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Chapter Forty-Nine
Huling Na-update:
2025-03-31 23:37:15
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Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Fifty
šš«ššš”šThe news is everywhere.Tabloids, newspapers, hushed conversations in hotel lobbies and high-end restaurants. My name, my face, my supposed triumphāspread across the city like wildfire.The lost daughter, now officially found. The hidden gem, finally unveiled.I try not to let it get to me.I bury myself in work, tell myself this is what I wantedāwhat Iāve been preparing for. And for the most part, I believe it. I tell myself Iāve moved past the distractions of Marcus and Cameron, that they no longer occupy space in my mind. That my focus is solely on the company and my role within it.But the illusion only lasts until the night of my fatherās party.A grand affair, of course. My father doesnāt do anything half-heartedly. The ballroom is adorned in gold and ivory, chandeliers dripping with light, the scent of expensive champagne and wealth hanging thick in the air.Dignitaries, business moguls, and high-profile figures mill about, exchanging pleasantries, shaking hands, w
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-31Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter One
A/N: Wanted to clear this up before you start the story. Selena and Aretha are the same person. She changes her name from Selena to Aretha later on in the book. Thank you!šŗšššššāMrs. Berfield, I must say you look quite stunning tonight.ā The umpteenth business partner Daniel has introduced me to tonight says, shooting me a smirk but he may as well be talking to my cleavage just like most men here had done. Today is supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life, but the lecherous stares from men and judgmental glares from their female companions are making it difficult to enjoy the moment. The atmosphere in the extravagant events hall is filled with joy and anticipation as both the Winthrop and Berfield families gather to celebrate multiple milestonesāmy husband's 30th birthday, his induction as CEO of his family business, and my personal favorite surprise for him: the news of my pregnancy.After three long years of marriage and struggling to conceive, Iām thrilled to fin
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-29Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Two
āHow could you resort to such a thing, Selena?!ā Mother yells first, pulling me out of the safety and seclusion of the corridor, to the center of the hall. Her outburst makes head turn and before I know it, Iāve got the attention of the entire room on me and much more, courtesy of the people who have already taken out their phones to begin filming the scene.āMother, IāāI'm cut off by another slap from Melinda, one I'd been avoiding and is twice as painful that I have to bite down on my lower lip to prevent crying out. āHow dare you shame our family like this?! Is this how you repay us for taking you in when you had nothing?! It's ingrates like you that discourage benevolent people like the Winthrops from taking in orphans to help them secure a brighter future! How could you do this to us?!āShe swings her hand again to hit me but is quickly held back by my foster brother, Tyler, who shoots me a death glare and a smirk that appears almost victorious as he tries to calm his mother. Bu
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-29Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Three
The first sound I hear as I regain consciousness is the steady, rhythmic beeping of a machine beside my head. A pained moan escapes me as I open my eyes, only to close them back when a harsh, bright light overhead greets me like an abrupt slap to the face. I wince, lifting my hand to shield my eyes but the tug of an IV in my wrist stops me. Giving it a moment, I blink my eyes open again, adjusting to the light while the pungent scent of antiseptic fills my nostrils, mingling with a metallic tang in the back of my throat as I notice the various machines connected to me. My brows furrow in confusion and just as I reach the conclusion that I'm currently at the hospital, I hear a familiar voice speak up beside me. āSelena, you're finally awake.āI turn to see my best friend, Yemaya, watching me, her chocolate brown eyes glistening with concern and unshed tears. She moves closer, taking my free hand and squeezing it in hers. āYou have no idea how terrified I was, sweetheart. I thought I'd
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-29Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Four
I'm grateful for the numbness that envelops me as I step into the mansion Iād regarded as home since childhoodāa place I had believed was a sanctuary of love and family. However, now, with the veil of illusion lifted, I see it for what it truly is: a den of betrayal. But despite everything, I refuse to believe my husband, Daniel, is involved in their treachery, which is what I'm here to confirm. Yemaya informed me that he'd been staying at the Winthrop mansion while I was hospitalized, and though she strongly opposed my decision to visit, she'd driven me here and was waiting outside, ready to barge in if I wasn't out within ten minutes. Her unwavering support reassures me as I walk silently down the familiar corridor lined with obnoxiously expensive artworks. Nearing the end of the hall, I begin hearing voices emanating from what I recall as the drawing roomāa room that's never fulfilled its purpose.I don't know what to expect as I approach the ajar doorway but the sight of my husban
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-29Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Five
