Share

Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback
Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback
Author: Zhuxine Xie

Chapter 1: Avyanna's Origin

Author: Zhuxine Xie
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-27 00:33:07

"Hide, Avyanna!" her father shouted, his voice filled with fear and urgency. Avyanna could clearly hear the loud gunshots outside their room. Her hands trembled as she slowly peeked through a small hole in the wall. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw men dressed in black tuxedos engaged in an intense battle against enemies dressed just like them.

"Dad! What’s happening? Why is this happening? Why are there gunshots outside?" Avyanna asked in rapid succession, barely able to breathe from fear. Tonight was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life—her quinceañera. But instead of joy and music, the air was filled with screams, gunfire, and blood.

"I can’t explain it anymore, please just go to the secret base! Hide, do not come out!" her father urged in panic. Suddenly, they heard loud banging on the door, making their hearts pound faster. Avyanna looked at her father, fear written all over his face. Her mother, on the other hand, sat pale and weak in a chair, looking drained of energy.

"Mom, Dad! Let’s go! Let’s leave now!" Avyanna pleaded, but her mother only shook her head.

"Go on your own, Avyanna. Leave now!" her mother shouted, followed by a violent cough. Avyanna turned pale when she saw blood staining her mother’s white dress. She stepped back, unsure whether to approach her. But before she could move, her mother pointed a gun at her.

"Don’t come near me! Leave now, Avyanna!" her mother ordered firmly, her tear-filled eyes burning with determination. Avyanna couldn’t believe what she was seeing—why was her own mother aiming a gun at her? But before she could process it, the massive doors to her room suddenly burst open.

"Avyanna! Get out of here!" her mother screamed. Without hesitation, she ran toward a secret passage hidden in the corner of the room. From there, she saw armed men storm inside. Before she could say anything, gunfire echoed through the room.

"Where’s the heiress?" one of the men demanded. They searched every corner, checking every possible hiding place, but they couldn’t find her. The secret base where she was hiding was impossible to discover—no amount of bullets or explosives could penetrate it. It was bulletproof and reinforced by her father, a place only she knew about.

"Boss, the heiress isn’t here," one of the men reported.

"Idiots! Find her! She can’t have escaped yet!" their apparent leader barked. His men searched again but still failed to locate her.

"She’s really not here, boss. Maybe she got away," another one said.

No one knew her—she was a ghost to the world. This night was supposed to mark her introduction as the daughter of a mafia boss, but fate had decided otherwise. As the heiress of a powerful family, she could never live in peace. The danger didn’t end with her parents; it would follow her for the rest of her life.

"Burn this house down! That’s the boss’s order. But before that, slit their throats—then burn everything!" the leader commanded coldly. His men obeyed without hesitation.

Avyanna watched in horror as her parents met their gruesome fate—their throats slit without a chance to fight back. She clamped a hand over her mouth, suppressing the scream threatening to escape. She knew that even if they couldn’t see her, they could still hear her. She had to stay silent.

After the bloodbath, the enemies set the mansion on fire. The flames spread quickly, and Avyanna could do nothing but cry as she watched all their memories turn to ashes.

She looked at herself—cowering in a corner, trembling with fear, yet deep inside, a fire of rage was beginning to burn. She spotted an old dress nearby and hurriedly changed into it to conceal her elegant gown. The heat was growing unbearable, so she moved quickly. She grabbed a black bag that had been prepared long ago—it contained money, gold, a gun, and important documents.

Once she ensured her safety, she made her way to a secret passage leading to the mansion’s hidden garden. There, she found a shovel. Without hesitation, she started digging. She worked tirelessly until the hole was deep enough to hide her bag. She swore she would return for it one day. But before leaving, she decided to take the money—there was no use in burying something that could help her survive.

After securing everything, she slowly stood up and turned to look at the burning mansion. What was once a place of joy was now reduced to ashes. Her family was gone. But one thing remained in her heart—rage.

"I swear, Mom and Dad, I’ll seek revenge on those who killed you," she whispered, her voice weak but resolute. Wiping away her tears, she secured the gun at her waist and walked away, carrying the vow to one day return and avenge her family.

She walked tirelessly, with no clear destination in mind—she just needed to get away. The night had faded into dawn, yet she kept moving forward. The exhaustion in her bones was undeniable, but stopping wasn’t an option. As she passed by a large mirror outside a store, she caught a glimpse of herself. She looked like a mess—her hair disheveled, her clothes stained and torn.

