Inferno Heiress: Freed From Hell To Reclaim My Empire

Unit One Prison stood as the country's most secure prison, built to keep the most dangerous criminals locked away from the world.

That morning, the street outside the prison was lined with luxury cars, their polished bodies catching the sun and throwing it across the high walls.

Rusty hinges groaned as the heavy iron gate swung open.

Out walked a slim woman, backpack slung over one shoulder, her stride purposeful.

Her short, neatly trimmed hair brushed her jawline. Sharp, lively eyes scanned her surroundings, undimmed by years behind bars. Dressed in a plain white tee and worn blue jeans, she looked far too fresh to be stepping out of a prison.

The guards posted at the gate shared uneasy glances. Could this really be the big shot those people were waiting for?

"Hayley Morgan, you're free now. Do yourself a favor and keep your nose clean," said the officer assigned to see her out, voice gentle despite his uniform.

Hayley gave a small nod, closed her eyes, and drew a deep breath, filling her lungs with freedom for the first time in years.

Four years.

After all that time, she was finally outside those walls.

"Miss Morgan!"

The shout rang out, snapping Hayley from her thoughts. Her brow creased with annoyance.

When she opened her eyes, two neat lines of bodyguards blocked her path. "Move," she barked, impatience sharpening her tone.

"Miss Morgan!" A skinny man, Gavin Reid, hustled over, forcing a nervous smile. "We're not going anywhere. Ms. Norris has instructed us to pick you up."

Hayley considered spinning around, but Gavin quickly stepped into her way. "Please don't turn around. It'll bring bad luck."

"In the past, I might have believed in things like this," Hayley said, her voice slow and clear. "But now, I only trust myself."

Hayley turned away from them and offered a deep bow toward the prison. "Lorna, I'm heading out now."

Memories rushed back-the reason she had ended up in prison. Four years earlier, her own parents had handed her over to the authorities, forcing her to take the blame for a crime their adopted daughter had committed. Someone had died in that crash, but it was Hayley who paid the price.

She remembered how small and powerless she'd been then. The other inmates had seen her as easy prey.

Survival would have been impossible if not for Lorna Norris. The woman who led the prisoners had stepped in, pulling Hayley from the jaws of cruelty and showing her how to fight back.

In time, Lorna became like a mother to her, teaching lessons that could never be learned in any classroom.

Hayley had changed. The timid girl was gone. Anyone who had crossed her had learned a quick lesson in pain.

Lorna's words stuck with her. "Hayley, if you want to last in this world, you have to be tougher than the next person. When you're ruthless, people take notice. They respect you. They know better than to pick a fight."

Hayley carried those words like armor.

Glancing around, she realized the only people waiting outside belonged to Gavin.

A cold smile touched her lips. Not a single family member had shown up to welcome her home. The message couldn't have been clearer-her parents probably figured she'd never make it out alive.

Gavin stepped forward with quiet respect. "Miss Morgan, do you want to eat something first or go back home?"

Hayley strode over to a car and grinned. "Neither. I need to get married first."

She was fully aware of her situation.

Prison had taken everything from her-connections, safety, even her name.

Lorna's reach could protect her only in the shadows.

To survive on the outside, she needed power. An alliance that would let her return to the Morgan family with her head held high.

Four years earlier, she had always been docile. All she ever wanted was for her family to accept her, and that longing was what put her in prison.

That girl was gone. Now she was determined to reclaim her place in the Morgan family and make certain that every person who had scorned or betrayed her would regret it.

Settled into the back seat, Hayley scrolled through profiles on her phone. A faint, sly smile played on her lips.

"Kaden Evans, the most influential man in Flanmery, is notoriously distant from any woman. He seems like a good choice," she murmured, lightly brushing his photo with her finger.

There was no sense in trying to approach a man like Kaden the usual way. Someone with his power and reputation wouldn't give her a second glance.

Fortunately, she remembered the engagement contract her family had drawn up with the Evans family long ago. That old promise could open doors for her now.

"Gavin, take us to Link Golf Club."

Gavin hesitated, shooting a nervous glance through the rearview mirror. "Are you sure, Miss Morgan? The word is Mr. Evans reserved the club today."

"Just follow my instructions and stop questioning me."

He swallowed hard and drove on in silence, pulse hammering in his chest.

Hayley had mentioned a marriage, and now she wanted to see Kaden Evans. Was she really planning to marry that man?

Today, Link Golf Club, the most extravagant and prestigious course in all of Flanmery, had been cleared out for a single guest.

That guest was Kaden, the current head of the Evans family.

In Flanmery, the Evans family controlled nearly every major industry, and their influence had already stretched beyond national borders. As they expanded overseas, their dominance only grew stronger, leaving no real rivals behind.

"Grandpa, stop mentioning that marriage agreement. If you keep pushing this, I will wipe out the Morgan family."

The call ended abruptly, and Kaden tossed his phone aside toward the assistant waiting nearby without a second glance.

A golf club rested comfortably in his hand as he made his way toward the tee.

A man had been placed there instead of a ball. He lay rigid against the grass, a tee clenched between his teeth while fear flooded his eyes. His entire body shook as he fought the urge to scream.

"Do not move, Mr. Holt," Kaden instructed quietly as he lined up his swing, his tone calm yet threatening. "If you ruin my shot, you already know what will happen next."

Terror flashed through Gerard Holt's gaze as the raised club felt like a ticking clock above him.

The club cut cleanly through the air, and with a sharp whoosh, Kaden sent the ball flying with brutal force.

The ball cut through the sky, dropped neatly onto the grass, and continued its path until it disappeared into the hole without hesitation.

Hayley stepped onto the course at that exact moment, a relaxed smile playing on her lips. "That was impressive, Mr. Evans."

