A woman sat in a hotel room, writing in a book.

"It's been ten years since I left California, and I'm still piecing together the news from the newspaper. I've heard that California is now a tumultuous city where everyone feels insecure, and my father, as part of the social change coup, became president of the California Chamber of Commerce. The Lincoln residence, which I used to know, has a new hostess ". She exhaled a sigh.

Arci Lincoln, 23 years old, 152 cm. She is petite and sweet. She is cute and has a round face. She is slim.

She came to the country to bury her mother because it was her mother's wish that she be buried in her native land.

She tucked her diary away in her suitcase. She took two photographs from her suitcase and stroked them.

She took a look at the second picture. When she recognized a familiar face.

It was the face of her mother's bride servant who is now the mistress of her house.

This shameless woman.

She is the real legitimate daughter of the Lincoln family. The current madam Dawn in the Lincoln now actually used to be her mother's bride servant girl and her younger sister is the illegitimate daughter of her father and the bride servant girl.

Unfortunately, her brother died tragically ten years ago and her mother took her to America in distress. Hence, the bride servant girl and the illegitimate daughter became legitimate members of her family.

Others are like a sparrow turning into a phoenix, But her? She is like a crestfallen Phoenix whose life is no better than that of a chicken. How is she going to live the rest of her life under other people's roofs?

No she must take whatever that belonged to her.

There is no one she can trust in her family.

Arci sighed as she waited for a car from the Lincoln mansion to come pick her up, but there was none. She was sick of waiting and checked into a hotel.

She reorganized her suitcase.

She possessed her mother's dowry, which her mother had given her before her death.

She recalled her late mother's final words.

"Arci, you're on your own now, and you should think for yourself more. If you have any problems at the Lincoln home, you can sell my marriage dowry to help you start a new life on your own."

Her face was flushed from crying.

"Don't be worried, Mom. I will do as you say and live a good life for the sake of you and my elder brother."

She returned the dowry and closed her suitcase.

Her mother died when she was a child, and her father married her new stepmother. Her father adored her mother, and when she was young and happy and living in peace, everything fell apart when her mother died. That's when things started to go wrong. Her brother died soon after her mother….

She was young at the time, so she couldn't recall many specifics.

She walked out of the hotel room with her suitcase. She was hungry so she went to the hotel's restaurant.

She sat down at a hidden corner.

The restaurant was bustling and a lot of people were eating too.

A waitress walked up to her and bowed her head.

"What do you want to order ma'am?" The waitress inquired politely.

"Could I please have a cup of coffee and a newspaper?"

"Sure, just a moment," the waitress said as she walked away.

She sat down and looked around her when she saw a couple sitting down behind her eating too.

A handsome man and a pretty lady.

She looked away from them and waited for the waitress.

"This is the newspaper and the coffee Miss." She was given a newspaper by the waitress.

"Thank you," arci said softly

The waitress smiled and walked away.

….

Richard Bush, 27 years old, 182 cm.

He is tall and handsome.

He also has a little sister who was studying in a school in Los Angeles.

He is a soldier.

His father was a soldier before he was maliciously killed by his colleague who was jealous of his position.

He returned to Los Angeles to settle his father's soldiers, take his father's rightful position and he wants to avenge and reveal the person who killed his father.

A woman was sitting next to him, Grace Alfred, She is tall and pretty.

She is his assistant and also a spy. Grace Alfred likes Richard but he just treats her coldly.

They sat down together at the Empire Hotel and restaurant, Just to eat. He just arrived in Los Angeles yesterday with Grace. They got a room at the hotel together since their flight arrived late yesterday.

Grace rose from her seat and approached Richard.

"Darling, darling, I'm sick in the stomach. Why don't you eat by yourself while I take a break?" Grace stated

"No way," Richard replied, "I'm not eating anything without your company.".

"But I'm really sick," Grace lamented.

Richard sneered in his mind because he knew that she already betrayed him since he couldn't give her what she wanted.

"Be a good boy," Grace said as she patted him on the back.

She stood up and was about to walk away when Richard held her and cradled her in his arms. Grace 's glass cup fell down from her hand.

"Simply remain where you are. I'm not eating anything by myself" Richard told her

A waiter approached them quickly and packed up the broken glass.

"But I'm really sick," Grace insisted

"Touch here, my stomach is really upset," Grace said, taking Richard's hand in hers and placing it on her stomach.

"Off you go," Richard said

Grace gave him a gentle smile before leaving.

Richard smirked, he stood up from his seat and walked away.

….

Arci took a sip from her coffee as she enjoyed the gentle breeze, she sighed when she remembered her mother.

….

She checked in her pocket and realized she had left her purse in the hotel room.

She sighed and scolded herself, "Blockhead."

She took her suitcase and stood up from her seat and walked towards her hotel room

Richard got to the hotel door, he turned the hotel number from 6 to 9.

His hotel number was 6 so he changed it to 9 and walked into the room.

