Chapter 1 – The Beginning of Revenge

Anna tightened her grip on her handbag as she stepped through the enormous glass doors of Orlov Holding.

The lobby was exactly what she had imagined—cold, elegant, and painfully luxurious. Polished marble floors reflected the light of the crystal chandeliers above. Everything felt perfect, expensive… and completely foreign to her world.

For a brief moment she hesitated.

This was the place.

The place where her revenge would begin.

“Miss Anna Tóth?”

The voice pulled her back to reality. A receptionist with flawless makeup and a professional smile looked up from behind the large white desk.

“Yes, that’s me,” Anna replied, forcing calm into her voice.

“The HR department is expecting you. Fifteenth floor, office 1502.”

Anna nodded politely and walked toward the elevators. Her reflection appeared in the mirrored walls of the lift as the doors closed.

She studied herself for a moment.

Her appearance was simple but carefully prepared. A dark skirt, a white blouse, and her hair tied neatly behind her head. She didn’t look like the women who usually walked through buildings like this.

But that didn’t matter.

She wasn’t here to belong.

She was here for revenge.

The elevator doors opened with a quiet chime.

The fifteenth floor was even more impressive than the lobby. Glass walls, chrome decorations, and modern paintings lined the corridor. Employees walked past confidently, their voices quiet but focused.

Anna sat down in the waiting area, pretending to read a document while her heart pounded inside her chest.

Years.

It had taken years for her to reach this moment.

“Anna?”

The deep voice came from behind her.

She looked up quickly.

A tall man stood in the doorway of the office. He wore a perfectly tailored dark suit, and his posture radiated authority. His sharp jawline and dark hair made him look almost intimidating.

But it was his eyes that caught her attention.

Deep blue.

Cold.

Observant.

“Y-yes,” Anna replied, standing up quickly.

The man stepped forward slowly.

“I’m David Orlov,” he said calmly. “Welcome to Orlov Holding.”

For a split second, Anna felt her breath stop.

Orlov.

That name had haunted her family for years.

And now she stood face to face with the heir of the empire that had destroyed her father’s life.

But her expression didn’t change.

She had practiced this moment too many times.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said politely.

David studied her face for a moment longer than necessary.

“Please, follow me.”

Anna walked behind him into the office.

The room was enormous, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the entire city. Sunlight filled the space, reflecting off the glass desk in the center.

David sat down behind the desk while Anna took the chair across from him.

“So,” he said calmly, leaning back slightly, “HR has already informed me about your position, but I prefer to meet new employees personally.”

Anna nodded.

“Tell me something simple,” he continued. “Why did you choose to work here?”

For a moment, silence filled the room.

Anna knew this question would come.

The truth was impossible to say.

Because the real answer was simple:

I came here to destroy your family.

Instead, she forced a small professional smile.

“I believe Orlov Holding is one of the most respected companies in the city,” she said carefully. “I want to grow professionally and contribute to the company's success.”

David’s eyes narrowed slightly.

For a brief moment, Anna had the uncomfortable feeling that he could see straight through her.

But then he smiled faintly.

“I see.”

He reached for a folder on his desk and slid it across to her.

“Your first assignment.”

Anna took the folder.

Their fingers almost touched.

A strange tension passed between them—unexpected, electric.

She quickly opened the folder to hide the sudden rush of heat in her face.

Documents.

Financial reports.

Project details.

But then something else caught her attention.

A photograph.

Her hand froze.

The photo showed a glamorous young woman standing beside several members of the Orlov family at a luxury summer gala.

Below the picture was a caption:

Orlov Family – Annual Summer Gala

Anna’s chest tightened.

This was them.

The family responsible for everything her father had lost.

The people she had promised herself she would destroy.

Yet something strange was happening.

Because when she looked up again…

David Orlov was watching her.

Not like a boss watching an employee.

But like a man studying a mystery.

He slowly stood and walked toward the window.

“Miss Tóth,” he said quietly.

Anna looked up.

“I hope you’ll enjoy working here.”

His tone was calm.

Too calm.

He turned slightly, meeting her eyes again.

“And one more thing.”

Anna felt an uneasy chill run down her spine.

“Be careful,” he said softly.

“People sometimes lose their hearts in places like this.”

For a moment neither of them spoke.

Then he walked out of the office, leaving Anna alone.

She stared at the closed door.

Her heart was beating faster than before.

This was supposed to be simple.

Infiltrate the company.

Gain their trust.

Destroy them from within.

But something about David Orlov was already making things complicated.

And Anna suddenly realized one terrifying possibility.

Her revenge had just begun.

But so had something far more dangerous.