Inferno Heiress: Freed From Hell To Reclaim My Empire

Unit One Prison stood as the country's most secure prison, built to keep the most dangerous criminals locked away from the world.

That morning, the street outside the prison was lined with luxury cars, their polished bodies catching the sun and throwing it across the high walls.

Rusty hinges groaned as the heavy iron gate swung open.

Out walked a slim woman, backpack slung over one shoulder, her stride purposeful.

Her short, neatly trimmed hair brushed her jawline. Sharp, lively eyes scanned her surroundings, undimmed by years behind bars. Dressed in a plain white tee and worn blue jeans, she looked far too fresh to be stepping out of a prison.

The guards posted at the gate shared uneasy glances. Could this really be the big shot those people were waiting for?

"Hayley Morgan, you're free now. Do yourself a favor and keep your nose clean," said the officer assigned to see her out, voice gentle despite his uniform.

Hayley gave a small nod, closed her eyes, and drew a deep breath, filling her lungs with freedom for the first time in years.

Four years.

After all that time, she was finally outside those walls.

"Miss Morgan!"

The shout rang out, snapping Hayley from her thoughts. Her brow creased with annoyance.

When she opened her eyes, two neat lines of bodyguards blocked her path. "Move," she barked, impatience sharpening her tone.

"Miss Morgan!" A skinny man, Gavin Reid, hustled over, forcing a nervous smile. "We're not going anywhere. Ms. Norris has instructed us to pick you up."

Hayley considered spinning around, but Gavin quickly stepped into her way. "Please don't turn around. It'll bring bad luck."

"In the past, I might have believed in things like this," Hayley said, her voice slow and clear. "But now, I only trust myself."

Hayley turned away from them and offered a deep bow toward the prison. "Lorna, I'm heading out now."

Memories rushed back—the reason she had ended up in prison. Four years earlier, her own parents had handed her over to the authorities, forcing her to take the blame for a crime their adopted daughter had committed. Someone had died in that crash, but it was Hayley who paid the price.

She remembered how small and powerless she'd been then. The other inmates had seen her as easy prey.

Survival would have been impossible if not for Lorna Norris. The woman who led the prisoners had stepped in, pulling Hayley from the jaws of cruelty and showing her how to fight back.

In time, Lorna became like a mother to her, teaching lessons that could never be learned in any classroom.

Hayley had changed. The timid girl was gone. Anyone who had crossed her had learned a quick lesson in pain.

Lorna's words stuck with her. "Hayley, if you want to last in this world, you have to be tougher than the next person. When you're ruthless, people take notice. They respect you. They know better than to pick a fight."

Hayley