The screeching sounds of the players’ sports gear

friction against the shiny floor of the school gym echoed. The clock strikes

three, which explains the sheer number of people in the court. After school.

And commencement of club activities. The grounds of the school gym belong to

the basketball club. Among the spectators, was a female student who occupied

the corner seat every day after school without fail. People bypassed, yet no

one took notice of her. As if she was transparent. A ghost. Non-existent. Her

presence was null.

The girl was petite and delicate. Just like anyone on

the school grounds, she was dressed prim and proper in their school’s

black-and-white uniform. Her black-collared shirt was partially covered by a warm

layer of the school’s grey jersey. Taking a scrutinized glance over the window

panes over her head, many students strolling outside were dressed similarly.

School jerseys draped over their thin uniform.

It was winter. Residues of snowflakes landed softly on

the streets. Christmas was upon them yet again. The student’s mind was at

peace. She smiled as her attention returned to the book she had on her lap. Oh,

but how wrong she was! It was the moment of nightmare. Just as no one taken

interest in her arrival, no one noticed she had left too. Why was she there in

the first place, no one knows. Precisely two hours later, the female student

headed for home. Club activities had ended, and it was almost Christmas.

Upon arriving home, she was graced with her unwanted

family. Her powerful father, her hateful stepmother, and her indignant

half-sister. All heads turned as soon as they heard the loud clanking sounds of

the doors opening and closing. The family sat comfortably around the fireplace.

They exchanged glances. She is home.

Their eyes met as she pottered herself into the common

room. A long pregnant pause of awkwardness. Each stare was equally intense. The

first to disrupt the mood was her half-sister. She started with a cough. An effort

poorly done to pull wool over her snickers. She cleared her throat.

“I see you’re finally back, sister.” Her

half-sister stressed each syllable of the honourable honorific slowly and

clearly, as if making sure not to make any clumsy mistakes.

“I see that you’re not celebrating Christmas. Isn’t

this refreshing.” She raised an eyebrow. She knew everything about this family

too much. There is always a catch behind those weird actions they make. And

like always, her words of sarcasm worked on her half-sister.

“Y... you imbecile!” Her half-sister’s filthy mouth

works wonders. There is never a day she ever hears a young mistress like her

conversate without dirty curses coming from her.

Her father, the head of the family sighed. “Take a

seat, Scarlett.” He gestured to the empty seat on his left. His first daughter

returned his gesture with a glare. That look earned herself a second helping of

dirty looks from her scheming stepmother and narcissist half-sister.

Her father cleared her throat. His tone was more

demanding this time. “Do not make me repeat my words. I said, T-a-k-e- A -S-e-a-t.”

The sight of the first daughter struggling in agony

was music to their ears. They were immersed with delight as they observed the

mistress’s daughter complied. Humiliated. Embarrassment. Shame. With teeth

gritted and fists clenched, Scarlett reluctantly obeyed her father’s command.

Scarlett crossed her legs, her sling bag tossed on the

carpet next to the couch. Her unwavering sight of attention pierced through the

pathetic members they call family. Her half-sister quivered slightly, flinched

slightly, and plunged into her mother’s embrace. Her stepmother, as usual, has

taken her daughter’s side.

“What do you think you’re doing?” her stepmother had

demanded.

Scarlett huffed. “Why, are you offended I tainted your

beloved couch? Please. I did as father told. Take a seat, he had said.

So I did. No offense, Aunt Amelia.” She smirked. Scarlett was satisfied. Proud

of her handiwork. So vain and simple, it makes them a good target. A golden opportunity

to overthrow them from their royal throne.

Both mother and daughter were left speechless. Fists

clenched, stares sharp as daggers. It was the first time they had been

humiliated so badly. Outsmarted by a nobody. A commoner girl of unwanted

origins. Clearly, Scarlett had pulled a fast one on the both of them. The head

of the family cleared his throat, interrupted his wife and daughters from going

at each other’s throat. He wedged himself in between his wife and Scarlett. It

was the fastest way out. And he had to spare his wife. Scarlett must never gain

triumph in the Ko Mansion.

“That’s enough.” He calmly spoke, ignoring the fact

that his wife had threatened Scarlett, and disregarding Scarlett disgracing his

wife and his second daughter. “We’re not here to fight.”

Scarlett huffed, folded her arms. “Fine. What do you

want? Spill it.”

