Chapter 1 Welcome to Silverridge

Welcome to Silverridge

RAVEN Haler stepped out of the black luxury SUV and immediately regretted looking up.

The mansion was ridiculous.

No.

Ridiculous wasn't even the word for it.

Her neck craned higher as her eyes travelled over the enormous cream-colored structure standing proudly behind ornate black gates. Tall windows reflected the afternoon sunlight, while elegant balconies wrapped around the upper floors like something pulled straight from a movie.

The compound alone was larger than all the neighborhoods she had lived in.

For a long moment, Raven simply stood there.

One hand gripped the handle of her worn suitcase. The other adjusted the strap of the faded black school bag hanging from her shoulder.

A cool breeze brushed against her preety face.

She swallowed.

Then looked around again.

The perfectly trimmed lawns. The fountain in the center. The expensive cars parked neatly beneath a covered garage. Even the SUV that had brought her here probably cost more than every foster home she had ever lived in combined.

This place was insane.

And somehow...

This was supposed to be home.

For the first time in years, uncertainty settled heavily inside her chest.

Leave? Or walk forward? She honestly wasn't sure.

A movement ahead pulled her attention.

Standing at the entrance of the mansion was an entire welcoming committee.

A distinguished-looking butler, several neatly dressed maids and a few servants. All standing in a line with welcoming smiles, dressed in their sharp immaculate white and black dresses.

And in the center stood a middle-aged couple.

Nathaniel and Evelyn Ashford.

Her new foster parents.

They were smiling warmly, too warmly that Raven shifted awkwardly.

She wasn't used to people smiling at her like that, especially not strangers, especially not people who looked this rich.

Raven herself looked completely out of place.

She wore a loose charcoal-gray hoodie with the sleeves pushed to her elbows. A plain black tank top underneath. Faded ripped jeans. Scuffed combat boots.

Her thick dark hair was tied into a messy low ponytail, strands escaping everywhere without a care.

She wore no makeup, no jewelry, nothing fancy.

She looked more prepared for a street race than a welcome party.

The Ashfords didn't seem to mind.

"Raven?" Evelyn called gently.

Raven blinked.

"Uh..."

Nathaniel chuckled.

"You can come closer. We don't bite."

A few servants laughed softly.

Raven sighed internally.

Great! They were the friendly type.

Slowly, she walked forward.

One of the maids immediately stepped toward her.

"Miss Raven, may I take your suitcase?"

Raven instinctively tightened her grip.

"No."

The maid froze.

Raven immediately cleared her throat.

"I mean... thanks. But I'm okay. I can carry it."

The maid smiled politely and stepped back.

"Of course."

Evelyn exchanged an amused look with her husband, then she walked toward Raven herself. The older woman's smile was surprisingly genuine.

Not forced, not fake. Just... warm. And somehow that made Raven even more uncomfortable. She stood there awkwardly, not knowing whether she was supposed to shake hands, wave, smile, or run.

So instead she blurted,

"Where is my room?"

Silence fell.

Then Nathaniel burst out laughing, Evelyn laughed too. Raven immediately regretted speaking.

Fantastic.

She had been here less than two minutes.

"Straight to business," Nathaniel said.

"I like her already."

Evelyn reached out and gently squeezed Raven's shoulder.

"Welcome home, sweetheart."

The words hit unexpectedly.

Home.

Raven quickly looked away. She hated that word, but the Ashfords didn't seem to notice.

"Come on," Nathaniel said.

"Let's show you around."

They led her inside.

The moment Raven stepped through the front doors, she nearly stopped breathing.

Everything sparkled.

A massive crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. Elegant staircases curved upward on both sides. Expensive paintings decorated the walls. The marble floors were so shiny that she could practically see her reflection.

What kind of people actually lived like this? The answer, apparently, was rich people. Very rich people.

“My dear,” Evelyn moved closer her, gently reaching for the suitcase, “let someone help you with this. You wouldn’t need it for the tour,” she added, a very wide smile on her face.

