontent and snide remarks circled among the bystanders.

Fiona was fuming. "I swear, I'll make that brat Jenna pay. I'll make sure she can't find a foothold in Yorkrity!"

Just then, a police car pulled up, and two officers got out. "We're looking for Cecily Dawson and Skyler Johnson. We've got a case that requires your cooperation back at the station."

Cecily's face went ashen—she had a bad feeling about this. 'Could Jenna actually have something on me? Oh no. I don't want to go to jail.'

*****

Inside the hotel, the atmosphere was hushed.

Jenna turned her head, looking at the man who had just spoken up to help her. "Thanks for that."

"No biggie. I'm always glad to be helpful," Randal replied with a carefree shrug.

Thomas rolled his eyes at the ceiling. 'Men and their lies. I'd bet a dollar that helpful isn't a word one can find in Randal's dictionary. Well, he's so weird today,' Thomas thought to himself.

Randal sat up straight, leaning forward to look at her. "I want to ask you a question."

"Go ahead," Jenna replied with ease.

"Did you go to Beloris two years ago?"

Jenna smiled wryly, "Everybody knows I did a four-year stint in the clink. How could I have gotten out, let alone make it to Beloris?"

Randal watched her quietly, as if weighing the truth of her words.

Thomas butted in, "So, you were stuck inside all this time, yet you managed to make quite the splash getting out today."

"A lady I met inside got out before me. She specially came to show some support today. She even hooked me up with this hotel," Jenna explained smoothly.

Randal nodded and then stood up. "My apologies for the intrusion."

As Jenna watched him leave, she let out a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from her palms. 'Damn, that was too close. I actually did sneak back here two years ago. Had a job in the capital and kept a low profile, so I didn't even get a chance to sort out the Dawsons or the Johnsons. Only my old boss and I know about it. Man, I almost gave myself away just now.'

Jenna paused to think, then turned to Jeremy. "Have someone follow them and check out their identities." She needed to feel secure to enjoy her retirement. With a laundry list of enemies, maintaining her anonymity was non-negotiable.

Noticing the evidence left on the table, Jenna inquired, "Did you guys set up this welcome-back party at this hotel on purpose?"

"They just got unlucky," Jeremy replied calmly. 'The Johnsons just happened to cross paths with our boss' homecoming. Of course, they had to make room. Plus, it gave boss a chance to blow off a little steam.'

Jenna nodded, smiling with satisfaction. "Well done." True to form, her crew matched her style perfectly.

After the place was cleared out, several figures emerged from a secret passage. Standing in front of the couch, they greeted her with respect, saying in unison, "Welcome back, Queen D."

Jenna lifted her hand slightly, a smile playing across her thin lips, her eyes wild and proud as she thought, 'Well, this is my kingdom.'

*****

The place was hopping, but Jenna perched quietly by herself in a corner, not saying much. Eventually, someone came over and asked, "Boss, got any plans now that you're back?"

"I've hung up my hat; I just want to kick back with the quiet life." Jenna wanted a break. Four years in the underground world felt like an entire lifetime.

"Boss, we're rollin' in it now. Taking care of you in retirement ain't gonna be a problem," the man said.

"No need, thanks. Lay low for a while and don't cause any trouble," Jenna cautioned. She couldn't pin down why Randal had shown up, but her instincts told her to keep a low profile. Being too loud in the underworld had won her a fair share of enemies.

While chatting, Jenna noticed her old-school flip phone ringing. She flipped it open nonchalantly. "Yeah, who's this?"

"Hi, Jenna? I-It's your mom. We meant to pick you up from prison today, but got held up and missed you. Where are you staying now? Do you need any money?" Zelda Nash said cautiously.

Jenna paused before answering, "I'm at the Yorkrity Hotel."

"Oh, I just wanted to make sure everything's alright with you. If things get rough or you're low on funds, you let me know, okay? I've saved a bit for a rainy day. It's 1,000 dollars—not a fortune, but it's there for you"

On the other end of the line, Jenna's uncle, Kenneth's seemingly disgruntled voice sounded. "Sis, that 1,000 dollars you scraped together so carefully, and you just give it to her? What will you live on? She's attending a Dawson event, might be living it up with them. Does she even care about this little sum?"