Grace smirked when she saw Richard suitcase, he shouldn't blame her, if he had agreed to marry her, he wouldn't have betrayed him and beside he is just courting death against power.

And if she is successful, she will be greatly retarded. She is trying to steal his developmental map and pass it to the culprit who killed his father.

A developmental map is a map that records all the areas of Los Angeles. It is a military map too.

She bent down and tried to break the lock of his suitcase.

She nervously attempted to break the lock on the suitcase. Her palms are perspiring.

"So your stomach is no longer upset?" Slowly, a voice said, startling her.

She looked at him, shock written all over her face.

She straightened up quickly.

"What were you doing attempting to open my suitcase?" Richard inquired.

"You're acting rashly, and it'll get you in trouble, senior Military Governor Albert has strong connections in California. You thought you could start a mutiny in California by bribing the state's defense commander? That will not happen," Grace said.

"So you were attempting to steal my developmental map and pass it on to Albert's men?" Richard asked slowly, crossing his legs as if he were an underworld king.

Military Governor Albert is the culprit who killed his father. His father was supposed to be the Los Angeles Military Governor but he was killed and framed by Albert Latino. He heard all this from his uncle who was his father's assistant when his father was still alive.

The Bush family designation was revoked a decade ago by him making him and his father loyal soldiers homeless. He led homeless soldiers for ten years without giving up for this day to come. He waited for ten years old, he wouldn't allow anything to foil his plans now.

Albert Latino framed his father. He killed his father and staged a plan by placing his father's corpse on the horseback of a bandit. A soldier must not die at the hand of a bandit because People will believe that his father betrayed the country.

"I assumed you'd call it off. "If the news got out," Grace explained.

"Marshal," Grace called out, placing her hand on his lap and gently caressing it.

"Actually, I'm doing this to help you, to keep you from making a major mistake." She stroked his back with her hand.

She sat on his lap.

"You betrayed me and yet you say you did it for me," Richard said coldly as he stroked her left cheek.

"How could you say that, General?" "Don't you know the feelings I have for you ?" she grumbled.

He would never kill her, she was certain, because men adore seductive and submissive women.

Richard rose slowly, holding her in his arms. He embraced her and walked back slowly, his loving smile making her dizzy.

He had her trapped behind a wall.

"General, you're hurting me," Grace said as she began to feel pains in her hand.

She hugged him tightly and smiled triumphantly.

She took a look at his wallet, which was on the table next to her.

Her gaze shifted. She must complete the mission, and if she kills Richard successfully and gets the developmental map, she will receive a bonus.

She reached for his wallet, which was accompanied by a small kitchen knife.

Richard smirked when he noticed this ,he acted before her and took the knife.

She collapsed and died instantly, her eyes wide open as if shocked that she was the one who died.

He didn't even look at her body; he dusted himself.

"Disgusting"

….

Arci carried her suitcase to her hotel room. She was standing outside her hotel room.

Her hotel room was number nine.

She stood at the hotel room with number 9 and walked in.

When Richard noticed the door to his hotel room open, Richard looked towards the door vigilantly.

'Could it be Albert's men?' He pondered.

Arci entered the room and looked around for her purse.

But she couldn't see it, so she dug deeper and discovered a snow white leg under the table.

She entered the room puzzle and saw the man she had seen outside with the woman.

The woman was dead.

She let out a small scream and dashed towards the door.

But Richard didn't give her a chance to flee before chasing her down.

He caught hold of her and banged the door shut.

He put his hand over her mouth to prevent her from shouting.

Arci shivered and struggled, but the man was stronger.

"Be quiet," Richard said sternly.

She was no longer struggling.

Richard looked at her and remembered seeing her in the hotel restaurant.

"Japanese?" he inquired.

Arci was born to a Japanese mother and an American father.

People frequently mistook her for a Japanese lady because she resembled her mother.

She gave a nod.

"Okay, keep quiet or I will kill you." Richard spoke to her in Japanese.

She gave a nod.

When Richard saw that she was cooperating, he took his hand away from her mouth.

Arci speak up when he released her

"Someone will pick me up at the airport, and if I don't show up, the police will call," she said in Japanese.

"Come along with me." Richard drew her into the room.

"No!" She was struggling.

He threw her onto the bed.

He clutched her shoulder.

"Relax," he said.

"And now you must remain with me. I'll let you go once we're safely out of here. Stay with me".

He said this as he walked over to the dead woman on the floor.

He pushed the woman under the bed.

'Knock'

Someone knocked on the door, startling them both.

This is her chance to know what this mad man will do to her.

"Help! Help! Help!" Arci yelled and dashed towards the door.

Richard quickly grabbed her and pushed her onto the bed.

He made a shush sound with his finger on his mouth.

"Sir, I just heard a loud bang. Would you like me to clean it up?" From the outside, a female voice said.

Richard did not respond.

"Sir, if you do not respond, I will come in."

Richard quickly snatched the little girl into his arms and piled on top of her.

A waitress entered as the door opened.