Reaching into her pocket, she felt the money she had taken with her. A boutique stood across the street, but it was still closed. With no other choice, she sat on a nearby bench, hugging herself against the cold morning air. It wasn’t just the chill she had to endure—people had begun to fill the streets, and she could feel their eyes on her, their judgment clear. To them, she was nothing more than a beggar, a lost soul among the crowd.

Unable to bear the stares any longer, she decided to leave, searching for a quieter place where she could rest undisturbed. But as she tried to stand, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her. She forced herself to move, but her legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the ground.

She tried again, but her body refused to obey.

"Please… help me," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

As her vision blurred, she saw a figure approaching. A strange sense of comfort washed over her, and just before she lost consciousness, a final thought crossed her mind.

"Is this… my guardian angel?"

And then, darkness.

The first thing she noticed when she woke up was the scent of incense lingering in the air. The room was dimly lit, shadows stretching across the walls. Fear curled deep inside her chest as she scanned her surroundings, trying to make sense of where she was. Her first instinct was to look for her gun.

Her eyes darted to the bedside table—it was there. Without hesitation, she grabbed it, her grip tight, her body on high alert. Every muscle tensed as she pointed the gun toward the door, waiting for someone to enter.

Moments later, the door creaked open. A tall man, standing at least six feet, appeared before her. Out of instinct, she aimed the gun directly at him.

Shock flashed across his face before he let out a small, amused scoff.

"Is that how you treat someone who saved your life?" he asked, raising a brow.

She hesitated but slowly lowered her gun—though she remained wary, her fingers still resting on the trigger.

"My boss wants to see you," the man continued. "You can’t stay here for free. If you want to ensure your safety, you’ll need to work for it."

She simply nodded, saying nothing.

As she followed the man—who had yet to introduce himself—she stayed silent, her sharp eyes scanning the place. The halls were dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of smoke and something metallic. Every step echoed slightly, filling the quiet tension between them.

Then, they stopped in front of a massive door. It was so imposing that she instinctively stepped back.

"Enter," a deep baritone voice commanded from the other side.

She hesitated for a second before stepping forward, pushing the heavy door open.

Inside, a man sat behind a desk, exuding an air of power and dominance. His sharp gaze landed on her, studying her with an unreadable expression.

"How can I help you?" he asked.

She turned slightly, glancing at the man who had brought her here. His expression was unreadable, but his gaze told her one thing: Tell him you need a job.

Taking a deep breath, she faced the boss and spoke.

"A job."

The man chuckled—a deep, mocking sound.

"What could a girl like you possibly do? You couldn’t even defend yourself!" he laughed, shaking his head.

She remained unfazed. "I can use myself as a weapon."

At that, the boss’s amusement shifted into something more calculating. A slow smile spread across his face, though she couldn’t tell if it was good or bad.

"Are you trying to impress me—"

"I’m not," she interrupted.

His smile widened. "Are you sure?"

"As sure as I can be. I need a job."

His eyes gleamed with interest. "You insist, huh? Fine. Sign this."

A black piece of paper was tossed onto the desk in front of her. She picked it up, but the writing was unreadable.

"How can I sign an agreement without knowing what it says—"

"Do you want a job or not?" the boss cut her off, his tone leaving no room for argument.

She clenched her jaw. It was a risk, but she had no other choice.

Without another word, she signed it.

Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Related chapters

  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 2: Scholarship and Secrets

    Years passed quickly for Avyanna, and before she knew it, she was stepping into her first year of college. Though she had been through countless hardships over the past five years, this was an entirely different kind of challenge. The weight of expectations pressed down on her shoulders as she walked through the towering gates of the most prestigious university in the city.She had chosen to pursue a pre-law degree—a decision she had been hesitant about from the start. The idea of sitting in lecture halls, surrounded by students who had lived normal, sheltered lives, felt almost foreign to her. She was used to the shadows, to the underworld where survival was the only priority. Here, things were different. Here, she wasn’t Avyanna, the hidden heiress of a fallen empire. She was just another student.At first, she had no intention of ever setting foot in a college. What was the point? Her life had already been carved into something far from ordinary. But the boss had been insistent.No

    Last Updated : 2025-03-27
  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 3: A Chance Encounter

    It was a dull day for Avyanna. She was sitting in a coffee shop across from the university with Huan-Yue and Monica, sipping coffee and chatting about random things. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, blending with the soft laughter of other customers and the rhythmic hum of the espresso machine.While her two friends were engrossed in conversation, Avyanna suddenly paused. Her gaze drifted towards the counter, where a young man wearing a coffee shop apron caught her attention. There was something about his presence—sharp eyes, an upright posture, and a sense of ease in the way he moved.Monica noticed Avyanna zoning out and smirked. “Hey, Avyanna, don’t be too obvious,” she whispered teasingly, snapping Avyanna back to reality. Quickly, she turned her gaze down to her coffee cup, taking a sip to play it cool.Huan-Yue grinned. “Hmm… You’re up to something, aren’t you?” she asked before taking a sip of her drink.Avyanna shrugged. “Uhmm, Huan-Yue… This is a Chinese

