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Chapter Thirty-Three
Last Updated:
2025-03-21 23:57:57
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Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Thirty-Four
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚My car rolls to a halt by the curb and after briefly thanking the driver, I step out, lifting my gaze to take in the skyscraper looming over me and every other passersby. The Lancaster Luxe headquarters is a towering, sleek high-rise building that gives off a modern yet old-money charm with its mirrored windows that reflect the morning sun combined with limestone accents. The building, as a whole, exudes a kind of influence that only generational wealth can command.I make my way toward the grand entrance, waving at the guards stationed there as I walk underneath the golden chandelier and through the automatic doors. The interior of the building is just as lavish and breathtaking as the exterior with their crystal chandeliers and the tiled marble floorings but I'm too preoccupied with my task here this morning to pay any attention to the decoration. Besides, if it all goes well today, I'll be seeing more of this in the nearest future.I step up to the receptionist counter
Last Updated : 2025-03-22Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Thirty-Five
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚I take a deep breath, steadying myself as I stand before the long, polished, marble conference table, my flash drive connected to the projector. The large screen behind me displays the opening slide and heading of my presentation: “Lancaster Luxe x GemsThorne: A Partnership of Timeless Elegance.”The room is silent, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning. Seated before me are the board members of Lancaster Luxe—men and women of influence, their sharp gazes fixed on me, assessing, waiting. They exude power, each one a formidable presence in their own right, yet none feel as intense as his.Cameron Lancaster.He sits at the head of the large table, his figure an embodiment of unshaken authority. Impeccably dressed in a charcoal-gray suit that seems molded to his tall, broad frame, his posture is deceptively relaxed with one hand resting against his chin and the other drumming lightly against the surface of the table. His expression is unreadable, and yet his eyes…
Last Updated : 2025-03-23Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Thirty-Six
𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧I step into Elena—or rather, Aretha's path just as she tries to make a quick getaway from the room. The expression on her face pulls an amused smirk from me as I stop right in front of her, my stance completely calm and nonchalant as I shove both of my hands into my pants pocket, my gaze resting heavily on her. If she thinks I'm going to let her walk out of here just like that, without having her acknowledge my presence at least, then this gorgeous bird is sorely mistaken because I am not about to let her slip through my fingers again—the guys and I aren't about to let that repeat itself. Not when we've finally found her again after nearly two months of searching. I stare down at Aretha, taking in this woman that'd played her way into our lives like a haunting yet melodious tune, when in reality, she's a force to be reckoned with, a mystery. A woman who looks so dewy-eyed and delicate on the surface, but deep down within her, she hides an intricate web of secrets and
Last Updated : 2025-03-24Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Thirty-Seven
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚Dinner at home later that night is a warm affair, filled with laughter, the clinking of utensils against our respective plates and the delectable aroma of my mother's home-cooked meal. Despite having more than enough servants to handle every task in the house, Mom always insists on preparing dinner for the family herself. She always says that nighttime is the only time we truly come together to dine as a family, and thus, she would never miss the chance to feed us all then. The effort, the warmth—it never fails to remind me that I'm part of a new family now. A family that truly cares for one another. It's the kind of comfort that wraps around me like a familiar embrace, something steady and grounding after the whirlwind of today's events.Dad sits at the head of the table, swirling a glass of red wine in his hand with a bottle of Château Lafite Rothschild wine beside him, which is quite a surprise compared to his usual glass of water, juice or cup of tea— while Mom busie
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Thirty-Eight
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚I stare at the email from Lancaster Luxe, a frown taking over my face as I skim through the contents again.‘Congratulations, Miss. Aretha Hawthorne,’ reads the beginning before it delves deeper into further details.My proposal has passed the initial stage, it says, however, there’s one final hurdle left to cross. And for that, I’ll be required to visit the company again tomorrow.I should be excited—this is exactly what I wanted. But instead, I'm equal parts filled with confusion while unease also curls lowly in my stomach. I'm confused because even though they had instructed me to come to the company tomorrow, they hadn't included any information on whether I'm required to bring anything with me or to prepare in advance for something. Besides, while I was studying and preparing for the presentation, it hadn't been included by Lancaster Luxe in the business magazine that there would be two stages of trials before the final decision is made. Not even Dad had mentioned it
Last Updated : 2025-03-26Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Thirty-Nine
