The Mafia heiress

Shadows of Power

Few minutes later

Sage sat in class while the lecture dragged on. She spun her pen around her fingers, her mind drifting far from the teacher’s words.

This is so boring. Do they expect me to sit here and listen to this nonsense?

“Hey, Sage, you might have to stop what you’re doing, please. It’s distracting others, and you need to listen to what I’m teaching,” Mr Kim said, pointing at her with a frown.

Sage didn’t even flinch. She kept spinning her pen, eyes glazed with disinterest.

Sigh... Why do people keep testing me today?

“Sage, you need to quit what you’re doing and listen. Exam is on the way forward now,” Mr Kim said gently, trying to remain calm.

Suddenly, Sage slammed both hands onto the table with a loud BANG. The sound thundered through the classroom, snapping everyone to attention. Her eyes burned with rage as she leaned forward, her voice low and dangerous.

“Mr Kim, are you testing my patience? You’re making me feel uncomfortable. What’s the issue? Did anyone complain, or does anyone have anything to say?”

The whole class sat frozen. Silence swallowed them whole.

Look at them... quiet as mice. Weaklings.

“See? No one has a problem with anything I’m doing, so that means I’m not disturbing anyone. Instead, you’re disturbing me!” Sage yelled, her tone sharp and dripping with venom.

Mr Kim stood there, speechless. His lips moved, but no words came out.

“Class, let’s get back to teaching,” he finally muttered, defeated.

Sage glanced at her wristwatch and whispered to herself,

It’s time to give Flora a little surprise. She must have missed me. Let me pay her a visit.

She pushed her chair back with a loud scrape, not bothering to tuck it in. Her cold gaze locked onto Mr Kim, daring him to stop her as she walked out of class.

Mr Kim could only look away, pretending not to see her leave.

Sage kicked the door open lightly and let it slam shut behind her. Her bodyguard, waiting outside, straightened immediately and followed her steps like a shadow.

*****

In the class

The students burst into whispers, gossiping excitedly.

“Stop gossiping. She left the lecture. Do you guys want to go too? You’re free to leave. I’m not going to stop you,” Mr Kim snapped, his patience gone. “Even if she doesn’t attend class, her brain is a thousand times sharper than all of you dumbasses.”

*****

Locker area

“What do you mean you don’t have any money? Why won’t you bring more when you know you’re our ATM?” Sena, one of the bullies, hissed, grabbing a trembling girl by the neck and slamming her into the locker.

“I really don’t have any money... I don’t have my card on me... I’m not lying,” Mina stuttered, her voice breaking into sobs.

Smack! Hari slapped Mina hard across the face.

“We found this in your bag. Isn’t this your card?” Hari sneered, shoving the card into Mina’s face.

Mina’s eyes widened in horror. “That’s my mum’s….”

“Shut up! So you have the guts to lie to us now? Girls, strip her,” Hari ordered, signalling to Yujin and Bomi.

“Don’t you dare.”

A cold, commanding voice echoed down the hall. The bullies froze as Sage walked past them, her eyes dark with indifference.

Yujin, Bomi, and Hari ran off immediately, terror written across their faces.

“I was trying to mind my business, but clearly that’s impossible.” Now, get your hands off her,” Sage said sharply.

Sena quickly released Mina and sneered, “Be thankful you were saved by someone I can’t dare to offend.” She patted Mina’s cheek mockingly before stalking off.

Sage didn’t say another word. She turned and continued walking towards the exit. Her driver rushed to open the car door for her.

“It’s not yet school off, Miss Sage,” he said hesitantly, fear in his tone.

“Will you mind your business, or do you need someone to keep that head of yours straight with a slap?” Sage’s lips curled into a cruel smile.

“I’m sorry, Madam. To where, Miss Sage?”

“Take me to Jeong Medical Hospital,” Sage replied coldly, sliding into the backseat.

Her bodyguards drove behind her car, keeping close as they sped away.

*****

In the hospital ward

The hospital room was silent, the sterile scent of antiseptics thick in the air. The only sound was the steady beeping of the heart monitor.

Sage and her bodyguard walked in quietly.

“Hello, Aunt Flora. Are you okay? Hope you’re good. Let me peel an apple for you,” Sage said sweetly, her voice dripping with fake concern.

Flora lay on the bed, half-awake and dazed.

Sage picked up an apple and a knife, peeling it slowly. Suddenly, her gaze darkened as she stabbed the apple hard.

“Aunt Flora, this is how someone trying to play games with me is going to end up. Hope you know that,” she said coldly.

Flora’s eyes widened in terror as she watched Sage stab the apple repeatedly. Just then...

Mr Savage burst into the room, his polished shoes pounding against the tiles like thunder. He was a titan in the business world, but right now, he was simply a father – desperate, furious.

