Ruthless Lady Series : The Ruthless Comeback

"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.

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 matter how dangerous their world was, he believed education was a necessity, not a luxury. He had ensured that she and the other girls under his protection would receive proper schooling, even as they trained and carried out their missions. He wanted them to be more than just pawns in a game of power.

"I know that university will be tough," the boss had told her, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "But don't forget your mission and training. You're still working under me."

She had let out a deep sigh, knowing there was no room for argument.

She had no choice-she had to face it.

"Your accommodations, tuition, and everything you need-I'll handle it," the boss added. His words were final, leaving no room for refusal.

Avyanna had only nodded in response, accepting the reality of her situation. After all, what other choice did she really have?

Her past was gone, buried beneath fire and betrayal. And now, her future was dictated by the man who had given her a second life. Whether she liked it or not, she had to keep moving forward.

It had been five years, and no matter how much time had passed, Avyanna still couldn't return home. That life was gone-a distant memory buried beneath blood and fire. No matter how much she tried to suppress the past, the weight of it still lingered, like a shadow that refused to fade.

Now, she found herself in a completely different world, one she never imagined she would be part of. She was no longer the helpless girl hiding in the dark. She had trained, she had fought, and she had survived. But despite her strength, she still followed orders, still lived under the protection-and control-of the boss.

Alongside her were Moon and Monica, two of her closest colleagues in their line of work. The three of them had been assigned to the same university and, as a result, were also given shared accommodations. Right now, they were on their way to their new apartment, escorted by Rin, one of the boss's most trusted men.

The walk had been mostly silent, each of them preoccupied with their own thoughts. But the moment they arrived in front of the apartment, the mood shifted.

"Here we are. This is where you girls will be staying," Rin announced as he unlocked the door, stepping aside to let them in.

Avyanna stepped inside first, her sharp eyes roaming around the space. It was modern and well-furnished, far from the rundown places she had once hidden in during her early years in the underworld. The interior had a calming aesthetic-muted colors, soft lighting, and just enough warmth to make it feel like a real home.

But to her, no place ever really felt like home anymore.

Before she could dwell on the thought, Moon's voice broke through the silence.

"Yeah, yeah, we get it. It's obvious this is our place. You've done your job, now you can leave. Shoo, shoo!" she said, waving her hand dismissively toward Rin.

Rin narrowed his eyes, his expression instantly shifting into a deadpan glare. Then, turning to Monica, he scoffed.

"You dead-ass bitch, is that how you talk to someone who just did you a favor?" he said, sarcasm lacing his words.

Monica chuckled, shaking her head as she leaned against the doorway, clearly entertained. She had always enjoyed watching Moon and Rin bicker like children-it was their dynamic, and neither of them ever truly took it to heart.

Huan-Yue only grinned, unfazed. "Shoo, shoo," she repeated, waving her hands again like she was trying to ward off a stray cat.

Rin exhaled sharply, shaking his head in exasperation. "I swear, one of these days-"

"Just rest for a while, Rin," Avyanna interjected before the banter could escalate further. Her voice was calm, yet firm. She knew if she let them continue, they could go on for hours. "And... thank you for escorting us here."

Her words seemed to soften Rin's annoyance. With a small nod, he stepped aside, allowing them to enter the apartment fully.

The moment they were inside, the atmosphere shifted. The three girls fell into silence, each processing the fact that this place was now their new home-at least for the foreseeable future.

For Avyanna, this was just another temporary stop in her long, winding journey-another chapter in a life dictated by forces beyond her control. No matter how much time had passed or how far she had come, the truth remained the same. She was never truly free.

She had come this far. There was no turning back now.

Rin leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her with his usual unreadable expression. "The boss said you'll be having a good deal later."

Avyanna didn't need any further explanation. She knew exactly what a "good deal" meant in their world. Another mission. Another task that blurred the line between right and wrong. She let out a slow sigh, already preparing herself for what was to come. By now, these things had become second nature to her.