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚The chessboard between us is akin to a battlefield—at least to me—every move a calculated strike and every counter-move a defense against impending defeat. The once-lighthearted game has shifted into something far more intense. The air between Marcos and me is charged, the occasional click of chess pieces the only sound filling Cameron's vast office.Marcos moves his knight, eliminating one of my rooks with a sharp and precise flick of his fingers. “Check,” he murmurs smoothly, leaning back, utterly at ease while wearing the same secret smile that's been on his face since the start of the game.I inhale through my nose, forcing my features into calm neutrality, even as my mind whirs. I’ve lost two pawns, my other rook, and a knight. But I’m not out of the game yet.Sliding my queen forward, I capture his remaining bishop. “Not so fast.”Marcos grins, eyes glinting with amusement. “Nice save, darling.” He moves his own queen diagonally, putting pressure on my remaining pie
Last Updated : 2025-03-27Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Forty
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚A wide grin stretches across my face as I jog down the grand staircase, my bare feet barely making a sound against the polished marble floors. The early afternoon sun filters through the massive windows, casting warm golden streaks across the foyer. My heart leaps with excitement as I reach the heavy oak doors, already knowing who’s on the other side.The second I swing them open, Yemaya stands there, one foot tapping impatiently on the porch, her hands dramatically placed on her hips. But the moment she takes in the sight of me, her expression morphs into pure delight."Aretha," she breathes, pushing her large, round glasses up the bridge of her nose. "This house is insane."I roll my eyes playfully and step aside to let her in. "Come on, it's just a house.""It’s not just a house," Yemaya corrects, stepping over the threshold. She lets out a low whistle as her gaze sweeps over the grand chandeliers, the sweeping staircase, and the towering floor-to-ceiling windows that
Last Updated : 2025-03-28Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix 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!𝑺𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒂“Mrs. Berfield, I must say you look quite stunning tonight.” 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 milestones—my 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, I’m thrilled to fin
Last Updated : 2024-12-29
Latest chapter
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Forty
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚A wide grin stretches across my face as I jog down the grand staircase, my bare feet barely making a sound against the polished marble floors. The early afternoon sun filters through the massive windows, casting warm golden streaks across the foyer. My heart leaps with excitement as I reach the heavy oak doors, already knowing who’s on the other side.The second I swing them open, Yemaya stands there, one foot tapping impatiently on the porch, her hands dramatically placed on her hips. But the moment she takes in the sight of me, her expression morphs into pure delight."Aretha," she breathes, pushing her large, round glasses up the bridge of her nose. "This house is insane."I roll my eyes playfully and step aside to let her in. "Come on, it's just a house.""It’s not just a house," Yemaya corrects, stepping over the threshold. She lets out a low whistle as her gaze sweeps over the grand chandeliers, the sweeping staircase, and the towering floor-to-ceiling windows that
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Thirty-Nine
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚The chessboard between us is akin to a battlefield—at least to me—every move a calculated strike and every counter-move a defense against impending defeat. The once-lighthearted game has shifted into something far more intense. The air between Marcos and me is charged, the occasional click of chess pieces the only sound filling Cameron's vast office.Marcos moves his knight, eliminating one of my rooks with a sharp and precise flick of his fingers. “Check,” he murmurs smoothly, leaning back, utterly at ease while wearing the same secret smile that's been on his face since the start of the game.I inhale through my nose, forcing my features into calm neutrality, even as my mind whirs. I’ve lost two pawns, my other rook, and a knight. But I’m not out of the game yet.Sliding my queen forward, I capture his remaining bishop. “Not so fast.”Marcos grins, eyes glinting with amusement. “Nice save, darling.” He moves his own queen diagonally, putting pressure on my remaining pie
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Thirty-Eight
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚I stare at the email from Lancaster Luxe, a frown taking over my face as I skim through the contents again.‘Congratulations, Miss. Aretha Hawthorne,’ reads the beginning before it delves deeper into further details.My proposal has passed the initial stage, it says, however, there’s one final hurdle left to cross. And for that, I’ll be required to visit the company again tomorrow.I should be excited—this is exactly what I wanted. But instead, I'm equal parts filled with confusion while unease also curls lowly in my stomach. I'm confused because even though they had instructed me to come to the company tomorrow, they hadn't included any information on whether I'm required to bring anything with me or to prepare in advance for something. Besides, while I was studying and preparing for the presentation, it hadn't been included by Lancaster Luxe in the business magazine that there would be two stages of trials before the final decision is made. Not even Dad had mentioned it
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Thirty-Seven