An argument seemed to break out on the line.

"Jenna, don't listen to your uncle rambling—he chipped in for that money, too. Anytime you're in a tight spot, just give me a call," said Zelda.

Jenna could hear the cautious tone in her mother's voice. Though they hadn't met, the chat had a warm and familiar feel to it. She replied, "I'll come by tonight. Send me the home address, okay?"

"Really? What do you want to eat? What do you like? I'll get the groceries and cook for you."

"Anything's fine." Jenna's expression softened significantly.

After ending the call, she got to her feet. "Enjoy yourselves, I've got to go." She was eager to check in at home.

*****

An hour later, Jenna's taxi stopped at the edge of a run-down neighborhood. She texted from her phone: [Everyone go back and stop following me. If I catch even one of you, I'll break your legs!]

Before she figured out Randal's intentions, she didn't want trouble. Caution was the parent of safety.

Her people withdrew completely.

Meanwhile, across the street, a Bentley sped by, its atmosphere tense inside.

Thomas blurted out, "What the heck? These guys just backed off." Ever since they left the hotel, they had been followed by some people who were hard to shake off until now.

Randal stayed silent, his eyes briefly meeting a reflection in the rearview mirror—a familiar figure—could it be her?

The darkness of the night settled in. Jenna wandered the dilapidated streets, circling past the same streetlight for the third time. She stopped, then turned down a side alley she hadn't yet taken.

Meanwhile, the black Bentley sat parked in the distance, unmoving.

Randal, is Jenna completely lost?" Thomas remarked. Half an hour had passed with Jenna wandering nearby. They had finally managed to ditch their followers, and running into Jenna here seemed just too convenient.

They had dug into Jenna's past, and it was simple. But to Thomas, Randal's interest in Jenna seemed unusually high.

"A girl wandering all alone this late doesn't seem safe, doesn't it?" Thomas worriedly pointed out.

Randal turned over, watched Jenna disappear into the alley, and instructed, "Follow her."

Jenna made her way into the alley, realizing quickly that it wasn't familiar territory. Suddenly, the sound of loud cursing caught her attention, and she looked up to see a few tough-looking guys with tattoos pushing around another guy, fists occasionally flying. "Kenneth Nash, pay up now or it could cost you more than you bargained for."

Chapter 4 I Don't Hit Hard

Jenna headed straight toward them, her striking features somehow becoming even more eye-catching under the dim alley light, her charming eyes full of impatience—she was so irritated by getting lost.

"Hey, boss, is that a gorgeous lady—or rather, a fairy?" one of the tattooed guys nudged his leader.

"What fairy? You hit the bottle too hard?" Vincent Grant, the bald tough guy leading the pack, spun around, ready to snap at his buddy, but the moment he caught sight of Jenna, he was the one caught off guard by her beauty. As Jenna approached, he cracked a sleazy smile. "Something wrong, gorgeous? You look kinda lost. Need help finding your way?"

"Which way to..." Jenna asked.

The beaten man on the ground looked up, astounded, "Jenna?"

"You know me?" Jenna peered down at him, certain she had never met the man before.

But Vincent cheerfully interjected, "So you two know each other? Family?"

"Nope, she's not one of us," Kenneth hastily denied, not wanting Jenna to be implicated.

"Kenneth Nash, come on. You're telling me you don't know her? The lady just asked for directions to your place, right? No use playing dumb!" Vincent jeered with a knowing smirk.

Hearing that the man being beaten was a Nash, Jenna suddenly figured something. "You're my uncle?"

"Who the hell is your uncle? Just go!" Kenneth panicked. This was not a happy niece-uncle time.

"Ah, how lovely, family reunions," taunted Vincent. "Kenneth, if you're short on cash, maybe your pretty niece can square things away for you. Who knows, we might end up relatives." The idea seemed all the more appealing to him given Jenna's striking looks. If Kenneth couldn't settle up, Vincent was more than ready to consider accepting her as a down payment.