“How dare you talk to Daddy like this? So crude and

unrefined, it is a wonder that you weren’t tossed onto the streets!” Scarlett’s

half-sister pointed her finger accusingly at her. Opting for a mini revenge

when one least expected it, a strategy to success.

Scarlett’s lips curled into a sneer. She was

unaffected, pococurante and apathetic by her half-sister’s harsh words.

“Father, please continue. You should reassign a better tutor to re-educate Qing

Ran from the basics from now on. One should never interrupt an elder when he is

making an official announcement. Rejecting the head of the family is punishable

by death. Isn’t that right?”

“Wha- ” Qing Ran blushed bright red. Nothing had gone

right since they met. Her plans were a disarray. Qing Ran's schemes never went

as planned. Instead, Qing Ran had walked into a trap of her own. Her trap had

backfired perfectly. Scarlett had made a fool out of her. Aunt Amelia was

furious. Her true self began to resurface. Her expressions glowed vermillion. Consumed

by anger, Aunt Amelia raised her hand against her stepdaughter.

"Stop." The head of the house intervened. He

skilfully blocked his wife’s atrocious attack. Aunt Amelia turned to glare at

her husband.

“Why are you stopping me? Don’t you care that she

belittled us?!” her shrill blasted at full volume. At her husband’s pointed

look, her plans were pulled to a halt. Her muscles relaxed, her strength

withdrawn. Scarlett swore she heard Qing Ran’s little ‘tch’ from behind her

mother’s shadows. An outsider could see the members of this family were more venomous

than a snake. The master of the Ko family decided to ignore his wife this time.

With constant complaint over every single matter, daybreak would have been upon

them by the time they were done.

Scarlett paid no mind. She continued her favourite

pastime, no, excruciating torture of intense glare against these poisonous

snakes; the people who owed her her life. Her father took out a crystal snow

globe and presented it into Scarlett’s delicate hands. Scarlett stared at it

with a questioning gaze.

“What is this?” she asked.

“A globe, of course. Are you an idiot?” Qing Ran

taunted. “Father, how come you never gave me one? Give it to me!”

Scarlett was dumbfounded. Speechless. Astounded. This

selfish bitch.

“I can see that, genius. I’m saying why the heck is

it in my hands?” Scarlett refuted.

“Take good care of it. It’s the only thing your mother

left you.” said her father.

“Why? You never gave me answers every time I asked

about my mother. Now you are giving me my mother’s memento? Is this goodbye?

You’re getting rid of me?” Scarlett was indifferent. Some say she had nerves of

steel. “Perfect. Toss me out. Just like what you did to my mother. I had enough

of this nasty family.”

Scarlett could feel the sharp stares of joy coming

from both mother and daughter. Both mother and daughter could not believe what

the family head had said. The words he uttered. Unbelievable. Astounding. Their

expressions were priceless. It was a crystal globe crafted by a famous

craftsman. An exquisite artifact. To think that this was one of Jordan Wilson’s

masterpieces was inconceivable. The historical relic. Casually resting in Scarlett’s

delicate hands. Scarlett felt its warmth seeping through her skin. As if it was

saying, welcome home. Qing An, the head of the family, Amelia and Qing

Ran stared at the clear crystal ball in astonishment. Colours illuminated from

its crystal ball. A possession of that witch. A well-kept secret.

It acknowledged Scarlett as its new owner.

Amelia’s resentment flared. She could never forget

that glowing light. That vexing, familiar light. It emitted shades of colours

she thought was impossible. That witch had made it possible. To disgrace her

even in her death, unbelievable! Amelia swore it was the last thing Scarlett

will ever get away with. Like mother, like daughter. It had belonged to that

witch, Scarlett’s mother. Even Qing Ran was left amazed by the impressive glow.

She had never seen a crystal globe like this before.

Amelia elbowed her daughter in the side, snapping her

out of the trance. Qing Ran gritted her teeth. Why couldn’t it be her who got

that? That child of lowly birth origin? Why? Why is it always her?!

The powerful man looked away with a dejected

expression on his face.

“Words of apologies cannot atone for my sins.”

“Hmph. You’ve gone senile, Ko Qing An. This looks like

you’re asking for favours. I don’t care if you regretted your choice, but

you’ve wronged my mother. You’re twenty years too late!”

Qing An’s lips curled. “I can promise you that, on one

condition.”

