2025-03-20 15:21:45The glass of whiskey in Nathaniel Aldric’s hand trembled as he sat in his grand office, staring at the numbers on his laptop screen. It didn’t make sense. The accounts were empty. Millions…no, billions…gone.
His fingers curled into a fist, his nails biting into his palm. His chest burned, and when he coughed, he tasted iron. Blood stained his sleeve, but he barely noticed. His mind was spinning. “Nate, my man, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” The office door swung open, and a group of men strolled in like they owned the place. His friends. The ones he had trusted with everything. Ethan, the man he had known since college, laughed as he plopped down on the leather couch, completely at ease. “You should relax,” Ethan said, stretching his arms. “Stress isn’t good for your health.” The others chuckled, their smiles sharp, their eyes colder than ice. Another man, Damien, leaned against the desk and crossed his arms. “Damn, Nate, you look like shit. Though, to be fair, you’ve looked like shit for months.” Owen, standing beside him, sneered. “Wonder how long he’s got left? Bet the old man’s watching from the grave, ashamed as hell.” Nate felt a shiver run down his spine. “What… what is this?” he asked, his voice hoarse. Ethan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Oh, come on, Nate. Don’t act like you didn’t see this coming.” A hand clapped his shoulder. Owen grinned down at him. “You really thought we were here for you? That we were loyal? Man, you’re dumber than I thought.” Nate’s breath hitched. His fingers tightened around his glass until it cracked. “You drained my accounts,” he whispered. Ethan smirked. “Yeah. And? What are you gonna do about it?” Nate’s vision blurred. His body trembled…not just from anger, but from the sickness that had been eating away at him for months. “You were my friends,” he said, his voice weak. Ethan rolled his eyes. “Friends? Don’t be ridiculous. You were a walking ATM, Nate. Nothing more.” The others laughed. Nate gritted his teeth, his nails digging into his palm. “I trusted you.” Damien scoffed. “And that’s why you’re sitting there coughing up blood while we’re standing here about to take everything.” Owen shook his head. “Honestly, it was pathetic watching you fumble around, thinking you actually had control. The only reason we let you think that was because we weren’t done bleeding you dry.” Ethan smirked. “And now? We’re done.” They were right. He had been a fool. He had handed them everything…money, power, loyalty…only to be left with nothing. His phone buzzed. A message from his lawyer. He opened it with shaking hands. ‘The company is no longer under your control. The board has voted you out.’ His stomach dropped. He tried to breathe, but his chest tightened. The betrayal pressed down on him, suffocating him. Ethan snatched the phone from his hand and whistled. “Damn. They didn’t even have the decency to tell you in person?” He tossed the phone onto the desk. “Guess they never respected you either.” Nate’s pulse pounded in his ears. “Why?” Ethan’s smirk widened. “Because it was easy. You made it easy.” Damien leaned in, his breath hot against Nate’s ear. “And because we wanted to.” Owen laughed. “You ever wonder how it feels to rip a man apart while he’s still alive? We don’t. We already know.” The room spun. The pain in his chest grew worse. He coughed violently, blood splattering onto his desk. “Shit,” Owen muttered, taking a step back. “Maybe we should’ve waited until he was dead before taking everything.” Damien chuckled. “Nah. Watching him fall apart like this is so much more satisfying.” Ethan sighed. “Look, we’ve got places to be, money to spend. No hard feelings, Nate.” He grinned. “Actually, no…plenty of hard feelings. You were a pain in the ass, and now you’re just a waste of space.” Nate wiped his mouth, his fingers shaking. He forced himself to stand, gripping the desk for support. “Get out.” Ethan raised a brow. “Excuse me?” “Get. Out.” Ethan chuckled. “See? That’s the problem with you, Nate. Always acting tough when you’re already beaten.” But they left. The moment the door closed, Nate collapsed into his chair. He clutched his chest, his breaths shallow. He had lost everything. And worst of all? It was all his fault. Nate barely remembered how he made it to the lobby. His legs were unsteady, his breaths shallow. His vision kept swimming, but he forced himself forward, gripping the walls when he had to. The doorman called his name, asking if he was alright, but he didn’t answer. The moment he stepped outside, the night air hit him like a slap. His body swayed. He had lost everything. His company. His money. His friends. No. Not everything. Serena. She was all he had left. A black car was parked at the curb. His