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Chapter 13: Shadows of the Past
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2025-03-17 08:50:39
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Rising From The Ashes Chapter 14: Whispers of Betrayal
Natalie sat at the long mahogany table inside one of the city’s most exclusive restaurants, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her wine glass. Across from her sat Daniel Carter, a man who radiated quiet power, his sharp blue eyes studying her with undisguised intrigue."So, have you made up your mind?" Daniel asked, swirling the dark liquid in his glass as he leaned back in his chair.Natalie exhaled slowly. "Business decisions aren’t made over a single dinner."A smirk tugged at Daniel’s lips. "Of course. But let’s be honest here, Natalie—you’re not someone who hesitates when she sees an opportunity.""True," she admitted, "but I also don’t rush into agreements without knowing all the risks. I know you, Daniel. You always have an endgame. The question is, where do I fit into it?"He chuckled, lifting his glass in salute before taking a sip. "I admire your caution, but let me put it simply—Leonard’s influence is dwindling. Adrian may be powerful, but even he can’t protect you fore
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17Rising From The Ashes Chapter 15: A Dance with the Devil
The evening air was crisp as Natalie stepped out of the restaurant, her mind a tangled web of calculations and emotions. The confrontation between Adrian and Daniel had been inevitable, yet it still left her unsettled. Power struggles were nothing new in her world, but this particular war had personal stakes she couldn’t ignore.Her car pulled up to the curb, the sleek black vehicle reflecting the golden glow of the city lights. Just as she reached for the handle, a familiar voice sent a shiver down her spine."Leaving so soon? I thought you'd have more fight in you."She turned to find Leonard Whitmore leaning casually against a nearby streetlamp, his smirk as arrogant as ever. Dressed impeccably in a three-piece suit, he looked every bit the polished tycoon, but Natalie knew better than to fall for the illusion."What do you want, Leonard?" she asked, keeping her tone icy.He straightened, taking slow, measured steps toward her. "Now, is that any way to greet an old friend?""We wer
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-19Rising From The Ashes Chapter 16: Alliances and Agendas
The tension in the room was palpable as Natalie stepped into the private lounge of one of the city’s most exclusive hotels. Dim lighting cast elongated shadows across the plush velvet couches, and the subtle scent of expensive cigars lingered in the air. This was a place where high-stakes deals were made, where fortunes were won and lost in the span of a conversation. Every detail of the room screamed exclusivity, the kind of space where only the powerful and the privileged dared to negotiate.At the center of it all sat Daniel Carter, his demeanor as relaxed as ever, yet his sharp blue eyes betrayed the predator beneath the polished exterior. He was waiting for her, a glass of whiskey in his hand, his other arm draped lazily over the back of the couch. The golden liquid in his glass reflected the dim chandelier light, swirling as he idly moved his wrist, as if he had all the time in the world. But Natalie knew better—Daniel Carter never wasted a second.“Natalie,” he greeted, his smo
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-19Rising From The Ashes Chapter 17: Shifting Tides
Natalie Evans had always been a woman of calculated moves. Every decision she made, every alliance she forged, had a purpose. But as she left the high-stakes meeting between Adrian Sinclair and Daniel Carter behind, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had stepped onto a chessboard where she was no longer just a player—she was the queen.The moment she exited the lavish lounge, her phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, she saw Chloe’s name flashing.“Mommy! Are you coming home soon?” Chloe’s cheerful voice filled the car as Natalie slipped into the back seat of her waiting black Mercedes.A warm smile spread across Natalie’s face. “Yes, sweetheart. I’ll be home soon. Did you have fun with Aunt Lisa today?”“Yes! We baked cookies, and she let me help mix the batter! But I miss you.”Natalie’s heart clenched. Chloe was her world, the one thing in her life that remained pure, untouched by betrayal or ambition. “I miss you too, baby. I’ll tuck you in tonight, okay?”“Okay! Love you, Mo
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-19Rising From The Ashes Chapter 18: The Art of War
Natalie Evans had spent years underestimating the lengths to which Adrian Sinclair would go to maintain control. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of her penthouse, casting golden hues across the marble floors. Dressed in an elegant but sharp navy-blue suit, she sat at the breakfast bar, sipping her espresso while scrolling through the latest reports from her businesses. Everything was thriving. Every strategic move she had made since the divorce had led to this moment—complete autonomy.But something gnawed at her.Last night’s cryptic call still lingered in her mind. You’re playing a dangerous game, Ms. Evans.Whoever had called her knew something. But was it a warning or a threat?She had barely set her cup down when Lisa walked in, tablet in hand, her expression unreadable.“You’re not going to like this,” Lisa said, placing the tablet on the counter in front of her.Natalie arched a brow, sliding it closer. The screen displaye
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-20Rising From The Ashes Chapter 19: The Counterstrike