Raven’s mouth fell into an ‘o’ as she reluctantly let go of her suitcase and the school bag strapped on her shoulder, her nostrils filled with the strong perfume of this lovely lady. 

Evelyn then handed the bags to a maid already on standby. 

“She would take that to your room,” Evelyn added.

Raven couldn't find her words, she was speechless. 

For nearly twenty minutes, the Ashfords guided her through the mansion.

The library.

The indoor spa.

The home theater.

The gym.

The entertainment lounge.

At one point Raven wasn't even sure if she was still inside a house. The place felt more like a luxury hotel.

Eventually they reached a long hallway lined with framed photographs.

Nathaniel slowed.

"Oh, these are family pictures."

Raven glanced up. The wall was covered with memories, a lot of them.

Pictures of Nathaniel racing sports cars in his younger years. Pictures of Evelyn. Pictures of family vacations. Medals, trophies, awards, racing events.

Nathaniel smiled fondly.

"Racing has always been part of the family."

Raven remained quiet.

He pointed toward one frame.

"That is Lucas."

A handsome young man smiled from the photograph.

"He used to live here."

"Used to?" Raven asked.

Nathaniel nodded.

"Finished school years ago. Lives on his own now, but he visits often. He is one of my sons."

Then another frame caught her attention.

A younger boy stood beside a race car. Dark hair, sharp gorgeous features. Arrogant-looking even in a photograph.

Nathaniel's smile widened.

"And that's Kai."

Raven studied the picture.

"So that's him?"

Evelyn smiled.

"Our other son."

"He is around somewhere."

Raven nodded slowly, the name meant nothing yet.

Nathaniel continued talking.

"Racing runs in this family."

He chuckled.

"I know you are not exactly interested in cars."

Raven immediately looked away before her expression could betray her.

"I suck at it," she managed to say. 

The tour continued.

By the end of it, Raven's brain felt overloaded. Every room looked more expensive than the last.

Eventually they reached the kitchen. The room was enormous, yet strangely quiet. No cooking, no chefs, no food smells. Nothing.

Raven frowned. The kitchen looked abandoned.

Evelyn noticed immediately.

"Hungry?"

Raven nodded. Maybe a little.

Evelyn glanced at her watch.

"Dinner preparations start in about three hours."

Then she pointed toward the massive refrigerator.

"Help yourself to anything."

Nathaniel smiled.

"We will continue the tour afterward."

"If you need anything, ask any servant."

"Or ask us."

Raven nodded.

The couple finally left, and silence settled around the kitchen.

For the first time all day, Raven was alone. She walked toward the refrigerator and opened it. She stared.

Rows upon rows of expensive food. Fancy drinks, imported snacks, organic this, organic that. Healthy everything. And somehow, nothing looked appealing.

She closed the refrigerator door halfway and sighed. Rich people really did live differently.

Just then her phone in her pants pocket vibrated. Raven smirked immediately. She didn't even need to check the screen. Only one person called this aggressively.

She answered.

"What?"

"Wow. Nice greeting."

Her best friend laughed.

Raven leaned against the counter.

"You are annoying."

"Did you get there?"

"Unfortunately."

"So? What's it like?"

Raven glanced around, then snorted.

"These people are rich-rich."

"How rich?"

"They don't even have instant noodles."

"What?"

"I'm serious."

Her friend burst out laughing.

"They don't have instant noodles?"

"Nope."

"What kind of monsters are these?"

Raven grinned despite herself.

"Exactly what I'm saying."

She opened the refrigerator again.

"They have got imported cheese."

"Horrifying."

"Three different kinds of sparkling water."

"Even worse."

"And I still can't find anything normal."

"Stay strong, soldier."

Raven laughed quietly, then she closed the refrigerator door and that was when she froze.

Someone was standing directly behind it, watching her.

Her breath caught, she was startled.