driver, Harris, stepped out immediately, concern creasing his brow. “Sir? Are you…” “Home,” Nate rasped. Harris hesitated. “Maybe we should get you to a doctor first.” Nate’s head snapped up. “Take me home.” His voice cracked, desperate, and Harris nodded. The ride felt endless. His mind wouldn’t stop spinning. The betrayal. The laughter. The way Ethan had looked at him like he was nothing. Serena would fix this. She’d know what to do. She always knew what to do. When the car pulled into the driveway of their estate, Nate shoved the door open before the vehicle had fully stopped. Harris called after him, but he ignored him, stumbling up the steps. His hands shook as he fumbled with the key, but the door was already unlocked. He stepped inside. The house was dark except for the low glow of the chandelier overhead. His head pounded. His chest ached. “Serena?” His voice barely carried. A sound came from upstairs. A low, muffled laugh. His breath hitched. He turned toward the staircase. Another laugh. A man’s laugh. Nate’s stomach twisted. His fingers curled against the doorframe, nails digging in so hard they almost broke. His feet moved on their own. He climbed the stairs, his heartbeat thudding louder with every step. His bedroom door was ajar. His bedroom. Their bedroom. He pushed it open. The sight in front of him knocked the breath from his lungs. Serena. His Serena. Straddling another man. Her hands tangled in his hair, her lips tracing down his neck. Sheets tangled around their bodies, damp with sweat. The man…dark-haired, broad-shouldered…glanced up. Their eyes met. A smirk tugged at his lips. Serena turned. She froze. Nate’s whole body locked. His head spun. The betrayal, the loss, the rage…it all crashed into him at once. His hands clenched. His body shook. His vision blurred. His ears rang. And then, the only sound that tore through the house was his own voice. “SERENA!”
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
Reborn To Conquer Two
Serena didn’t move. She sat there, her bare skin pressed against his sheets, her body tangled with the man beneath her. She didn’t even bother to cover herself. Her lips curled into something cold, something cruel.Nate’s heart pounded so hard it hurt. His breaths were short, sharp. His fingers twitched at his sides, his body screaming for him to do something, but he couldn’t move.Serena sighed, tilting her head. “You’re early.”Early?His stomach twisted.The man beside her stretched lazily before sitting up, completely unbothered by Nate’s presence. He ran a hand through his hair, the same dark hair that Nate had seen since childhood.It hit him like a punch.“Lucas?” His voice barely came out. His cousin.Lucas chuckled. “Took you long enough.” He leaned against the headboard, watching Nate with amusement. “I was starting to think you wouldn’t show up at all.”Nate’s nails dug into his palms. His skin burned. His throat ached. “You… you’re my family.”Lucas snorted. “And? What doe
Reborn To Conquer Three
Laughter.Loud. Familiar.Nate’s eyes snapped open. His breath hitched.He wasn’t on the cold floor. He wasn’t coughing up blood. He wasn’t dying.He was sitting at a large dining table, surrounded by people.His heart pounded as he looked around. The room was bright, golden light bouncing off the chandelier above. Plates of untouched food sat before him. Wine glasses clinked. The air smelled of roasted meat, expensive liquor, and cologne.Ethan Maddox sat across from him, laughing as he leaned back in his chair. Owen Carter, on his left, smirked at something someone had said.His hands clenched the edge of the table. This wasn’t right.He was supposed to be dead.But everyone was here. His friends. The ones who had betrayed him.Nate’s pulse raced. He swallowed hard, his throat dry. He pinched his own arm under the table. Hard.Pain shot through him. His stomach churned.This was real.He was here.But how?Ethan’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “Damn, Nate, you really just p
Reborn To Conquer Four
Nate stood, gripping his phone so tightly his knuckles turned white. The cold night air bit at his skin, but he barely noticed. His mind was set.He scrolled through his contacts, his thumb hovering over a name he had never dared to call before.Vincent Blackwell.A man with men.Men who didn’t ask questions.Nate had known about him for years. People whispered his name in the darkest corners of the city. He was the kind of man you only contacted if you wanted something done.Before, Nate had always believed in handling things the right way. The legal way.But that version of him was dead.Without hesitation, he pressed the call button.The phone rang twice before a deep voice answered. “Aldric.”No greetings. No fake pleasantries.“I need something handled,” Nate said, his voice steady.Vincent chuckled. “Well, well. Didn’t think I’d ever hear from you.”“I want Liam Grant dealt with.”A pause. Then, “Who the hell is Liam Grant?”Nate’s grip on the phone tightened. He took a slow bre
