USA, Washington, D.C. Wilson’s mansion

Stella went to Jane’s room and opened the door, she didn’t saw her in the room so she went to check in the bathroom; she wasn’t there either, she felt uneasy.

It was still very early in the morning and Jane was not in her room.

Where did she go?

Just when she was about to leave she saw a letter on the bedside table she picked it up and read it, the farther she read the more cold sweat started forming on her forehead, she took the note and ran to Maxwell.

Maxwell was in the study reading some urgent documents, Stella banged open the door and shouted: “Jane ran away!!”

Maxwell was stunned and didn’t react for a while; he suddenly stood up and called his assistant “Find my daughter!!”

They were already in a tight spot right now, and now his daughter suddenly ran away when they needed her the most.

Maxwell was regretting giving Jane the freedom to do whatever she wanted since she was a kid. Now she doesn’t even care about her own family.

Emerson’s family will send someone soon, and if Jane is not home; what will happen to them?

Maxwell sat on his chair slowly supporting himself with his hands; he leaned back and closed his eyes.

It is 10: 20 am in the morning, 3 hours before they found out Jane was missing.

Maxwell sat on the sofa touching his temples with one hand and the other holding a glass of water, Stella was pacing back and forth in front of him, her face was pale and she was very anxious which was visible on her face.

Suddenly Maxwell said with an irritated tone “Will you stop walking and sit and calm down.”

“What? My daughter is missing how can I calm down? If you would have refused the Emerson’s she wouldn’t have run away.” Stella said angrily.

“You and I both know that we can’t say no, it was your grandfather and father who made this engagement.” Maxwell was getting impatient “It’s you who spoil her to this extend where she doesn’t even care about her parents.”

Just when she about to refute a servant came and knocked on the door, after Maxwell let him in he said “A lawyer has come to meet sir and madam, he is waiting downstairs.”

Stella and Maxwell exchanged glances thinking who it might be? Was he sent by the Emerson family?

They walked down in the living room worriedly when they reached there they saw a man in a well-tailored suit, Stella’s eyes fell on the woman sitting beside him.

The woman was wearing jeans and a crop-top hoody her face was covered by a black mask and grey shades of glasses, she has golden blonde hair.

The lawyer and the women beside him saw Stella and Maxwell coming down and stood up.

The woman reached her hand to remove her glasses, a pair of clear, bright, and rare Xanadu eyes sparkled under the bright light in the hall; these rare light emerald eyes are never seen before, her eyes are sharp filled with elegance, calmness, and royalty, they appeared kind, but hidden behind them is the endless coldness out of everyone’s vision; no matter how kind it appeared but it can make people shudder with just a glance. Her appearance was different and confirmed to be a foreigner.

Stella wondered; who it might be?

She then slowly reached to remove her mask and revealed a pale white small face with raspberry-like curly lips and a straight small nose; in one word she was very beautiful the whole person was emitting an aura of elegance and power just like a queen.

Stella had walked down the stairs and her steps came to halt when she saw the woman and her eyes widened in shock, her body was stiff she couldn’t move, her mouth slowly opened and uttered one word “Scarlett”

Her voice was so low that only Maxwell heard her he was just walking downstairs and saw the woman and abruptly stopped after seeing the woman.

All these series of actions did not hide from Evelyn’s eyes she smiled lightly as if enjoying the fear in their eyes.

“Aunty, how are you?” Evelyn said

Stella walked towards her and the lawyer

“Miss Wilson, this is Ariana Wilson, your Cousin Miss Scarlett’s daughter and I am her lawyer Carl.”

Just some simple words of introduction but it felt like the end of the world to Stella.

.........

A day back in the past.

…..

Russia, Morning, near suburbs area on a huge empty race track 3 cars are racing; soon a black sports car crossed the finish line flowed by a white sports car than a red sports car.

Sara Smith came out of the red car; she has short-shoulder length black hairs, blue eyes, beautiful facial features, height 168 cm tall, 23 years old, caring mother of the group, usually cold.

She is Evelyn’s best friend, no.1 rank doctor worldwide.

Clare Adams came out of the White car, she is beautiful, has dyed curly light pink hairs and grey eyes, 169cm tall, 23 years old, she is the chief auto-mobile designer of the Adams Company the famous auto-mobile industry. She is the boss-type and is very- very protective of her close ones.

Evelyn Kingston came out of the black car; she has blonde straight waist-length hairs, and rare Xanadu colour eyes [very light emerald], 168 cm tall, a famous racer known as ‘Black Spade’, she usually wears a mask during races and nobody has seen her face. She’s very beautiful and has a great body, 23 years old; she is usually cold and indifferent to strangers but is very kind she has the aura of elegance and royalty, but she can be quite mischievous too.