Six Months Later The hum of soft conversations and the occasional clink of cutlery greets me as I step into The Gilded Stag, a beacon of luxury in the heart of London. Although I've been working here for a little over a month, the understated elegance of the restaurant never hesitates to stun me. Subdued lighting glints off the crystal chandeliers, giving the place a warm and cozy vibe while servers glide between polished tables draped in pristine white linens. I clock in at the side station, exchanging curt nods and murmured hellos with my coworkers. āGood evening, Elena.ā The maĆ®tre dā, Colette, greets, her French accent as crisp as her tailored uniform. āIt is a slow one tonight.āāAppears so,ā I reply, grabbing my program sheet for the night. Colette nods and strides off, leaving me to make my way to the alcove where my grand piano sits. It's tucked in a corner near the bar, just enough to let my music drift around the restaurant without overwhelming the guests. I love the space
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-22Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Six
CameronI donāt fixate on peopleāitās never been my style. And with women, Iāve never had to try too hard. The Lancaster name alone is enough to have them flocking towards me, though most recognize me before I even speak.Yet, here I am, over a week later, still thinking about herāthe pianist from one of my familyās restaurants. About that punch and how, despite the bloody pain, it only made her more intriguing. About the way she looked at me, not with interest, but irritation, like I was more of a nuisance than a man worth her time. It shouldāve pissed me off; shouldāve bruised my ego along with my nose. Instead, itās got me walking back into The Gilded Stag, feeling like Iāve got unfinished business.Officially, Iām here to celebrate another successful acquisition. But letās not kid ourselvesāthatās just an excuse. Dining at one of my own restaurants has never been my idea of celebrating. No, Iām here for her. And this time, I want my best mates to be present for this.Iāve booked a
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-25Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Seven
ššš„šš§šThe elevator dings before the doors slide open and I step out into the dimly lit underground garage of the restaurant, a sigh escaping my lips. The fresh, cool air that rushes at me makes my body sag in relief as I weave through the many luxurious cars of varying brands and colors parked here, my phone pressed to my ear.I could've simply gone to relax in the staff lounge which is on the floor below the restaurant but it's routine for me to stretch my legs during my break since I spend hours seated on a bench plus, I don't want to risk bumping into a co-worker in there and being forced to interact. Perhaps not entirely safe but the underground garage is where I find myself on most nights. It provides the privacy I desire and it's the only other place besides the restaurant and lounge (which take up the 29th and 28th floors respectively) we, the staff, have access to within the entire 30-storey building complex and thus, the best place for me to stroll.āWait, are you bei
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-26
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Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Fifty
šš«ššš”šThe news is everywhere.Tabloids, newspapers, hushed conversations in hotel lobbies and high-end restaurants. My name, my face, my supposed triumphāspread across the city like wildfire.The lost daughter, now officially found. The hidden gem, finally unveiled.I try not to let it get to me.I bury myself in work, tell myself this is what I wantedāwhat Iāve been preparing for. And for the most part, I believe it. I tell myself Iāve moved past the distractions of Marcus and Cameron, that they no longer occupy space in my mind. That my focus is solely on the company and my role within it.But the illusion only lasts until the night of my fatherās party.A grand affair, of course. My father doesnāt do anything half-heartedly. The ballroom is adorned in gold and ivory, chandeliers dripping with light, the scent of expensive champagne and wealth hanging thick in the air.Dignitaries, business moguls, and high-profile figures mill about, exchanging pleasantries, shaking hands, w
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Forty-Nine
šš«ššš”šThe memory of Harriet pressing her lips too close to the corners of Marcos' mouth replays in my mind like a bitter melody I canāt turn off. The way she clung to him, the possessiveness in her gaze, and how he hadnāt outright rejected her touchāit all festers inside me, an emotion I refuse to name. It shouldnāt matter. It doesnāt matter.But it does.And that alone infuriates me.I should have known better. I should have learned my lesson after Daniel, after the years I wasted believing in a love that was nothing but a mirage. Marcos might not be Daniel, but that doesnāt mean I should entertain the idea of him any longer. The moment I saw him with another womanāsaw him let her touch him like thatāI should have let every foolish inclination I had towards him die on the spot.So I do what I mustāI bury myself in work, throwing myself into tasks that keep my hands busy and my mind even busier. I stop going into the office unless absolutely necessary, opting for virtual meetin
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Forty-Eight
šš«ššš”šThe weekend has arrived once more, but this time, Iād decided to spend it with my best friend, Yemaya, at the apartment we used to share just a couple of months ago while I had worked at The Gilded Stag restaurant. I figured it was high time I returned for a visit, especially since just the week before, she had come to visit me at my parents' mansion and had spent the entire weekend there. Besides, thereās a certain comfort in being back here, in a space filled with memories of late-night gossip, spontaneous dance-offs, and shared struggles. And just to admit it, I had missed my best friend despite being doted on and surrounded by my loving family. Because no one can ever take her place in my life no matter what.And now on this Saturday afternoon, the two of us are craving something sweet, and since Yemaya is the one between the two of us who actually enjoys cooking and baking, sheās taken charge of baking us some Eccles cakesāa British pastry filled with spiced currant
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Forty-Seven