Reborn To Conquer Five
Nate stepped into the mansion, letting the chauffeur shut the door behind him. The house was quiet except for the faint clinking of cutlery from the dining room. His eyes swept over the space…nothing had changed. Same expensive furniture. Same grand chandeliers. Same perfect, picture-book life.But it was all a lie.His wife, Serena, sat at the long dining table, smiling as if nothing in the world could ruin her mood. The table was covered with dishes, a feast laid out like some celebration. And at the very center, steam curled from a cup of tea.His stomach twisted.“Welcome home, darling,” Serena said, her voice warm, eyes soft. She stood gracefully, hands clasped in front of her. The wife who had poisoned him. The woman he had loved more than anything.Once upon a time, he would have walked straight to her, taken her in his arms, kissed her forehead, and told her how much he had missed her.But now?Now, all he felt was hatred.“You didn’t have to do all this,” he said, his tone ev
Reborn To Conquer Six
That night Ethan stepped into the hospital room, his jaw tightening the moment his eyes landed on Liam Grant.The man was unrecognizable.Bandages covered his face. His right eye was swollen shut. His lips were busted, stitches lining his cheek. His legs were raised, both wrapped in thick casts. His arms, too, were covered in bandages, and from the way he lay there…motionless, hooked up to machines…Ethan knew it was bad.He slowly turned his gaze to the men standing by the window. They looked battered, their faces bruised, arms in slings, but they weren’t nearly as bad as Liam.Ethan shoved his hands into his pockets, his voice sharp. “What the hell happened?”The men exchanged nervous glances. One of them, a stocky guy with a deep cut on his forehead, let out a bitter breath. His voice was shaky, like he was still rattled by what had happened.“It was an ambush,” he muttered.Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “Ambush?”The man nodded stiffly, licking his dry lips before speaking again. “We were
Reborn To Conquer Seven
Nate woke up feeling lighter than he had in years.His mind was sharp, his body well-rested. No nausea. No dizziness. No sluggishness weighing him down. It was the first night in a long time that he had slept without that poison creeping through his veins.He sat up, glancing around the unfamiliar bedroom. He had chosen to sleep in one of the guest rooms…far away from Serena. Sharing a bed with his killer had never been an option.He threw off the covers and walked into the bathroom, turning on the lights. The mirror reflected back a man who barely looked like himself.His hair was overgrown, messy in a way that made him look unkempt rather than rugged. His beard was thick, uneven. And his clothe…wrinkled, dull, a size too big. He looked nothing like a billionaire. More like someone who had given up on himself.He let out a breath, gripping the counter.That was the old Nate. The blind fool who had let himself be played.That man was dead.He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
Reborn To Conquer Eight
Nate stepped into the conference room, and just as expected, the entire room fell silent. They had been talking, discussing, whispering, probably scheming…until he arrived. Now, all eyes were on him. He could feel their confusion, their unease. They weren’t looking at the Nate Aldric they had once dismissed. They were looking at someone else entirely. And sitting at the far end of the table, looking as if he owned the place, was Lucas. His cousin. The same man he had put in that position. The same man who had betrayed him. Nate’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t let his smirk slip. No, he wouldn’t give them that satisfaction. Lucas sat there, back straight, hands folded in front of him, trying to keep his expression neutral. But Nate saw the hint of discomfort in his eyes. Good. This was the same man he had once trusted. The same man he had supported, defended, treated like a brother. And yet, when Nate had walked into his own bedroom, Lucas had been there…with Serena. The
Reborn To Conquer Nine