His sharp gaze swept the room until it landed on Flora, trembling and pale. Her hair was messy, her eyes red from crying. She looked up at him, her voice cracking.

“Dad, it was Sage. She pushed me!”

Gasps erupted around the room. A nurse froze mid-reach for her clipboard. A doctor shifted uncomfortably. Accusing Sage was like signing your own death warrant.

Sage stood by the window, arms folded, gaze cold and detached. She turned slowly, her face void of emotion.

“Uncle,” she said smoothly, almost amused. “I know you’re angry as a father, and I understand. But there’s been some misunderstanding.”

Mr Savage’s jaw tightened. “Explain.”

Sage stepped forward gracefully, placing her hand over her heart.

“Flora was emotional. She slipped. I tried to help her, but she was already falling. Now she’s blaming me.”

Lies... so sweet and easy to deliver. Watch them eat it up.

Flora’s eyes widened. “No! She’s lying! Dad, I might never have children again because of what she did!”

A choked sob escaped her lips as she clutched her gown desperately.

A heavy silence fell.

Mr Savage’s gaze darkened, but a flicker in his eyes showed the storm brewing within. He looked between Flora and Sage, conflicted.

“My daughter would never lie,” he whispered to himself.

Sage’s lips curled into a soft, angelic smile. “And I would never hurt family,” she said sweetly. “You know that, Uncle.”

Flora lifted her head weakly.

“You would never hurt family? And you want my husband to go bankrupt? Dad, can you see now? Her father and she never care about family bloodline.”

Sage stepped forward, her voice ice cold.

“Flora, mind the way you talk to my dad, or I might destroy everything with just one word. I don’t care if you can give birth or not.

Respect doesn’t come from age. It comes from power. And I have it. I might be young, but I have the power to turn the whole Korea upside down.”

Mr Savage’s gaze hardened. “I will get to the bottom of this.”

“Of course, Uncle,” Sage replied sweetly. “I want the truth to come out too.”

Flora’s stomach twisted. The way Sage spoke—calm, confident, dangerous—made it feel like she already controlled everything. Maybe she did.

*****

Outside the hospital room

In the dim corridor, a figure hid behind a plant and half-drawn blinds, listening intently.

“Interesting,” the figure whispered. “So the game begins. I trust my sister. She can risk anything to get what she wants.”

*****

Cryptic warnings

Back in the room, Sage’s phone buzzed softly. She ignored it, then glanced at the screen.

Unknown Number: “You think you are winning, well you are. But Rosy’s resolve shouldn’t be underestimated.”

Rosy. The name made Sage’s lips twitch in amusement.

So the little sister wants to play in the big leagues? How cute.

“I learned Rosy is also 18 years old. Same age as me. Both of us studied in the US when we were 13, but she was cruel then, and I was like a fool. She must still think I’m that same fool who won’t even talk.”

Dad shouldn’t have let me come to Korea. I wonder how my sisters are doing. The two of them are probably having a bad time... or maybe not. But it’s good I’m here to teach some people lessons.

She tucked her phone away, her gaze sharp. If Rosy was getting involved, it was time to tighten her web.

*****

In the evening

Sage received another message.

If you want to know me, come meet me at midnight at the Oasis restaurant. Come alone.

*****

[Midnight]

Later that night, as the moon hung high and the hospital quieted, Sage slipped away unnoticed. Her bodyguards had backed off, thinking their boss had retired for the night.

She moved like a shadow, her long black coat trailing behind her. Outside, the night air was cold and crisp. Her phone buzzed again.

Unknown Number: “Location changed. Meet me at the old warehouse. Midnight. Come alone.”

Her brow lifted slightly.

The old warehouse? That’s where Dad used to conduct secret meetings during the family wars. Is someone trying to scare me, or do they truly know something?

She didn’t hesitate.

If there are secrets to unveil, I’d rather expose them before someone else does.

But suddenly she paused.

Wait... Why would they want me alone? Did someone plan for me? I need to be smart and stay back.

She changed her mind, pulling out her phone to call a bodyguard.

“Let the CCTV camera at Flora’s ward be intact and secure. No mistakes. Got it?”

“Yes, Miss. I will get it done, ma,” the guard replied.

*****

Meanwhile...

Back inside the hospital, Flora lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Her stomach twisted with pain and helplessness. Her father hadn’t taken her side immediately. Sage deluca was always the number one – the strong one, the heir no one dared cross.

Tears slipped down her cheeks as she closed her eyes to sleep.

*****

[The Next Morning]

A soft knock startled her awake.

“Come in,” she whispered.

The door creaked open, revealing Rosy.

Flora’s eyes lit up. “Rosy...”

Rosy smirked as she closed the door behind her.

This is just the beginning, Sage. By the time I’m done, you’ll be crawling at my feet, begging for mercy you’ll never get.