The Bentley glided along the winding mountain road.

A sudden lurch, a screech of metal, and the car lurched to the left, the driver wrestling with the wheel.

We came to a halt, and David jumped out to inspect. I followed suit.

Three shiny spikes jutted from the front left tire, glinting in the sunset.

"What..." The driver went pale. "Nails? Up here?"

I crouched, examining a spike, its point gleaming and new.

"Someone's idea of a game." I kept my voice steady.

Child's play, nothing more.

David was already on his phone. "I'll get a tow. The manor will send another car."

"How long?"

Waiting was not my thing, my frown deepening.

"Forty minutes for the tow, and then for the car..." David did the math, regret in his tone, "You won't make it to the manor before seven."

Dinner at the LaRosas's was at six-thirty.

Inconvenient, to say the least. I strode up to the car's nose.

"Miss Elvira?" David's voice was laced with confusion.

I did not answer. Instead, I bent, gripped the bumper, and stood up, lifting the car's front end with ease.

"Get in," I said, finding my balance.

David's face was a picture of question marks, and the driver's eyes were saucers of shock.

They scrambled into the car, and I heard the seat belts snap into place.

With a deep breath, I shouldered the car, feeling its weight settle across my back.

The wind whipped around me, and the trees blurred into a backward stream.

Up ahead, two mountain bikers stopped dead in their tracks, staring. As I passed, one muttered, "What on earth?"

The car wobbled on my shoulder, surely jostling the passengers, but that was the least of my concerns.

The iron gates of LaRosa Manor came into view, with its sprawling lawn, dancing fountain, and the castle-like house beyond.

Some people were waiting: a young woman in white clinging to a middle-aged man's arm, a high-society dame, and a younger girl.

I halted before the gates, gently lowering the car to the ground with a soft thud.

Shaking out my shoulders, I faced them.

The man stepped forward, his voice steady but his eyes wide with shock.

"You're Elvira, I presume. I'm your father, Edward LaRosa. This is your mother, Catherine, and your sisters, Alice and Victoria."

They all looked as if they had seen a ghost.

Catherine finally broke the silence. "The journey must've been tough."

I shrugged. "Not really. It's all in a day's work."

Alice LaRosa's smile twitched, frozen.

Victoria LaRosa, impatient, piped up, "What's the deal with the car? And where's the driver?!"

I was on the verge of speaking when a weak voice echoed from behind me.

"Miss Victoria..."

David and the driver were propping each other up, their faces ghostly white, staring at me like I was some kind of monster straight out of a Godzilla flick.

"The car? It blew a tire," the driver stammered, "Miss Elvira, she... She hoisted the car on her back...and ran up here..."

"What?!" Victoria's voice spiked, "Are you out of your mind? That car's a beast, weighs a ton! No way a person could..."

She cut herself off, her words hanging in the air.

Because, against all odds, the car was there.

So was I.

There was only that one road winding up the mountain, and not a tow truck in sight.

Surely the car had not sprouted legs and scampered up there on its own, had it?

Right on cue, Alice stepped forward, her smile back in place as if nothing was amiss, playing peacemaker.

"Sis, you must be wiped out, huh? We usually leave the heavy lifting to the help..."

Her voice dripped with faux concern, but her eyes were busy taking me in, head to toe.

"It's a small matter, but..." I cut her off, my eyes sharp as daggers, locked onto hers.

Alice's smile flickered, just for a second.

"The car's left front tire was spiked with three brand-new caltrops. How do you explain that up here on the mountain?"

Victoria recoiled, a subtle step back.

I caught the flicker of panic in her eyes. She was just as David had described...innocent.

Alice did not glance her way, her smile unwavering as she faced me, "Someone must've dropped them by accident. You know, mountain bikers come through here sometimes..."

"Mountain bikers don't need caltrops," I called out her bluff without missing a beat, my voice anything but friendly.

I was not there to play the good little girl.

My smile was light, but my gaze was stone-cold. "What I'm saying is, someone's been trying to set me up before I even stepped past the door."

Alice's smile finally crumbled, and she fell silent.

The air was thick with tension.

Just then, Edward's deep voice cut through, as he turned to head for the main house.

"Alright. You're back, and that's what matters. Let's head inside."