Rin handed her a thick folder, the weight of it heavier than it should have been. As soon as she took it, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The lighthearted mood from earlier vanished, replaced by the cold seriousness of reality.

Monica, who had been sitting quietly at the edge of the bed, sighed and looked at her with concern. "Are you really-"

Avyanna cut her off before she could finish. "You don't need to worry about me."

She turned back to Rin, gripping the folder tightly. "I'll handle it later."

Her voice was steady, but deep inside, she felt the weight of her words pressing down on her like an invisible chain. No matter how much she reassured Monica-or even herself-there was no escaping the reality of what she had to do.

Rin gave her one last glance, his expression unreadable as always. "Then I'll be going now." His tone was casual, but there was something final about it.

Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

Silence settled between Avyanna and Monica, heavy and unspoken.

Monica stared at the door for a moment before shifting her gaze back to Avyanna. "You know, one day, you might not come back from one of these jobs."

Avyanna didn't respond right away. Instead, she exhaled slowly, letting her fingers tighten around the folder in her hands.

"I always come back," she finally said, though whether she was convincing Monica or herself was another question entirely.

It was a dull day for Avyanna. She was sitting in a coffee shop across from the university with Moon 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.

Moon grinned. "Hmm... You're up to something, aren't you?" she asked before taking a sip of her drink.

Avyanna shrugged. "Uhmm, Moon... This is a Chinese coffee shop, right?"

"Of course, why?" Moon responded with a puzzled expression.

Avyanna nervously drummed her fingers on the table. "I just wanted to ask... Do you know him?" She subtly gestured toward the guy at the counter. "Just wondering, you know."

Monica almost choked on her drink upon hearing that and immediately leaned in. "OMG. Don't tell me-you have a crush on him?!"

Avyanna quickly averted her gaze. "I never said that!" she retorted, but the warmth creeping onto her cheeks betrayed her.

Moon and Monica exchanged mischievous looks before grinning at each other.

"Hmm... Looks like we have a new love story brewing," Moon teased.

Avyanna let out a deep sigh. She wasn't sure whether she should be amused or regret ever asking.

"Hey! Avyanna, you're being so flirty! Behave yourself!" Monica joked, laughing.

Avyanna sneaked another glance at the guy. He was still at the counter, busy attending to customers. Considering how many people were coming in and out of the café, it wasn't surprising that he looked occupied.

Suddenly, Monica grinned. "You're in luck-I know who he is. I swear, you're going to be shocked!"

Avyanna raised an eyebrow. "Eyst... Looks like luck is on my side, huh?" she said, her excitement evident in her voice.

Some customers glanced at their table, making Avyanna duck her head in embarrassment. She let out a sharp exhale while her two friends burst into laughter at her reaction.

"Is this your first time seeing him here?" Monica asked, trying to hold back her laughter. "Or is it just now that you've finally noticed him? Because, girl, he's been working here since... February? Right, Moon?"

"Yeah! He's been here since February!" Moon confirmed.

Avyanna's mouth fell open. He had been working there for a while, yet she had only just noticed him now.

Before she could respond, a sudden warmth spread across her thigh.

"Shit!" she gasped, jumping up from her seat. She had been burned!

Looking up, she saw the same guy she had been staring at earlier-he was holding a tray, and it was clear that a customer had accidentally bumped into him, causing the coffee to spill.

"I'm so sorry! Come with me to the kitchen so you can clean that up," the guy said seriously, his concern evident.

Avyanna quickly shook her head. "Uhmm... It's fine. We were about to leave anyway."

But the guy wasn't convinced. "No, I insist. This was my fault, and your leg looks really red-you might have burned yourself badly."

Only then did Avyanna fully register the stinging sensation on her skin. She couldn't argue any further; the pain was undeniable.

With a quiet sigh, she stole a glance at the guy. Now that she was up close, she could really see how handsome he was. Internally, she wondered what kind of game the universe was playing, bringing them together like this.

Without a word, she followed him into the kitchen, completely unaware of the shocked reactions of her two friends, who were left at the table.

"Sit down," the guy instructed cooly.