Serena sat in her office, fingers tapping impatiently against the glass desk. The space around her was massive, lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city. The building itself…her building…stood tall, a monument to the empire Nate had helped her build from the ground up. A high-end fashion and luxury brand, known for exclusive designs, limited edition collections, and premium beauty products. It was a business that screamed power, dripping in wealth, worth hundreds of millions.Workers moved like a well-oiled machine below, rushing through the hallways, carrying fabric samples, documents, and tablets loaded with schedules. Models strutted through the lower levels where the latest collections were being prepped for an upcoming show. Executives spoke in hushed tones, closing million-dollar deals. Everything was perfect. Just as she had designed it to be. This was her own world where she ruled.And yet…Serena felt nothing but anger.She couldn’t sit still. She had been
Latest Chapter
Eleven
Serena was still trying to wrap her head around everything when Nate took her out to dinner. He had insisted, and she hadn’t been able to refuse. She thought they were just going to a regular restaurant. Instead, he led her to a venue that felt more like a theater than a restaurant.The place was grand, with towering red velvet curtains and low lighting that hinted at something more formal than what she was used to. It was like something straight out of a movie…a place where opera singers acted, their voices soaring dramatically in a performance she didn’t understand.Nate, on the other hand, was perfectly at ease. He had a smirk on his face, like he was watching her, waiting for her reaction. Serena didn’t know what to make of him anymore. The man she thought she had married seemed so far removed from the person sitting next to her now. He was cold, distant, and more dangerous than she could have imagined.She tried to focus on the play, but her mind kept wandering back to Nate and t
Ten
Serena’s heart pounded when Nate walked into the room. She barely had time to process what she was seeing. The man who used to wear sloppy clothes, whose glasses were perpetually falling off his face, was now someone completely different. His hair was neatly styled, his face clean-shaven, and his clothes…designed to perfection…made him look more like a business tycoon than the man she once knew. The transformation was staggering. She barely had time to react before Nate’s voice cut through the air, cool and calm. “Serena.” His gaze locked onto hers, intense, unblinking, and the air around them seemed to tighten. Serena froze. This wasn’t the same Nate. The one who used to follow her every command was now standing in front of her with a strength that was almost palpable. He looked… different. Powerful. Intimidating. But it was his eyes…sharp, calculating…that unsettled her most. He had changed, and she was still trying to catch up. Her phone buzzed in her hand, and she quickly a
Nine
Serena sat in her office, fingers tapping impatiently against the glass desk. The space around her was massive, lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city. The building itself…her building…stood tall, a monument to the empire Nate had helped her build from the ground up. A high-end fashion and luxury brand, known for exclusive designs, limited edition collections, and premium beauty products. It was a business that screamed power, dripping in wealth, worth hundreds of millions.Workers moved like a well-oiled machine below, rushing through the hallways, carrying fabric samples, documents, and tablets loaded with schedules. Models strutted through the lower levels where the latest collections were being prepped for an upcoming show. Executives spoke in hushed tones, closing million-dollar deals. Everything was perfect. Just as she had designed it to be. This was her own world where she ruled.And yet…Serena felt nothing but anger.She couldn’t sit still. She had been
Eight
Nate stepped into the conference room, and just as expected, the entire room fell silent. They had been talking, discussing, whispering, probably scheming…until he arrived. Now, all eyes were on him. He could feel their confusion, their unease. They weren’t looking at the Nate Aldric they had once dismissed. They were looking at someone else entirely. And sitting at the far end of the table, looking as if he owned the place, was Lucas. His cousin. The same man he had put in that position. The same man who had betrayed him. Nate’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t let his smirk slip. No, he wouldn’t give them that satisfaction. Lucas sat there, back straight, hands folded in front of him, trying to keep his expression neutral. But Nate saw the hint of discomfort in his eyes. Good. This was the same man he had once trusted. The same man he had supported, defended, treated like a brother. And yet, when Nate had walked into his own bedroom, Lucas had been there…with Serena. The
Seven