It carried a strong sense of protectiveness.

I was not about to make a big deal out of the earlier incident, just a gentle nudge to remind them I was there.

I left the group behind and caught up with the others.

The foyer of the mansion was cavernous, which could easily fit two cars, and had a crystal chandelier that shone blindingly bright.

A servant nodded me toward a seat, and I settled in without hesitation.

The aroma of the soup was inviting, and I reached for the spoon.

"Elvira," Edward's voice cut through the silence. "In this house," he intoned, "the elders begin the meal."

Reluctantly, I set the spoon back down, shrugged to show I understood.

Dad always said family should not be bogged down by too many rules. Those high-society rituals were suffocating.

I needed to get my hands on the inheritance and get back to Newvale City, pronto.

It was only after Edward picked up his spoon that the rest of us could eat.

Victoria whispered just loud enough, "No manners at all..."

I ignored her. She was not the real challenge there, not with her every move so plainly obvious.

Alice, setting down her spoon, turned to me with a curious gaze. "Sis," she inquired, "is it true you were boxing for money before?"

"Yeah."

"It must've been hard in such places." Her voice dripped with feigned concern. "But you're home now, so no need for such tough work anymore."

"Tough work?" I was puzzled by her logic.

"I mean, boxing isn't really for girls." Alice's smile was patronizing. "You could take up flower arranging or piano. Mom's quite good at it."

Catherine's laughter chimed in, her arrogance effortless and unearned.

"I'm not interested in the piano." I said, my tone deliberate, "I'm planning to run the family business."

The room went still, and Alice's expression turned stormy.

Edward set down his utensils, his voice laced with disapproval. "What did you say?"

"The LaRosa Group's business." My tone was light and easy, "I'm your daughter, aren't I? Why shouldn't I join the company?"

Victoria could not help herself and blurted, "What kind of fantasy world are you living in?!"

'She's definitely not my match,' I mused to myself.

Edward raised his hand, silencing Victoria instantly.

"This company isn't some kids' boxing ring."

"I'm aware." I kept on chewing, not bothering to look up.

I knew he had his reasons, and he was not about to let me waltz into the group just because I said something on a whim.

However, I needed him to understand why I came back.

I was not about to end up like those idiots, pampered and caged until they were good for nothing.

Edward stayed quiet, just watching me, like he was sizing up a product.

"Let's eat first."

The rest of dinner passed in silence.

Afterward, in the corridor, Alice was waiting for me.

She moved in closer, her voice a hushed threat, "Listen: you better figure out where you stand."

"And where's that?" I gave her a dismissive smile, unfazed by her venom.

"A street rat from the slums."

Her arrogance was palpable, yet it had a different flavor than Catherine's haughtiness.

"Don't forget where you came from. The LaRosa estate is mine."

I turned to face her, my smile broadening. "Perhaps you're not aware, Miss Alice, but a street rat fights for what he wants."

She paused, taken aback.

"And trust me, the fight isn't pretty. Hope you're ready for it."

With that, I brushed past her, heading to my room.

Her voice followed, filled with seething rage, "We'll see about that, street rat!"

Once in my room, my phone buzzed with a message from Marco.

[We're settled in the west wing guest room. All's well.]

[We've discovered it was Miss Victoria who had nails scattered on your path.]

Victoria.

I typed back, [Keep tabs on her.]

I walked over to the window, gazing out at the sprawling estate swallowed by the night.

Twinkling lights cast a luxurious glow, luring people in like bait in a trap.

Who would be the prey?

It did not matter. The hunter had already made their entrance.

At the crack of dawn, I woke up right on schedule.

The manor was silent, and I slipped into my running gear to hit the grounds. I pounded the perimeter five times, clocking in at about six miles.

By the time I got back, the servants were just beginning to bustle about.

At breakfast, it was just Edward and me.

He was buried in the newspaper while I dug into some scrambled eggs.

"Did you sleep well last night?" he asked out of the blue.

"It was okay," I replied. "The bed is a bit too cushy for my taste."

Edward peeked over his paper at me. "Alice claims you threatened her."

"What's her version?"

"She says you want to kick her out of the LaRosa family."

I set my fork down. "Are you buying that?"

