The Mafia Heiress's Comeback: She's More Than You Think novel Chapter 1

"Maren, haven't you ever noticed how much honor Nadia has brought our family? And look at yourself--all you've done is drag us down."

"Remember, Nadia once risked herself for you. It's time to return the favor."

At the grim outskirts, in an abandoned factory, Maren Morgan's wrists were bound tightly. She listened helplessly as her three brothers chose Nadia Morgan, her half-sister, over her.

"Save Nadia! Do whatever you wish with Maren."

"I also choose Nadia!"

"Same here."

Her final hope rested in Wilbur Thorpe, the fiance she had cherished deeply for over ten years, the man she'd shared a childhood with.

Wilbur stood nearby, impeccably dressed, his demeanor polished and aloof.

Their gazes connected briefly, but Wilbur's lips parted only to speak with brutal detachment.

"My choice is Nadia. Touch her, and you'll regret it. As for Maren--she's meaningless to me. Do whatever you like."

Wilbur's ruthless disregard crushed Maren, slicing through her heart.

She remembered clearly all she'd sacrificed to keep him alive, giving her bl**d repeatedly even when the doctors warned her she might not survive.

Though she'd anticipated his rejection, hearing his cold words shattered something deep inside her.

The pain was overwhelming--so much that she couldn't even speak.

All she could do was watch as Nadia burst into tears and threw herself into Wilbur's arms. The same man who had been cold and distant towards her was now tenderly brushing Nadia's tears away.

Her brothers surrounded Nadia protectively, showering her with affection, utterly blind to her distress.

No one cared about her. They did not even cast her a brief glance.

Instead, she faced l**ring kidnappers, their filthy bodies moving towards her with sinister anticipation.

"Who'd have guessed the Morgan family would dump their legitimate daughter just to protect an illegitimate one? Looks like g*tter rats like us hit the jackpot tonight."

"Patience, boys--everyone gets a turn."

Maren backed against the wall, trapped.

Her throat burned from earlier cries, the taste of bl**d still fresh.

As her family celebrated Nadia's rescue, Maren felt the last thread of hope vanish.

She finally gave up.

Her mother's face flashed through her mind, and with it came a surge of strength. She was done living this nightmare.

In a sudden burst, Maren threw her head up and made a break for the wall.

But before she could get far, the lead kidnapper caught on. He grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her back with brutal force, cutting her attempt short.

Then, a fierce and stinging sl*p landed hard on Maren's face.

"Think again, b**ch! We're not finished with you yet."

She recalled it all.

Six years ago, as the legitimate daughter of the affluent Morgan family in Baimsa, she had been abducted by enemies bearing old grudges.

She had lost four years of memories during her underworld days, but now, she remembered everything.

According to the vivid rumors, she had been sold to some red-light district.

But the truth was--Nikolas Edgeworth, the formidable leader of the Sovereign Underworld, had taken her in as a foster child.

During those four years, Maren had undergone a profound transformation. From the sheltered Morgan girl, she had morphed into a formidable force of the underworld, eventually recognized as the sole successor of the Sovereign Underworld.

Once merely one of Nikolas' many foster children, she had outlived all other heirs in a brutal struggle for dominance.

She had ascended as the uncontested ruler of the criminal world.

During a secret operation two years ago, treachery by her own people had led her into a minefield.

It was likely then that locals had found her alive and handed her over to the authorities. A DNA match later had reaffirmed her as the lost daughter of the Morgan family, leading to her return.

Tragically, the ordeal of betrayal and the minefield had stripped away those memories.

Only now did the floodgates of her memory fling open.

Lost in thought, Maren was startled by an angry male voice ahead.

"Maren? You c**sed woman, what in the world are you up to?"