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Chapter Twelve
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-02-28 19:12:09
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Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Thirteen
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚Once inside the bathroom, I turn to the mirror, peeling his jacket off my shoulders. And then I see it.My dress.The cream-colored silk fabric has turned sheer from the spilled drink, clinging to me in a way that leaves almost nothing to the imagination.Oh my God.I slap a hand over my mouth in shock and mortification. That explains why Marcos had looked at me like that. That’s why he'd reacted so quickly, covering me up before anyone else could see what he had.Heat flares up my neck, all the way to my ears as embarrassment fills me.Grimacing, I grab some paper towels, dabbing at the stain, but all I manage to do is make the fabric look even worse. “Seriously?” I mutter, feeling the sting of frustrated tears prick my eyes.Gone is the satisfaction from putting Meagan in her place. This night is officially a disaster.The bathroom door swings open, and I tense, instinctively stepping toward a stall to avoid any further scrutiny. But before I can slip inside, a voice st
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-28Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Fourteen
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚Tonight's shift is turning out to be a slow and uneventful one—just another night of playing melodies for an audience that barely pays attention. Which I'm really thankful for because after the whirlwind of events that's become my life lately, especially with the drama at the party over the weekend, I crave some silence and normalcy, in which I'm treated as the background noise and not the centre of attention when those three enigmatic men are around. No tension. No smouldering stares or teasing winks. I can only hope that this peace lasts all night, though. But, of course, the universe is always out to give me the opposite of what I want because a few minutes later, the front doors to The Gilded Stag are pushed open and in strides a familiar figure—the third man that makes up the trio of friends. Nathaniel Ford.Out of the three of them, Nathaniel is the only one who hasn't yet approached me or tried to talk to me. And while I would've concluded that it means that unli
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-28Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Fifteen
His smirk is the first thing I notice—lazy, cruel and mocking. It’s the same smirk he always wore when he made my life hell. The same one he’d had before I finally escaped him. Escaped all of them.My pulse roars in my ears. How? Why? Of all the countries in Europe, of all the places in this city of London, what are the chances that he would visit Mayfair and walk into this particular restaurant at night when I'm on duty?I stiffen as he leans closer to his friends, muttering something while keeping his eyes locked on mine. Their laughter follows a moment later as two of them turn in my direction before letting out wolf whistles that have me flushing in embarrassment. I don’t even need to hear the words to know exactly what he said to them. I know Tyler.I grit my teeth and try to focus on the piano, but it proves to be impossible as I'm reminded of what he did to me and how I hadn't even known about it until I'd heard it from Stella that day. How he'd seen me naked, touched me and do
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-28Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Sixteen
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚The second I walk through our front door, Yemaya is on me, shoving her phone into my hands before I can even catch my breath. “Have you seen this?”My best friend's voice is tight with restrained fury, but it barely registers past the sinking weight in my chest. My fingers tremble as I take the phone from her and glance at the screen. And just like that, my stomach twists into a knot so tight I immediately feel sick.Stella.My heart sinks as I read the post she’s just put up earlier tonight. Yet another one of Stella's attempts to publicly humiliate me. The post is a masterpiece of cruelty —polished, strategic, and laced with the kind of venom only she can wield. Her words drip with malice, alongside carefully crafted insults masked as passive-aggressive remarks about the “company the Duke's heir keeps these days.” She'd dared to drag the Duke's family name into this but that's not what has my hands trembling as I grip harder onto the phone. It's what people have to say a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-28Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Seventeen
𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧The second Elena says yes, I don’t give her even a second to change her mind. With a grin, I extend my hand, guiding her toward our table before she can rethink her decision.Nathaniel watches her closely as she moves past him, those keen, unreadable eyes tracking every flicker of emotion that crosses her face. He doesn’t say a word—doesn’t need to. His silence alone is weighted, the kind that lingers, pressing against the skin like a slow burn. But as his friend, I can easily tell that he's worried about her. After what happened to her two days ago, the thought of which still makes my heart spike with fury, he's trying to see how she's doing. Marcos, on the other hand, wears his usual soft and easygoing grin, swirling the drink in his glass in a casual gesture even though just Nathaniel and I, his eyes are trained on Elena, watching to gauge her every expression.All three of us have vowed to find the bastard who did that to her and make him pay but before then, taking
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-28Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Eighteen
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚I weave through the aisles of the grocery store, scanning the shelves without really seeing anything. My mind is still stuck on last week, replaying every detail in a loop I can’t turn off.I exhale sharply, shaking my head. I need to stop thinking about this.Focus, Elena. The groceries. Then we're out of cheese or was it milk?I frown, glancing down at my half-filled cart as I can barely remember what I’ve grabbed so far. I should probably call Maya to ask, especially since my phone has been buzzing with texts from her, and knowing how paranoid she has become over me since the night Tyler happened—which I can't blame her for—she’s probably just moments away from sending a rescue team.Pulling out my phone, I tap on her contact and prop it between my shoulder and ear while grabbing a crate of eggs. It rings twice before her familiar, dramatic voice fills my ear.“Finally! I was about to send a damn search party. Do I need to file a missing person’s report?”I roll my eye
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Nineteen
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚I almost lose my grip on my shopping cart as it rolls forward, nearly slamming into the opposite stall but I manage to stop it in time. “Oh! I—I’m so sorry, I didn't mean to,” a voice stammers from behind.I turn, eyebrows furrowing as I take in the man in front of me. He’s wearing a suit, but it’s slightly rumpled, like he’s been tugging at it all day. His glasses are slipping down his nose, and his fingers tremble as he quickly crouches to grab some boxes that had fallen from a nearby stall.“It’s fine,” I mutter, but something about him puts me on edge.His eyes dart around, shoulders twitching like he expects something or someone to appear. The nervous energy rolling off him makes my skin prickle.He places the boxes back on the shelves, offering a tight, apologetic smile. “Really, I—uh—wasn’t looking where I was going. This is my fault entirely.”I nod stiffly. “Like I said, it's fine. No worries.”I don’t wait for more conversation. Instead, I grip my cart and quic
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Twenty
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚A dull, pounding ache drags me back to consciousness. My head throbs viciously, and for a moment, all I can register is the overwhelming weight of it—heavy and sluggish, like my skull has been stuffed with cotton. I groan, shifting slightly to lift my hand to caress my head but a sharp sting radiates from the back of it in return, making me hiss.What the hell happened—The very next second, the memories slam into me all at once, leaving me winded. The grocery store. The black car that'd cornered me. The suited man and the obviously jittery aura surrounding him. Hands grabbing me. The sheer panic, the fight, followed by a blinding pain—and then the bottomless darkness.My eyes snap open, my vision blurry for a minute before it clears up and I take a quick survey of my environment but I don’t recognize where I am.I've been placed in what appears to be a bedroom, one that's lavish and elegantly decorated yet not in a way that feels overbearing. The bed beneath me, which s
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-04
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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