Just then, Kenneth leaped in front of Jenna. "Get out of here. I've got this."

In a swift move, Jenna chucked her bag into Kenneth's arms and effortlessly pulled him behind her, stepping in front. Kenneth was left dumbfounded, unable to grasp how his niece had overpowered him so easily. He glanced at Jenna's slim, but apparently strong fingers, shocked by the force they exerted. 'Is she really this strong, or have I become so weak that I'm no match for a young girl?' Kenneth was suddenly thrown into a spiral of self-doubt.

*****

Seeing the commotion unfold, the two in the car parked at the end of the alley could tell things were about to go south.

Thomas turned to Randal and asked, "Should we step in?"

"Yes." Randal nodded.

"Got it!" Thomas hopped out of the car, chuckling internally, 'Randal always boasted about Jenna's fighting skills, and now he's sending me in for backup? Tsk, men! Well, I must let Randal see what I've got.'

But before he went far, the alley thugs were already on the ground, wailing. Thomas stopped dead—had he blinked and missed her move?

Jenna stood with one foot atop Vincent's back, her brows knit together in an icy glare. "How much does he owe you?"

"It's 30 thousand dollars. Miss, please have mercy!" Vincent gasped out.

Kenneth quickly chimed in, "It's not that much—they're setting me up on purpose."

"We've got the IOU, and we're not afraid to take this to the police," said Vincent confidently.

"Yeah, we're not afraid," his companion echoed.

Jenna narrowed her eyes and said calmly, "Draft an IOU."

Kenneth was bewildered.

Caught off-guard, Vincent stammered, "But—he already signed one."

"I mean, you write," Jenna spoke up, her tone protective and seething. "You mess with my uncle, and now you want to walk away without making it right?" Jenna was the one defending her own fiercely. 'Hit my uncle and think you'll get away without paying up? Dream on!' she scoffed silently.

"You've got to pay for the medical bills, don't you think? Or I can't let you off the hook today," Jenna said, putting more weight on her foot for emphasis.

"No money, huh? Well then, pick one—an arm or a leg. But don't worry, I'm fast—it won't hurt much. Just grit your teeth and it's done," Jenna offered, feigning concern as she contemplated which limb to "choose".

"Please, I'm begging you, I was wrong! Have mercy!" Vincent gasped in pain. Seeing his crew knocked out cold on the ground, he realized he had bitten off more than he could chew. It was ironic—he was the tough guy who usually dished out the threats. Today, his own script had been hijacked! 'What a bad luck today!' he thought.

"Write an IOU, and you're free to go." Kenneth, catching on to the turn of events, hurriedly fished out a pen and notepad from a nearby thug's pocket and tossed it at Vincent's feet, while discreetly hiding his own note.

Vincent pleaded, looking miserable, "Then, how much should I write?"

"30 thousand." Jenna's tone was sharp.

'30 thousand? Just for a few punches?' Vincent's mind reeled in disbelief.

"You got a problem with that?" Jenna raised an eyebrow.

"Ouch, no problem, no complaining here. I'm writing." Vincent quickly scribbled down an IOU for 30 thousand dollars, then looked up at Jenna pleadingly and asked, "Did you use to run in these circles, too?" Even he was scared by her sheer skills. Was this a case of the pot calling the kettle black? Her stunning beauty was mismatched with moves even more practiced than his own. He thought, 'Maybe it isn't too late to join forces with her?'

Jenna ignored him and glanced at Kenneth. "Keep the note."

"Sure, I'll keep it safe," Kenneth replied, newfound respect brimming in his voice. The local toughs were no joke, yet Jenna'd dealt with them like they were nothing. Kenneth couldn't help but think, 'Wow, Jenna's really incredible!'

Jenna retracted her foot and commanded, "Let's go home."

Kenneth promptly scurried ahead, eager to lead the way.

Meanwhile, Thomas stared at the scene in shock before turning to Randal. "Are you sure she needs a hero to save her? She's going after them like a pro. Looks like she's no stranger to this game."

