Reborn From Oblivion

Nathalie let out a deep, weary sigh, her voice edged with tension. "Lizzy, hide those documents in the drawer, will you?"

Lizzy's eyes went wide with surprise. "Are you serious, sis? You're actually going to let them in?"

Nathalie shook her head slightly. "Do you really think they're just here to kick me when I'm down? I'm just a woman; they wouldn't dare stoop so low as to laugh at me openly."

"Then why are they really here?"

"They're after Nathan's belongings, of course. They're worth a fortune. What they really want is the secret that could bring the grand families back to their former glory. Nathan was a business genius. He could knock them all down in a few years and then lift them right back up."

Lizzy's expression shifted to one of understanding. "I get it now. I'll make sure to stash the master's things where they won't find a hint of them."

Lizzy quickly cleared out the drawer, placing the documents in a hidden compartment under the master bedroom floor.

Nathalie watched as Lizzy, with surprising strength, pushed the bed aside and flipped a switch cleverly concealed in the headboard. Lizzy then took a utility knife and sliced through the sealant between the floorboards, causing the floor to shift aside.

Lizzy tucked the documents into a safe embedded in the floor, then carefully put everything back in place.

As Nathalie observed Lizzy's work, her heart felt heavy with anxiety. Nathan had trusted Lizzy so deeply, and that trust now filled her with a sense of unease.

"All done, sis," Lizzy said, a note of excitement in her voice.

Nathalie glanced at the now-empty drawer. "Put something in there that Nathan cherished."

Lizzy placed a framed photograph of Nathalie inside. She knew it was something Nathan had held dear.

With everything set, Nathalie lifted her chin and headed downstairs.

At the entrance of the mansion, Cameron and Benjamin's eyes widened with excitement as they spotted Nathalie.

"Nathalie, my condolences," Cameron said, his tone blunt.

His words felt more like a test than sympathy.

Nathalie didn't argue, silently acknowledging Cameron's suspicion.

"What brings you here?" she asked.

"I'm here to see my brother, Nathan," Benjamin blurted out.

Nathalie replied, "I don't recall you two being that close."

Benjamin said, "Nathalie, we've all heard. Nathan got caught up in a shooting outside the Stewart mansion. We might not have been close but he's my brother, and as

his older brother, I had to come see

him."

"His last wish was not to see hypocritical scoundrels like you," Nathalie retorted

with sarcasm.

Cameron, trying to be both firm and persuasive, said, "Nathalie, smart people adapt to the times. If Nathan's gone, you're losing your only lifeline in this city. You'll need to

lean on Benjamin and me. I advise

you not to fight us."

Benjamin looked at Cameron with admiration. "Cameron, you said exactly what I was thinking."

Nathalie, however, was unfazed. "I've

had a tough life from the start, so

I'm not about to betray Nathan's last wish just for a bit of comfort. He

doesn't want to see you. Please respect the dead."

Benjamin, unable to hold back, shouted, "He was nothing more than a plaything to you..."

Nathalie shot him a sharp glare. "Mr. Rowland, mind your words. If you slander the deceased without proof, do you think people will side with you?"

Benjamin was ready to argue, but Cameron stopped him.

Cameron advised quietly, "With Nathan gone, as long as we don't see his body, we can't officially say anything. Otherwise, it could lead to defamation and rumors."noveldrama