After what felt like forever, we finally stopped in front of a large door.
"Welcome to WAN Empire," the woman said coldly before pushing it open.
And that was the moment my old life officially ended.
The room we entered was a large kitchen. My eyes immediately caught sight of other girls wearing matching outfits. They all lowered their heads the moment the woman walked in, with me trailing helplessly behind her.
"Sara," the woman called out.
"Yes, ma'am," a girl replied softly, her head bowed.
The woman turned slightly toward her. "Take this girl. She will be living in your room. She is the new slave. Get her dressed and bring her back here in five minutes."
She glanced around the room. "The rest of you, return to your duties."
With that, she turned and walked away.
What?
Did she just say… a new slave?
The words echoed in my head as shock froze my entire body.
---
★ Slave House ★
"This is your bed," sara said, pointing to a small bed close to the window.
I didn't look at her. I walked straight to the bed and collapsed onto it, crying uncontrollably.
"Hey," sara said sharply. "Brace up, girl. This is your life now. You better embrace it and stop crying."
She paused, her voice turning blunt and emotionless.
"If you're caught crying, you'll be dead meat."
She spoke as if it were normal.
"Now take these clothes and get dressed," she added, heading toward the door. She stopped and turned back.
"Remember, we have five minutes. Be fast."
The door shut behind her.
The moment she left, I fell back onto the bed, sobbing into my pillow.
I couldn't believe what my life had turned into.
A slave?
My life was unfair. My fate was cruel. I was trapped in a strange place, surrounded by strangers, with no way out.
---
★
In a spacious room filled with luxury, a woman sat calmly on a golden chair, smoking as though the world itself could burn for all she cared.
Her eyes blazed like fire from the abyss — cold, dangerous, merciless.
Her name was Lady Anna.
She was the head of WAN EMPIRE.
She had two sons, the pillars and wings of WAN Empire: Emerald and Vince, known by their code names Storm and Danger. While Emerald was highly esteemed, Vince was considered nothing but a disappointment.
"Ken," she called, exhaling smoke slowly.
Even her voice alone could pierce a timid heart.
"Yes, my lady," Ken replied immediately.
"Have you done what I asked of you?" she asked.
"Yes, my lady, but he has not arrived yet."
"Inform me the moment he returns," she said calmly. "And tell Emerald he is in charge of collecting the money in Albany. No mistake will be tolerated."
"Yes, my lady," Ken bowed and left.
---
★
"Storm, it's about time," Rhoda said, glancing up from her system. She was the hacker of the gang, which consisted of Shooter, Vince, Emerald, and herself.
"Let me go out and destroy them," Vince said impatiently.
"Must you announce yourself everywhere you go?" Rhoda rolled her eyes.
"Wait," Emerald said suddenly. "They're about to attack."
Gunshots rang out instantly, bullets hitting their car.
"It's bulletproof," Shooter said calmly. "Move."
He accelerated immediately, speeding away.
"Shit! They got away again!" sam cursed, kicking the car wheel angrily.
"What are we going to tell the boss?" Windy asked Sam, the second-in-command to Fuzz, the leader of LOS EMPIRE.
"Let's go," Sam said, getting into the car.
---
WAN EMPIRE
Lady Anna's living room
"Here is the money, Lady Anna," Rhoda said, bowing her head.
Lady Anna smiled as she examined it.
"Well done, Emerald. Once again, you've returned with success," she said proudly. "I never regret giving you missions."
"Why thank only me when I wasn't the only one on the mission?" Emerald asked calmly.
"You were the one in charge," she replied, sipping her wine. "That's why it succeeded. If Vince had been in charge, it would have been a mission failure."
"What?!" Vince yelled angrily, veins popping.
"Give me a mission. I swear I'll return successful."
"You are nothing but a failure," Lady Anna said coldly. "And I'm not putting you in charge of any mission. The sooner you accept that, the better."
Fuming, Vince stormed out of the room, anger burning fiercely in his chest.