Chapter 1

When I got out of juvie, I saw Wendy's mutilated body.

The word "whore" was carved all over her. By the time she was sent to the funeral home, neither Mark nor Jacob had shown up.

Only Lily stayed with me, gently patting my shoulder:

"Zoe, your mom's death is actually a good thing. Logan Hayes has not only dropped the charges against you, but he's also agreed to give you a million dollars in compensation."

"Just sign the settlement agreement and start a new life in another city."

That's when I learned the truth.

Logan Hayes had found out I pushed his daughter down the stairs and threatened to break both my legs.

Wendy sent me to juvie, then took it upon herself to apologize to Logan Hayes on my behalf. She ended up being brutally tortured to death.

Actually, Wendy and I didn't have a good relationship.

During those three days locked up in juvie, I thought of a hundred ways to fight her when I got out.

So facing her memorial photo, I could actually smile:

"Did Wendy deserve to die?"

Lily touched her nose:

"The Hayes family has wealth that rivals nations and power that reaches the heavens. A single human life means nothing to them. There's no 'should' or 'shouldn't.'"

My smile didn't change:

"Then she didn't deserve to die. If Wendy didn't deserve to die, then the Hayes family needs to pay for her life."

Lily's expression turned stern:

"Zoe Mitchell, you want to go after Serena Hayes again? Don't forget, your mom died trying to atone for your sins. What right do you have to fight against Serena?"

I lowered my lashes, hiding the coldness in my eyes:

"Not just Serena. I want every single member of the Hayes family's life."