All Chapters of Rebirth: Cheerleading the Collapse: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

..."Sherry Poole from Building #8, what's your issue this time?" asked Neville Grady, the property manager. He tapped the table impatiently, his voice dripping with irritation. "You were the one causing trouble last time, holding up everyone's chance to make money."His words, so eerily familiar, dragged me back to the memories of my past life. After my death, my soul lingered above the chaos.On the cold cement below, my son lay in a pool of blood, his small body broken from the fall. I screamed, desperate to hold him, but my hands passed through his lifeless form again and again.In that life, I stood in this same meeting, pleading with them. "Our complex sits above complicated groundwater systems. Below is a high-pressure underground river. Digging three levels for a parking garage will rupture the waterproof layer. The water pressure will destroy the foundation, and the entire building will collapse."But Neville pointed at me, sneering. "Stop fearmongering! We hired a profes

"I've been thinking," I continued, "for his health, we'll move out during the construction period. Since we won't be living here, a parking space isn't of much use to us. We'll pass on the $50,000 fee. Once the garage is built, we'll move back. It won't affect anyone, and we're just trying to avoid causing trouble."Ansel coughed softly, playing along. "Mom, I don't want to breathe all that dust."My words left Neville and the residents speechless. Murmurs then spread through the room."Asthma is no joke, especially for kids.""She's moving out for her son. Can't really fault them.""Now that she mentions it, construction could be rough on kids and the elderly."Some wavering residents grew hesitant, but Hannah's face twisted with frustration. "Asthma? That's just an excuse to dodge paying! Is your kid the only delicate one? Can't he tough it out? Stop undermining everyone!"Her outburst had little effect. An older woman spoke up hesitantly. "Mr. Grady, my grandson has weak lung

"That dump? Are you serious? Who'd buy it?" Hannah cackled. "Everyone knows our complex's about to be renovated. Property values are about to skyrocket!""Don't come crying when the garage is built and prices soar," Neville sneered. "You won't get it back. And good luck selling. I can make sure no agent touches your listing."...Hannah chimed in, dripping with sarcasm, "What, you think selling a house is a game?"I ignored them, my fingers moving across my phone screen. "Funny thing. I happen to know someone interested in buying my place. And look, I've got his number right here."Neville and Hannah stared at me like I was delusional. Hannah laughed out loud. "Go on, make your call. Let's see how long you can keep up this charade."She didn't believe someone like me, who couldn't even afford $50,000, could know anyone of importance.Under their skeptical gazes, I dialed the number and put the call on speaker. A calm, steady voice answered, tinged with surprise, "Sherry?"Nevil

I said nothing more.Flanked by the bodyguards, I took Ansel's hand and walked out of that suffocating room without a backward glance.Behind us, Neville's wails and the residents' frantic murmurs faded into the distance. I could imagine their regret and fear.For the promise of higher property values and school placements, they'd trusted a conman and turned on someone trying to save them. Now, their illusions were crumbling.In the warm, quiet SUV, Ansel nestled against me, his small frame still trembling from the ordeal. "Mom, are we really moving out?"I smiled, smoothing his hair. "Yes, sweetheart. We're moving to a bigger, safer home."My phone buzzed with a call from Joshua. He asked softly, "Got you both?""Yeah," I replied, watching the city blur past the window, a weight lifted from my chest. "We're fine.""What about Neville and that woman who hurt you?" he asked, his tone hardening.I paused, my gaze steely. "In my last life, they drove Ansel and me to our deaths. T

Hannah was among them, disheveled and frantic.She shoved her way to the cameras, shrieking at the reporter. "It's Sherry Poole! She's to blame! She knew the building was unsafe and didn't tell us. She wanted us to lose everything. She and Joshua Hill are in cahoots. They're trying to steal our land for cheap!"Desperate people were easily swayed. The crowd latched onto her words, redirecting their rage at me."Exactly! It's too convenient. She leaves, and the building collapses!""She's heartless! She let us suffer!""Give us our homes back! You owe us!"They cursed me through the cameras. The online mob descended, fiercer than before. Hashtags like #EvilExpertSherry and #HillConspiracy climbed the charts.Ansel scowled at the twisted facts. "They're lying! You warned them, and they ignored you!"I held him, my expression steady. I'd seen this coming.People like them, unwilling to own their mistakes, only knew how to point fingers. But they'd misjudged their target....Jo