All Chapters of Second Chance At Rebirth: Beneath The Ashes: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Francis’s POVThe air in my office felt stifling, as I was filled with frustration while I pace back and forth. My fists were balled so tightly my knuckles ached, and every step I took seemed to echo the rage boiling inside me. Christine had gutted me. Twenty thousand? Twenty thousand? My salary slashed to a pittance, a humiliating slap in the face after everything I’d done for this company. For her. I stopped pacing, and glared at the sleek glass desk in the center of the office, tempted to sweep everything off it, papers, pens, the stupid little crystal paperweight I’d always hated, just to feel something other than this suffocating anger.How had it come to this? How had Christine, of all people, managed to treat me like this? I’d been careful, so damn careful, and yet she’d sniffed out the fraud like a bloodhound. My fingers itched for my phone, and before I could stop myself, I yanked it from my pocket and dialed Grandfather Frederick. If anyone could talk sense into her, it was

Christine’s POV“Why do you have to put conditions on going back to your mistress?” I snapped as I glared at him. The audacity of this man, lounging against his desk now, his lips curling into that infuriating smirk.His emotionless eyes were on me as I felt shiver running down my spine. And then he replied. “Christine, if you’re not going to be patient enough to hear my condition, you’re welcome to leave.” he said. “Let Adriana keep thinking you’re the enemy. Let her keep sending you those cute little texts. I’m sure you’ll handle it just fine.”I opened my mouth to fire back, but I looked speechless. Adriana’s text. “I know your secret” still burned in my mind, a splinter I couldn’t pull out. I exhaled sharply, frustration coiling at me. “Fine,” I said. “What’s the condition?”Zane’s smile, predatory and self-satisfied. He took a few steps away, now standing beside the window, his gaze focused on me. “I need you to come with me to an event this weekend. As my date.”What? “Dare?” I

Christine’s POVI took a deep breath. “Asking such a question is not necessary,” I said. “You all don’t need to keep defending him. What matters now is that I don’t want to be with Francis. He tried to cheat the company, our company and he would’ve succeeded if that other firm hadn’t been a scam. I can’t trust him anymore with my heart.” I feel I’ve been dragging this issue out for so long and I’m fed up.Francis replied. “Christine, I swear, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” he said. “I am trying to protect what we built together. I made a mistake, but I’m not that person anymore.”“Enough, Christine,” Grandpa Fredrick cut in. He stepped forward. “You’re not thinking clearly. This isn’t just about you and Francis. This is about family, our family and his. You know the agreement we made between both families. It’s not just a business partnership; it’s a bond to strengthen both families. You and Francis are to be married. That’s been the plan since you were children.”My stomac

Christine’s POVIt was finally today, the day of the party Zane had invited me to, where I’d be his date. I stood in front of the full-length mirror in Evelyn’s apartment, smoothing the silky fabric of the deep dress he’d sent over. The gown hugged my curves perfectly, with a slit that revealed just enough leg to feel sexy. Evelyn, lounging on her velvet chaise, whistled low.“Girl, you’re going to stop hearts tonight and I’m sure your presence will make him fall harder,” she said, her eyes filled with mischief. “Zane’s got taste, I’ll give him that.”I forced a smile. “It’s just a date, nothing serious.” I replied as she winked. “I don’t think so.” She replied.I wasn’t sure what game he was playing, but I couldn’t afford to say no. Not when my company, my dream, was teetering on the edge of collapse, and every connection counted.The doorbell chimed, and Evelyn hopped up to answer it. “That’s your ride, Cinderella. Don’t lose your shoe.” She said. I slipped into the strappy heels

Christine’s POVI stormed into my office, the glass door swinging shut behind me. Last night’s humiliation at the Grand Meridian Hotel still felt fresh. Zane’s smug grin as he’d publicly made me feel less of myself in front of Mr. Vandross.I flung my purse onto the leather couch in the corner as my lipstick, keys, and crumpled tissue fell out of my purse. I gripped the edge of my desk, trying to steady myself. Heartbreak and rage twisted together, a toxic knot that made it hard to breathe happily. How could I have been so naive? Zane hadn’t just embarrassed me, he’d stolen my chance to secure Vandross’s investment, maybe my only shot at keeping my company afloat.I sank into my chair. The weight of failure pressed down on me. If I couldn’t build this company, everything I’d worked for, every sacrifice would crumble. I couldn’t let Zane win and see me as the failure he always imagined I am.I pressed the intercom button on my desk. “Hello, Ashley, please get in here.”A moment later,