Chapter 1 Vocation...!

Izzy's point of view...

Introduction or maybe a prologue...

Everyone believes that my life is ideal. Blessed with a golden spoon, a devoted family, and inherent beauty from birth.

But is it really perfect?

Up until now, my response was yes. But after today I am afraid I can't say that I have a happy life.

It was summer and I got back to my hometown after a long period.

Six months was quite a long period, wasn't it?

I intended to surprise my family, so I kept my homecoming a secret, but when I got home, I was the one who was taken aback.

Unusually, four expensive gleaming black cars were parked in front of the mansion. It was odd to see as there were not many people in this small town who could afford such cars and Dad definitely didn't have one like those.

What's going on? Are we having any notable visitors today?

Even the watchman was absent as I cautiously made my way inside and saw that there were no attendants at the door as well. Dad usually has many men around as he is one of the richest and most respectful people in the town.

As I cracked open the main door, I heard some loud sounds coming from inside. That gave an instant thud in my heart.

There were a lot of people in the living hall.

Men wearing uniforms...!

Why is that so? Dad never had a trend like that.

I slowly pushed the door open but instantly pulled it back when I saw those huge men in black standing all around in the main hall surrounding Dad's men. They all looked so dangerous and had guns in their hands.

My heart thumped inside my chest and I stood there clenching my fist on my skirt.

Where is Dad?

Despite my fear, my patience was running out every second.

I pushed the door a little more and peeked further inside only to find those men pointing the gun on my father's forehead. I couldn't see my brothers anywhere as well.

Did they do something to them?

No...! A shiver ran down my spine.

Never in my wild dreams did I think that one day I would see my family in such a state? What the hell had happened?

Tears cascaded down my cheeks nonstop. I was about to step in and stop them when someone pulled me from behind and that almost jolted my soul out of my mouth. The bag in my hand slipped and I stumbled on my steps.

I was about to scream but someone had already covered my mouth with their hands.

"Izzy, stop, don't make things difficult" I stopped protesting. That was Lissa Brown, my stepmother.

But why the hell was she stopping me?

Lissa dragged me towards the back door and through that to her bedroom and tossed me on the bed.

"Just stay here, don't cause trouble anymore"

I was out of breath when I studied myself.

Just what on earth was going on?

"Mom...! What is going..."

"Shh..." she hushed me immediately, I paused my words and looked at her blankly. She was terrified. Her eyes were swollen and red.

Something was really off with everyone. I couldn't stop myself from asking her.

"Mom please, tell me" I rushed to her and grabbed her hands desperately, lowering my voice as much as I could.

"Please, I beg you," I begged her to tell me everything.

"What's going on? Who are those people? Why are they..." My mind swirled with a million questions.

"Shh...Stop it..." She covered my mouth again and looked at me furiously. I know she never liked me for being the daughter of other women, but I need my answers. I insisted on asking her again,

"Who are they?"

She clenched my wrist so hard that a painful moan escaped my lips.

"You stubborn girl..." I closed my eyes and pressed my lips to stop myself from crying.

"They are the loan sharks..." she revealed in a hushed tone, "And if you don't want to get yourself into any trouble, then just shut up and stay still"

Loan sharks...! My eyes widened.

"It's impossible..." I yelled out immediately. How could Dad be threatened by some random loan sharks? It's impossible.

My Dad is not someone who will owe someone. I don't believe her. She is lying.

My Dad, Isaac Brown was a well-known millionaire in this town, maybe the richest man in the entire Redhood town.

"You are lying..." I said clenching my jaws, she grabbed my chin and raised my head to face her.

"What do you know? Your father has nothing left. He is bankrupted"

Her comments temporarily paralyzed me. My father has gone bankrupt!

"But...! You are lying" I gritted in disbelief, "He never told me that..."

Her clench on my chin increased as she spoke,

"You know nothing about your father, doll. He had been in the financial crisis for over a year now and this time it was the worst" she said and I noticed her eyes filled up again.