Christmas. It was the annually festive season

commemorating the holy birth of Jesus Christ, the sacred saviour who acts for

the sake of the people. Scarlett rose that morning with a crystal ball in her

arms. It was the first time she received presents of any sort, for Christmas.

This year did not turn out so bad after all, she thought as she fondly stared

at the miniature snowman and two adults inside the crystal globe. The globe was

enchanted, its snow of various illuminated shades changes every now and then.

It was so intriguing. One moment it was indigo, the next moment was turquoise.

She wondered what color will appear next. She could do this all day!

It was half past ten when Scarlett grew suspicious of

the people who lives in the Ko Mansion. It was Christmas, and every year her

family invited guests over for a Christmas party. The mansion was silent. No

posh cars parked outside. The party was not happening this year. Scarlett

wondered why. Scarlett had grabbed her wooden sword and tiptoed down the

staircase. It was her kendo practice sword. She stared at the horrifying sight

in terror. The living room was full of blood. Her grandfather’s ire tone was

aimed towards someone.

It was Qing Ran. The elder had been knocked out of his

wheelchair, both hands firmly grabbing Qing Ran’s feet. Qing Ran had raised her

hands against the elder.

“Stop!” Scarlett had yelled. She leaped, three feet

into the air, sliced Qing Ran across her face and performed an one-arm shoulder

throw. It was no wonder Scarlett had a strange feeling. Qing Ran had lured her

parents away from the mansion, the butlers and servants were forced to take a

day off for Christmas. Everything was part of her grand scheme. Qing Ran,

Scarlett and powerless elder of the Ko Mansion.

Qing Ran groaned, grimaced from the pain she suffered

from the impact. This is Scarlett, her hateful and acrimonious half-sister’s

true self. Qing Ran could not believe her eyes what Scarlett had just done to

her. She had tossed her, the dignified and elegant Ko Qing Ran meters into the

air. Scarlett dropped her practice sword and ran to her grandfather.

“Grandfather! Are you okay?!” Scarlett’s irises were

filled with intense trepidations of anxiety and worry.

Her grandfather groaned, slowly opening his eyes in

his granddaughter’s arms. Scarlett was the only child he recognized and

approved as the successor of the Ko family. Qing Ran and Amelia were clearly venomous

imposters who were after the Ko family’s fortune. The elder would never let it

happen. He always has been protecting Scarlett, unlike the icy cold son who did

not care if Scarlett was alive or dead. He was the only one who loved and

understood Scarlett for who she was. The elder reached for the inner chest

pocket and slipped a tiny plastic into Scarlett’s secured pocket.

“Scarlett! I underestimated you!” Qing Ran pulled

herself together and scrambled from the cold floor. She had miscalculated her

half-sister’s unpredictability. Her face was injured, and the tremendous impact

should have caused a few broken ribs. At the very least, Scarlett was sure her

shoulders were dislocated at first glance.

“You will be arrested for this!” Scarlett had snapped,

flared with outrage and fury. The elder’s own granddaughter had been after his

own life.

“Hmph.” Qing Ran wobbled towards them. She used the

cabinets as aids to guide her. It was unexpected. Scarlett was too strong to be

taken down. Not alone. Qing Ran realized her mistake after receiving first blow

head-on. Scarlett was a world-class martial arts champion who won the first

place for consecutive seven years. Because of her naivety and inexperience,

Qing Ran was taken down in one blow. Qing Ran felt discomfort in her shoulder

and arms joints. “The perfect heir. The wonderful successor. The caring

granddaughter. You only see her in your eyes! You never cared for me! What about

me? My mother? You abandoned us!” Scarlett, the capable and caring successor people

talked about endlessly. No one had bothered to spare a single glance at Qing

Ran. Constantly trapped in her half-sister’s shadow, Qing Ran and her mother swore

to make the Ko family theirs.

“Y…you always wanted things I have! My position. My

job. My reputation. My family. My lover. And now you are after my most beloved

person? Do you think you could defeat me in that state?” Scarlett glared at

Qing Ran. “You both are just mere imposters after our fortune. I can give you

everything you want. But you can’t have grandfather’s life!” She gently laid

the elder behind her and picked up the wooden sword she had dropped. “Even if

you have my position and become the mistress of this house, you can never

replace me. You’re not good enough to inherit our fortune. This is a waste of

time. Let’s go, we need to take you to the hospital.”