Though confused, Avyanna obeyed. His tone was different from when he was serving customers-it was more serious, almost authoritative.

"Sorry about what happened earlier," he said sincerely. There was genuine concern on his face, but exhaustion was evident too.

Avyanna smiled reassuringly. "Nah... It's nothing. I'm okay. You should take a break-you look really tired."

The guy remained silent for a moment before nodding and turning around to grab something from the kitchen.

Not wanting to linger, Avyanna stood up. "I have to go. Thanks for the help; I feel much better now." She flashed him a quick smile before heading out.

The moment she stepped out, she was met with the wide-eyed, expectant faces of Monica and Huan-Yue. She rolled her eyes before sitting back down.

"Did you get his name?" Moon asked eagerly.

"Not yet. Let's just go-I want to head home."

As they walked toward their condo, Avyanna received a message from Monica.

📩 From: Monica

Name: Kairus Chu

Accounts:

WeChat: 120835793097

Instagram: @kc0998

Weibo: @ks0998

Avyanna frowned as she read the message on her phone. It seemed like her connection with Kristof Chu wasn't over yet. Deep down, she felt an odd pull-a curiosity urging her to learn more about him.

She looked up at Moon, who was busy adjusting her bag strap. "Huan-Yue, what are WeChat and Weibo? Do you have accounts on them?"

Moon glanced at her and nodded. "Yeah... I do. Why?"

Avyanna hesitated before speaking again. "Can you teach me how to make an account?"

"It's easy,"Moon said confidently. "I'll help you... but tomorrow. I have a blind date later. See you!" she added before walking off.

Avyanna let out a long sigh as she watched her friend leave. "Ugh, great," she muttered before continuing toward her condo.

The moment she got inside, she flopped onto the sofa and grabbed her phone. Instead of waiting for Moon, she went ahead and downloaded WeChat and Weibo herself. It wasn't as difficult to use as she had thought.

"Tsk, this is actually pretty easy," she muttered while tapping on the screen.

As she explored the app, she decided to call Moon to ask for her Weibo username. But before she could tap the call button, an email popped up with a QR code attached.

She scanned the code, and within seconds, Moon's profile appeared on her screen.

"Nice!" she exclaimed, but her excitement quickly faded when she saw the feed. The entire page was filled with Mandarin characters.

"Damn it! How am I supposed to read this?!" she grumbled, trying to decipher the posts.

She then turned to the search bar and typed in "Kairus Chu." Within seconds, countless profiles appeared.

"Ugh, so many Kairus Chu's!" she groaned before setting her phone down. Instead of continuing the search, she decided to take a shower.

After showering, she found herself in the kitchen. She had unknowingly finished preparing a meal.

"I thought I wasn't in the mood to cook," she mumbled as she set the food on the table.

While eating, she thought about the tasks she had to finish.

"I should buy coffee. I need to finish my project before I get busy tomorrow."

She arrived at the coffee shop, only to see the sign being flipped from "OPEN" to "CLOSED."

"Wait... This is a 24/7 coffee shop. Why is it closing at 7 PM?"

Disappointed, she turned to leave when a familiar voice spoke from behind her.

"Hi, good evening."

She turned around-and there he was. Kairus.

But this time, his voice wasn't cold like before. It was warm.

"Good evening," she replied hesitantly.

Kairusx smiled. "Want some coffee? Come in-I'll make you one."

After saying that, he reopened the coffee shop door and stepped inside. Avyanna hesitated for a moment, but in the end, she followed him in and took a seat near the counter.

"Iced Americano, two cups," she said.

Kristof silently prepared the coffee, but as he was doing so, he suddenly spoke.

"I was actually about to close up since it's already pretty late," he explained. "Yeah, this coffee shop is open 24/7, but there's no other staff coming in tonight, and I need to rest too. But when I saw you standing outside looking disappointed... I thought I'd make it up to you, especially since I owe you an apology for earlier."

Avyanna smiled, slightly surprised by what he said.

"Really? You actually noticed me?" she joked. "Haha... But it's fine if you close early. It's obvious that you're tired too."