Today they are here to test the new race cars.

Sara came out of her car and leaned against it “Wow! It feels great after a race.” she stretched her hands up. She was wearing loose jeans and a full-sleeved shirt.

Evelyn patted on the car and said “The performance is good, just need to make a few changes and it will be perfect” she was wearing tight black jeans a loose top, and a black mask hanging below her chin.

“Of course it has to be good, after all, I made them,” Clare said narcissistically rubbing her nose with her index finger and there was a hint of proudness in her eyes.

Sara and Evelyn pursed their lips and secretly laughed. Clare is usually lazy but once she starts doing what she likes her energy suddenly becomes infinite.

All of them had a lot of fun today and they enjoyed it a lot, they took the car keys and were about to walk inside but Evelyn’s phone rang.

Evelyn picked it up her face was serious; Sara and Clare noticed it and understood it must be from work.

After few seconds her face darkened and her steps came to halt, both of them noticed it and stopped looking at Evelyn.

Sara saw her clenching hard on her phone and the green veins on her pale white hand from the hard grip on her phone, Evelyn had lowered her eyes and they can’t see her expressions.

After the call ended Sara asked her “What happened?”

Evelyn put her phone back and her face was expressionless no one can find out if something is wrong or not “They found some clues regarding mom”

Sara and Clare were a bit surprised, it’s been 13 years since Madam Scarlett disappeared and finally, after all these years there’s some news, they nearly thought they would never find anything but today they finally have some clue.

Evelyn continued “Mom had contacted someone in USA before that accident, so I have to go there to check it personally.”

“USA, isn’t there your mom’s family lives” Sara nodded and said after thinking a bit “But your grandpa may not allow you to go there” her voice was low as if not wanting to say but eventually said it “After what your mom’s family did to your mom……”

Evelyn’s face darkened and they could feel the cold pressure around her.

“I know, but I will go, it might be the last chance to find what happened that day,” Evelyn said her voice was firm and determined.

Clare kept looking at her and she knew, no matter what they do they will not be able to stop her from anything related to her mom it becomes the most important thing to her sometimes even more important than her own life.

“You will need a fake Id and fake profile; I’ll make it for you,” Clare said she is serious.

“Are you too out of your mind?!” Sara said loudly looking at both of them she is now angry, going there alone will be dangerous moreover she won’t even tell her family; when her family finds out then forget the danger her grandpa will become the person to be scared of if he finds out his granddaughter went to look for clues alone.

“Right now she won’t stop, so it is better we give her support and help her avoid the coming dangers.” Clare hugged her arms and said with a casual tone.

Sara opened her mouth but didn’t speak, after giving it a thought she knew Evelyn will not stop and the only thing they can do right now is helping her and keep the danger away from her as much as possible.

“Okay fine!” Sara agreed reluctantly.

Evelyn smiled she knew even if she will be put in a life-threatening situation her friends would be there to support and help her and Evelyn knows that she can depend on and trust them blindly.

Alright, then it’s decided I will make a fake Id for you,” Clare said, she is a designer but with that she is also the 2nd rank worldwide hacker too, making a fake Id is a piece of cake for her.

Evelyn nodded “I will have to live with the Wilson family because…..” before she could finish Sara interrupted her

“WHAT? NO WAY!” Sara seemed to hear something terrible “You can’t stay with them no way I won’t let you.”

“You know how they are, there’s no way you have to live with them. You can stay at your mansion or villa or penthouse or even in a hotel but not the Wilson family” Sara won’t stop and it seems she won’t let her go either if she doesn’t give a reasonable excuse.

“You know what they did to your mom back then…… and you know how cruel they …..” Sara continued but Evelyn stopped her.

“They might be related to this case.”

Sara was silenced she looked at Evelyn in shock and is trying to figure out what she just heard, while Clare was shocked too she didn’t expect them to be related because they don’t hold the power to inflict harm on madam Scarlett so how are they related? If they are then did they get someone’s help?

“And no matter how cruel they are….” Evelyn paused for a second then said with an evil smirk “Can they be crueller than me?” she slightly tilted her head and the whole person seemed scary.

“If they are related to this I won’t forgive them, they will receive their fair share of punishment too.” Evelyn smiled her eyes displayed the coldness in them at their fullest, Sara and Clare felt chill down their spines.

Well, in terms of being ruthless Wilson’s don’t even amount 1/3 to Evelyn. If they are involved in this case then god knows, what Evelyn will do to them.