Scarlett turned to carry the elder back to his

wheelchair. Qing Ran could not believe the words coming out from Scarlett’s

mouth. All her efforts were in vain. She was never be good enough to take over

Scarlett’s position. Forever in her shadow. No, she reprimanded herself. She

and her mother had been waiting for this moment. The Ko family would be theirs.

She will become Scarlett’s replacement. She picked the nearest weapon. A

vase.

“Be careful!” the elder had yelled. He had tried

warning his granddaughter. As a last resort, he pushed Scarlett out of the way.

The elder had received the impact in Scarlett’s place. His last wish. For

Scarlett to live. And one day, avenge the devil who ruined their peaceful

family. He had caressed Scarlett’s pale cheek one last time before darkness

took over. Both had fallen unconscious.

Be strong…. Scarlett, my dear

granddaughter. I love you.

Qing Ran felt wonderful. An awesome feeling. Supreme! Ecstatic!

The pleasure of robbing someone’s most treasured. And this time, she ruined

Scarlett’s family. Her wish had come true!

“Grandfather!!” Scarlett had bellowed, her piercing

tone penetrated through the awkward silent pause. Clinging desperately onto the

last of her consciousness, the elder’s death was her only regret. Tears flowed profusely

from the sides of her corneas. She glared at her vivacious half-sister in

resentment and wrath. “This is not over.”

After that, everything happened so fast. In a spur of

moment, the police and paramedics arrived at the scene. Scarlett frowned at her

half-sister. The next-door neighbours must have heard the shrills and protests.

They dialled the hotline for help in panic. The rescue team and paramedics

rushed into the mansion to find blood splatters painted the clean tiles, an

unconscious elder in Scarlett arms, possibly suffered a vital injury and passed

away. The second daughter was grovelling on the floor a few metres away. A

wooden practice sword was tossed forgotten in a corner. The elder was taken

into custody by the paramedics in an ambulance. Qing Ran was provided first aid

and then helped onto the stretcher.

The Ko Mansion was turned into a crime scene. The

dispatch team studied Scarlett closely. Extremely observant. Down to each cue

she made. Verbally and non-verbally. Everything serves as a clue to crack the

case. Scarlett stared at the officer, exasperated. She can’t believe she was

being treated like murder suspect and letting go the devil who was behind this

entire incident. Being locked in the interrogation room, Scarlett refused to

answer a single question during the interview. The officers were at wit’s end.

They knew. If this goes on, they’ll get nothing.

Scarlett recalled her last memory of her family. Qing

Ran had turned on her vulnerability switch. A total turn from her true self. A

fragile and powerless young mistress of a rich family. She was the perfect

actress. Wept and grieved of their grandfather’s death, she had put the blame

on Scarlett. She had pushed herself onto their cold-blooded master of the Ko

family and begged for forgiveness. Scarlett knew her long enough to

prognosticate the intentions behind those stupid effort. She was trying to get

on their father’s good side. Ko Qing An was doomed. Blinded and fooled by the

mother and daughter’s sweet words. He was goaded, double-crossed the legitimate

daughter entitled to the family. With the elder’s will nowhere to be found,

Scarlett knew for sure the family business was gone. Taken control by imposters

who had been eyeing their family fortune since the first day.

“Let me explain, father!” she remembered herself

defending her innocence. But no one was willing to listen. Qing Ran was firmly

wrapped in her mother’s arms. This was her way of revenge. I’m taking back

what’s mine.

“Don’t bother. I didn’t you had it in you to murder

your own grandfather!” Qing An had glanced at the practice sword in the corner.

“You’re just like your mother. A witch, just like Amelia had said. Get lost! I

don’t care if you die or live! You’re no longer my daughter of mine!”

Just like that, Scarlett was arrested. She became the

prime murder suspect. Her belongings were seized, and she was sentenced for

probation. She was left with nothing, but the wooden practice sword and a

mythical crystal ball. Three days after she was tossed into prison, she was

summoned to the police headquarters. Scarlett looked up as a new face entered

the interrogation room. The man introduced himself as a police detective.

“You look well, considering yourself a murderer.” The

detective commented. “My name is Detective Evans. Pray, tell me, where did you

hide the murder weapon?”

Scarlett was silent. She observed the detective

closely. This man was six feet tall. Evans. An English descent. That is rare in

Wisteria. Black hair, golden eyes. Just like her. They share similar features

Scarlett could not find an explanation for it. “Aren’t you the detective? It’s

your job, Detective Evans.”

