Chapter 3

In my past life, our syndicate had run into a massive turf war.

My father had drained more than half of my mother's inheritance to bribe officials and secure alliances, but it was all in vain.

Before the Vance family completely lost power, he transferred all the remaining offshore assets and resources to Vivian.

Those massive funds ensured Vivian would never have to work a day in her life.

Meanwhile, I lived in a drafty, rundown apartment, working myself to the bone day and night just to save money for Killian's surgeries.

At my absolute lowest point, I knelt before Vivian, begging her to lend me a fraction of those resources. She had her guards throw me out like trash.

The doctors had warned me that Killian’s operation required a rare, highly controlled drug, and any further delay would leave him permanently paralyzed.

Desperate, I threw away my dignity and sold out my own boundaries to secure those meds for him.

And yet, it was all a joke.

Whatever. There was no point dwelling on the past.

With a mocking smile, I blocked Killian's number, packed my bags, and headed straight for the dangerous outer branch.

The men at the branch didn't respect me at first, viewing me as nothing more than a shadow of my glamorous sister, Vivian.

I didn't care. I wanted to prove myself with raw results.

In my past life, my entire world had revolved around Killian. Now that I threw myself entirely into tactical training and combat, I discovered my own innate talent for strategy. Even the hardened veterans of the syndicate began to respect me.

After single-handedly executing a high-risk purge mission that had been stalled for three years, my name spread like wildfire, and I successfully took full control of the branch.

My reputation in the underworld quickly eclipsed Vivian's.

My father, who had seemingly forgotten I existed, finally called me.

The moment I picked up, his furious voice roared through the receiver.

"Elena Vance! Have you completely lost your mind? Your mother's death anniversary is coming up, and you can't even bother to show your face at home!"

My mother was the only soft spot left in my heart. I wrapped up my work and headed back to the estate.

But after paying my respects at her grave, I was blocked on my way out.

Vivian stood there, a hypocritical, sweet smile plastered on her face, though her eyes burned with barely concealed jealousy.

"Elena, you've really been working hard lately."

"I’m not trying to hold you back, but a woman spending every single day surrounded by rough men? You're dragging Dad's reputation through the mud!"

"Do you have any idea what people are saying about you? They say you slept your way to the top!"

"I know you're only pushing yourself this hard to get some attention from men."

Her eyes flickered to Killian, who was standing right beside me, and she let out a mocking chuckle.

"So, Dad wanted me to let you know that he's already found a fiancé for you. It's the comatose heir of the Sinclair family."

"Starting tomorrow, you don't need to go back to the branch. I will be taking over your position. We can't have you showing your face in public and embarrassing us anymore."

I let out a cold laugh.

"What's wrong? Is it eating you alive to realize the little sister you spent your whole life stepping on is actually better than you?"

She gasped, stumbling back half a step, staring at me in utter shock.

I kept my expression deadpan, venting the rage I had suppressed for two lifetimes.

"I bled and fought to build my territory. What right do you have to take it? Because your mother was a home-wrecker mistress? Or because you crawled to Daddy?"

"A parasite like you actually has the nerve to order me around? Who gave you the confidence?"

Vivian’s face contorted, and she burst into tears almost instantly.

"Elena, I was only looking out for you! How could you accuse me of such horrible things?"

I scoffed.

"Looking out for me? Sure. Vivian, let me give you some advice: Dad has already given you more than enough. Keep your greedy hands off the resources my mother left me."

Vivian looked at me with a wounded expression, sobbing dramatically.

"I know you've hated me since we were kids, but I really just didn't want to see you struggle so hard..."

Unwilling to waste another second on her drama, I turned to leave, but my wrist was suddenly grabbed in a vice grip and I was slammed against the wall.

It was Killian. His eyes were dark and stormy, his voice raspy.

"You've gone too far."

Looking at his protective stance over her, I found it hilarious.

Killian's gaze grew colder.

"Apologize to Vivian."

I raised my hand and slapped him across the face.

The sharp crack echoed through the hallway.

I said coldly, "My sister's precious fiancé, are you done throwing your tantrum? If you want to fight, take it outside. Don't disgust me."

My slap forced Killian's head to the side. A few stray locks of hair fell over his forehead, making him look strangely shattered.

"You..."

He had clearly never expected me to lay a hand on him.

I shoved him away, went upstairs to pack my things, and left the estate that very night.

But right before I could board my private flight, I was intercepted.

Cole grabbed me by the collar, his teeth clenched in raw fury.

"This is all your fault! Vivian ran out last night because of you and got shot by a rival gang!"

"She's in critical condition right now. You're coming with me to save her!"