ššš«ššØš¬The harsh, sterile glow of the overhead lights bathes the operating room in an almost surreal brightness, casting sharp shadows on the masked faces surrounding the table. The steady beeping of the heart monitor fills the silenceācalm, rhythmic, an ever-present reminder that life still clings beneath my scalpel.This moment, this weight of precision and control, is what I live for.I exhale slowly, steadying my grip. āScalpel.āDr. Harriet, standing to my right, responds instantly, placing it in my waiting palm. Her gloved fingers brush against mine, the touch lingering for half a second too long. A deliberate move? Maybe. But now isnāt the time for distractions.āHere,ā she murmurs, her voice low, smooth, as if we arenāt elbows-deep in someoneās open abdomen.I ignore it. Focus is everything.The blade glides along the marked line, parting skin and muscle with practiced ease. The scent of antiseptic thickens as suction whirs, keeping the field clear. Beneath layers of tis
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Forty-Six
šš«ššš”šI wake up with a jolt, my breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps. The room is dark, but the nightmare lingers, burning behind my eyes like an afterimage I canāt blink away. My chest tightens, my pulse hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs, each beat a cruel echo of the fear still curling around my spine.I can still see them. Stellaās smug, knowing smile. Danielās cold, detached stare. The cruel laughter of those who reveled in my humiliation. Their voices slither through my mind, sharp as glass, slicing through the thin veil between past and present. It was just a dream. But it doesnāt feel like one.The air in my bedroom suddenly feels suffocating. I shove the damp sheets aside, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, my bare feet meeting the cold floor. Ground yourself. Breathe. I squeeze my eyes shut and press the heels of my hands against them, as if that alone could drive the memories away. But they refuse to fade, lurking like shadows just out of reach.How l
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Forty-Five
šš«ššš”šAlone in my office, I focus on the project Iām currently working on with Cameronās company. The blueprints are spread out across my office desk, a meticulously arranged chaos of detailed sketches, notes, and material samples. The sheer scale of the design demands my full attention, every inch of available space covered in drafts and annotations.I run my fingers over the smooth edges of the jewel samples placed beside the building interior layout, mentally piecing together how each element will weave into the final aesthetic of the hotelās interior. Not just for opulenceābut for atmosphere, and for presence. The way the light would refract off the polished gemstones embedded in the marble-tiled floors, casting a subtle shimmer that whispers the luxury rather than screams it. The soft, understated accents on furniture that would add dimension without overwhelming. The deliberate placement of crystal in the chandeliers, catching and bending light to create a warm, inviting
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Forty-Four
šš«ššš”šMarcosās intense gaze on my face persists as I mull over his question, debating on how much truth I really want to reveal. Finally, I tilt my head, meeting his stare head-on.āAlright, deny it then,ā I say, my voice laced with a challenge. āDeny that it wasnāt just my appearance that caught your attention at first sight.āHis lips curve up in a tiny smile, but his eyes remain unreadable. āIs that what you think?āāIt's what you and I both know,ā I counter, leaning back in my seat. āYou said you value character over beauty, right? So then, you should be able to easily deny that your attraction to me didn't stem from my physical features.āMarcos studies me, fingers tapping idly against his glass. āWell, you came across as a direct and blunt woman,ā he finally says. āYou didn't just sit back and let things happen. And you didnāt give in easily.āI arch a brow. āSo, what? You like a challenge then?āHe exhales a quiet chuckle. āPartially. But itās much more than that.ā Then
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Forty-Three
šš«ššš”šThe morning goes by quickly, and before I know it, it's time for my lunch break.Craving a much-needed breath of fresh air away from all the expectant stares and thinly-veiled bootlicking I have already started receiving from some of the employees amidst walking around the vast building as well as all the names and executive positions I'd have to remember, I decide to head somewhere a bit distant from GemsThorne. My personal driver drops me off at the restaurant my personal assistant, Winifred, had recommended earlierāRistorante Celeste, a quiet, upscale Mediterranean restaurant nestled in the heart of corporate London. The restaurant exudes an effortless blend of elegance and warmth, with soft golden lighting, terracotta walls adorned with delicate mosaic patterns, and large arched windows that let in streams of natural light. The air carries the tantalizing aroma of olive oil, fresh herbs, and slow-simmered sauces, promising a dining experience that is both refined and
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The PhoenixĀ Ā Ā Chapter Forty-Two
šš«ššš”šI really couldn't have wished for a longer weekend. Despite the whirlwind of drama and activities the past few days had been with Yemaya's visit, I would have given anything to prolong the weekend and to delay today from arriving just a bit longer. Because now, it's Monday morning, which is officially my first day at GemsThorne. My first day stepping into a world I never imagined I'd ever be a part of.And even though I'd spent the past couple of weeks preparing for my presentation and by extension, my induction as the CEO of GemsThorne following the success of our partnership deal with Lancaster Luxe, the anxiety continues to eat away at me while I can't help but fret over this day finally arriving. Nerves coil tightly in my stomach, a relentless storm of self-doubt swirling despite the many times Iāve chided myself for feeling this way even after all the encouragement from my family. I stand before the mirror, smoothing invisible wrinkles from my crisp white button-dow
