Shocking Vengeance: War Goddess Returns

"Clothes off. Now."

"Turn around, spread your legs, and bend over!"

Inside Juzora's top women's prison, icy jets of water blasted down from the high-pressure hoses, sweeping over the naked women lined up like objects.

"Second row, get in here! Move it!"

With the shout, the next group of inmates rushed in, stripping as they went. One woman was a second too slow-immediately, a stream of water slammed into her face, making her gasp and sputter.

"Hurry up!"

A guard, scowling, tapped her baton against the metal gate, eyes locked on a girl who stood completely still.

"You. What're you waiting for?"

The others trembled under the freezing spray, skins pale from cold and fear. But the girl? She didn't budge an inch. No panic in those eyes. Just a bone-deep calm that didn't belong on a face that young.

Their gazes met-hers dark and sharp, filled with barely hidden loathing. The guard's gut twisted at the look. Then something clicked: that name on the file - the one with the unspeakable charges.

At five, she'd poisoned her parents.

At twelve, she'd stabbed her uncle to death.

Just one day ago...

The police had come to the orphanage to take Serena Douglas into custody. She was accused of killing her biological parents when she was a child.

It sounded too crazy to be real. But the witness?

Her own aunt, Esther Douglas.

Then, even more shocking-on the stand, Esther had thrown out a new bomb.

"My brother and sister-in-law died at Serena's hands when she was barely five," Esther sobbed, shaking on the witness bench. "And now she's killed my husband too!"

"I couldn't bring myself to press charges back then... she was just a kid. But I was scared of her. Couldn't have her in the house either, so I let her grow up in the mountains. Can't believe it-she faked being pitiful just to stay at the orphanage for all those years. I thought she'd changed. I even sent Edward to visit her, thinking maybe it was time to bring her back home. I didn't know... I had no idea she'd murder him too..."

"You're lying!"

Serena's voice cracked as she shot to her feet, eyes burning, before the bailiffs slammed her back into her seat.

"You're the one who did it! You wanted the Douglas fortune and my dad wouldn't give it to you, so you poisoned him and Mom!

"And Edward? He found out-it's why he blackmailed you all these years! He cheated on you, threatened you, and when you couldn't take it anymore, you killed him!"

Serena saw everything last night.

They didn't send her to the mountains to protect her. They dumped her there like trash!

If the orphanage director hadn't rescued her, she wouldn't even be alive now!

Serena thought they came to give her a home again... but it was all a setup-to pin three murders on her!

Esther's face twitched. She tried hard to keep the tears flowing. "You're making this up..."

The judge struck the gavel, calling the room to order. Then he turned to Serena.

"What we need here is proof. Do you have any?"

Serena slumped.

She didn't.

Not a shred of real evidence.

While Esther had everything. She even presented the knife that had been stuck in Edward's chest-covered in Serena's fingerprints.

With both evidence and testimony stacked against her, Serena's defiance drained away, along with the color in her face.

The judge didn't take long to decide.

"For the crime of intentional homicide, Serena is hereby sentenced to a thirty-year prison term. Due to her age of twelve, the death penalty is waived."

When the bailiffs escorted Serena out of the courtroom, Esther leaned close and whispered with a sly smile, her voice low enough for only the two of them to hear: "Sweet niece, don't worry, I'll make sure you never step out of here alive."

...

Six years later.

The cell door suddenly burst open with a loud bang, slamming against the wall. The noise had other inmates clinging to their bars, craning their necks to see what was going on.

The cell's so-called queen, a bulky woman with greasy curls, lifted her pudgy face, squinting her eyes into slits at the figure striding in - a woman blazing in red from head to toe.

"Serena? That little brat who used to lick my boots?"

Serena gave a soft smile. "Long time no see. You're still alive? Good. Makes it easier for me to settle the score."

The curl-haired woman blinked, stunned for a few seconds, unable to look away from that stunning, wickedly beautiful face.

Her scrunched-up features twisted with jealousy.

"So... you got bailed out for six years, used up and tossed back in? This time, I won't let you walk away."

She stood up slowly, her legs wobbling slightly, then barked at the two women beside her, "Get her! Pin her down!

"I'm gonna mess up that pretty little face of yours first!"

Serena's smile deepened, dimples popping sweetly on her cheeks - but the coldness in her eyes could freeze blood.

"Oh, I'm not letting you off easy either."