Edward snapped the paper shut. "Not for a second."

His voice was calm, detached, the mark of someone used to being in charge, "But remember, we LaRosas have a reputation to uphold."

I drained my orange juice. "Alright, then I'm joining the company."

"And why's that?" He raised an eyebrow, and I met his gaze head-on.

"Because I can make LaRosa Group more money."

Edward chuckled, a hint of mockery in his laugh. "You? A back-alley brawler?"

"Life's on the line every minute in the ring." I rapped my knuckles on the table, a small smile playing on my lips, "My old man taught me business is no different."

I did not wait for his response, just stood up and walked out.

Through the garden I went.

Alice was there in a white sundress, sipping coffee on a wicker chair.

Victoria whispered something to her, but they clammed up when they saw me.

Victoria huffed, and Alice set down her cup, her smile sweet as ever. "Thinking of joining the company?"

"That's right."

"Dad will never go for it." Her voice was gentle, but her message was clear. "The company's no place for someone from the fight pits."

Her words tickled a laugh out of me, and I could not help but snort softly. "Now that's a funny thought. Has the company become your precious little piano?"

Alice moved closer, her sneer mirroring Edward's. "I'm looking out for you, Sis. The company's a maze, and if you don't play by the rules, you'll get burned."

"What rules?"

"Our rules." Victoria scoffed, "Alice has been with the company for two years, while you're clueless. You'd just embarrass us."

I gave them a long look, chose not to respond, and turned to leave.

Alice's brow furrowed. "I'm just trying to help..."

"Right, well... Thanks, I guess?" I brushed past them, but Alice reached out to grab me.

A second later, a scream pierced the air behind me, followed by a thud. I glanced back. Alice had stumbled several steps backward and crashed onto the lawn! She clutched her knee, her skirt smeared with earth.

From behind, it looked like I had flung her away.

"Ah—!" Victoria's shriek cut through the moment, "What have you done?!" She dove to Alice's aid, glaring up at me, fury in her eyes, "You hit her?! You brute!" Her cries brought the servants running.

Catherine leaned from the balcony. "Victoria, what's going on?"

"Mom!" Victoria wailed, "Elvira pushed Alice! She's fallen!"

Edward emerged from his study and rushed down the stairs. The garden swarmed with onlookers.

Alice sat on the grass, her face in her hands, tears brimming, "Sis, I know you don't like me. I'll just leave this house..." She tried to rise, but her injury seemed too much, and she slumped back down.

To any onlooker, she was the picture of injustice. If I had not been there, I might have fallen for it, too.

"I never laid a finger on you." My gaze was icy as it met hers.

"I saw you do it!" Victoria accused, pointing straight at me. "You shoved her when you spun around!"

Catherine hurried to Alice's side, offering her support.

Edward's gaze bore into me, his expression stormy. "Elvira, care to explain yourself?"

"I didn't shove her," I insisted. "She tripped on her own."

"Who just trips on flat ground?" Victoria yelled, her voice dripping with scorn. "You're nothing but a bully with no manners!"

Alice clung to Catherine's hand, pleading.

"Dad, Mom, please don't be mad at Sister. She might just be having trouble adjusting since she's only just come home..."

Her acting was commendable, but I was not about to play along.

My eyes fixed on the nearby oak, its girth demanding an embrace from two. I strode toward it.

"What are you up to?" Edward asked, confusion lacing his tone.

I offered no reply.

Fist clenched, breath drawn deep, I channeled strength into my core.

My fist collided with the tree's trunk.

Crack!

Two fissures erupted from the point of impact, racing outward, splitting the trunk in two.

Shock painted their faces.

The tree's crown lurched, crashing down with a 'whoosh!'

The earth trembled, leaves took flight.

I shook out my hands and faced them squarely. "Had I actually pushed her, she'd be in the hospital right now."

Alice's tears ceased, her complexion ghostly.

Victoria's rage gave way to terror, her grip on Alice's arm so fierce that her nails could have drawn blood.

Catherine trembled, her knees buckling, seeking support from Edward.

Edward, speechless, alternated his gaze between the toppled giant and me.

I stepped closer to Alice, who recoiled.

"Next time you put on a show, try for something a bit more convincing, Sis."