Dealing with such lowlifes required one to be tougher than they were. No use calling the cops or reasoning with them. Jenna forced them to write an IOU too—a stroke of genius.

Randal curled his lips into a smirk. He hadn't expected such a show when they followed Jenna here. 'Well, this is getting interesting,' he mused.

Chapter 5 Enemies On A Narrow Path

Jenna had finally come home, which, more of a makeshift hut than a proper building, looked like it had once been a storage shed repurposed into living quarters.

"Ahem, hope you don't mind our humble abode, Jenna," Kenneth started, clearly a tad embarrassed. "Heard you were getting out today and Zelda got the best room all ready for you. We planned to pick you up, but looks like somebody beat us to it." He wasn't blind to the contrast—her classy vibe didn't quite match the chaos back home. She was every inch the Dawson lady.

Jenna walked into her room and saw the tidy setup, casually placing her bag to the side. "This is fine."

"Get some rest," Kenneth suggested, visibly daunted by his niece, Jenna, who radiated both beauty and an air of authority. He'd seen how she dealt with those street punks earlier—she definitely wasn't someone to take lightly. Part of him wondered how someone so formidable could have been framed and landed in prison. But he didn't dare ask.

Jenna stretched out on the bed and closed her eyes, taking a moment to rest. The place wasn't fancy, but after the underworld she'd come from, this felt like heaven.

*****

The next day, hunger pangs woke Jenna up. She followed the delicious scents to the kitchen and found an elegant figure preparing a meal. 'Could this be my birth mother?' she wondered.

"Jenna, you're up?" Zelda, seeing her daughter by the door, flashed a reserved smile. "You must be starving. The beef patties will be ready in a second. Grab a seat, and I'll fix you a snack."

"Need any help?" Jenna offered.

"No, no, just sit. I'll have everything ready soon." Zelda fumbled a bit with the cooking before carefully bringing out the hot beef patties. "They're fresh off the stove. Give them a try."

Jenna took a bite and her eyes narrowed in contentment. "Yum," she declared, finding the taste here much to her liking.

"Like it? Help yourself to more," Zelda said warmly. "There's plenty, and the other dishes are just about done."

Jenna glanced over; there was a lot of food, clearly too much for three people. She felt her mother's careful attention, coated with a desire to make her happy.

Kenneth soon came back, carrying a fish. "Hey Zelda, check out this fresh catch. I'll whip up something special for Jenna."

The warm, homey smells wafting from the kitchen gave Jenna a feeling of comfort. She was growing fond of this place.

By noon, the table was heaving with dishes, and Jenna's appetite surged. She overate until she couldn't take another bite.

After the feast, Kenneth spoke up, "So Jenna, got any plans now that you're on the outside? I mean, someone as good-looking as you could kill it in showbiz—Ouch!"

His words were cut short by a swift kick from Zelda, who smiled over at Jenna. "Ignore your uncle; he's just rambling. You're young and there's no need to jump into a job. Why not start by getting back to school?"

"Zelda, how can Jenna just jump back into school? She didn't graduate high school."

"There's a way. I talked to a friend, and he said trade school is an option. Jenna is innocent; there's no need for her to rush into work. I can support her."

Kenneth froze. 'Jenna, innocent? Just the night before, Jenna showed she was no pushover and even managed to outshine me.' As he was about to bring it up, he caught a stern look from Jenna, which was enough to make him second-guess speaking out. 'Man, my niece is terrifying!'

Jenna replied with a smile, "Okay, school sounds good."

It was all the same to her, really. She had secretly finished college already, but those details were locked away and not updated. The dangerous life of the underworld she knew wasn't something she intended to bring into this new life. If her mother wished for her to pursue education, then why not? She faintly remembered an invitation from a university, but she had chosen the dark alleys of the underworld instead.

After the meal, Zelda handed Jenna 300 dollars in cash. "Take this for clothes or food, whatever you need."

Jenna took the money with gratitude. "Thanks, Mom."