As soon as she spoke, the two women lunged at her.

Serena didn't even flinch. Just lifted her hand slightly, and in the next second - wham!

The two attackers were launched backward. In perfect sync, they slammed into opposite walls of the cell with a sickening thud. Their legs dangled, eyes wide open in death.

Blood gushed from wounds in their throats, soaking the flower-shaped throwing blades pinning them to the wall.

Red Spider Lilies. Umbel-shaped blooms. Now drenched in blood, the petals looked even deadlier, beautiful in the most terrifying way.

The curly-haired woman's face went pale. She stared in horror at their corpses, then turned her head -

Only to feel her neck caught in a vise. Serena had her by the throat, lifting her clean off the ground like she weighed nothing.

The woman's skin turned purple as she gasped for air, flailing. She choked, "I-I was wrong... please... let me live...

"There was a hit on you when you first got here," she wheezed, voice ragged. "Someone paid to have you killed. I only roughed you up a few times... didn't go all the way... mercy, please..."

Serena abruptly let go. The woman collapsed to her knees, coughing violently, her head low.

Serena looked down like she was staring at something disgusting. "You think I'd kill you that quick?"

At that moment, the warden rushed over after hearing the commotion. He bowed deeply in front of Serena and held out a handkerchief, full of respect.

"Scarlet Valkyrie, how would you like us to handle it? Your orders."

Serena wiped her hand with clear disgust, then threw the handkerchief in the woman's face, not even sparing her a look as she walked off.

"Strip her. Toss her in the laundry machine."

As she walked away, her ornate flower-like hairpin made a crisp clinking sound.

Behind her, screams echoed through the cell.

The inmates looked on in terror, eyes trailing her every step.

Serena's lips lifted at the corners, eyes tilted slightly upward. Walking away, she raised one crimson-polished hand, lazily waving at the gawking prisoners. Bold and striking, but never cheap.

That was a femme fatale - lethal and mesmerizing.

The prison gates creaked open slowly.

A gust rolled in, tossing her loose locks into the air. Serena reached up, smoothing her hair - her fingertip casually grazing her lower lip.

Just like that, her smile turned icy and fierce.

Like a Red Spider Lily blooming straight from hell - stunning yet deadly.

Six years.

She was finally back.

And everyone who hurt her, every last one of them-

Would pay.

Outside the prison.

A man in a suit stood beside the Rolls-Royce, holding the door open respectfully for Serena. "Your Highness, since you were twelve, you've been stacking up military medals and even built Astral Hall from scratch. You led campaigns abroad and brought back all the territories that had been lost.

"You're the War God now. Dealing with this kind of trash? You really don't need to get your hands dirty-just leave it to me."

Serena slid into the car, idly touched the floral hairpin in her hair, then glanced up at the handsome man beside her.

"Gavin, you don't get it. Revenge only really hits home when you do it yourself."

That single look from her-sharp and breathtaking.

Even Gavin Moore, who famously didn't flinch even when honey-trapped by enemy spies, turned red from the neck up.

He quickly looked away and shut the car door, but her stunning face still burned in his mind.

Seriously, that face? Lethal.

He gave his head a sharp shake and climbed in from the other side to regain his focus.

Serena's eyes drifted toward the scenes flying by outside the window. Her lips curled into a faint, unreadable smile. "I heard my aunt's been going all out buying up land-and now she's messing around on mine?"

Gavin nodded. Serena casually instructed, "Then let's swing by. Might as well have some fun."

The chauffeur got the hint and drove off, the car speeding through traffic until it parked outside a high-end mall.

Right at the entrance sat a rumbling bulldozer, engine gunning.

Most of the nearby shops had their shutters down, and a crowd had gathered outside.

A security guy tried to keep calm: "What is this? We're still open for business-you think you can just demolish this place like that? Who gave you the right?"

"You didn't get the memo? This mall's been bought out. Get out of our way if you know what's good for you!"

A few rough-looking guys, all smug with baseball bats in hand, stood lazily with that thuggish vibe, rocking on their heels.

The security guard wasn't about to budge. "You say it's sold, but we haven't seen any notice. Show me the paperwork if you've really bought it."

Leading the pack, a punk with dyed blond hair let out a snort. Hands in his pockets, he swaggered up and shoulder-checked the guard.

"Rights? Hah, you know who's backing us? The Douglas family."