Detective Evans tossed a file in front of her. It was

her case file. An autopsy report on her grandfather was included. “Read it. You

will be surprised. This just came from the crime lab.”

Scarlett glared at Evans. Reluctantly, she flipped

through the pages. There it was. Her grandfather’s cause of death. Died by haemorrhage

concussion to the head. Possibly by a blunt object of twenty centimetres.

Scarlett returned her attention to the detective. “You people concluded I was

the murderer and tossed me into prison. What now? Are you telling me I’m not a

murderer now?”

The detective closed the file with a loud snap. “Look

at you. You don’t even know where the murder weapon is. Well, you’re in luck.”

He smirked. “I don’t believe you did it. All you had with you was the practice

sword. True, the practice sword could have been the weapon, but it doesn’t fit

the autopsy report description.”

“So, why are you telling me this now?” Scarlett

scowled at Detective Evans.

“Someone’s here to meet you, Scarlett.” The detective

replied. Scarlett. It felt just like yesterday that she was just another

student at Wisteria Academy. Ever since she was framed and was turned into a

scapegoat, no one had called by her name. She was forgotten. Vanished from the

face of earth. Her shabby presence had grown more fragile. More vulnerable.

Transparent. Ironically, the people who remembered who she was were the people

on the national task force. The people who are ultimately responsible for putting

her in prison.

“Who?” Scarlett was doubtful. She had no one who cared

and loved her like her late grandfather did.

“Come in,” Detective Evans answered the rapid knock on

the door. Scarlett was astonished. Appalled. He was the man she had met yesterday

on the prison rooftop. His appearance was an eye-candy. Fair smooth skin, short

ash-blond hair, and lithe muscles. He was two feet taller than Scarlett. The

prison attire was gone. Instead, he was now donned in refined and expensive

finery. He must be a young master from a rich family, Scarlett had

pointedly figured. Dressed in garments from famous brands, one could tell this

man before them was dangerous. You shouldn’t get on his bad side if possible.

Pale blue shirt and black slacks, along with a beige muffler.

The man had a satisfied smirk etched on his face as he

made his entrance. “We meet again, little one.”

That fateful day was hell. Chained and bound, she

walked through the gates of durance. Imprisoned and wrongly accused by

irresponsible investigators, they were Ko Qing An’s lackeys. Despite being

reduced to a mere internment slave, Scarlett swore to never forget who she was.

Scarlett Ko, Ko Qing An’s first daughter.

Wisteria Prison was notorious for admitting

ex-convicts who committed callous and deadly offenses. Detective Evans was

amazed she was tossed into the hell hole before the autopsy report of the

victim was officially issued. The first day she stepped through the doors of

confinement, ex-convicts behind bars welcomed Scarlett with tumultuous cheers.

Scarlett felt degraded. Humiliated and oppressed. Her life was ruined. All

because of her stubborn father who refused her honest advice. And he had let

the devil into the house and trampled on quiet peace they had. The elder was

murdered, and she was chained behind bars.

The correctional officer had brought her to her

designated cell. A mafia lackey, a drug smuggler, and a violent street fighter.

To them, she was just another convict who did not deserve freedom to walk the

Earth.

“Be good,” the correctional officer advised icily

before slamming the metal bars shut behind Scarlett.

Scarlett was left with nothing when she was arrested

by the police. Her inmates observed silently as she crawled into the corner of

her bunk. Scarlett was impassive and disinterested what her inmates were up to.

Their stares were painstakingly impossible to ignore. Scarlett felt gazes were

upon her. Some were curious, some had tricks up their sleeves. Most convicts

who were sent to Wisteria Prison were callous and ruthless. They had bad habits

of not holding back and quick to start a fight. It was one of the reasons why

they were caught guilty and were behind bars in the first place.

“Oh, look. We have another companion.” The mafia

lackey started the conversation. She had tattoos all over her body. Possibly in

her late teens, five feet tall, and bleached hair. Her hair was rough and dry.

It must have been years since she had self-care. Her skin was greasy, her hair

was dry and unconditioned.

The mafia lackey, drug smuggler and juvenile exchanged

glances of glee. The fun begins now. They stood up, gradually encasing

Scarlett’s bunk in a circumference. Scarlett’s expression was inscrutable. No

signs of new expressions were visible on her delicate features. It was a wonder

why she was here in Wisteria Prison in the first place. Her inmates’ questions

felt like mockery.

