Rebirth: A Second chance at life-Chapter 58: What is she planning?

The late afternoon sun cast golden hues over the grand Azure Mansion as Aurora stepped inside.

A sense of tranquility filled the space, wrapping around her like a quiet whisper. Yet, her sharp gaze soon caught sight of a small figure seated on the marble floor, a tiny silhouette completely absorbed in her own world.

Jenny.

The little girl sat cross-legged, her frail hands moving with delicate precision over a large sheet of paper.

The air around her held an air of serenity, as though nothing could disturb her concentration.

Aurora moved closer, her gaze falling upon the painting Jenny was working on.

And for the first time in a long while, Aurora felt genuine surprise.

The strokes were fluid yet powerful, the colors merging seamlessly to create something beyond the capabilities of an ordinary five-year-old.

The depth of emotion captured within the painting was something even seasoned artists struggled to achieve.

This wasn’t talent.

This was genius.

Jenny, sensing a presence looming over her, turned her head up with wide, innocent eyes.

"Big Sister," she whispered hesitantly, "do you not like it?"

Aurora blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. A slow, rare smile curled at her lips.

"Like it?" she murmured, crouching down beside the child. "Jenny, this is incredible. Where did you learn to paint like this?"

Jenny lowered her gaze, her tiny fingers curling slightly. "I didn’t learn... I just draw what I feel."

Aurora studied the child before her. Small, fragile, yet possessing a mind that saw the world in colors and emotions others could never grasp.

This child—this delicate, small girl—was a prodigy.

Before Aurora could speak further, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She retrieved it and glanced at the screen. Cassandra.

With a sigh, she answered the call. "Cassandra?"

"Aurora!" Cassandra’s voice was rushed, laced with worry. "Are you okay? You didn’t let it get to you, did you? Those people—ugh, they’re just jealous!

Don’t pay them any mind. You’re not the same girl anymore. I know you can fight back!"

Aurora frowned. "Cass... what are you talking about?"

A brief silence. Then Cassandra sighed heavily. "Wait. You didn’t check the Ellora High School forum today?"

"No," Aurora replied flatly.

"Good. Don’t," Cassandra said quickly. "It’s nothing but garbage. A bunch of pathetic gossip."

Aurora exhaled, disinterested. "Let them talk."

"That’s my girl," Cassandra chuckled before softening her tone. "Anyway, don’t let it distract you. You have an exam tomorrow. Focus on that, alright?"

A small smirk played on Aurora’s lips. "Sure."

Luna didn’t bother to explain any further that she was no longer the original Aurora. Instead, she gave a curt reply, her tone indifferent, as if none of this truly mattered to her.

"Right, right. Miss Unbothered Queen," Cassandra teased before hanging up.

Aurora pocketed her phone, her expression unreadable.

Inside the towering skyscraper of Brown Group, a storm was brewing.

The air inside Alexander Brown’s office was thick with an ominous chill.

He sat at his grand desk, his sharp eyes scanning the documents before him, while Veronica sat across from him, her delicate fingers flipping through pages.

The atmosphere was heavy, the silence stretching between them as they worked on the upcoming project with Dr. Lia and the crucial press conference that would solidify their collaboration.

Veronica stole a glance at Alexander, watching the way his brows furrowed in deep concentration.

Even with the weight of Brown Group and the chaos surrounding recent events, he remained composed, a man who never wavered under pressure.

She admired that about him—his power, his control.

For a brief moment, she let her fingers brush against the paper delicately, sighing lightly, making sure her presence wasn’t ignored.

"Mr. Brown," she finally spoke, her voice soft yet serious. "Dr. Lia’s project is extremely significant.

If the press conference isn’t handled correctly, it could damage not only our reputation but hers as well."

Alexander flipped another page, his long fingers tapping lightly on the desk. "I’m aware," he said, his tone indifferent, though his mind was already calculating every possible outcome.

"That’s why every detail must be accounted for. There’s no room for errors."

Veronica nodded, pressing her lips together before feigning hesitation. "It’s just... there have been rumors, Alexander." She deliberately dropped the formalities, wanting to sound closer to him. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

"With everything that happened at the Smiths’ estate, people are talking. Some are questioning your decision to remain in partnership with me after... everything."

Alexander’s pen stilled. His cold eyes lifted to meet hers, unreadable. "Are you doubting my decision, Veronica?"

Her heart skipped, but she maintained her act, quickly shaking her head. "No, of course not! I just don’t want to be a burden to you. I know there’s already a lot on your plate."

Alexander leaned back in his chair, studying her. His sharp gaze seemed to penetrate through her carefully crafted image.

"People will always talk. That doesn’t concern me. What concerns me is whether or not you’re prepared for what’s ahead. Are you?"

Veronica straightened her posture, determination flickering in her eyes. "I am. I won’t let you down."

Alexander gave a small nod, seemingly satisfied. "Good. Then let’s proceed. Derek will finalize the security arrangements for the press conference. We’ll ensure nothing disrupts it."

Just as he finished speaking, Veronica’s phone buzzed, and as soon as she read the message, her expression darkened. Lily has been kidnapped.

At first, irritation flared in her mind. That useless woman! Instead of catching Aurora, she got herself caught instead! What a failure.

But almost instantly, an idea struck her. She suppressed her initial frustration and let out a small gasp, her hands trembling as she clutched her chest.

Her face turned pale, and with a calculated stumble, she let herself fall back into the chair.

"Mom... no... this can’t be happening," she murmured just loud enough for Alexander to hear.

Then, as if the sheer weight of the news was too much, she suddenly clutched her chest, her breathing uneven, her body trembling violently.

Her lips parted as she whispered, "Mom... I have to find you... I won’t let anything happen to you..." and with one final dramatic gasp, she collapsed, her body slumping to the side as if she had fainted from the overwhelming shock.