PROLOGUE

"Mama, where are eww going?" the disappointed three year old asked when mum, who was playing together cheerfully a while ago suddenly rushed hastily to the living room after a mysterious phone call. Business matters were as important as a hundred craters of diamonds to Mrs. Rine. It made sure their family would be able to thrive with a sustainable source of income, but it required thorough care. One second of carelessness and the next thing would be irreversible resentment.

"Rine, I have bad news!" she said to her husband who was almost dozing off while watching a live football match. It startled Mr. Rine but he managed to regain his composure after looking at the death glare his wife shot. "Goodness heavens! Won't you ever feel pity for a tired man who finally gets to rest after hours of work?" he whined knowing the fact that his wife wasn't in the mood to give in. "You said.....pines got stuck in your hair?" it was proved that he didn't know what she was talking about. "You better get that buffalo back of yours off the couch and start the car now!" he did as he was instructed, fearing that she would turn into a Grim Reaper at any moment.

"Sure, I guess you're hungry and so am I," he smiled sheepishly and went to start the car without glimpsing back. Luckily, Mrs. Rine didn't forget about her one and only child. She informed her younger sister-in-law to take care of Laven, while they were away. With her coat on one hand and her phone in the other, she wore her heels and clattered away as quickly as her feet could go towards the car.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. I received some really, really bad news."

Mr. Rine smiled a bit. After all, it wasn't always that he gets to hear his wife apologise out of guilt. Somehow, he took it as something sweet and winked back.

Mrs. Rine rolled her eyes. "Drugs and explosives were found in the container of goods we imported," she said slowly.

Mr. Rine caused both of them to get startled with a sudden break. "Be careful!" she exclaimed, worried of his recklessness. His grip on the steering wheel became tighter, and the car started to speed up. "We have to get there quickly and handle this confidentially," he spoke through gritted teeth. Both of them knew very well that this must have been arranged by their fellow business rivals, or more accurately jealous and heartless enemies. A worried look was plastered on Mrs. Rine's face. They had to do something to avoid an embarrassing checkmate.

Thoughts of police accusations, media pressure and poisonous gossips were running through their minds, suffocating them out of patience and hope even more.

Suddenly, an intense beam of light blinded Mr. Rine, causing him to lose his vision on the path. BOOM!!!!! Their car was T-boned by a humongous lorry. It sent them crashing towards the divider, the front part of the car totally annihilated. One who saw that damage would surely guess that the survival chances of the people on board was a bit past mere.

"Completed with utter perfection boss!" the lorry driver spoke on the phone with satisfaction of completing the task assigned to him. The time was 2.00 a.m., no other cars were seen passing by. Not even a drunkard on motorbike. "Splendid! The amount has been transferred. Until we liaise again." the call ended with a beep.

In the dark woods, a man in thick black cotton coat was standing under a shady tree, with a cup of cappuccino in his right hand. He slid his phone into his pocket, then raised his hand and signalled his men to move forward. They came marching out in an improper manner, almost stumbling into one another. The doors were swung wide open and left in that position on purpose. They carried the two unconscious bodies and escorted them to another vehicle. Blood trails were left at the opposite lane for a reason only known by their boss. A grin appeared on the uncanny man's face. He took a sip of cappuccino calmly.

"Laven..." those were the only words that managed to escape Mrs. Rine's lips before her hand fell limply.

.

"Good day. May I speak with Rine Attel's sister, Shelly?" Ms. Shelly woke up to a call by an unknown man with a serious tone. "Speaking," she wasn't surprised because it wasn't a big secret that one of the top businessmen in the world has a younger sister named Shelly Attel. "I'm sorry mam, the Rines have ...."