The city skyline stretched before Natalie as she stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of Pierre Laurent’s private office. The glass walls of the towering skyscraper reflected the setting sun, bathing the room in hues of amber and gold. But Natalie had little time to appreciate the view. Her mind was preoccupied with the man sitting across from her—one of the most influential figures in global finance, Pierre Laurent.The French businessman exuded an air of effortless dominance. His silver hair was neatly combed back, and his tailored suit bore the unmistakable mark of wealth and power. He studied her with sharp, calculating eyes, his fingers steepled beneath his chin.“I must say, Ms. Evans,” Pierre finally spoke, his deep voice tinged with amusement. “I was wondering when you’d finally make your move. It seems you have quite the storm brewing.”Natalie crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “You’ve already heard?”Pierre smirked. “News travels fast in our circles, ma chérie. Ad
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-20Rising From The Ashes Chapter 20: The Battle Lines Are Drawn
Natalie’s grip on her wine glass tightened as she stared at Adrian. The air in her penthouse was thick with tension, the kind that settled deep into one’s bones. She had expected retaliation from him, but not this soon, and certainly not this bold intrusion into her personal space.“I don’t recall inviting you in,” she said, taking a slow sip of her wine, her voice deceptively calm.Adrian smirked, stepping further into the dimly lit living room. “Since when do I need an invitation?”Natalie’s eyes flashed with defiance. “Since the moment I signed those divorce papers.”Adrian let out a humorless chuckle. “You think a piece of paper changes anything between us?” His voice was low, almost taunting, as he slowly approached her. “You can play this game, Natalie, but you and I both know the truth—you’re still mine.”She laughed, shaking her head. “That possessive arrogance of yours is outdated, Adrian. I don’t belong to anyone.”He reached out, his fingers grazing her jawline before she s
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-20Rising From The Ashes Chapter 21: The Vanishing Act
Natalie Evans vanished without a trace.The moment she walked away from the confrontation between Adrian Sinclair and Daniel Carter, she had known there would be consequences. The weight of their gazes had followed her long after she exited that lounge, but she had never once looked back.Now, she was gone.Gone from the lavish parties that once whispered her name. Gone from the elite circles that had built her up and tried to tear her down. Gone from the headlines that once speculated about her next move.In her absence, rumors ran wild.Some claimed she had crumbled under the weight of everything—the divorce, the business world, the pressures of high society. They whispered that she had fled in disgrace, a woman who had bitten off more than she could chew.Others insisted she was merely biding her time, plotting in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike back. That she was gathering power, securing alliances, and ensuring that when she returned, she would be unstoppabl
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-21
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Rising From The Ashes Chapter 25: The Return of the Phoenix
Natalie Evans had always been a woman of resilience, but this time, she was returning with more than just determination—she was returning with power.For weeks, she had been watching, waiting, preparing. The whispers of her disappearance had only fueled speculation, but what no one expected was the storm she was about to unleash. The old Natalie—the woman who had been humiliated, underestimated, and discarded—was gone. In her place stood someone far more dangerous.She adjusted the cuff of her tailored suit, standing in front of the full-length mirror of her penthouse. The reflection staring back at her was unrecognizable from the broken woman who had walked out of Adrian Sinclair’s life. Her hair was sleek, her posture commanding, and her eyes carried an unshakable resolve. She had spent months crafting her next move, and now, the moment had arrived.A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts.“Come in.”The door opened, and Daniel Carter strode in, his usual smirk in place. “Y
Rising From The Ashes Chapter 24: The First Step Back
The air in the secluded mountain retreat was crisp, the silence broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves outside. Natalie sat by the window, her eyes tracing the jagged edges of the distant peaks. It was time to return, to step back into the world that had once tried to break her.Evelyn watched her from across the room, her expression unreadable. "So, you’ve made up your mind?"Natalie nodded. "I have.""Good," Evelyn said, crossing one leg over the other. "Because the moment you step foot back in the city, all hell will break loose. Adrian won’t sit back and watch. Daniel will try to use you to his advantage. And the vultures in high society? They’ll be circling, waiting for you to stumble."Natalie’s lips curled into a smirk. "Let them. I’m not the woman they remember."Evelyn exhaled sharply, shaking her head with a grin. "That’s what I wanted to hear."By the time Natalie arrived at the private airport, she had already mapped out her next moves. A luxury jet waited on the
Rising From The Ashes Chapter 23: The Gathering Storm
The weight of the past never truly disappears—it lingers, waiting for the right moment to resurface.Natalie Evans sat in the dimly lit cabin, the flames from the fireplace flickering against the stone walls. The air smelled of burning wood, crisp mountain air filtering in through the slightly open window. She listened in silence as the person before her detailed everything she had missed since her disappearance."They’re getting desperate," said Evelyn Carter, her voice laced with urgency. Her dark brown eyes flickered with a mix of concern and intrigue. "Adrian's been searching for you like a man possessed. He’s holding private meetings with people he never would have trusted before. The board is restless. They think you're coming back to take everything from him."Natalie exhaled sharply, her fingers tightening around the warm ceramic mug in her hands. "Good. Let them squirm."Evelyn smirked. "You always did love making men uncomfortable. But Adrian isn’t your only problem. Daniel
Rising From The Ashes Chapter 22: Whispers in the Shadows
