All Chapters of Rising From The Ashes: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

The soft morning light filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, casting a golden glow across the marble floors. Natalie Evans stood by the window, a steaming cup of black coffee in her hand, her silhouette calm yet commanding. It had been weeks since her calculated reentry into high society, and though the whispers had yet to die down, something had changed.She wasn’t merely surviving anymore.She was leading.The air around her was thick with the scent of determination. Her enemies had underestimated her—once. They wouldn’t get a second chance.Across the room, Evelyn sat at the edge of the couch, flipping through reports from their newest acquisition. “The numbers are even better than projected. We closed the merger two days ago, and already the competitors are trying to replicate our model.”Natalie sipped her coffee and walked over. “Let them try. We’re ten steps ahead.”Evelyn glanced up. “You really think Sinclair Enterprises will let it go?”Natalie’s li

The rain had started again, a soft drizzle at first that quickly grew into a steady rhythm beating against the windows of the lakeside estate. Natalie stood in front of the wide pane of glass, arms crossed as she watched the droplets chase one another down the surface. The reflection staring back at her looked stronger, colder, but her eyes—those deep hazel eyes—still held a flicker of something raw and unresolved."He knows where you are," Maya said quietly behind her.Natalie didn’t flinch, though she had sensed her presence the moment she walked in. She turned slowly, her voice even. "Who? Adrian?"Maya nodded. "I overheard his assistant speaking on the phone. They traced your last bank transaction. He’s on his way."Natalie exhaled through her nose, a sigh that held no surprise. "Let him come."Maya frowned, stepping forward. "You don’t have to face him alone. You know that, right?"Natalie gave her a small, tight smile. "I know. But this isn’t just about him showing up. It’s abou

The morning air was thick with the scent of blooming cherry blossoms, their pink petals fluttering to the ground like confetti. But the beauty of spring could not mask the gathering storm on the horizon. Natalie Evans stood by the large bay window of her study, arms crossed as she watched the world outside her mountain retreat.It had been weeks since she’d returned from the city, weeks spent reorganizing her plans and forging new alliances. The calm had given her time to think, to strategize. But something in her gut told her that calm was about to break.A sharp knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts."Come in," she said, turning around.Amara stepped inside, tablet in hand. Her usually composed expression was tense. "We received a message. Anonymous. But it’s clear someone knows where you are."Natalie’s expression didn’t change. "What does it say?""It’s a single sentence. 'Time’s up, Natalie.'"Natalie’s jaw tightened. "Any trace?"Amara shook her head. "It was rerouted t

Natalie Evans stood at the edge of the estate’s private balcony, the late afternoon sun bleeding gold across the sprawling city below. From her vantage point, she could see the world she had once ruled—and the very world that had tried to tear her down. She didn’t flinch at the memory anymore. In fact, she welcomed it. Every cut, every betrayal, every whispered doubt had forged the woman she now was.Inside, the estate hummed with activity. Natalie had gathered some of the most influential allies she’d quietly made over the past year—financial moguls, media tycoons, renowned legal minds, and even two key members of Parliament. They had all come under the pretense of a private gala, but Natalie had bigger plans.She stepped back inside and scanned the grand parlor. The chandeliers sparkled, casting warm light over the sea of polished shoes and elegant gowns. Waiters glided between guests, refilling glasses and offering hors d’oeuvres, but everyone knew this wasn’t just any gathering. W

Natalie Evans stood on the balcony of the penthouse suite overlooking the city, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon as dawn painted streaks of gold across the skyline. The glass of red wine in her hand remained untouched. Sleep had evaded her again, not due to nightmares—but calculations. Thoughts. Strategies.She was no longer the woman who once cried herself to sleep over a man who never truly valued her. She was power in stilettos. The kind of woman people whispered about—some with awe, others with fear.Behind her, the penthouse was quiet. Her daughter, Lily, still peacefully tucked in bed after Natalie had kissed her goodnight, humming the same lullaby her mother once sang to her. That single ritual reminded her of who she was doing all this for. Not revenge. Not even to prove them wrong anymore. But to secure a future where Lily would never have to shrink herself to fit into someone else’s world.The sound of the elevator arriving broke the silence. Natalie turned, her heels cli