Kristof glanced at her as he placed ice into the cups, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"By the way," he said, "what's your name?"

She paused for a moment, but she couldn't deny the little thrill his question gave her.

"I'm just curious..." Kairus added. "Because you seem really kind."

Avyanna. That was her name.

After she answered the question, Kairus' brow furrowed slightly as he stared at her, as if processing the response he had just heard.

"No last name?" he asked, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Avyanna Smith," she replied, unsure if she should reveal her full name.

"Are you American?" Avyanna noticed the slight raise of his eyebrow, as if he was scrutinizing her answer.

She bit her finger, feeling like she was being interrogated in an investigation room. What was happening to her? Why did she feel nervous?

"French, Spanish, and American," she finally said.

Kairus nodded slightly, as if storing the information in his mind. "Oh... by the way, I'm Kairus Chu."

As he spoke, he carefully placed two cups of iced Americano on the table.

The coffee for take-out was ready, so Avyanna immediately stood up. She knew she was already taking up his time. He should have been home and resting by now, but here he was, accommodating her as the last customer of the night.

"Thanks for the accommodation. You should be resting," she said with a slight smile before she started walking out of the coffee shop.

As she walked away, she heard him let out a soft sigh before muttering under his breath, "Finally, I caught up with you... I've been waiting for so long."

She paused for a moment. She knew he had said something, but she pretended not to hear it. Slowly, she turned back, but instead of asking, she simply gave him a wave and a smile.

As she stepped out of the coffee shop, she couldn't help but think about his words. What did he mean? And why did it feel like there was something different in the way he said it?

The whole night, she felt a mix of happiness and confusion. Kristof's words kept playing in her mind over and over again.

It wasn't as if her thoughts about Kairus were bothering her too much, so she continued working on her project.

By ten in the evening, she was done, so she decided to check her social media accounts. To be honest, she had never been interested in social media before. It was only today that she opened Instagram, Weibo, and WeChat accounts-just those, nothing more.

As soon as she turned on her WiFi, notifications flooded the screen of her iPad. She grabbed her phone, took a selfie, and posted it on Instagram. At the same time, she updated the information on her account.

While she was busy fixing her profile, she suddenly received a message on WeChat. She ignored it for the moment, wanting to finish uploading her profile picture and setting her nickname on Weibo first.

Reading Chinese characters wasn't a problem for her anymore since she had learned them when she was young. She had taken Chinese language classes when she was just nine years old.

Her eyes were almost dropping from exhaustion when suddenly, a call came through. Too tired to check who it was, she answered without looking.

"Hey... You're still awake?"

She forced her eyes open and was shocked to see who was calling-Kairus Chu.

"Yeah... still awake! I thought you were already asleep," she answered, trying to mask the sleepiness in her voice.

"It's late! Kairus, why are you still up?!" a woman's voice yelled in the background.

Kairus just laughed before saying something Avyanna didn't fully understand. From the way he spoke, it seemed like he assumed she didn't understand Mandarin.

"I think you should sleep now. I'm going to bed too, by the way," she said before quickly ending the video call.

She didn't even bother turning off her WiFi and just lay down. However, because of the nonstop notifications, she couldn't fall asleep right away.

Moments later, another call came in. She didn't need to check to know who it was-she already knew.

"You're still awake! That's good, Avyanna!" the person on the other line greeted excitedly.

"I was about to sleep, but you called, you annoying Japanese!" she snapped at Rin.

"Oh, come on... Not too long ago, you were dying to call me! What happened to the old Avyanna?" Rin teased with a grin.

"I woke up, okay? So, what are you up to? And mind your own business! I don't need your pity, but look at my eyebags-they're huge!" Avyanna complained, rubbing the area under her eyes.

"Oh, so you finally opened Instagram. Wow, you have a lot of followers! Are you a celebrity or something?" Rin teased while checking her profile.

"I'm the daughter of a mafia boss. If you want to stay alive, turn off that video chat, or I'll have you killed!" Avyanna joked before shoving her iPad under her bed.