Zelda's eyes filled with tears, and then she quickly grabbed her bag and left for work.

Kenneth leaned in, his eyes gleaming with a touch of jealousy. "Wow, 300 dollars. Guess I'll be tagging along with my favorite niece from now on." That kind of cash could last a good while.

Jenna casually pocketed the cash and glanced around. "Don't you guys ever think about finding a better place?" It was too damp in here for people to live here for long.

"We're just short on cash," Kenneth said reassuringly. "But relax, once I'm back on my feet, I'll make sure you get a place worthy of a princess."

Jenna looked at him, her expression unreadable. "How exactly did you get into debt?"

"I, uh, got a little carried away at the casinos, and before I knew it, I racked up this debt. It was that bald guy Vincent; he set me up. Otherwise, I'd never have lost so much." He was strangely meek as he spoke, something about Jenna made him less confident than usual.

Jenna raised an eyebrow. "Take me there."

"Do you even know how it works?" Kenneth asked, surprised.

"I learned a bit in the bars," Jenna answered coolly, her thoughts on her uncle getting played. They must make things right, and she needed money to move to a better place. Although she wasn't short on cash, she had to make her money appear reasonably. Hitting the casino seemed like a solid choice to her.

Kenneth took Jenna straight to the grandest entertainment complex in town—a flashy joint with connections rumored to dwarf even the local bigwigs, the Johnsons.

No sooner had they left the impoverished neighborhood than they bumped into a familiar face.

There was Vincent, wrapped in bandages, sitting in his car and swearing up a storm. "Call up my guys, now! I'm gonna settle the score from last night."

As a known tough guy, being forced by a young girl to scribble out an IOU for 30 thousand dollars had bruised his ego and street cred. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. His digging had shown that Jenna was kicked to the curb, broke, and even had a jail record. 'What's there to be afraid of? Last night I must've been off. Today, I'll right the wrongs and restore my damaged pride,' he swore silently.

Jenna walked up to the car and kicked the door. Vincent turned around, ready to spew more curses, "Who the heck—oh! My bad, miss."

Jenna raised an eyebrow. "Your ride?"

"Yeah, yeah, it's mine," Vincent stammered.

"Can I take it for a spin?" Jenna asked, with an edge to her voice that belied her casual posture.

Their eyes met. Jenna might have had a pretty face, but the cool, dangerous glint in her eyes was unmistakable. She casually leaned on the car window, her tone deceptively casual, but Vincent sensed the undertone of a threat—"hand over the key or lose a limb?"

Chapter 6 A Little Taste Of The Casino

Vincent, his head all bandaged up, decisively stepped out of his car and stood respectfully by the door. "Please, take the car for as long as you'd like." He wasn't about to challenge her. Just thinking about last night was like a nightmare in his rough-and-tumble life.

His sidekick couldn't help but rib him, "Boss, didn't you say you wanted revenge?"

Vincent felt a complicated knot of emotions. Standing in front of Jenna, he couldn't help but feel weak at the knees! Most importantly, his backup hadn't arrived yet, and there was no way they could take on Jenna now.

Jenna hopped into the car, catching Kenneth's dumbstruck look. "Something up?"

"Nothing, nothing at all." Kenneth was eagerly pushed into the car by a very enthusiastic Vincent.

"Mr. Nash, where to? I'll drive you guys myself." Vincent sneaked a peek at Jenna, who was sitting quietly in the backseat, casually leaning against the seat, her expression obscured, giving off a vibe not to be messed with.

Vincent had risen to his position today by trusting his sharp instincts. He'd bet a buck she was someone he couldn't afford to cross.

When the car pulled up at the entertainment complex, even Vincent was bewildered. 'Is she really challenging me by coming to my own place?'

Jenna got out of the car swiftly and strode toward the complex. Dressed in black slacks and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, her delicate wrists on display, she had the look of a classic beauty with waist-long hair but carried herself like the top dog.

Vincent whispered to Kenneth, perplexed, "What's she here for?"

"My niece wanted to have a look around," Kenneth replied.

