Thorns of Vengeance

Chapter 1-----Reunion My name is Jennie, the heiress of the prestigious Grant family. On my 21st birthday, I was framed and imprisoned by my hypocritical stepmother and stepsister, while my father, who had always cherished me, ignored my plight. My childhood sweetheart and best friend had also become entangled. They took everything from me. I thought no one else's life could be more ridiculous than mine. But it didn't matter; I would take it all back, bit by bit. Inside a glitzy bar, men and women danced intimately on the dance floor, the atmosphere hot and steamy. The wealthy splurged here, while the less fortunate waited for opportunities. I wandered through the bar in a revealing and sexy short skirt. I had been working at this bar for two months. Every day, customers would take advantage of buying drinks to grope me. I felt disgusted, but I had to endure it for the sake of my plan. I flirted with the customers while observing my surroundings. ["Jennie, come here quickly,"] the floor manager called out to me, waving. ["Lucky girl! Tristan's here, and he wants some new faces to join him."] Finally! All my waiting had not been in vain. ["You're the best, sister! Once I got this, I'll definitely pay you back."] I handed over all the tips I had just collected to the floor manager with a smile. Standing among the line of salesgirls, I raised my eyes to look at the man in front of me, reminding myself that I only had one chance. No matter what, I had to get this man today! Only then would I have a chance to succeed. Soon, I was selected, and the others retreated in order. The room was left empty except for me and Tristan. I flashed a charming smile at Tristan and boldly wrapped my arms around his neck, my fingers gliding over his Adam's apple like playing the piano, my hair exuding a faint fragrance, the atmosphere ambiguous. The man seemed indifferent to my advances. He played with my hair, pinched my chin, and asked casually: ["Have you been to prison?"] A knife seemed to slice through my heart, and it ached, but I still smiled charmingly: ["Five years."] ["Do you think I would want a woman who has been to prison?"] ["Get out and find someone else."] My breath caught in my throat. I couldn't leave! Once rejected by Tristan, a woman would never see him again. What would happen to my plan then? ["Mr. Tristan, I've admired you for so long. Now that I finally meet you, are you really going to be so heartless?"] I feigned aggrieved and spoke. I didn't know if I had said anything wrong, I could clearly sense that Tristan was even more displeased than before. He sneered: ["Miss Jennie really has a bad memory. Who's being heartless here?"] What? I was stunned and began to scrutinize him carefully. Those somewhat familiar features suddenly made my eyes widen. I remembered. Years ago, a little fatty used to live near our house. His family had some business dealings with ours, but later they went bankrupt and moved abroad. In fact, with our shared history, we should have been friendly when we met again. But unfortunately, when he lived next to me, I always ‘bullied' him in various ways. The last time I saw him was when he came to find me before moving away, but I said many hurtful words in a fit of pique, souring our relationship. It's over, Jennie. Your life sucks. Seeing my strange expression, Tristan leaned closer: ["Remember now?"] I forced a smile that was uglier than a cry: ["Yea."] ["Hmph."] Tristan snorted and unceremoniously pushed me off him. ["After all these years, Miss Jennie is willing to see me, a fallen noble. It's quite flattering."] Feeling the sarcasm in his voice, I had a momentary urge to turn and leave. My former pride and arrogance did not allow me to bow to anyone, but the five years in prison had eroded my pride and arrogance.