“But do you have to live with the Wilson family?” Sara was concerned she knows exactly how the Wilson family treated her mom before. What if they treat her the same way?

Evelyn nodded “I have to repay them for taking ‘good care of my mom when she lived with them before.” She smiled but her eyes were cold, just like a beast that is on its way towards its prey.

“I will send you the information I will need in my fake Id, and I will keep a low profile to avoid unwanted trouble,” Evelyn explained

Clare nodded

“Be careful to not attract the Black Lion military army’s attention, especially their ‘Commander Leo’ ” Sara said with all seriousness.

“Don’t worry, I will be extra careful and will not get involved with them.” Evelyn continued nodding trying hard to stop Sara from worrying anymore this is why they call her the mom of the group.

“When are you leaving?” Clare asked

“Tomorrow night.”

“Be careful" Sara said, she thought if the Wilson family is involved in this case then they should be careful because their doom is on its way towards them.

……

USA capital city, one of the areas where aristocrats families live, midnight

In the Wilson mansion; study room, Stella Wilson, her husband Maxwell Lauren, and their daughter Jane Lauren are anxiously sitting in the room.

“I have already made it clear, I won’t let my daughter marry to that waste of a person no matter how well his family is,” Stella said in a loud and commanding voice.

“We can’t do anything, this engagement was made by your father, Mr Wilson and Mr Emerson; we can’t afford to offend them!” Maxwell said angrily.

Wilson’s family is aristocratic, Maxwell Wilson is the only son-in-law and he is the CEO of the ‘WN’ fashion design Company handled by Wilson’s. It was founded by Stella Wilson’s grandfather; later her dad and aunt [Miss ‘Isabel’ Miss Scarlett’s mother] took over and now it is in hands of her and her husband.

Although it is a small company and still growing, it has a very big reputation in the capital because of Old Mr Wilson the founder of the WN.

Years ago engagement appointment was made of the first lady of Wilson and Heir of Emerson family by Stella’s Grandfather Mr Wilson his son and daughter Miss Isabel Wilson and Mr Levis Wilson with the elder of the Emerson family.

And tomorrow is the day when Emerson’s will send someone to receive the first lady of Wilson’s family.

Emerson’s reputation and power are the strongest and many want to coax them, just to get a little bit closer to them but as strong as they are they also are very mysterious and dangerous too. No one knows much about the Emerson’s.

The reason why Stella didn’t want her daughter Jane to marry into that family is that the engagement was made with the first son of Emerson’s family’s head and he is crippled and disfigured.

Maxwell was stressed he rubbed his temples and said: “Let’s wait till tomorrow, I’ll think of something you go back and have a rest it’s already midnight.” Maxwell said softly, no matter how stressed or angry he is he loves his family and would not be hard on them.

Jane was quiet the whole time and suddenly she spoke coldly “Dad, if you send me to that cripple then I will end my relationship with you.” She said stood up and left the room.

Maxwell was shocked and sad, he loves his daughter the most and he too doesn’t want to see her suffer, and he stood up and was about to follow her but was stopped by Stella.

“Let me talk to her, she is under pressure right now,” Stella said softly and he nodded and sat on his chair.

Stella went out following Jane and held her hand stopping her “Sweetheart don’t worry, dad will think of a solution ok?” she tried to comfort her.

“I just hope a miracle happens and I don’t have to marry that cripple,” Jane said and hugged her mom.

…..

Back in the room, Jane called her friend Tina, after few rings, the phone was answered “Hello”

Tina was asleep and her voice was horse “Hey, why did you call me so late, what happened?”

“Today evening dad got a call from the Emerson family,” Jane said and Tina’s eyes were opened in surprise.

“What? Why?” Tina asked

“It’s the engagement, they will send someone to pick me tomorrow,” Jane said her voice was sad.

Tina guessed what she was talking about and asked again in confirmation “Is it the engagement with the first son of Emerson, Leonardo Emerson?”

“Yes”

“But wasn’t when the engagement was made it wasn’t told who he will marry, why you suddenly? What about your cousins?” Tina asked she was confused too.

When the engagement was made it wasn’t said who will Leonardo marry it was just said that it will be the first lady from the Wilson family and Jane is the only daughter in the main family.

The older. Wilson had two kids first daughter Isabel Wilson, second son Levis Wilson. In an accident Isabel died and left behind her only daughter Scarlett, nobody knew who her dad was and Levis loved his sister and Scarlett so he adopted her and raised her with his daughter and son Stella and Lucas Wilson. And she is the only daughter of Stella, Lucas isn’t married yet.

“Mom told me it’s because I’m my great-grandfather’s direct grand-daughter, and they don’t want anyone from the side family” Jane explained

“Then what will you do now?”