A light bulb went off in Vincent's head. He wondered if she was here to stir up trouble. Maybe this was his shot at settling the score? It seemed like his luck was finally turning around.

*****

As Jenna walked into the casino, she immediately grabbed the spotlight. She was drop-dead gorgeous, looking every bit the girl-next-door.

She glanced at Kenneth. "What's your usual game here?"

Kenneth shrugged, "Well, I gotta get some chips first."

They strolled over to the cashier where Jenna, without flinching, pulled out 300 dollars and laid them on the tray. The place went quiet for a few seconds. The staff, used to seeing big spenders drop stacks of cash, thought silently, 'Are people really playing with such small amounts nowadays?'

"Is that all?" the attendant asked with a cough.

"Yep," Jenna replied, oozing confidence as she casually held the casino's tiniest chip. She wandered around as if she were clutching a cool million in chips, owning the room with her poise. This only increased the number of onlookers drawn to her.

Up at the best vantage point, Randal was keeping an eye on Jenna below. When she exchanged her 300 dollars, he let out a silent chuckle. 'This girl is a real hoot,' he thought. However, as he noticed other men looking at her, he instinctively frowned—she was simply too striking.

"Randal, should I have someone say something to the owner?" Thomas asked.

"She wouldn't be here if she wasn't prepared," Randal said, despite his curiosity. He wanted to see what Jenna, armed only with the casino's smallest chip, was planning to do. It was the first time he couldn't get a read on someone, a girl who continuously managed to surprise him.

Downstairs, Jenna wove through the crowd and eventually paused at a craps table. Someone immediately offered her a spot with a grin. "Hey, is it your first time here, sweetheart? Want me to spot you some chips?"

"No, thanks," Jenna replied, icy cool.

The guy persisted, "Hey, loosen up—have some fun! It's not like I'll make you pay me back. If you win, it's all yours; if you lose, it's on my tab."

Jenna brushed off his offer and kept her eyes on the dice, placing her bets with precision.

Ten minutes later, Jenna's stack of chips had grown while the loudmouth who tried to offer her chips bet wrong every time, trying to play against her picks. Now, he had lost his entire stack.

As the crowd started to gather around, Jenna began cashing out. "Kenneth, time to bounce," she said.

"Huh, not playing anymore?" Kenneth was stunned.

"Today's my lucky day; best not to push it." Jenna didn't plan on winning too much, wanting to avoid any unnecessary trouble.

Kenneth was buzzing with excitement, dreaming of hitting the jackpot overnight. But Jenna was bailing on the game already. 'What a pity,' he sighed silently.

At the cash-in counter, Kenneth couldn't resist trying to persuade her, but one look from Jenna and he clammed up in fear.

Jenna counted up—they had won over 30 thousand dollars. She handed them to Kenneth. "Save it for a house."

Kenneth, bewildered by the sudden wealth, just nodded.

As they walked out, Vincent, with newfound respect, stood by the car waiting. "Miss, can I drive you back?" he offered, sounding way more courteous than before.

Vincent didn't really have a say in the matter. Jenna had turned heads, and a bunch of people had their eyes on her, some thinking about using force. But then an order came from the higher-ups—hands off Jenna. 'One gotta know when to fold 'em, right? Now that Jenna is not allowed to be messed with, I-I just let her go,' thought Vincent. Since the mysterious casino's owner had spoken, no one would dare violate his command.

As the car drove away, Randal finally looked away, and the owner of the casino, a silent figure of respect, stood nearby, not even daring to speak.

*****

Jenna stepped out of the car into the slums, where Vincent graciously rushed to open her door with quick, nimble steps. "Mind your head, Ms. Dawson," he cautioned with care.

Bending to exit the car, Jenna glanced at Vincent. "You've done well," she said, with a hint of approval.

"Well, all thanks to your great guidance." Vincent beamed.

Kenneth couldn't take his eyes off the scene, his pulse racing. 'Jenna is incredible!' he thought. Vincent was a known tough guy in the slums, someone everyone steered clear of, and now he was taking orders from Jenna.

