1 Prologue

On a dark night without any stars, the sky appeared like a black hole filled with despair. Rain and thunder crashed down onto the earth and the trees trembled from the violent gusts of wind.

A car drove to the driveway of a large mansion, its headlights shining brightly. A young girl woke up from the noise, rubbing her eyes. She opened her curtains slightly, just in time to see two figures heading into the house.

Father's back? He's brought someone with him. Who is it? She peered her eyes down at the figure but couldn't see his features.

If father has brought them back this late, he must have something important to discuss with them.

The girl lifted her blankets and stepped out of her bed, slowly tiptoeing out of her room. She moved silently, making sure not to wake anyone up. When she reached her father's study, she heard two muffled voices.

"Han, I just… can't get over it."

"I know. But you've been tortured by that for so many years now."

So he's called Han, the girl thought.

She peaked through a crack in the door and saw a young man sitting opposite her father. He was dressed in a formal suit and he sat with his back straight. Below his left eye was an inconspicuous mole.

"There is no way I will forget about it. My wife… she died so suddenly. No matter how much I look into it, I can't find anything. And I can't possibly go to the police with my family background."

"You'd best let it go." The man said. "If they can cover it up so well, they must be someone powerful."

"But why would they harm her?" Tony said sullenly. "I won't give up so easily. She's my wife."

"I won't force you, Tony. But keep in mind that if you bite off more than you can chew, you will end up bringing a calamity to your family."

Tony sighed, "Yes, I know."

"And what about that issue? Have you decided what you are going to do?"

"Han, I don't want to succeed my father's position. I don't want to lead a criminal organisation. I've tried to convince my father so many times to stop these illegal activities, but he just won't listen."

"Tony, it's no use. Your family has been in this business for many generations already. And your two brothers aren't going to step back. If you give up that seat, you're giving up a big opportunity. Right now your father is still alive so he can protect you but what will happen when he passes on that position to one of your brothers?"

Tony remained silent.

"You know yourself that your two brothers are too greedy to leave you with anything."

"Don't speak ill of my brothers. They aren't as bad as you say them to be."

"Oh Tony, you've become soft. Can't you see they've pulled the wool over your eyes?"

Tony gave no reply.

"You have a child, don't you?"

"Yes, I do."

"If I remember correctly, she's called Chloe. Don't you want her to live a life without worries?"

"A life without worries… not when a war is about to break out between the three major gangs. She won't be safe in this crime-infested place. I plan to send her abroad to America. She'll be safe there."

"You plan to send her to America?" Han asked, surprised. "That's the most ridiculous idea I've ever heard from you, Tony. If you send your child to America, she won't have anyone to look after her. And let me ask you, does she even know English?"

Tony smiled bitterly. "But it's still better than here. At least she won't be kidnapped in America."

Han shook his head. "Do whatever you want. I just hope you don't regret this decision."

…

Chloe slowly walked away from her father's study, mulling over the conversation between her father and his guest.

It's always been very suspicious that mother died so suddenly. If even father doesn't can't find the culprit, it is very unlikely that I can find them.

Chloe frowned. Father seems adamant about sending me away. He should listen to that man called Han. How am I going to live in America without knowing English? Oh well. Looks like I'm going to have to make my own preparations.

Chloe sped up, turned a corner and walked to her room. She went inside and opened a drawer behind her desk. The dim light of her desk lamp revealed an old, dusty book. She carefully picked it up and caressed the cover affectionately.

My mother's diary. I've read this so many times that I can almost recite it from heart. My grandmother didn't approve of the marriage between my mother and father since my father is part of the underworld.

In my mother's diary, she mentioned a lot of things about my maternal grandmother. If I go to America, I'll probably be able to meet her.