    Last Updated : 2025-03-27
  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 4: Intellectual Rivals

    “Good morning, students,” the professor greeted as he stepped in front of the class. His voice was calm yet authoritative, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.The new semester had just begun, and it was already January—a time for fresh starts. A new year, a new beginning, new classmates, and new challenges. But for Avyanna, it was just another phase in life, a cycle that repeated itself every few months. Things would change, whether she liked it or not, and she had long accepted that.“Good morning, sir,” the students chorused in response, their voices blending into a collective greeting.The professor took a moment to introduce himself, stating his name and background. However, he didn’t ask the students to introduce themselves one by one. Instead, he immediately transitioned into discussing the course syllabus and outlining his expectations for the semester.Avyanna sat quietly at the back of the classroom, listening but not particularly excited. A new semester meant new subjec

    Last Updated : 2025-03-27
  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 5: Kairus’ World

    “Kairus!”A loud voice echoed through his apartment, sharp and demanding. He heard it loud and clear. Letting out a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair, already feeling exhausted before even turning around.He had just finished studying with Avyanna—or rather, they had barely covered two cases before she abruptly stood up and bid him goodbye, claiming there was an urgent emergency. He didn't ask for details, nor did she offer any. Just like that, she was gone, leaving the rest of the readings unfinished.And now, instead of getting a moment of peace, he was greeted by the sight of his mother standing in the middle of his living room, her arms crossed, eyes burning with irritation.“You visited without notice—” he started, but his words were cut off.“I’m your mother! And you call this an ill-mannered thing?” she snapped, her expression growing even more frustrated.Kairus let out another sigh, already knowing that this conversation wasn’t going to end anytime soon. His mother’s persis

    Last Updated : 2025-03-27
  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 6: Avyanna’s Double Life

    While studying with Kairus in the warm, inviting ambiance of the coffee shop, the quiet atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by the sharp ringing of Avyanna’s phone. The sound cut through their focused silence, making her jolt slightly. Without hesitation, she reached for her phone and answered it swiftly."Avyanna, come here immediately," Rin’s urgent voice came through the other end of the line, his tone carrying an undeniable weight of urgency.She let out a quiet sigh, already sensing that something serious was happening. Adjusting her grip on the phone, she responded in a calm but firm voice. "What is it?"“Naoki requested you to be here. Same address. It’s an emergency,” Rin added, his voice tense, making Avyanna immediately straighten up in concern.Her eyes flickered toward her study partner, Kairus, who remained completely absorbed in his book, seemingly unaware of the call. The dim glow of the coffee shop lights cast soft shadows on his face, accentuating his sharp, stoic feat

    Last Updated : 2025-04-01
  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 7: An Unlikely Bond

    “Kairus,” she said, her voice neutral as she watched him take the seat across from her.He sat down without a word, his expression unreadable. “I’ll eat with you, and I’ll go to class with you too…” he stated, placing his food on the table with a soft clatter.Avyanna remained silent as they ate, the quiet atmosphere settling between them like an unspoken agreement. Kairus, too, refrained from speaking, focusing on his meal. The only sounds were the occasional clink of utensils against their plates.Once she had finished, Avyanna stood up, pushing her chair back with a faint scrape. She was about to walk away when, out of nowhere, her foot caught on something. Before she could even process what was happening, she lost her balance, stumbling forward.Everything happened in a split second. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she braced for impact—but instead of hitting the ground, she felt a strong grip catch her.Kairus had acted on reflex, his arms instinctively reaching out to steady her

    Last Updated : 2025-04-02
  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 8: A Growing Attraction

    As the days went by, Kairus and Avyanna grew closer, their connection deepening through shared moments of study and quiet companionship. The library became their sanctuary, a place where they spent hours poring over books, exchanging notes, and occasionally stealing glances at each other when they thought the other wasn’t looking.The warm scent of aged paper and ink filled the air as they sat side by side, the soft glow of the desk lamps casting a golden hue over their focused expressions. Sometimes, when Avyanna struggled with a passage, Kairus would lean in just a little too close, his voice low as he explained, his breath warm against her cheek. She would hold her breath for a second before looking up, their eyes meeting in a brief yet intense moment before she hurriedly looked away, her heart pounding.Even outside the library, their routine intertwined effortlessly. Avyanna often stayed late at the café, where the hum of quiet conversations and the occasional clink of coffee cups