"In Draco City, being with the Douglases is all you need to call the shots."

Then, the blond guy dramatically pulled out a tissue, blew his nose, and smacked the crumpled paper right onto the guard's face. "Here, your precious paperwork."

"Alright, boys-rip it down!"

He raised his hand and the bulldozer started to rumble-only to be stopped cold by the sharp clang of metal behind them.

Serena's voice cut through the noise-light and crisp, but icy cold. "Hold it."

Everyone spun around and gasped.

She was stunning.

Dylan Price gave Serena a once-over, awe written all over his face.

Trying to pull it together, he clicked his tongue, hefted his bat, and deliberately turned his head to show off his chiseled jawline, pretending to look cool as he tried to shoo her away.

"Who are you supposed to be? Dressed all in red like this is a movie set or something. Think you're hot so you can butt in on anything now? This has nothing to do with you, so get lost."

The other guys leered at Serena, eyes shamelessly roaming.

One of them chuckled, "Hey Dylan, you think she's crushing on you or what?"

"Haha! For real, man, maybe she's one of your secret fans!"

Gavin Moore's face instantly darkened. These idiots had no clue they were messing with someone way above their league.

He reached for the gun at his waist, just about to end this mess.

But Serena stopped him with just a glance.

"You said the Douglas name means power, huh?" Her voice calm. "Then what if I say-this place stays."

Dylan Price narrowed his eyes, staring at her more closely now.

Douglas?

He'd done dirt for that family forever, yet couldn't recall any drop-dead gorgeous woman like her linked to them.

"Who're you?"

"Serena. Douglas," she said slowly, each syllable like a cold slap.

"Serena who?"

Dylan looked genuinely lost. He even dragged over a few of his guys to double-check. None of them had any idea who Serena was.

Feeling played, he spat on the ground. "You think just saying you're a Douglas gets you clout in Draco City? What, you here to stir up drama?"

"I'll tell you what," he sneered, "I don't care who you are. This dump of a mall? I'm tearing it down. God himself couldn't stop me today!"

Serena gave a slow nod. She always preferred to settle things calmly first.

But if that didn't work...

"Gavin," her tone sharp now, "take them all down."

"Yes, ma'am."

Dylan snapped. "You crazy b-! Who the hell do you think you are?! Trying to act tough. Boys, get her! Don't touch her face-we'll have our fun later!"

But before he could finish the last word, Serena's expression turned ice-cold. Her hand snapped out.

Smack.

"Such a filthy mouth. Lemme help clean it."

She tossed a few bills to someone nearby, grabbed a bottle of mineral water, and forced Dylan's mouth open.

People nearby gasped and backed away-whatever was going on, no one wanted to be part of it.

"Grrmph-!"

Caught off guard, Dylan swallowed a mouthful. The cold splash hit his throat the wrong way, and he started coughing hard.

He tried shoving Serena away-nothing.

"What the hell-"

He pushed harder, real panic in his eyes. Still nothing. She didn't even blink.

He was a grown man, and he couldn't move her an inch?

Serena gave him a cold, mocking smile-and let go, tossing the half-empty bottle straight at his chest.

Furious and soaked from head to chest, Dylan didn't even bother wiping the water off. He grabbed a baseball bat and charged.

"Argh!"

Before he could even reach Serena, a sudden, sharp pain shot up from his knee.

That one kick from her felt like getting slammed with a sledgehammer.

Dylan Price cried out in agony, collapsing hard onto the floor, clutching his knee as he wailed miserably.

His lackey panicked when he saw their boss downed. He charged over with a baseball bat, yelling, "You crazy bitch! Lay a hand on Dylan and I'll end you!"

Then, a flash of silver.

No one caught how Serena moved.

All they heard was a sickening "squelch" - the lackey froze, eyes wide, hands wrapped tightly around his bleeding throat. Blood poured between his fingers, staining the red spider lily on his neck even darker.

He stared in disbelief, then crashed to the ground - dead silent.

Seeing his guy drop lifeless right next to him, Dylan was instantly terrified. Forgetting about the pain, he scrambled back on hands and knees, voice shaking. "Who the hell are you?! You're not scared of the Douglas family?"

Gavin Moore had just taken down the rest - some had twisted necks, others couldn't move their limbs. They lay all around like broken dolls.

