Rise From Prison: Taking Over the Business Empire

Chapter 1: I'm Sorry, Let's Divorce!

Silverhaven City, Abyssal Bastion.

On the surface, Abyssal Bastion appeared to be just an ordinary maximum-security prison. Yet, beneath this mundane facade, it housed the most feared and infamous criminals in all of Ardenia.

Within its grim walls languished billionaires whose wealth rivaled entire nations, ruthless kings of assassins soaked in blood, powerful officials who once wielded supreme authority, cunning spies with minds sharper than blades, and enigmatic cultivators whose very existence remained shrouded in mystery.

Yet at this very moment, these formidable figures—any one of whom could send tremors across the globe—stood submissively, hardly daring to breathe, casting anxious glances toward the tall, handsome young man before them.

His name was Anthony Jones, the undisputed king of this prison.

Today marked precisely three years since Anthony entered this place, and now, at last, he was a free man again.

"You little bastards better remember this clearly," Anthony warned coldly, sweeping his piercing gaze across the crowd. "Even after I'm gone, none of you are allowed to cause trouble. Otherwise, I'll come right back and toss each of you into the sewage pit for a nice, long bath. Understood?"

"Understood!" came the unified, obedient chorus from these notorious criminals, sounding more like frightened kindergarten children than hardened villains.

"Good," Anthony nodded, satisfied, before turning towards the prison warden, who stood behind him with a humble, ingratiating smile. "Let's go."

"Mr. Jones, please follow me!" The powerful warden immediately bent forward at a respectful ninety-degree angle, leading the way.

Holding their breaths, the inmates stretched their necks, watching Anthony's departing figure until he finally disappeared entirely from sight.

"Haha, the demon's finally gone!"

"Fuck, I'm finally free!"

"God Almighty, that kid was even more ruthless than his mysterious vanished master!"

Instantly, the prisoners—whose names once struck fear around the world—erupted into wild celebration. Some even shed tears of joy.

Ahem!

Suddenly, Anthony cleared his throat gently, the sound echoing like an ominous final warning in everyone's ears.

All at once, the ecstatic prisoners froze in place, petrified into absolute silence.

Five minutes later, Anthony dismissed the warden and calmly walked out alone amid the respectful gazes of the guards.

Outside, the midday sun blazed brilliantly.

Three years ago, Anthony Jones willingly went to prison, covering for his wife Freya Mitchell's younger brother. Now, stepping into the sunlight for the first time since his incarceration, he felt an overwhelming sense of surrealism—as if he'd crossed back into another lifetime.

Once, Anthony himself was heir to a powerful family. Overnight, however, tragedy struck; the entire Jones family—twenty-four lives—was brutally extinguished. Only Anthony, protected desperately by his mother, narrowly escaped. Later, Freya Mitchell found him, saving his life.

To repay this debt and ensure his survival, Anthony married into the Mitchell family, becoming their son-in-law.

Three years earlier, when Freya's brother Preston killed someone while driving drunk, the Mitchell family begged Anthony to take the blame. Driven by gratitude, Anthony agreed without hesitation.

Initially, Anthony believed prison had forever ruined his future. Yet, fate had other plans: behind bars, he encountered a mysterious old man. This elder, astounded by Anthony's extraordinary talent, proclaimed him a prodigy unlike any he had ever seen. He took Anthony as his disciple, imparting upon him unimaginable power and skill.

Thinking of his murdered family, Anthony's eyes flashed red with rage and sorrow.

At that moment, a sky-blue Maserati Quattroporte slowly approached.

Anthony immediately recognized the familiar figure in the passenger seat—Freya Mitchell, his wife!

Instantly, the crimson rage melted from Anthony's eyes, replaced by a soft, affectionate smile.

"Freya will surely be delighted when she sees what I've become," he murmured warmly, stepping quickly toward the car.

The Maserati soon stopped before him. The door opened, and Freya Mitchell, exquisitely beautiful yet coldly poised, stepped out alongside her sharp-looking assistant, Giselle.

"Freya, it's been three years. Do you have any idea how much I've missed you? I have so much to tell you—"

"Anthony," Freya interrupted quietly, "I'm sorry. Let's divorce."

Anthony froze. "What?" He laughed nervously. "Freya, don't joke about this."

"Here is the divorce agreement." Avoiding his eyes, Freya bit her lip and handed Anthony a document Giselle provided.

A thunderbolt from a clear sky!

Never had Anthony imagined that, after three painful years in prison, he'd be greeted not by Freya's warm embrace but by cold divorce papers.

His hands trembling, he forced a smile. "Why?"

"Anthony, thank you for everything you've done for me and the Mitchell family," Freya spoke steadily. "But things have changed. We're no longer from the same world. Perhaps separation is best."

"Not from the same world?" Anthony laughed bitterly. "Funny, you never mentioned that when I married into your family or when I took the blame for your brother. And now—now that I'm finally free—you say we're worlds apart?"

"Times have changed, Anthony." Pain flashed briefly through Freya's eyes. "Mitchell family is now elite in Silverhaven City. Horizon Group, a powerful rising consortium, is planning significant investment here. If I'm married to a criminal, our family would become a laughingstock. We'd lose all chance of partnership."

Under the blazing sun, Anthony felt chilled to the bone. "Others might misunderstand, but you know exactly why I became a criminal."

Expressionless, Freya signaled Giselle, who promptly handed Anthony a folder.

"Inside is a bank card with ten million dollars—enough for a lifetime. There's also a deed for the villa where I first found you unconscious three years ago, now worth another ten million. Just sign, and it's yours. If you want more, just ask."

Freya's coldness felt utterly unfamiliar.

"So our love is worth twenty million dollars? Indeed, an impressive price." Anthony scoffed bitterly. "Am I just a disposable tool to you? Is your family's status and wealth really that important?"

Freya hesitated, struggling silently before finally raising her head firmly. "Yes."

"Fine. Let's divorce." Smiling sadly, Anthony signed without another glance and handed back the papers. "Congratulations, you're free."

Freya opened her mouth, then closed it, turned, and walked away.

As she reached the car door, Anthony suddenly cried out, "Wife!"

Freya stiffened, her body trembling slightly, but she didn't turn back. Instead, she entered the car silently. A single tear fell, glittering like diamond beneath the sun, shattering upon impact—just like their love, reduced to dust.

"Anthony Jones, know your place!" Giselle sneered disdainfully. "Miss Mitchell is now an elite worth billions, destined for greatness with Isaiah Harris of the Harris family—not a worthless criminal like you!"

Anthony stood frozen, eyes turning icy.

"I would have given you the world, Freya Mitchell. Someday, when you realize what you've lost, I pray you won't regret it."