Chapter 1 Back Home

Arriving at the international airport of AJ City, Nancy Marlon, a fair-skinned blonde woman, frowned. She couldn't understand why her parents had asked her to return home.

Previously, she had been studying in City X, and after graduating in business administration, her father had clearly told her, "Nancy, I want you to return home and not stay in City X."

Nancy frowned during the phone call with her father, knowing that he was a politician in AJ City and she couldn't disobey him. So she arrived at the airport at exactly 2 PM, and her father's men were already there, waiting to escort her home.

"Welcome home, Nancy," her elder adopted brother, Matthew Marlon, said with a smile. Nancy frowned as she walked with him to the car.

She sat in the back seat of the car, aware that the city was ruled by the popular President Nolan Alejandro and his family. The city was named after the Alejandro family, who had been in power for years. Any opposition party was immediately silenced.

Nancy watched the road as Matthew started the car engine and drove away from the airport. Her eyes fell on a gigantic billboard displaying photos of the city president.

"Hmm..." Nancy hummed, noticing Matthew smiling at her through the rearview mirror. She ignored his smile, continuing to wonder why her parents had insisted that she return home.

Upon arriving home, the security men at her father's mansion gate opened the huge black gates for them. Nancy watched as Matthew drove his exotic black SUV into the premises and parked.

She could see her parents standing at the mansion entrance. Her mother was wearing a red gown, and her father stood in a black suit, with the maids in their blue uniforms behind them.

Nancy stepped out of the car and walked up to her parents. She was wearing a red top, black trousers, and black high-heeled shoes.

Nancy finally approached the entrance, and her mother warmly welcomed her. "Welcome home, my beautiful angel."

"Good afternoon, Mom, Dad," Nancy replied, smiling as she hugged her mother. Her father added, "Welcome home, Nancy. It's good to finally have you with us."

"Thanks, Dad," Nancy replied, still hugging her mother. The maids echoed, "Welcome home, Nancy."

"Thank you all," Nancy smiled at the maids, and her mother said, "Let's all go inside."

"Okay, Mom," Nancy replied, and they walked into the living room together.

She observed that the living room hadn't changed-it was still painted white with beautiful flower vases around.

Nancy approached one of the seven black couches and whispered, "Home, sweet home," as she sat down.

Her mother, standing in the center of the living room, smiled sweetly at her.

"Mom, what's the good news? You look so excited to see me," Nancy asked, curious about her mother's wide smile. Her mother glowed with beauty, and at 51, she appeared to be under forty.

Mrs. Olivia Marlon smiled and sat down on the couch. "Why wouldn't I be excited to see you, Nancy? You've changed and look more beautiful than when you left the city five years ago."

"Thanks, Mom, but I'm still the same," Nancy replied, smiling sweetly. She knew her mother was right; she had changed since leaving the city five years ago to study abroad-her appearance had evolved into a charming young lady.

Nancy was aware that people often stared at her as she passed by, captivated by her beauty. Her mother's nickname for her, "angel," reflected her sharp nose, blue eyes, and striking long golden hair.

"Mom, I need to go upstairs now to freshen up. I'll join you and Dad for dinner afterward," Nancy said, standing up from the couch.

"Okay, my dear," Mrs. Olivia Marlon replied, admiring her daughter. She thought of mentioning the arranged marriage with the president's son but decided to wait.

Nancy smiled and went upstairs to her bedroom. Approaching her door, she pushed it open and walked in.

Her room was unchanged, still painted pink with beautiful flower vases around.

Nancy pulled back the curtains to survey her surroundings. She noticed three black cars entering the mansion grounds, and some men in black suits stepped out.

She watched as a man in a black suit with an inner red shirt exited one of the cars. Their eyes met, but she quickly looked away, closing her curtains.

Nancy went to her bathroom, stripping off her clothes for a bath before dinner with her parents.

A few hours later, Nancy emerged from her bathroom, wrapped in a white towel. She sat on her bed to apply body lotion.

While creaming her body, she switched on the television to see the city president's photos and videos displayed again.

Increasing the volume, she heard the reporter announce, "Good evening citizens of AJ City. I bring you the 4 PM news: President Nolan Alejandro has just won the recent election, securing over 50 million votes..."

Nancy frowned, disliking the Alejandro family. She turned off the TV, knowing they had ruled for a long time, and she wasn't fond of politics despite her father's involvement.

She didn't enjoy the luxurious lifestyle of her family, preferring a simple life for herself, her future husband, and their children. Nancy disliked the constant presence of security men since her return to the city.

After finishing with her lotion, she searched for clothes to wear, selecting a tight-fitting brown gown from her closet that accentuated her shape.

Nancy approached her mirror, using a towel to dry her wet hair and combing it to fall behind her back.

Though raised to maintain her appearance, Nancy was apprehensive about why her parents had called her home. If only she knew, she might not be there at all.