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚Dinner at home later that night is a warm affair, filled with laughter, the clinking of utensils against our respective plates and the delectable aroma of my mother's home-cooked meal. Despite having more than enough servants to handle every task in the house, Mom always insists on preparing dinner for the family herself. She always says that nighttime is the only time we truly come together to dine as a family, and thus, she would never miss the chance to feed us all then. The effort, the warmth—it never fails to remind me that I'm part of a new family now. A family that truly cares for one another. It's the kind of comfort that wraps around me like a familiar embrace, something steady and grounding after the whirlwind of today's events.Dad sits at the head of the table, swirling a glass of red wine in his hand with a bottle of Château Lafite Rothschild wine beside him, which is quite a surprise compared to his usual glass of water, juice or cup of tea— while Mom busie
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Thirty-Six
𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧I step into Elena—or rather, Aretha's path just as she tries to make a quick getaway from the room. The expression on her face pulls an amused smirk from me as I stop right in front of her, my stance completely calm and nonchalant as I shove both of my hands into my pants pocket, my gaze resting heavily on her. If she thinks I'm going to let her walk out of here just like that, without having her acknowledge my presence at least, then this gorgeous bird is sorely mistaken because I am not about to let her slip through my fingers again—the guys and I aren't about to let that repeat itself. Not when we've finally found her again after nearly two months of searching. I stare down at Aretha, taking in this woman that'd played her way into our lives like a haunting yet melodious tune, when in reality, she's a force to be reckoned with, a mystery. A woman who looks so dewy-eyed and delicate on the surface, but deep down within her, she hides an intricate web of secrets and
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Thirty-Five
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚I take a deep breath, steadying myself as I stand before the long, polished, marble conference table, my flash drive connected to the projector. The large screen behind me displays the opening slide and heading of my presentation: “Lancaster Luxe x GemsThorne: A Partnership of Timeless Elegance.”The room is silent, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning. Seated before me are the board members of Lancaster Luxe—men and women of influence, their sharp gazes fixed on me, assessing, waiting. They exude power, each one a formidable presence in their own right, yet none feel as intense as his.Cameron Lancaster.He sits at the head of the large table, his figure an embodiment of unshaken authority. Impeccably dressed in a charcoal-gray suit that seems molded to his tall, broad frame, his posture is deceptively relaxed with one hand resting against his chin and the other drumming lightly against the surface of the table. His expression is unreadable, and yet his eyes…
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Thirty-Four
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚My car rolls to a halt by the curb and after briefly thanking the driver, I step out, lifting my gaze to take in the skyscraper looming over me and every other passersby. The Lancaster Luxe headquarters is a towering, sleek high-rise building that gives off a modern yet old-money charm with its mirrored windows that reflect the morning sun combined with limestone accents. The building, as a whole, exudes a kind of influence that only generational wealth can command.I make my way toward the grand entrance, waving at the guards stationed there as I walk underneath the golden chandelier and through the automatic doors. The interior of the building is just as lavish and breathtaking as the exterior with their crystal chandeliers and the tiled marble floorings but I'm too preoccupied with my task here this morning to pay any attention to the decoration. Besides, if it all goes well today, I'll be seeing more of this in the nearest future.I step up to the receptionist counter
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Thirty-Three
𝐀/𝐍: Selena's name has finally been changed to Aretha so from now on, her POVs will be tagged 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚I make my way into our family dining room, only barely registering the warmth and light rays of the morning sun spilling through the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the front yard of our grand mansion. My mind is too preoccupied, my nerves strung tight like the familiar keys of a piano before a musical performance. Two weeks of thorough research, two long weeks of sleepless nights spent burning the midnight oil, and two whole weeks of meticulous planning have led to this very day, and to this moment—where my proposal pitch to the prestigious Lancaster Luxe will be taking place.Anxiety eats away at me when I'm reminded once again of how truly important today is. Today isn't simply about securing a partnership deal with a business empire as reputable as our family's. But it is also about proving myself, and reclaiming my rightful place. It's also about making a
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Thirty-Two
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚My mouth is still agape as Dad nods in response, his countenance completely serious. I vaguely hear Mom laugh softly from beside me before she cups my jaw and pushes it back up to close my mouth. I swallow hard, blinking repeatedly. “Y-You’re… serious, Dad? This isn't some kind of joke?” I ask, chuckling in disbelief as I glance from him to Mom and back again. Dad nods once more, giving me a small smile. “We are, princess. Deathly serious, in fact.”“But that would mean…” I trail off, the realization crashing over me like a tidal wave. My birth family aren't just rich—they’re the elite of the elite. They don't just exist within high society, they define it. Their reach extends across various industries from the finance industry to the mining one, which our jewels and jewelry division, GemsThorne, is largely a part of. And so, for me to be the head of that… it sounds very, very unbelievable. I swallow hard, my heart hammering in my chest. “It feels so surreal t-that you