    Last Updated : 2025-04-03
  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 9: First Confession

    “I’ll walk you to your apartment,” Kairus said casually, standing up and adjusting his jacket.Avyanna looked at him, her brows furrowed in mild confusion.“You… walk with me?” she repeated, unsure if she heard him right.He nodded without hesitation. “It’s getting late. I just want you to be safe, that’s all.”There was a beat of silence before Avyanna gave him a small nod, her expression unreadable. “Alright.”She gathered her things—her bag, the leftover bandages, and the wipes—and tucked them away neatly. As they exited the café together, she noticed the lights still glowing warmly inside. The place remained open, a few customers chatting in the far corner, and another employee had just taken over the shift behind the counter.The night air wrapped around them the moment they stepped outside. It was calm, with a faint breeze brushing past, carrying the scent of damp pavement and blooming flowers from somewhere nearby.As they walked side by side, Avyanna found herself unusually at

    Last Updated : 2025-04-04

Latest chapter

  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 14: Kairus' Defiance

    A call from his mother makes Kairus stand up. He quickly grabs his phone, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Avyanna is still asleep. Her steady breathing calms him for just a moment before the familiar tone of his mother's ringtone coils around his nerves. He silently steps closer to the window, cradling the phone to his ear.“Mom…” he answers quietly, trying to keep his voice low.“Zhen is waiting. She’s outside your apartment,” his mother says without preamble. Her voice is stern, expectant — the same way she used to sound when he was late for piano lessons as a child.Kairus closes his eyes for a brief moment and runs a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling under his skin. “I have my own business to deal with right now. I’ll call you later.”“No, Kairus,” she snaps, a sharpness to her tone that slices through the phone. “Pick Zhen up now. She came all this way. Do not embarrass us.”He exhales, a bitter chuckle escaping before he can stop it. “Embarrass us? You mean emb

  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 13: Kairus' Concern

    At Avyanna’s apartment, the quiet was almost unsettling.Kairus stood frozen in the middle of her small living space, unsure of what to do next. The faint sound of the ticking clock was the only thing that kept him grounded as he glanced over his shoulder at the bed, where Avyanna lay unconscious but breathing steadily. She looked so different like this—so vulnerable, stripped of the guarded demeanor she always carried like armor.Ruth had gone out a few minutes earlier to buy medicine, telling him to keep an eye on Avyanna until she returned. He had agreed with a nod, but now that he was alone in her space, a strange wave of unease washed over him. He wasn’t used to this kind of stillness. Especially not when someone he cared about was lying pale and unresponsive just a few feet away.With a soft exhale, Kairus slowly sat down on the floor beside her bed, leaning back against the wall. His eyes scanned the room—small, modest, and filled with little things that made it unmistakably he

  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 12: Avyanna's Hesitation

    After sealing the deal, Ruth led Avyanna to a nearby café nestled along a quiet street corner. The warm scent of roasted coffee beans and freshly baked pastries wafted through the air as the door chimed softly behind them. It was a cozy little place, filled with soft lighting and scattered wooden tables that gave it a homey atmosphere. The kind of place you could settle into and forget the world outside.As she stepped inside, Avyanna’s eyes instinctively scanned the room, her gaze flicking from table to table, carefully searching for a familiar face among the patrons. There was a flicker of hope in her expression—subtle, yet visible. But as seconds passed and she found no sign of the certain someone she had hoped to see, a small sigh escaped her lips. Disappointment settled into her features, though she tried to mask it behind a neutral expression.Ruth noticed immediately. She could always tell when something was off with Avyanna, even when her friend tried to hide it.“Who are you

  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 11: The Shadow of Lord Mendez

    Monica lingers in the hallway instead of leaving, her gaze fixed on Avyanna with a weight that suggests there’s more she wants to say. She crosses her arms, her jaw tight.“Look, I’m not trying to be cold about it,” she begins, her voice lower now, more serious. “But you need to think this through. Kairus seems like a good guy, sure. He’s kind, stable, grounded. But that’s exactly the kind of person who doesn’t understand the kind of fire we’re walking through.”Avyanna looks up at her, already feeling the tension growing in her chest.Monica steps a bit closer, voice firm but not unkind. “Lord Mendez isn’t just some distant threat. His reach is wide, and his interest in you hasn’t exactly disappeared. You’ve kept a low profile lately, but if he finds out you’re close to someone new—especially someone outside the circle—it’s not just your life at risk. It’s his too.”Avyanna’s lips part slightly, but she doesn’t speak. There’s too much truth in Monica’s words.“He could use Kairus,” M