“What do you want?” Scarlett’s voice was small and

timid. It felt like she was alleviating their attention. Diverting their focus

onto something with more effective impact. Too bad Scarlett was out of luck.

There was nothing she could have done in that small cell they shared.

The mafia lackey grabbed Scarlett by her collar. “Look

at me when I’m talking to you. We hafta set some rules here, newbie. Show some

respect!”

Scarlett’s eyes slowly shifted towards her perpetrator.

Despite her short physique, she had gained skills and muscles from her days

serving the mafia. This woman was not to be messed with. Scarlett bit the

bottom of her lip. She too, was never a pushover. Someone needs to beat some

sense into these convicts.

“Unhand me.” Scarlett spoke.

The mafia lackey and the group snickered. “Or else?”

they taunted.

“You’ve been warned. Don’t do something you’ll

regret.” said Scarlett. Scarlett was more far skilled and experienced than a

mere mafia juvenile. Scarlett was a veteran warrior. Scarlett smacked the

woman’s hands away and tossed her over the other end of the cell. The woman

crashed into the metallic walls with a loud thud. The street juvenile and drug

smuggler grimaced, imagining the pain she must have experienced. Both stared at

the newbie with newfound courage and astonishment.

Scarlett’s piercing gaze stared at the remaining

company. “Who’s next? Aren’t you setting some rules?” Scarlett flexed her arms

and shoulders. The juveniles stared at the newcomer, profusely shaking their

heads in denial. For the first time since she was tossed into the cell,

expression finally painted her gloomy and depressed mood.

“You’re surprisingly skilled, despite being the

youngest out of us.” The mafia lackey spoke. She pulled herself together and

limped onto her own bunk, embracing the pain from colliding with the reinforced

walls. “What’s your name? I’m Lee.”

“I’m Hua Ran.” the drug smuggler introduced herself.

“And I’m Jing Hui.” The ex-street fighter added.

“Welcome aboard.” Although Scarlett felt sceptical about their sudden change of

attitude, Scarlett silently acknowledged their mistakes and nodded. It was the

first time her existence was noticed, and people were finally taking interest

in her. Ironically, the people who were supposed to be ‘good people’ were

corrupts and ex-convicts who pleaded guilty possessed greater levels of

altruism. It was a bizarre experience.

“Age is not a measurement of skills. My name is

Scarlett.”

Shortly after her arrival, rumours about Scarlett

spread like fire. Many were curious and some desired her skills. Her own

predicament backfired and was blackmailed. Scarlett was extremely different

from the victims who the ‘boss’ of this prison had picked on. Her actions and

movements were unpredictable. Her nerves of steel had done its magic. It was

near impossible to read her and come up with effective counterattacks. Scarlett

had turned the mess hall into mayhem. Her cell mates had paled.  Scarlett was more bravado and audacious than

she had let them on. Her impromptu display in their cell was just a preview.

Scarlett had upset the top boss of this prison. Zhao

Wei. Nicknamed The Scarred Overlord. He was the lord of this hell hole.

Scarlett and her cellmates have been munching on their

salad plate peacefully on one of the tables in the mess hall when Zhao Wei and

his goons walked over with an evil look on their faces. Scarlett, being the

newbie, knew nothing of the man. Being a righteous person like she was, figured

it was wisest to stay out of trouble. She had ignored and embarrassed Zhao Wei

in public. All attention was on them. Many of the inmates were curious, and

some were horrified. That one mistake had infuriated the owner of this place.

“Well, well. A new face. Seems like someone is in need

of punishment.” The inmates had paved pathway on all sides between Zhao Wei and

Scarlett. Even her cellmates had scrambled to their feet. They didn’t want

another helping of Scarlett’s preposterous antics. Everyone in Wisteria was

extremely aware of the silent rule: Zhao Wei was a man to be feared.

Not Scarlett. She adopted views and perspectives

differently.

“Say, is this how you people spend your lunch hour?

Making powerless people your victims?” Scarlett was not terrified at all. Lee,

Hua Ran and Jing Hui watched from the sidelines with worried expressions. It

was peculiar. Just moments ago, they were involved in a heated fight. And now

they were praying for her safety. Did Scarlett cast black magic on them? One man standing next to them had let out a whistle. He was impressed by her

guts. The trio had stared at the man, dumbfounded and clueless. Possibly, the

only one who was on her side.

