Rebirth Into My Second Chance

Back in the day, the head of the orphanage was kind. But now, I find myself shivering at the thought of her. How twisted must one's soul be to ruthlessly turn against all the pregnant girls under her care? Just then, Kate pulled up her car right in front of us, stepping out to lock eyes with me. "What are you doing here? Weren't you locked up by Max?"

"Why can't I be here? Richard is my brother," I said, knowing this would please Richard.

Kate, always looking to pick a fight, retorted, "You're like a bad penny, always turning up. I tried teaming up with Claude, and there you were. Now I'm trying to work with Richard, and here you are again."

"What are you and Richard planning to work on?" I asked, feigning innocence and turning to Richard with a look of surprise. "Richard, Kate's up to no good. Are you planning to let her harm those girls at the orphanage?" I laid out the stark truth.

Richard adjusted his spectacles, "It's just a small collaboration with the Goodwin family. All I want is for you to come back to me, and I promise no harm will come to the girls. I'll even take you to see them, to convince them not to..."

I couldn't help but smile, "So, you want me back just to persuade them to give up their babies? Or have you found a new way to make an example out of me?"

My voice was laced with mock distress.

"I promise they won't be hurt," Richard said, perhaps a bit moved, waving off the bystanders to give us some privacy.

Kate, catching the mood, whispered as she passed by Richard, "Found those girls."

I could almost read her lips.

So, Richard had sent her after the orphanage girls.

With him wanting to stay close to me, it wasn't convenient for him to do the dirty work, so he chose someone I despised to do it for him.

Kate, of course, would never tip me off.

Watching Kate drive away, then turning to gaze at the grand entrance of the Price mansion, I asked, "Is the dean inside?"Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

Richard nodded, "She's been asking about you."

But no sooner had he finished

speaking than a bodyguard

approached to relay a message, "Mr. Price, the lady is feeling unwel today, doesn't wish to see anyone, or have anyone else at home.

"Anyone else"...

That meant Hannah didn't want to see me either.

Probably because I was carrying a Hilton child, and she, once upon a time, bore a Price child.

"Richard, I think I'd rather stay at my apartment."

He looked at me, then at the

bodyguard, his expression

darkening, "Tell the lady, then, net

ve

taking Claire away. I won't be coming back tonight."

be

My brows furrowed slightly, but I quickly relaxed.

Yet, the bodyguard added, "Mr. Price, I fear that won't be possible. The lady has requested your presence in the family chapel."

The family chapel? The Price family chapel?

"Why a chapel? Why kneel?" I asked, puzzled.

Richard reached out as if to comfort me but then hesitated, instructing the driver instead, "Take Claire to her apartment. I'll follow shortly."

I found myself wondering what

Richard was up to in the chapel, but

asking wasn't my place. If Hannah

didn't want to see me, it was just another power play.

I had time to play this long game.