Though we never get along well, I can still feel her pain. With a disappointed expression, she withdrew her hand and sat on the bed. I slowly walked over to her and patted her shoulder and she didn't jerk my hands off.

She was telling the truth. So we are indeed bankrupted.

"How did all this happen? Where are Dave and Daniel?" I inquired impatiently. I couldn't take it anymore. From the moment I stepped in here, I didn't see them.

Dave and Daniel are my elder brothers, though we don't have the same mother, they treat me so well.

After my mom died, I was brought here when I was just five years old and from then on, they loved me so much and treated me as their real sister.

Lissa's tears became more intense, and my heart ached. She gasped for breath and turned to face me.

My brothers may be in danger, even when the mere concept of it made me nervous, she was their mother. I can understand what she might be feeling right now.

"Mom please, don't scare me. Where are they?" I shook her and asked seriously.

I made up myself that I would definitely rush out and question those gangsters if she did not respond to me right away.

I didn't get my answer and so I turned around and stridden towards the door but she finally spoke out in between her sobs.

"They..." "They took them away..."

I clenched my fist.

"Took them away...! Who?" she looked at me and added,

"Those from the Black Panthers gang"

"Black Panthers gang!"

I heard about them when I was in the city but whatever I heard was not good. They say that this gang knew nothing but killing people.

"Why did they..." she pulled me back and made me sit. I was startled at her sudden change. She grabbed my shoulder while her gaze shifted to the door. She stood and closed the door.

"Izzy," she started wiping her tears away and I just stared at her bluntly, "You love your brothers, don't you?"

Why was she asking that all of a sudden? I nodded.

"Yes, why do you ask that?" she straightened her back and scooped closer.

"You want them to be alive, didn't you?"

"Yes, of course," I replied without hesitation. A gleam of desire sprang in her eyes as she gripped my hand.

"If you want them alive then..."

"Lissa...!" a roar echoed inside the room and suddenly the door burst open and Dad walked in with his eyes filled with anger and body filled with bruises.

Lissa abruptly stopped talking and was clearly terrified as if she saw a ghost.

I glanced at Dad and burst into tears. I couldn't halt myself at all. I never saw him that way. I ran to him and hugged him tightly.

"Dad..." he reciprocated and took me in his embrace.

"I am sorry darling, you have to see me in this sorry state." he patted my head affectionately. I was terrified for a moment and couldn't halt my tears. He finally pulled me away.

"It's just a trivial matter, honey, you don't need to worry about it. You just got back, go and freshen up"

"But...Dad...Daniel and..."

"They will be here soon, I told you, you don't have to worry about it," he said forcing a smile on his bruised face. I felt like my heart was shattering into pieces but I shouldn't force him to tell anything now. It's better if I let him settle down first.

"Okay Dad, I trust you," I said as I kissed his cheek and walked out leaving them behind.

I was about to go to my room, but when I heard a slap sound, I stopped abruptly.

I stood right there frozen. My Dad never acts absurdly but he actually slapped Lissa...!

Why??

My steps halted and I could easily hear their conversation. Very clearly.

Though I am not a rude girl, even a deity would act appropriately in such circumstances.

"What the hell were you trying to do?"Dad fumed in anger.

"What else...I was going to do the right thing..." Lissa replied firmly.

"Issac, it's not a joke. You can't let both of your sons die just because of your daughter..."

I froze, daughter...! Is it because of me?

"Shut up, Lissa or I will forget that you are my wife. She is just an innocent child. How can you be so cruel?"

"Am I being cruel...! You are the one who's being cruel to your own sons..! You will get both of our sons killed..."

"Shut up.." Dad yelled, "I will find a way to bring them back after paying the money. And if I couldn't do that, I would personally exchange my life for my sons"

My eyes widened. They are all in trouble. My family is in danger. But what hurt me the most is they are still trying to protect me.

What can I do to help them?

Why did Mom say that Dad is being cruel to my brothers to save me?

What is this all about?

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