Zhao Wei. There was not one soul in Wisteria Prison

who knew nothing of the notorious ex- mafia boss of Heavenly Dragon Triads.

Members of the gang were branded and inked, a tattoo of a rising dragon. A

distinctive feature of the triads’ property. Fiery red hair, grubby fingers,

and a fat ***. Meeting one of the notorious underworld bosses in Wisteria

Prison was never on her do-do list. His presence alone in prison alone was

questionable. Renowned for his callous deeds, Zhao Wei was a sly ruler. He

snaked his hands on his ‘merchandise’ and framed his people in his place. He

was a cunning, and virtuously impossible to catch. Him being here could mean

one thing. Someone must have betrayed him and landed him in jail.

Zhao Wei occupied the space of one of the many benches

in the mess hall. He folded his arms across his chest. “Bow to me, and I shall

forgive your imprudence.”

Scarlett’s unwavering gaze penetrated through his

soul, the very core of his self. Zhao Wei had flinched slightly, confused and

puzzled at the sudden sensation. She could read Zhao Wei like an open book. He

had plans to make her his new lackey. Being blackmailed in front of so many

eyes. Zhao Wei must have thought Scarlett would never dream of making such a

bold move with so many of the violent inmates’ attention on her. She was a

sheep tossed into a wolf’s den. Scarlett’s cellmates had paled upon hearing

those words. This was how Zhao Wei plays the game. The mysterious man beside

them watched the scene in glee. This woman has guts.

Nope. They were wrong.

“Hell no.” Scarlett blatantly rejected Zhao

Wei’s proposal.

His goons were turned to stone. The inmates were

terrified, and Zhao Wei flared in anger. Some thought she had a death wish. This

was the first time he was publicly humiliated by a mere fellow convicted. If he

were in his prime, Scarlett could have been scouted as a potential merchandise

for the triads. And just like that, Scarlett had taken out Zhao Wei and his

goons single-handed with just a metal pipe she found near her feet. Scarlett

was surprising agile and nimble. And just like the philosophical sayings in the

Sun Tzi’s Art of War: Be swift like the wind. Her techniques were elegant and

dignified, diffused the situation professionally with the least amount of

effort.

The inmates were impressed. The situation proves this

newbie possessed more strength than the ex-gang leader of the infamous triads. Scarlett

was a martial artist expert. The inmates exchanged glances at each other. They

were too immersed in Scarlett’s perfect execution of techniques that Zhao Wei’s

defeat slipped their minds. Scarlett had taken out the top boss of this

Wisteria Prison. Wisteria Prison is now liberated from Zhao Wei’s petty

dictatorship. Lee, Hua Ran and Jing Hui were appalled as their fellow inmates

were. Being cellmates with Scarlett, they were relieved they made the wiser

choice. One wrong move, they could have become like Zhao Wei.

 Classic

underhanded tricks like threatening and blackmailing never worked on of

Scarlett.

 “Quite a

fighter, aren’t you?” The mysterious man who had been silently observing her

behind the shadows had crept behind her shoulders. It was already late in the

evening. The skies had turned dark and the birds flew home with worms in the

beaks. It was soon lights out and yet, here Scarlett was, gazing across the

horizons on the rooftop.

Scarlett was spending personal quality time on the

rooftop instead of being locked up in the cell like obedient inmates were supposed

to be at this time. Scarlett had sneaked out from the cell, correctional

officers had yet to make their rounds. His lips had curled into a smile.

Scarlett turned around, lost balance and crashed into the man. The next thing

she knew, she had pinned the stranger onto the ground. The pair stared at each

other awkwardly. Blink once. Blink twice, and blinked trice.

“I’m sorry!” Clumsy and flustered, Scarlett’s cheeks

burned. The warmth of embarrassment seeped through the skin, tinted with colors

of erubescence. It was a wonder how they had stumbled and got themselves into

that cringeworthy positions. The stranger was pushed onto the ground, and

Scarlett straddled on his lap.

She hastened to remove herself from the weird position

before the strange had grabbed her pale, delicate arms. She had stared at the

stranger’s peculiar behaviour.

“Don’t.” He had said. He closed the bare proximity

between them and pulled her into a passionate kiss.