Nate woke up feeling lighter than he had in years.His mind was sharp, his body well-rested. No nausea. No dizziness. No sluggishness weighing him down. It was the first night in a long time that he had slept without that poison creeping through his veins.He sat up, glancing around the unfamiliar bedroom. He had chosen to sleep in one of the guest rooms…far away from Serena. Sharing a bed with his killer had never been an option.He threw off the covers and walked into the bathroom, turning on the lights. The mirror reflected back a man who barely looked like himself.His hair was overgrown, messy in a way that made him look unkempt rather than rugged. His beard was thick, uneven. And his clothe…wrinkled, dull, a size too big. He looked nothing like a billionaire. More like someone who had given up on himself.He let out a breath, gripping the counter.That was the old Nate. The blind fool who had let himself be played.That man was dead.He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
Six
That night Ethan stepped into the hospital room, his jaw tightening the moment his eyes landed on Liam Grant.The man was unrecognizable.Bandages covered his face. His right eye was swollen shut. His lips were busted, stitches lining his cheek. His legs were raised, both wrapped in thick casts. His arms, too, were covered in bandages, and from the way he lay there…motionless, hooked up to machines…Ethan knew it was bad.He slowly turned his gaze to the men standing by the window. They looked battered, their faces bruised, arms in slings, but they weren’t nearly as bad as Liam.Ethan shoved his hands into his pockets, his voice sharp. “What the hell happened?”The men exchanged nervous glances. One of them, a stocky guy with a deep cut on his forehead, let out a bitter breath. His voice was shaky, like he was still rattled by what had happened.“It was an ambush,” he muttered.Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “Ambush?”The man nodded stiffly, licking his dry lips before speaking again. “We were
Five
Nate stepped into the mansion, letting the chauffeur shut the door behind him. The house was quiet except for the faint clinking of cutlery from the dining room. His eyes swept over the space…nothing had changed. Same expensive furniture. Same grand chandeliers. Same perfect, picture-book life.But it was all a lie.His wife, Serena, sat at the long dining table, smiling as if nothing in the world could ruin her mood. The table was covered with dishes, a feast laid out like some celebration. And at the very center, steam curled from a cup of tea.His stomach twisted.“Welcome home, darling,” Serena said, her voice warm, eyes soft. She stood gracefully, hands clasped in front of her. The wife who had poisoned him. The woman he had loved more than anything.Once upon a time, he would have walked straight to her, taken her in his arms, kissed her forehead, and told her how much he had missed her.But now?Now, all he felt was hatred.“You didn’t have to do all this,” he said, his tone ev
Four
Nate stood, gripping his phone so tightly his knuckles turned white. The cold night air bit at his skin, but he barely noticed. His mind was set.He scrolled through his contacts, his thumb hovering over a name he had never dared to call before.Vincent Blackwell.A man with men.Men who didn’t ask questions.Nate had known about him for years. People whispered his name in the darkest corners of the city. He was the kind of man you only contacted if you wanted something done.Before, Nate had always believed in handling things the right way. The legal way.But that version of him was dead.Without hesitation, he pressed the call button.The phone rang twice before a deep voice answered. “Aldric.”No greetings. No fake pleasantries.“I need something handled,” Nate said, his voice steady.Vincent chuckled. “Well, well. Didn’t think I’d ever hear from you.”“I want Liam Grant dealt with.”A pause. Then, “Who the hell is Liam Grant?”Nate’s grip on the phone tightened. He took a slow bre
Three
Laughter.Loud. Familiar.Nate’s eyes snapped open. His breath hitched.He wasn’t on the cold floor. He wasn’t coughing up blood. He wasn’t dying.He was sitting at a large dining table, surrounded by people.His heart pounded as he looked around. The room was bright, golden light bouncing off the chandelier above. Plates of untouched food sat before him. Wine glasses clinked. The air smelled of roasted meat, expensive liquor, and cologne.Ethan Maddox sat across from him, laughing as he leaned back in his chair. Owen Carter, on his left, smirked at something someone had said.His hands clenched the edge of the table. This wasn’t right.He was supposed to be dead.But everyone was here. His friends. The ones who had betrayed him.Nate’s pulse raced. He swallowed hard, his throat dry. He pinched his own arm under the table. Hard.Pain shot through him. His stomach churned.This was real.He was here.But how?Ethan’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “Damn, Nate, you really just p