Jane thought for a second then said, “I will run away.” Tina was shocked hearing her.

Tina thought for a second then said “Alright, but have you thought about what will happen to your family if you do this?”

“I don’t care, they are just wasting time and waiting for the Emerson’s to come and send me so they get the money from their hands, they don’t care about me so I won’t care either,” Jane said coldly and arrogantly.

Jane was spoil by Stella and Maxwell to the point where she thinks of others as garbage, and now she doesn’t even care what she will cost her family for taking this step.

….

It was 3:20 in the morning; Jane reached the airport with her friend Tina and was walking towards their gate number but suddenly she bumped into someone.

“Don’t you have eyes?” Jane said angrily and was about to push the woman who she bumped into. Before she could do anything the woman grabbed her hand and twisted it.

“You should know your limit” Evelyn took her glasses off and revealed her cold eyes “Or else you can’t handle it if you offend someone whom you shouldn’t,” she said in a very cold tone that she could feel Jane’s body trembling.

Tina was scared too when Evelyn glanced at her, she knows about Jane’s temper so she didn’t meddle in or tried to help Jane even if she wanted to she couldn’t because when Evelyn glanced at her body automatically stopped responding and she couldn’t move even an inch.

Evelyn was wearing a mask so they didn’t saw her face but Evelyn’s eyes are something people could never forget; the terror her eyes make people feel is never easy to forget.

At the Wilson mansion, present time.

Maxwell came forward and stood beside Stella, looking at Evelyn without averting his gaze, he knows this face clearly; he felt as if Scarlett is standing in front of him.

It’s been years since he saw her, his heart immediately warmed and his always sharp eyes softened when he looked at Evelyn.

“Are you really Scarlett’s daughter?” Maxwell asked softly.

“Yes, I’m Ariana.” Evelyn nodded and smiled.

She can’t use her real name Evelyn Kingston for some reason so from now on she is using her fake name Ariana Wilson which Clare helped in making the fake Id.

“Hahaha” Maxwell laughed “You look just like your mom.” He said with a soft smile.

“Uncle knows my mom?” Evelyn tilted her head slightly.

Stella was still in shock when she saw Evelyn, all the past memories are flooding in her brain, when she heard Evelyn asking Maxwell about her mom she was pulled out of her thoughts.

She turned and glared at him; Maxwell noticed it and didn’t look at Evelyn anymore.

They all sat on the sofa and Carl the lawyer said: “Miss Ariana has been living abroad with Miss Scarlett’s friend, before Miss Scarlett’s death she told me to take Miss Ariana back here when she grows up.”

Maxwell nodded, and asked, “Where is your dad?”

Evelyn silently looked at him for a while then lowered her eyes and shook her head slowly, gesturing she doesn’t know. “Oh,” Maxwell nodded and didn’t ask much. After some more discussion, between Maxwell and the lawyer a thought crossed Stella’s mind and her eyes lit up.

She looked at Evelyn and said, “Dear you must be tired after a long journey, come I will take you to your room.” She forwarded her hand towards her.

Evelyn looked at her astonished and thought “Why is she being so kind? That’s not like her.”

“My room….?” Evelyn asked a bit confused, she didn’t think Stella would agree so easily.

“Yes, from now you are our responsibility, so you will of course live with us, right honey?” she turned and asked Maxwell.

Maxwell was a bit confused too he thought Stella may not agree.

“That’s good then, I don’t have to worry anymore.” The lawyer said.

After greeting goodbye Maxwell went to his room to look for Stella but she wasn’t there.

……

Inside a guest room, Evelyn is in the washroom; she rinsed her face with water and looked at herself in the mirror; her cold Xanadu eyes staring straight at the mirror. She wiped her face and went out; Stella was already waiting for her outside the door.

“Ariana come here, I have a lot of things to ask you.” she took Evelyn’s hand pulled her to sit on the bed, with a smiling face. “What is your age?” she asked.

Evelyn looked at her for a second and then answered “23” with a smile, Stella smiled too.

“23, right, right” she patted on the back of Evelyn’s hand which she hadn’t released yet.

“Why did you suddenly ask about my age, aunt?” Evelyn is a bit confused.

Why would aunt suddenly ask about my age?

“You know your mom was one year older than me,” Stella said with a brilliant smile on her face. “I have a daughter, Jane, she is 22 this year.”

“She will be your little cousin-sister now,” Stella said

Evelyn was now totally confused, this not the Stella Wilson she had heard of.

Is she really the same person who used to bully my mom when they were young? Is she really the one who planned to kill my mom? How can she change so much? Can people really change to this extent?

