Chapter 1
Inside a luxurious mansion in Madrid, Spain, golden afternoon light streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow across the elegant bedroom.
Zhi Lia sat on the edge of the bed, dressed in comfortable home clothes. Her long, wavy ombré hair, smooth and silky, was tied into a ponytail. Unlike her usual cold and expressionless demeanor, there was a faint hint of patience and gentleness on her face.
The reason for this rare softness was the six-month-old baby boy attempting to crawl toward her.
Little Xiu laughed cheerfully when he finally reached her. He tried to stand on his tiny feet, only to lose his balance—but Zhi Lia quickly caught the delicate toddler in her arms before he could fall.
The joy reflected in the child's face illuminated her gray eyes.
Looking at the two of them together, anyone would feel the warmth of the scene.
The toddler looked just like Zhi Lia. He had the same oval face, delicate eyebrows, and almond-shaped eyes—especially their striking gray color. As he gazed at her with his mesmerizing eyes, they shimmered like galaxies. Yet in his small world, nothing could compare to the woman in front of him.
Somehow, he knew she was his mother.
Sadly, he was still too young to utter the word.
Zhi Lia continued playing with him until a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," she called calmly.
The door opened, revealing a tall elderly man in his sixties with white hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He wore spectacles and a formal black tailcoat tuxedo, complete with a white piqué vest, white shirt, and gloves. He was the head butler of the mansion—Chang Wei.
"Eldest Young Miss, I have urgent news," Butler Wei said anxiously, hesitating as he glanced at the child beside her.
Zhi Lia immediately sensed that something was wrong. If there were news, he would normally report it without delay.
"What is it, Uncle Wei?" she asked blankly while gently caressing the child's back.
Butler Chang Wei took a deep breath to steady himself before speaking solemnly.
"The Young Miss… Zhi Lei has passed away."
Her hand froze.
Butler Chang Wei stood there, watching her carefully. He knew how deeply the Eldest Young Miss loved her twin sister. No matter what Zhi Lei did, Zhi Lia had always stood behind her in support. But after the arrival of the child, their once peaceful relationship had changed—and now Zhi Lei was gone.
Little Xiu squirmed in her arms due to her sudden tightened grip. Children were sensitive; he could sense the shift in his mother's emotions, though her face remained expressionless. He began to sniffle, on the verge of tears.
Startled by his reaction, Zhi Lia regained her composure and suppressed the storm of emotions threatening to erupt.
"Eldest Miss, should we report this to the Zhi family?" Butler Wei asked hesitantly.
"Call Little Xiu's nanny. We will head to the hospital first and make the necessary preparations," Zhi Lia said as she gently placed the now-drowsy child on the bed.
Butler Chang Wei nodded and was about to leave when she spoke again.
"Does Grandfather know anything about Little Xiu… and Zhi Lei?"
"Your grandfather is still in Greece. We have not formally reported anything, but according to our subordinates, it seems he may already know," Butler Chang Wei replied.
Zhi Lia gestured for him to leave.
Once alone, she sat heavily on the bed and looked at the picture frame on the bedside table. It was a photograph of her and Zhi Lei at the Alhambra, taken three years ago when she had stayed in Spain with her.
She closed her eyes, reminiscing about their memories together, then looked at the child lying peacefully on the bed.
…
At the hospital, Zhi Lia stood outside the ICU, watching through the glass as the machines connected to her twin's lifeless body were removed.
"Boss," a man in a black suit called out cautiously.
He shivered as he felt the murderous aura radiating from her tightly clenched fists.
"The bastard who did this—where is he now?" Zhi Lia asked calmly, though her voice carried a chilling edge.
"Boss, he managed to slip away from us. It seems someone powerful is backing him."
The temperature around them seemed to drop instantly as her killing intent intensified.
"No matter who is backing him, or where he hides—even in hell—drag him before me. I will personally send him to join my sister. I, Zhi Lia, am not someone to be trifled with."
Shen Hiro could only silently pray for the man responsible. Of all people to provoke, he had chosen the Queen's twin sister.
Zhi Lei's body was wheeled out toward the morgue when Butler Chang Wei came running toward them, looking as though he had aged ten years in mere minutes.
"Eldest Miss! Bad news! Something has happened to the Zhi family in China!"
Another blow struck her.
"What is the situation back in China?" she asked coldly.
"The Zhi Corporation is facing internal struggles. Many are vying for the vacant seat in the company. The country's economy has not been severely affected yet—only the corporation. And, Eldest Miss… there is one more thing."
"What is it? Do you think I cannot handle it after everything I have already heard, Uncle Wei?" she said, her heart hardening further.
"Your father—the Master of the House—has fallen gravely ill. He is now in a coma."
"Those bastards," she muttered darkly. "Very good."
"Do they think that just because we are far from home, they can do this?"
She had not even had the chance to properly mourn her sister, and now another crisis had arisen.
"Uncle Wei, Zhi Lei will be buried in our homeland. Prepare everything. We are returning home."
"Hiro, gather the men. You are coming with me."
Butler Chang Wei and Shen Hiro watched her as she walked away, neither of them forgetting the terrifying smile that curved her lips—a smile that sent chills down their spines.
With each devastating blow, Zhi Lia endured in silence.
Only she knew how close she was to losing herself completely.