Rebirth: A Second chance at life-Chapter 29: Veronica’s Plan

Veronica snapped back to her senses, her mask of sweetness slipping as she spoke in a near-menacing tone.

"Aurora, as a family, we have given you many chances, but you cannot slander me or the Smith Group," she hissed, forcing a smile as her eyes flickered with warning. "I know Dr. Lia, and soon, we’ll be working on a project together. Stop your delusions and come home with me."

She reached out to grab Aurora’s wrist, but before she could even make contact—slap!

Aurora’s palm struck her hand away with a sharp force, sending Veronica stumbling backward. A gasp left her lips as she nearly fell, but before she could hit the ground, Alexander’s firm grip steadied her.

Aurora, unfazed, tilted her head, a slow smirk tugging at her lips. "Tsk, tsk, Veronica... You should really ask before touching someone. Not everyone likes filthy hands on them."

Alexander’s eyes darkened as his grip on Veronica tightened, his anger radiating off him in waves. His voice came out low and dangerous, a growl laced with warning.

"Aurora, how dare you hit Veronica?" His sharp gaze locked onto her, brimming with unrestrained fury. "Apologize to her now, or this time—" he took a step forward, his tone turning even colder— "I will make sure to break both of your hands."

Aurora, however, remained unfazed. Instead of fear, amusement flickered in her eyes as she met his murderous glare with an icy smirk.

"How dramatic," she mused, tilting her head. "Threatening to break my hands over a little slap? Is that how your perfect little Veronica manipulates you?"

Alexander’s jaw clenched, but before he could respond, Aurora’s smirk deepened.

"Try it," she challenged, her voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "But you’d better make sure I don’t get back up. Because if I do, you will be the one regretting it."

With that, she turned on her heels without sparing them another glance. Striding toward the sleek black car, she pulled open the door with effortless grace and slipped inside.

The engine roared to life, and without hesitation, the car sped off into the night.

Watching Aurora leave, Veronica felt a surge of satisfaction deep inside. Good. Let her run away like the coward she is.

But on the surface, she played her part flawlessly.

Her eyes welled up with unshed tears, her lips quivering as she lowered her head, exuding the perfect image of a heartbroken sister. She let out a shaky breath, as if struggling to contain her sorrow, ensuring Alexander saw nothing but a kind, helpless girl suffering at the hands of an ungrateful sibling.

After all, the more pitiful she looked, the more Alexander would see Aurora as nothing but a cruel, heartless woman—and her as the unfortunate, loving sister.

Veronica offered a soft, reassuring smile, her voice laced with practiced patience.

"Mr. Brown, please don’t mind my sister. She’s emotionally weak and just throwing a tantrum," she said, sighing as if truly burdened by Aurora’s behavior. "I’ll contact Dr. Lia soon, and we’ll begin work on the project as planned."

Alexander hummed in acknowledgment before stepping into the car.

Yet, as the vehicle pulled away, his thoughts remained trapped in the moment before.

Aurora—fierce, unyielding, nothing like the timid, weak girl he once knew.

That look in her eyes, the confidence in her stance—it was unsettling.

A touch on his arm snapped him from his thoughts.

Veronica, noticing the flicker of doubt in Alexander’s gaze, quickly composed herself and repeated with a gentle smile,

"Mr. Brown, when will you be conducting the press conference?"

Her tone was smooth, controlled—masking the unease that had crept into her moments ago. She needed to steer his thoughts away from Aurora and back to business, where she held the upper hand.

Alexander’s jaw tightened slightly before he exhaled, pushing aside the lingering thoughts of Aurora.

"I’ll announce the date soon," he said curtly, his voice void of emotion.

Veronica nodded, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. That was exactly what she wanted—his focus back where it belonged. Away from Aurora.

She couldn’t let him think about that bitch.

But deep inside, Veronica’s blood was boiling.

On the surface, she maintained her poised and composed demeanor, but within, jealousy and frustration churned violently.

Veronica cursed Aurora in her mind, seething with resentment.

