RAVEN.

Raven stepped out of the building, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over her. She was back now — and she was going to ruin the lives of the hideous monsters who tore both her life and family apart without remorse. And she'd just taken the first step.

Just then, a sleek red convertible sports car pulled up in front of her, and behind the wheel was a tall, good-looking man in his early thirties with grey eyes and dark blonde hair.

He was Adam Gates, a caring, sweet guy who'd taken it upon himself to ensure that Raven got the justice she deserved even though he owed her nothing. He had been a great friend since he found out of Raven's predicament — and if not for him, Raven Moon would have ceased to exist.

"Hey."

"Hey," Adam replied, pressing a button that automatically opened the car door. "How did it go?"

Raven settled into the car, closing the door "It went well. Surprisingly well."

"Okay," Adam said as he set the car hitting the road. Although he tried to conceal it, Raven couldn't help but notice a hint of worry in his voice. "Did he try to put up a fight?"

"He was in no position to."

"That makes it more suspicious!" Adam exclaimed. This time, he didn't try one bit to conceal his worry "What if he was taping you so that he could use it to arrest you?"

"You worry too much Adam!" Raven said through gritted teeth, almost in frustration "He won't! No one can easily disclose being a pedophile to the police, even if they were being blackmailed."

"I know, it's just…" He trailed off, licking his lips. Then he continued. "I'm a bit worried, you know?"

"You have nothing to worry about, Adam." Raven said confidently "I'll be good."

"I hope so."

The rest of the drive home was in silence, with Raven's mind reeling with a series of plans.

------------------

The white vehicle came to a halt in front of the mansion which stood out. Raven Moon stepped out of the vehicle and gazed at the opulent Brant Mansion. She appeared to be a completely different person. Her unkempt appearance and faded look were striking; her old, worn-out clothes hung loosely on her frame, and a scarf was tied around the dirty blonde wig she wore to conceal her hair.

At this moment, she wasn't Raven Moon. She was Lily Harper — a twenty-five-year-old college student still battling to pay off her tuition. It was a cover story meticulously crafted by Abe Jenkins.

The other maids came down the vehicle and gazed at the mansion agape — still not believing that they would be working here now.

"Okay." The supervisor, a tall, nice-looking woman in her late fifties, said, gathering the young girls, "Now, I want you all to listen to me. I know I'm not allowed to say this but I must, for your good. Mrs. Brant is an austere woman; she's a narcissist and hates clumsiness; always be mindful around her and no matter what she does, do not react negatively. If she makes a joke, laugh, even though it isn't funny. You'd all best be on your good behavior and always keep a smile on your face, always. Am I clear?"

The young ladies nodded in unison. "Yes ma'am."

"Good." The supervisor said, "Now, let's go."

The supervisor then rang the gate intercom which buzzed. There was no response. Then she rang it again.

A woman's voice came on the line. "Yes? Who is it?"

"Uh…" The supervisor stuttered a little, "We're from Jenkins Domestic Care Agency, Mrs Brant is expecting us."

"Oh?" came her response. "Is she?"

"Yes."

"You know what? I'll be right back. Let me confirm." The voice said and the line went dead.

Raven and the five other girls stood out there in the blazing sunlight as they all waited alongside the supervisor.

Then the intercom came on again. "Come on in."

Then the gate automatically buzzed open.

The supervisor went in, alongside Raven and the girls trailing behind her. The maids were visibly awestruck, their gazes sweeping over the opulent mansion that radiated luxury and elegance— all except Raven.

She wasn't here to work nor to be impressed, she was here to give back what has been given to her — in two folds.

The six of them, alongside their supervisor, stood in the living room like worthless dummies as they waited for the woman of the household.

"Mrs Brant will be with you all shortly." The middle-aged woman, Mandy, said giving them all a warm smile. It was her voice that they'd heard through the intercom outside. "Please exercise patience. And please, you are not allowed to sit."

The girls exchanged glances.

"You see, Mrs Brant is intense about these sorts of things. So please."

They stood and waited for about ten minutes without any sign of her, and the girls were already getting tired and annoyed. Except for Raven, she felt that if she was going to destroy someone's life, she'd need patience.

Just then, they all stiffened to attention as soldiers do in front of their commanders as they heard her loud footsteps approaching the living room.

And then she entered — Lara Hopkins, now a Brant.

She hadn't changed one bit — just the way Raven remembered her. She was still stinkingly ugly despite all the makeup on her face, she still looked lonely despite being married, and she still had that smug, condescending expression on her face.

She was screaming into the phone "I don't care who the hell she is! Find her and make her stay away from my husband!"

Then she disconnected the call, heaving.

Raven knew what was happening. Lara's husband had been forced into a loveless marriage with her — who'd even love this piece of shit? — and her husband has been satisfying his lust outside of marriage. And he was doing it openly, with the knowledge of his wife.

Seeing her again took Raven back to their college days. It was her.

Raven's misery had started with her; she was the first to bully and torment her — driven, no doubt, by envy, because Raven was more attractive than she was. If she hadn't started it, no one would have even paid her much attention as she was an outcast in college.

If she hadn't started it, her mom and sister would've been alive, and their family would have been together, probably living a happy life.

Getting a scholarship into a college only meant for the conglomerates was a miracle turned nightmare for her.

It had all begun with a nineteen-year-old, insecure Lara Brant.

So she was going to begin from her.

Tit for tat, right?