“You know when your mom and I were young my dad and grandpa had an engagement appointment with the Emerson family.” Stella slowly started explaining.

I don’t have a good feeling about this.

“The engagement was made with the first son of the head of the Emerson family and the first lady of Wilson family.” Stella looked at her with pleading eyes “You are the first lady of the Wilson family.”

Evelyn was shocked hearing this she pulled back her hand and stood up “What do you mean?” she said with a bit angry tone

Stella stood up too, wearing the high heels she was of the same height as Evelyn.

She grabbed her arms and said, “My aunt Isabel was your mom’s Scarlett’s mother and also the first child of my grandpa, and that makes Scarlet the first lady and now her daughter you are this generation’s, first lady.” She breathed in and said, “You must bear the responsibility and marry into the Emerson family or else we will be doomed.”

What is happening? Why am I here? I came to find my mom’s murderer why am I suddenly getting married? What first lady?

Evelyn’s eye twitched and she pulled her arms out and said in a firm voice “I won’t get married”

Stella was taken aback, she thought even though ‘Ariana’ has lived abroad she must have heard of the Emerson family they are very well-known for their power and reputation so ‘Ariana will definitely agree to get married. But she didn’t expect her to refuse.

Stella lowered her eyes and turned around “Alright, as you wish” her voice was very low.

Evelyn sighed, a disaster just stopped before it reached her. But what she didn’t know that this disaster will not stop unless it devours her completely.

Stella reached out in her pocket and pulled out a small spray bottle and sprayed it on Evelyn, she was caught off guard before she steps back it was already too late. She started feeling dizzy and her vision blurry.

Why am I suddenly dizzy? My head is heavy, I can’t see properly. She….she used knock-out gas!!

Her steps started stumbling and she eventually lost her consciousness.

Stella stood there staring at her with a blank face, suddenly a smile appeared on her face “Oh, you poor little thing you shouldn’t have refused me if you would have listened and been obedient to me I would not have to force you.” She looked at her with contempt and evil in her eyes.

Inside the study room, Stella entered the room and Maxwell asked her “Why did you agree on keeping her here?” he walked close to her. “Are you even aware that she is Scarlett’s daughter?” he was speechless for what Stella did, he was afraid of what will happen if ‘Ariana’ finds out what happened years ago.

“I know what I am doing, and I know she is Scarlett’s daughter,” Stella said brushed past Maxwell and sat on the sofa behind.

Maxwell turned around “Then why did you let her stay here?” frowned and asked impatiently.

“Who said I am letting her stay here?” she replied casually.

Maxwell was confused his mouth open he wanted to say something but then he didn’t and looked at Stella with the face of “WHAT”

“She is Scarlett’s daughter, you and I both know what Scarlett’s position was in the family.” She said and looked at him with meaningful eyes. In seconds Maxwell understood what she meant by that, his eyes widen “The first lady.” He said softly.

“Right and that makes ‘Ariana’ the first lady who Emerson wants for their crippled son.” She smiled and her face darkened “Like mother like daughter, bastards!!”

Maxwell didn’t say anything just kept looking at her, even after spending so many years together with Stella he never felt like this, but today he feels as the Stella he knew before marrying is back. The same Stella who doesn’t like anyone getting in her way, if someone does then they end up very badly.

“Now we can send ‘Ariana’ to the Emerson’s and my Jane will be free from this stupid engagement.”

{Will ‘Ariana’ be fine?} This thought crossed his mind subconsciously, no matter how much he wants his daughter to live a better life he still doesn’t want to destroy someone else’s life.

Moreover now she wants to harm ‘Ariana’ he can’t let that happen, she is Scarlett’s daughter even if he can’t stop this marriage he will keep ‘Ariana’ safe for Scarlett.

Stella looked at Maxwell and so hesitation on his face, she knows no matter what she does if something is related to Scarlett his heart will soften.

A servant knocked on the door and said “Master, madam someone is here from Emerson’s family.”

Maxwell turned around; Stella stood up and walked towards the door, before opening it she turned to face him and said “Don’t try to mess with my plan.” Saying this she left Maxwell alone in the study room.

While walking downstairs she saw few men in the black coats all with serious faces.

One of the men came forward and said “Hello, I’m Logan Sir Leonardo’s assistant we are here to receive the first lady Wilson.” He said with a stern face and firm voice.

“Yes, the first lady is resting in her room she wasn’t feeling well today so….” Stella made an apologetic face “Please follow me.” She said to lead him to the guest room where Evelyn is kept.

They reached the room, Stella opened the door and lead him in.