"Get out," Richard said sternly.

Arci struggled, so she could signal the waitress.

"I'm sorry, sir," the waitress bowed and walked out, closing the door gently.

Arci was disappointed and gave up.

Richard cocked his head and fixed his gaze on the woman.

"Remember what I say, okay?" He informed her.

Arci shuddered and nodded.

He got out of bed and held her hand, forcing her to sit up straight.

"Please let me go," Arci said.

"Sure. Come with me" Richard told her.

He grabbed her hand and dragged it forward.

He handed her her suitcase while holding his own.

"Follow me," he said.

Their suitcases are identical, both the size and color were the same except for the color of the lock.

He flung open the door wide.

He took another step forward, his hand still in hers.

They exited the hotel together.

He held her waist in an intimate manner, making them appear to be a couple.

"Relax," he said in her ear, and she calmed down immediately before they exited through the door.

Some group of people were standing not far from the hotel, obviously waiting for someone.

He asked her, pointing to a group of people.

"Are they expecting you?"

Arci gave a nod.

"Forget everything that happened alright? don't let me down." Richard informed her.

Arci gave a nod.

He let her go.

"Go!"

Arci approached the group of people who were waiting on the other side of the hotel.

Richard made his way to his Partner's car, which was waiting for him.

As he walked, he noticed a man pushing a dirt truck and shouting.

"Miss, please move off the road," the truck driver said in English.

Arci quickly moved out of the way to allow the truck pusher to pass.

Richard walked away without a second thought.

She approached the people who were waiting for her.

"Hello". She smiled at them.

"Hello," they replied.

Arci looked at Richard as he approached the car.

Richard walked towards his father's assistant, Drey.

"Is everything okay?" Richard inquired.

"Albert is keeping a closer eye on me than ever before. Richmond is the commander of the General Defense Command. Everywhere I go, I am followed. I got them to leave by telling them I was going to pick up my nephew " Drey lamented.

"I don't think that's a good excuse, Drey," Richard said coldly.

"I didn't have a choice. He's always trying to get his hands on me. He wanted his guards to take my place. My life depends on the Bush army, "Drey sighed.

Richard gave a cold smile.

"You can be confident. I'm alone in town."

"Your father once saved my life on the battlefield; I knew he was a trustworthy person, and don't disappoint me."

"You've decided to work with me because you believe in me. I'll treat you well no matter what ".

"What about your troops, General?" She asked.

"They've been ordered to leave town. Don't be concerned; they are Worthy of trusting."

Drey gave a nod.

"Also, who is the girl who was walking beside you just now?"

"Did you remember Grace Alfred?"

Drey gave a nod.

"That girl ran into us when I was dealing with her, she betrayed us."

"Shouldn't you then kill her?"

They both stared at where Arci was walking.

Richard was taken aback when he realized he had been duped.

The people she called her family are standing where they are, but she is not there.

And the truck driver clearly speaks English.

She understands English!!

He dashed to the car and opened the door.

"Go after her," he said.

Drey jumped into the driver's seat and started the car.

….

Arci walked to the airport, since that is where the chauffeur will come to pick her up. She waited and was already tired of waiting when a car stopped in front of her.

The back seat opened, revealing the man who had threatened her life. She attempted to flee, but Richard prevented her from doing so.

Richard dragged her into the car as quickly as he could and shut the door.

Richard placed his hand on her neck.

"I'm really surprised that you're so smart," Richard told her in English.

Arci looked at him without saying anything.

"Stop acting, do yourself a favor, and be quiet."

He took his hand off her neck.

He reached out his hand for her suitcase. Arci quickly tried to stop him, but Drey said, "Don't move."

As he pointed a gun at her.

She stiffened instantly.

Richard took her suitcase and opened it to examine the contents.

He saw a black bag and grabbed it.

"Don't touch it," she said quickly, attempting to prevent him from opening her mother's dowry.

Richard gave her a cold look, and she backed away from him.

"Sir, I'm returning to the country to bury my mother. I promise I won't tell on you," Arci said.

He took her diary and dropped the bag.

He shut her suitcase and took out her diary.

Her name is written on the first page.

"Arci Lincoln," he read in his mind.

"You almost fooled me, I thought it would be fine if you were Japanese," he said, looking at her.

He pulled a cuff from his pocket and motioned for her to bring her hand up.

She extended her hand to him.

"What are you doing?" He asked, as he fastened the cuff around her wrist.

"I'm afraid you'll be handcuffed to me for the next few days," he said as he tied the other side to his hand.

"It's to keep you from causing problems, Are you fine with it?"

"General, perhaps we should just shoot her and throw her body in the river," Drey said, pointing the gun at her.

Her muscles tense.

She was afraid to move.

"Drey, put the gun down. From now on, consider her your sister-in-law, let's spare her life," Richard said.

"You have a soft spot in your heart for the fairer sex, Alright?" He put the gun away and began driving.

"Don't get smart with me," Richard warned.

…..