Her fingers tightened into fists as bitterness swelled within her. That wretched girl...

Without wasting another moment, she began devising a plan—one that would humiliate Aurora so thoroughly, she’d never dare to stand in her way again.

But what Veronica didn’t expect was that an opportunity would come knocking at her door—one that could finally allow her to outshine Aurora and reclaim Alexander’s attention.

Her ears perked up as she heard Alexander speak, his tone laced with impatience.

"Derek, were you able to locate Dr. Elena?"

"No, sir," Derek responded. "We’re trying our best to find her, but so far, there’s been no trace."

A slow smile almost threatened to form on Veronica’s lips, but she quickly masked it with a look of innocent concern. Feigning sincerity, she spoke in a gentle, thoughtful tone.

"As we’re set to collaborate with Dr. Lia, perhaps we could ask for her help," she suggested, tilting her head slightly. "From what I’ve heard, she and Dr. Elena have worked together in the past."

Her gaze flickered toward Alexander, watching for the slightest shift in his expression. If she played this right, she could prove herself indispensable—while pushing Aurora further into obscurity

Alexander was momentarily perplexed upon hearing Veronica’s words. For the first time, he took a deep, assessing look at her.

Though Aurora and Veronica were born of the same mother, they couldn’t be more different. One was a nightmare, while the other was perfection.

Veronica was accomplished, beautiful, and intelligent—someone who understood business, someone who carried herself with grace and competence. She was everything a woman in his world should be.

And then there was Aurora—a useless, insufferable parasite who had latched onto him, offering nothing but humiliation in return.

The earlier fiasco only fueled his loathing further. His hatred for Aurora deepened, settling like a bitter weight in his chest.

With a sharp breath, he pushed all thoughts of her aside, locking them away in the back of his mind. She wasn’t worth his time.

On the other side, the ride was steeped in silence, the hum of the engine the only sound filling the space.

Sebastian sat with effortless elegance, his long, slender legs crossed as he scanned the reports freshly delivered from their base. His deep, penetrating eyes flickered over the pages, absorbing every detail with quiet intensity.

Ever since the rumors of Hades, the leader of Helheim, being dead had started circulating, the Dongli Group had grown increasingly reckless.

Their fear, once carefully masked, was now unraveling into sheer desperation.

They had begun committing crimes openly—acts they once carried out from the shadows, now executed without hesitation.

Sebastian’s fingers tapped lightly against the edge of the document, his expression unreadable.

So, the vultures have finally started circling. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Well, no one in the underworld was pure—everyone had blood on their hands. Morality was nothing more than a blurred line, shifting to suit one’s survival.

But if there was one thing Sebastian despised, one crime he would never tolerate, it was human trafficking—be it women or children.

And in that, he and Hades had always been the same.

When Hades was active, she had single-handedly ensured that ninety percent of trafficked victims were rescued before they disappeared into oblivion. She was ruthless, efficient, and unwavering in her pursuit of wiping out the scum who preyed on the helpless.

But now... she was gone.

Sebastian exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening. Now that she’s not here, I’ll have to handle it myself.

His fingers tapped against the desk as he reached for his phone. It was time to put his men on it.

Aurora’s gaze lingered on Sebastian, studying him in quiet contemplation.

His deep gray eyes were locked onto the screen, sharp and unreadable, lost in whatever information he was processing. His carefully sculpted features held an effortless elegance—strong jawline, high cheekbones, and those lips... pink, firm, yet strangely inviting.

There was something about him—something familiar.

Her brows furrowed slightly. What is it?

It wasn’t just his face or presence. It was something deeper, something that stirred a feeling she couldn’t quite place.

There’s more to him than meets the eye... she thought, her intrigue growing.

If Aurora had any idea what Sebastian was reading and thinking at that moment, she might have smirked in satisfaction—or even given herself a pat on the back.

After all, earning the silent praise of the most handsome and enigmatic man she had ever met was no small feat.

But more than that, she would have known exactly what needed to be done next.

And she would have wasted no time getting to work.