The world had not forgotten Natalie Evans.Rumors about her abrupt disappearance spread like wildfire through high society, each more outrageous than the last. Some whispered she had fled the country, broken and humiliated. Others insisted she was secretly plotting a grand return, more powerful than ever. There were those who pitied her, believing she had finally succumbed to the overwhelming pressure of rebuilding her life in the public eye. And then there were the cynics, scoffing at the idea that she had truly left at all.Adrian Sinclair listened to all of it in silence, his sharp gray eyes scanning the latest article dissecting her whereabouts. The media vultures had latched onto her disappearance with an insatiable hunger, eager for any shred of information.He had seen headlines speculating everything from an exotic retreat in the Maldives to an emotional breakdown that had landed her in some exclusive, hidden rehab facility. None of it was true. None of it fit the Natalie he k
Rising From The Ashes Chapter 21: The Vanishing Act
Natalie Evans vanished without a trace.The moment she walked away from the confrontation between Adrian Sinclair and Daniel Carter, she had known there would be consequences. The weight of their gazes had followed her long after she exited that lounge, but she had never once looked back.Now, she was gone.Gone from the lavish parties that once whispered her name. Gone from the elite circles that had built her up and tried to tear her down. Gone from the headlines that once speculated about her next move.In her absence, rumors ran wild.Some claimed she had crumbled under the weight of everything—the divorce, the business world, the pressures of high society. They whispered that she had fled in disgrace, a woman who had bitten off more than she could chew.Others insisted she was merely biding her time, plotting in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike back. That she was gathering power, securing alliances, and ensuring that when she returned, she would be unstoppabl
Rising From The Ashes Chapter 20: The Battle Lines Are Drawn
Natalie’s grip on her wine glass tightened as she stared at Adrian. The air in her penthouse was thick with tension, the kind that settled deep into one’s bones. She had expected retaliation from him, but not this soon, and certainly not this bold intrusion into her personal space.“I don’t recall inviting you in,” she said, taking a slow sip of her wine, her voice deceptively calm.Adrian smirked, stepping further into the dimly lit living room. “Since when do I need an invitation?”Natalie’s eyes flashed with defiance. “Since the moment I signed those divorce papers.”Adrian let out a humorless chuckle. “You think a piece of paper changes anything between us?” His voice was low, almost taunting, as he slowly approached her. “You can play this game, Natalie, but you and I both know the truth—you’re still mine.”She laughed, shaking her head. “That possessive arrogance of yours is outdated, Adrian. I don’t belong to anyone.”He reached out, his fingers grazing her jawline before she s
Rising From The Ashes Chapter 19: The Counterstrike
The city skyline stretched before Natalie as she stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of Pierre Laurent’s private office. The glass walls of the towering skyscraper reflected the setting sun, bathing the room in hues of amber and gold. But Natalie had little time to appreciate the view. Her mind was preoccupied with the man sitting across from her—one of the most influential figures in global finance, Pierre Laurent.The French businessman exuded an air of effortless dominance. His silver hair was neatly combed back, and his tailored suit bore the unmistakable mark of wealth and power. He studied her with sharp, calculating eyes, his fingers steepled beneath his chin.“I must say, Ms. Evans,” Pierre finally spoke, his deep voice tinged with amusement. “I was wondering when you’d finally make your move. It seems you have quite the storm brewing.”Natalie crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “You’ve already heard?”Pierre smirked. “News travels fast in our circles, ma chérie. Ad
Rising From The Ashes Chapter 18: The Art of War
Natalie Evans had spent years underestimating the lengths to which Adrian Sinclair would go to maintain control. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of her penthouse, casting golden hues across the marble floors. Dressed in an elegant but sharp navy-blue suit, she sat at the breakfast bar, sipping her espresso while scrolling through the latest reports from her businesses. Everything was thriving. Every strategic move she had made since the divorce had led to this moment—complete autonomy.But something gnawed at her.Last night’s cryptic call still lingered in her mind. You’re playing a dangerous game, Ms. Evans.Whoever had called her knew something. But was it a warning or a threat?She had barely set her cup down when Lisa walked in, tablet in hand, her expression unreadable.“You’re not going to like this,” Lisa said, placing the tablet on the counter in front of her.Natalie arched a brow, sliding it closer. The screen displaye
Rising From The Ashes Chapter 17: Shifting Tides
Natalie Evans had always been a woman of calculated moves. Every decision she made, every alliance she forged, had a purpose. But as she left the high-stakes meeting between Adrian Sinclair and Daniel Carter behind, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had stepped onto a chessboard where she was no longer just a player—she was the queen.The moment she exited the lavish lounge, her phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, she saw Chloe’s name flashing.“Mommy! Are you coming home soon?” Chloe’s cheerful voice filled the car as Natalie slipped into the back seat of her waiting black Mercedes.A warm smile spread across Natalie’s face. “Yes, sweetheart. I’ll be home soon. Did you have fun with Aunt Lisa today?”“Yes! We baked cookies, and she let me help mix the batter! But I miss you.”Natalie’s heart clenched. Chloe was her world, the one thing in her life that remained pure, untouched by betrayal or ambition. “I miss you too, baby. I’ll tuck you in tonight, okay?”“Okay! Love you, Mo