Hearing Dylan, he pulled a gun from his coat and coldly pressed the dark barrel right to Dylan's temple. His voice was ice. "The Douglases? In front of Her Highness, they're nothing."

Just as Gavin was about to pull the trigger, Serena gave a subtle wave with her slender hand.

Her tone was flat, but left no room for questions. "Don't kill him yet."

Gavin immediately paused, holstered the gun, though he didn't quite get it. "Your Highness, he just insulted you and tried to lay hands on you. Why let him live?"

"He's more useful alive."

Serena bent down, looming over Dylan Price as she stepped on half his face and smiled. "Go tell your boss at the Douglas family - Serena is back."

Dylan glanced at the gun still at Gavin's side and frantically nodded.

"Who did you just say came back?!"

In the Douglas family's grand hall, the crystal chandelier above flickered so hard it made people dizzy.

Aria Douglas was twirling a diamond ring as she looked at her clearly rattled mother. "Mom, who's Serena?"

With a loud "clink," Esther slammed her teacup on the table, causing tea to splash everywhere.

No amount of makeup could hide her shock. "Serena's actually alive? That fat prisoner back then swore she'd taken care of her. Took the money, did nothing!"

She shot to her feet, pacing the floor like a storm, her fury barely contained. "She was sentenced to thirty years. Even if she's not dead, she's not supposed to be out! Did she escape prison?"

Then her steps stopped.

A malicious smile curled on her lips. "Fine. If she's bold enough to show up again, I'll make sure she regrets it. I got her locked up once - don't think I can't make her vanish for good."

As she spoke, her eyes slid over to Dylan Price, still barely standing with help - and full of disgust.

His knee was supposedly shattered, thick gauze wrapped around it. He looked completely wrecked.

She snorted. "Seriously? You let a woman mess you up like that? Pathetic. What about the mall-did you manage to tear it down?"

Dylan Price shook his head, face like thunder.

"We barely got there before she stopped us. My guys-some are dead, some crippled. That's no ordinary woman..."

"Enough. Spare me the excuses."

A servant brought over a fresh cup of tea. Esther took a sip, her mood getting worse by the second. "Can you believe it? The city still hasn't approved the demolition. That's why I wanted you to just force it. And you can't even handle that?"

She waved her hand in annoyance. "Forget it. Stay out of the mall mess-I'll talk to General Gavin Moore myself and try to smooth things over. As for you-"

Esther's voice turned icy. "I'll give you a new team. Don't bother with anything else-I just want Serena dead."

Meanwhile, at the mall.

Serena and Gavin Moore had just wrapped up a walkthrough.

The manager had rushed over the moment he heard the big boss was around, falling over himself to report.

Serena couldn't be bothered. "You deal with it," she told Gavin, and turned to leave.

Honestly, after all those years out in the field, she hadn't had time to enjoy something as simple as a mall stroll. She figured she'd pick up some chamomile tea and supplements for Mabel. The old lady already had bad sleep-finding out Serena was back would probably keep her up from pure excitement.

She stepped into the elevator and pressed a button.

Just before the doors closed, they slid open again-and in stumbled two women practically dragging a man between them.

The guy's head hung low, messy bangs covering his face. He reeked faintly of alcohol, his steps unsteady. Clearly drugged, letting the women pull him along without resistance.

The second the women saw Serena's face, they froze for a beat-then narrowed their eyes with visible hostility.

Serena knew her looks often made her a target. She rarely gave random hostility any mind. Eyes closed, she leaned back and pretended to nap.

Apparently, the silence made them think she was intimidated. Both women looked smug, rolling their eyes and shifting back into pose.

One of them hit the elevator button, then sneered, "Once Cora gets his first time, we get our turn. I'm filming it, too. Dunno if he can even perform with how strongly we dosed him."

The other laughed. "If he can't, we'll spike him again. He's not getting away today! Cora's waiting."

Serena's brow twitched, eyes snapping open.

Love-sick girls chasing a guy? Maybe. But like this? Drugging him? That's not love-that's assault.

She was just about to say something when-ding-the elevator reached the 8th floor, and they quickly dragged the man out.

One of them kept yammering, voice full of mockery:"Act all high and mighty, Evan Carter, but look at you now. Too good to even glance at us before, and today you're falling right into our hands-Cora's little plaything now!"

Serena froze at the name, her face going hard.

Evan?

Her body moved before her brain caught up-she sprinted straight out of the elevator.