Jenna strolled toward her house casually, as if it were any other day. But when she got there, the front door was hanging open, and the inside was a total mess—something was definitely wrong.

Kenneth burst through the door first. "What the heck happened here? Who's got the guts to mess with my place?"

"Kenneth, you in trouble?" Jenna asked, her annoyance clear. She didn't mind his antics outside, but dragging trouble back to their doorstep was another story.

At that moment, Vincent scampered in breathless. "Ms. Dawson, there's trouble! Word is someone trashed your place this afternoon, caused a scene, and, I think, they took your mom."

Jenna's face darkened. "Who?"

"I'm not sure," Vincent replied, "but they came in luxury cars, all designer clothes, talking about settling old and new scores, and it seemed like they mentioned you."

'Luxury cars?' Kenneth and Jenna exchanged looks. 'Could it be the Dawsons?'

Kenneth was livid. "It's gotta be the Dawsons! We don't know any other loaded relatives. It's them, for sure."

Realization dawned on Jenna. and she spun around to leave, her eyes icy with anger. She couldn't believe the Dawsons would dare to pull a stunt like this.

Chapter 7 They Never Learned

Vincent volunteered to drive, suggesting as they went that perhaps he should call for backup.

Jenna sat in the back of the car with a stormy frown on her face, dialing down the car's mood to near freezing. Her phone rang, and she answered with annoyance, "This better be important."

"Boss, your mom was taken by force, but we managed to fake a car crash and rescue her. What do you want to do now?" asked the voice on the other end.

Jenna bit her lip thoughtfully. "Hang tight. I'm on my way."

"Got it," the one on the other end replied before hanging up and turning around with a cold glare. "What are you staring at? You hit my car and think you can just leave?"

Lucy was fuming. "You're the one who crashed into us!" Everything was going perfectly—she'd wrecked Jenna's place and kidnapped Zelda, plotting to later strong-arm Jenna into backing off a lawsuit. But now, her plan was falling apart, thanks to an intentional car accident staged by some heavy-handed goons.

"So what if it was on purpose? Call the cops. I don't have time for small talk," one of Jenna's men snapped.

The thought of police arriving sent Lucy into a panic. If they showed up, they'd uncover her kidnapping Zelda. Frazzled, she fumbled for her phone to call for help.

The scene was a stone's throw from the Dawson residence—clearly they were planning to hold Zelda there.

No sooner had Stephen arrived than Jenna showed up on the scene. He hadn't anticipated Jenna's capacity to head them off. 'It looks like she's picked up a few tricks and some shady contacts during her stint behind bars,' he thought.

"Mom, are you alright?" Jenna hurried over, swiftly pulling Zelda, whose hands were still tied, from the car. The guards nearby didn't even attempt to intervene.

Zelda managed a weak smile. "I'm okay."

Jenna's voice turned icy when she saw the slap mark on Zelda's face. "Who hit you?"

Overhearing the word "mom," Lucy lashed out furiously at Jenna. "After all the years I took care of you, this is how you repay me? You're a traitor!"

Without missing a beat, Jenna retaliated with a slap. "And she's been a mother to Cecily for sixteen years, too."

"Damn it, you old hag, how dare you hit my sister! You're asking for it!" Kenneth spat out, enraged.

Lucy was dazed from the slap, howling with rage and lunging toward Jenna. She couldn't believe these lowlifes had the nerve to strike her.

With a swift move, Kenneth tripped her, sending her sprawling onto the ground.

Everything turned into a hot mess instantly. Zelda pulled on Jenna's arm, murmuring, "Let's leave it be. I'm fine." She didn't want Jenna stirring up trouble. They were powerless in this fight.

Jenna pulled out a tissue to clean Zelda's hands, her eyes resting on the bruises wrapping Zelda's wrists. In a cool, detached tone, she said, "This can't slide." Some people never learned until they were taught a solid lesson.

She glanced over and gave a discreet signal to her men, who got the hint, quickly pulled out a variety of tools from the trunk, and started smashing Lucy's car with relentless fury.

Stephen was frozen in shock. "Who the hell are these people?"