The instant Kaden's bodyguards noticed a stranger, they moved in fast and formed a tight circle around her.

One of them lunged forward to grab her arm, but Hayley twisted aside with ease and sent him stumbling back with a sharp kick.

A crooked smile crossed her face as she looked straight at Kaden. "Is this really how you treat your future fiancee, Mr. Evans?"

Fiancee?

The single word sent a wave of shock through everyone present.

In Flanmery, Kaden was famous for keeping women at arm's length, never allowing anyone close. Yet this woman stood there openly claiming that title. Was she asking for trouble?

A low laugh escaped Kaden as his eyes settled on Hayley, curiosity flickering beneath the cold amusement.

"I've never met a woman bold enough to speak to me like that," he said slowly, his tone dropping as his gaze hardened. "You will also be the last."

With a dismissive scoff, he turned away from her, clearly uninterested in continuing the exchange.

Without warning, a punch shot straight toward him. Kaden reacted on instinct, shifting his head just enough for the fist to slice past his vision.

His expression hardened the moment he seized the incoming wrist and yanked it closer, locking eyes with her.

Something feral stirred behind those eyes, carrying a reckless edge that made the air feel charged.

Kaden released her and shoved her back without hesitation.

"Mr. Evans, are you ready to have a conversation now?" Hayley asked, a playful curve tugging at her lips.

Suspicion crossed Kaden's face as he studied her, then flicked his gaze toward the guards who were already stepping forward.

"Stand down!" he demanded.

The bodyguards froze, then retreated at once, unease written all over their faces.

"A bunch of useless," Kaden muttered, then turned back to her. "You have sixty seconds."

"My name is Hayley Morgan. I am the daughter of the Morgan family."

"The Morgan family only has one daughter. Emmalyn Morgan." Kaden's eyes narrowed slightly. He lifted a hand, signaling his assistant closer.

Kaden's assistant, Ian Clark, stepped closer. "Mr. Evans, I have confirmed it. She is indeed a Morgan. Her identity was never made public. Four years ago, she was imprisoned and was only released today."

Interest flickered across Kaden's face as a slow smile formed. "So the moment you walked out of prison, you came straight to me and announced yourself as my future fiancee. This is getting interesting. Explain why you are here."

"I intend to marry you."

Hayley spoke up before Kaden could utter a word. "Mr. Evans, your grandfather has been pressing you about marriage lately, hasn't he?"

Ignoring Kaden's intimidating presence, she walked with purpose to a nearby lounge chair and settled in comfortably. "Your grandfather means the world to you. You might say no to his face, but deep down, you're terrified that upsetting him could make things worse for his health, isn't that right?"

"And what exactly are you getting at?" Kaden asked, his brows drawing together as his sharp gaze fixed on her.

Not a hint of worry showed in her demeanor. She acted as though she had complete command of the situation.

"We could enter a contractual marriage." Hayley rolled her sunglasses between her fingers and spoke as if discussing the weather. "It would calm your grandfather and free you from constant pressure. On top of that, it would fend off every woman trying to latch onto you."

"You really think that matters to me?" Kaden said with a low laugh, the chill in his voice deepening. "Miss Morgan, you're not in a position to make use of me."

"I certainly wouldn't propose a marriage just based on that," Hayley said, sounding utterly unconcerned, as she crossed her long legs before glancing toward Gerard, sprawled on the ground.

After a brief pause, she continued, "Why don't we make things interesting and place a wager?"

Interest flickered in Kaden's expression. "What kind of wager are we talking about?"

Rising to her feet, Hayley selected a golf club from the rack and gave it a quick test swing. "Evans Group's Utopia project lost a hundred million because of Mr. Holt's mistakes. Now that he's no longer able to run things, you need a replacement."

Kaden's frown deepened. "You're after the Utopia project, then?"

Without even glancing at Gerard's desperate look, Hayley lined up her shot. "If I make a hole-in-one, you'll hand the project over to me. How's that for a bet?"

This was not what Kaden had expected. He had assumed Hayley would ask for his agreement to her marriage proposal, but her demand took him by surprise.

"You've got yourself a deal," he agreed.

"Mr. Evans, your decisiveness is impressive."

Focus sharpened in Hayley's eyes as she swung the club with full force.

The ball zipped past Gerard, leaving him rooted in place, as though Hayley's swing had knocked the air right out of him.

Soaring upward, the ball drew a perfect arc across the sky.

Every gaze in the crowd trailed its path, breaths caught in their throats, waiting for what would happen next.

With a sharp click, the ball dropped precisely into the hole.

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the onlookers. Could that have possibly been the work of a beginner? Not even seasoned experts always managed such a perfect shot.

Kaden offered a slow round of applause, his expression shifting as a glimmer of respect flickered in his eyes.

"Miss Morgan, I have to admit, your golf skills are exceptional. Consider the Utopia project yours."

"Appreciate it, Mr. Evans. Let's move on to the real matter at hand."

A shadow crossed Kaden's face, and he answered coolly, "You certainly are full of surprises. But when it comes to the engagement, my answer is no. I don't require a wife just to silence my grandfather."

Kaden's refusal drew no reaction from Hayley. Instead, she calmly produced a folder and handed it to him. "Check this document first."

She didn't wait for a reply. Instead, she walked off with steady steps and called back, "I'll be waiting at home."

Kaden was ready to dismiss her ambition as nothing more than a fantasy. However, as his eyes scanned the pages inside the folder, he stiffened. His whole demeanor shifted in a heartbeat.

Where on earth did she discover all this?

Who was she really?

"Mr. Evans?" Ian called out when he saw Kaden frozen in place.

"Get the car ready. We're visiting the Morgan family."

"What for?"

"Speak with them about the engagement."