Rebirth: A Second chance at life

The door to the CEO's office slammed open, the sound echoing through the tense air. Liam rushed in his face pale, his breath ragged from the frantic pace he'd set to reach the top floor. He was visibly panicked, his hands trembling as he held his tablet in front of him, desperately showing the data.

"Mr. Harper," he stammered, trying to steady his voice but failing, "our system has crashed again!" His words hung in the air for a moment, thick with dread. "And... the same message is on every screen. Loser." His voice faltered, the last word barely escaping his lips as if the very utterance of it had the power to break his resolve.

Sebastian's expression remained calm, unreadable, as Liam relayed the update.

"Have you found the IP address?" he asked, his voice steady, carrying an undercurrent of authority.

Liam swallowed hard, shaking his head. "No, not yet. Our hackers are onto it, but the other side... they seem to be toying with us, sir."

A flicker of annoyance passed through Sebastian's eyes, though his composed demeanor didn't falter. Leaning back in his chair, he tapped his fingers rhythmically on the armrest, lost in thought.

He tried many ways to find the person behind that explosion and still searching the person till date.

This wasn't the first time. For the past four years, every time he acquired something rare—be it a limited-edition artifact, a collector's card, exclusive jewelry, or even custom firearms—this same peculiar attack would occur.

The attacker may not know my true identity, but he certainly knows enough about my dealings, Sebastian mused, his thoughts drifting to a particular incident from the past. He had acquired a secluded hill in the Noman Zone, transforming it into a fortified arms factory. Not long after, the entire base was obliterated in a meticulously planned attack. When his team sifted through the debris, the only trace left behind was a mocking message scrawled across the transcriptors: "Losers."

Every assault so far had targeted ventures tied to the acquisition of precious and rare items. Whether through high-stakes auctions or shadowy dealings, these treasures were often obtained under layers of secrecy. However, the Noman Zone property had no apparent link to such rarities. Yet, the other items—jewels, artifacts, or collectibles—was always obtained by his subordinates operating under code names, shielding his direct involvement.

But why? Sebastian's thoughts churned darkly, his fingers drumming an almost imperceptible rhythm against his desk. Are they coveting me, trying to draw me into their web? Or is my enemy merely testing the limits of my patience with these underhanded tactics?

His jaw tightened as he considered the possibilities. Each attack seemed calculated—not to destroy him outright, but to provoke, to prod at his defenses, and perhaps, to unearth his vulnerabilities. Patience is a virtue, he reminded himself, but even virtues have their limit

 "Childish," he muttered under his breath, a derisive scoff escaping his lips. His gaze darkened, a storm brewing in his eyes as he pieced the puzzle together.

"You must have a death wish, provoking me like this," Sebastian said, his voice cold and laced with menace. The room seemed to drop a few degrees, the tension thickening with his words.

Liam shivered, instinctively stepping back, though Sebastian wasn't paying him any attention. His focus was razor-sharp, his jaw tightening as a sinister promise curled on his lips.

"I will find you," Sebastian murmured, his tone chillingly calm. "And when I do, I'll make sure you regret every second. I'll skin you alive."

The air was heavy, his words leaving no room for doubt—this was no idle threat.

Liam approached Sebastian's desk, a document in hand, his movements brisk yet careful. "Mr. Harper, these require your signature," he said, placing the papers on the polished surface.

Sebastian didn't glance up immediately, his piercing gaze fixed on his computer screen as he reviewed a report. He picked up the pen with precision, signing each page swiftly before setting it aside.

Liam hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Sir, you have an appointment with Dr. Elena this evening. Should I arrange for a reservation at a suitable venue?"

Sebastian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable, but the hint of a smirk touched his lips. "No need," he replied, his voice calm yet firm. "The place has already been decided."

His sharp gaze flicked to his watch, calculating the time. "We'll leave in fifteen minutes," he added, his tone carrying the weight of finality.

Liam nodded, understanding the unspoken command. He stepped back and left the room, ensuring everything was prepared for his boss's departure.

On the other side of the city, Aurora dressed with deliberate precision, her every move exuding an air of calm detachment. Little did she know the recipient of her carefully orchestrated prank earlier that day was the very man awaiting her at tonight's dinner.

She was putting on a light makeup when her phone buzzed, displaying a name that made her lips curl in disdain—Lily. Without hesitation, she declined the call and swiftly blocked the number, her movements precise and deliberate.

Meanwhile, at the Smith estate, Lily's face twisted in fury as the call disconnected. "That little brat!" she spat, throwing her phone onto the plush couch. She turned sharply to the maid tending to her, her voice cold and commanding. "Give me your phone. Now."

The maid, startled but obedient, handed over her device. Lily dialed Aurora's number again, and this time the call went through.

The moment Aurora answered, a venomous voice hissed through the line, dripping with malice. "You bitch! How dare you hang up on me!"

Aurora's expression remained calm, her fingers continuing to fasten the delicate clasp of her necklace.

"Get your ass here right now, you little slut!" Lily's voice screeched, the vitriol in her tone enough to unsettle anyone.

Aurora held the phone away from her ear for a moment, letting Lily's words echo into the void. A faint, almost mocking smile played on her lips. Bringing the phone back to her ear, she spoke with an icy calm that could freeze fire.

"You must be delusional if you think I'd come running at your beck and call," Aurora said, her tone cutting like a blade. Without waiting for a response, she ended the call and, with a flick of her fingers, blocked the new number as well.

Lily's scream of frustration on the other end was silenced by the void of disconnection. Aurora, unfazed, turned to the mirror and adjusted her outfit with a serene confidence.

"Pathetic," she murmured to herself, the smirk on her lips widening as she grabbed her bag and stepped out.

Her phone buzzed relentlessly, the screen lighting up with a series of unfamiliar numbers as she maneuvered through the quiet streets. Irritation flickered across her features, but when the persistent calls refused to cease, she finally swiped to answer.

On the other end came the sharp, venomous tone she had come to expect. "You brat! Get your ass here right now, and don't you dare hang up! If you do, I'll destroy the one thing your grandmother wanted you to have on her deathbed."

Aurora's hand hovered above the red button, her knuckles whitening as her grip on the wheel tightened. Abruptly, she pulled the car to a halt, the engine purring in the silence as her fury simmered beneath her calm exterior.

"What do you want?" she asked at last, her voice a low, menacing thread that could cut through steel.

The voice on the other end rattled off demands and threats, its venom unabated. Aurora listened, her expression unreadable, before replying with a curt, "Okay," and ending the call without hesitation.

She stared at the phone in her hand, her thoughts spiraling into a dark whirlpool. Through the fragmented memories of the body she now inhabited, she recalled a time when the original Aurora's grandmother had been the only light in her life—a woman who had shown her the warmth and love she had never known elsewhere. It was a warmth later echoed by Alexander's grandfather, but her grandmother had been first, her sole beacon in a world of cruelty.

"Lily," Aurora muttered, her voice like the hiss of a blade unsheathing, "you must have a death wish to use Grandma against me."

With a sharp breath, she shook off the storm inside her, shifted the gear, and resumed her drive. Her gaze was fixed, her jaw set, and a cold determination etched into every line of her face