Kenneth, nearly jumping out of his skin, stepped protectively in front of Jenna. "We've got to bail. It's high time the Dawsons met their match, ha!"

Jenna didn't make a sound as she assisted Zelda into their getaway car. As they pulled away, she caught a glimpse in the rearview mirror of the Dawsons huddled together, shivering, with no fight left in them. Jenna smirked to herself, 'This isn't over.' If it weren't for her mom there, injured, she wouldn't have backed off so quickly.

"Head to the hospital," she withdrew her gaze and instructed. After ensuring Zelda was in good care at the hospital and not seriously hurt, Jenna finally relaxed.

Zelda grasped Jenna's hand and asked, "I heard Cecily and Skyler are caught up in something. What's going on?" She didn't buy Lucy's claim that Jenna was behind it.

Jenna briefly recounted the plot from four years back that led to her wrongful imprisonment.

Zelda paled with anger. "It's unforgivable!" How could they make Jenna take the blame?

Kenneth cursed loudly, vowing to settle the score with the Dawson family, calling them out for their wrongs. Jenna glanced over, tonging him down significantly.

Jenna held Zelda's hand. "Mom, I've retrieved the evidence, and the culprits are caught. It's all over now."

Zelda wiped away her tears, blaming herself for her lack of capability that had led Jenna to be bullied.

Meanwhile, Kenneth leaned in and whispered to Jenna, "Are we seriously going to let this slide?"

"What do you think?" Jenna countered, her sharp gaze sending chills down Kenneth's spine, but then he couldn't help grinning. Jenna was never the type to let a grudge slide, and he liked it.

Good people might let it go, like Zelda. But not Jenna. She lived by the rule "You cross me, you pay."

The moment Jenna got back, she hit up her crew for the lowdown on all of the Dawson family's business. They had messed with her mom; they weren't getting off easy. She had planned to chill for a few days, but it looked like they wanted to rush to their downfall.

*****

The Dawson residence hall was filled with people, all sitting in an uneasy silence.

Members of the Johnson family had also arrived. Seeing the Dawson couple with wounds all over their faces and bodies struck quite the image of disarray. Stephen even had a broken arm, now in a cast.

Fiona was annoyed and thought, 'The Dawson family was too careless! They let Jenna's men corner and beat them, and they couldn't even call the police for fear of Jenna accusing them of kidnapping. What a shame! Jenna might be tough, but come on, she's just an ex-con who picked up some rough friends behind bars. How threatening could she really be?'

Stephen broke the silence, "Now that you're here, what's our move?"

"Here in Yorkrity, taking down a woman with jail time should be a piece of cake." Fiona was itching to tear Jenna apart. 'A jailbird trying to cross me? As if!' she thought, realizing she had seriously misjudged Jenna before.

"The folks backing Jenna mean business; they're not just going to roll over. And don't even think they'd consider dropping the lawsuit," someone warned.

If so, then both Skyler and Cecily couldn't escape involvement—especially Skyler, who was the one driving.

Angered, Fiona declared, "I've already reached out to my family. They have some serious pull, and they'll make sure this all goes away."

Stephen's eyes lit up. The Buckeyes were one of four top families in Beloris—the Jeffersons, the Zanes, the Buckleys, and the Sanchezes. The Johnsons had become the wealthiest family in Yorkrity, largely thanks to that Fiona was a Buckley, which allowed her a much higher status there.

"You guys deal with Jenna. Make sure she can't stick around Yorkrity," Fiona commanded. They had pulled all the strings they could for the court issues; any trouble Jenna stirred up was on the Dawsons' plate, not theirs.

At that moment, Stephen received a distressing call. "Bad news, boss! Our company's cash flow has been cut off; we're facing bankruptcy!"

"What?" Stephen gasped in disbelief.

"It's true. The deal we signed a few days ago went south. The goods delivered by the other party were defective, and they're untraceable now—simply vanished. If we can't fulfill our orders, we won't be able to afford the penal fees."

Stephen nearly passed out, short of breath. 'What a bad luck!'