  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 10: The First Kiss

    Kairus looks at Avyanna with a tense gaze, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions that are hard to read. Avyanna doesn't know how to respond to what he just said—her mind spins with uncertainty, and confusion clouds her thoughts. The moment feels heavy, suspended in silence, as if time itself is holding its breath. Then suddenly, she becomes aware of something else—Kairus’s warm breath brushing softly against her skin. It sends a shiver down her spine, grounding her in the moment. Her eyes widen slightly as she realizes just how close their faces have become, the distance between them barely more than a whisper. The air grows thick with anticipation, unspoken feelings lingering between them like a fragile thread on the verge of snapping.Involuntarily, Avyanna's eyes flutter shut, her breath hitching slightly as a soft and unfamiliar warmth brushes against her lips. For a heartbeat, time stops. She feels something smooth, tender, and warm—it takes her only a second to realize it's Kai

  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 9: First Confession

    “I’ll walk you to your apartment,” Kairus said casually, standing up and adjusting his jacket.Avyanna looked at him, her brows furrowed in mild confusion.“You… walk with me?” she repeated, unsure if she heard him right.He nodded without hesitation. “It’s getting late. I just want you to be safe, that’s all.”There was a beat of silence before Avyanna gave him a small nod, her expression unreadable. “Alright.”She gathered her things—her bag, the leftover bandages, and the wipes—and tucked them away neatly. As they exited the café together, she noticed the lights still glowing warmly inside. The place remained open, a few customers chatting in the far corner, and another employee had just taken over the shift behind the counter.The night air wrapped around them the moment they stepped outside. It was calm, with a faint breeze brushing past, carrying the scent of damp pavement and blooming flowers from somewhere nearby.As they walked side by side, Avyanna found herself unusually at

  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 8: A Growing Attraction

    As the days went by, Kairus and Avyanna grew closer, their connection deepening through shared moments of study and quiet companionship. The library became their sanctuary, a place where they spent hours poring over books, exchanging notes, and occasionally stealing glances at each other when they thought the other wasn’t looking.The warm scent of aged paper and ink filled the air as they sat side by side, the soft glow of the desk lamps casting a golden hue over their focused expressions. Sometimes, when Avyanna struggled with a passage, Kairus would lean in just a little too close, his voice low as he explained, his breath warm against her cheek. She would hold her breath for a second before looking up, their eyes meeting in a brief yet intense moment before she hurriedly looked away, her heart pounding.Even outside the library, their routine intertwined effortlessly. Avyanna often stayed late at the café, where the hum of quiet conversations and the occasional clink of coffee cups

  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 7: An Unlikely Bond

    “Kairus,” she said, her voice neutral as she watched him take the seat across from her.He sat down without a word, his expression unreadable. “I’ll eat with you, and I’ll go to class with you too…” he stated, placing his food on the table with a soft clatter.Avyanna remained silent as they ate, the quiet atmosphere settling between them like an unspoken agreement. Kairus, too, refrained from speaking, focusing on his meal. The only sounds were the occasional clink of utensils against their plates.Once she had finished, Avyanna stood up, pushing her chair back with a faint scrape. She was about to walk away when, out of nowhere, her foot caught on something. Before she could even process what was happening, she lost her balance, stumbling forward.Everything happened in a split second. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she braced for impact—but instead of hitting the ground, she felt a strong grip catch her.Kairus had acted on reflex, his arms instinctively reaching out to steady her

  • Ruthless Lady Series #1: The Ruthless Comeback    Chapter 6: Avyanna’s Double Life

    While studying with Kairus in the warm, inviting ambiance of the coffee shop, the quiet atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by the sharp ringing of Avyanna’s phone. The sound cut through their focused silence, making her jolt slightly. Without hesitation, she reached for her phone and answered it swiftly."Avyanna, come here immediately," Rin’s urgent voice came through the other end of the line, his tone carrying an undeniable weight of urgency.She let out a quiet sigh, already sensing that something serious was happening. Adjusting her grip on the phone, she responded in a calm but firm voice. "What is it?"“Naoki requested you to be here. Same address. It’s an emergency,” Rin added, his voice tense, making Avyanna immediately straighten up in concern.Her eyes flickered toward her study partner, Kairus, who remained completely absorbed in his book, seemingly unaware of the call. The dim glow of the coffee shop lights cast soft shadows on his face, accentuating his sharp, stoic feat

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status