Rebirth Into My Second Chance

Suddenly, I felt a sense of danger creeping in. "Is Allen Ramsey interested in me? So you're planning to have someone kidnap me?"

She chuckled, "I'm already grateful for the chance you're giving me to turn over a new leaf. Besides, my family has decided to make me the sole heir. Why would I bother competing with you? If I'm gonna compete for anything, it'd be for Max!" Seeing her casual demeanor, I decided not to dwell on the topic. "I want to see Tracey. Can you arrange a meeting?"

Tracey had been released six months ago after all the evidence pointed toward Hannah. With Hannah's plane crash leaving her missing, Tracey was only convicted of obstructing justice and served a short sentence before being released. Rumor had it that she, like me, hadn't stepped outside since.

"She's been at home gardening every day. My parents have given up on her. She foolishly took the blame, tarnishing my family's reputation. I'm just worried that if you see her, she might not be able to control her feelings and that could put you in danger." Kate said with a shake of her head when I mentioned my wish to see Tracey.

"My dad's even considered sending her to a psychiatric facility. Besides gardening, she spends her days counting stars and singing 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.' On nights without stars, she just cries."Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

I was at a loss for words.

Back in the orphanage, we too would sit in the courtyard, counting stars and singing 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.'

If she truly had lost her mind, whose responsibility was it?

Or perhaps she was merely feigning madness.

"It's alright. I just want to understand why she took the blame, what she knows. Sometimes, in certain situations, people pretend to be mad. I believe that's what's happening with her."

"Alright, I'll take you to her. But my older brother isn't fond of visitors. Not many in Crestview Metropolis have seen him, and he dislikes people coming over. I'll bring Tracey out to you instead," Kate agreed with a nod.

I had my suspicions about Kate's brother being the mastermind behind everything, given his reclusive nature.

"Let's just do it today then. I get out of class early, and my folks won't notice if I'm not around. There's a coffee shop near my place where

you can hang out till I bring her out."

In this life, Kate has been surprisingly kind to me, making me question if my actions in the past life were to blame for our animosity.

As I prepared to head to the café, I noticed Claude also at school, only approaching me after Kate had left.

I couldn't help but scoff and take a step back.

He must have followed me from the Hilton family estate to school.

"Claire, about that day with the Hilton Group, can explain. I genuinely wanted to follow your plan, but the Hilton family elders wouldn't listen to me... I just wanted them to see that I'm the one

ein

charge of the Hilton Group, so they wouldn't..."

He launched into a series of explanations, but I cut him off, "Claude, let's leave the past in the past. I'm not interested."

All I wanted was to live well in the present, as the future held too many uncertainties.

"Claire, I just don't want you getting the wrong idea about me."

"No worries. Look, even Kate, who's changed for the better, and I are friends now: I gave you a chance, and you squandered it. Just focus on becoming stronger. What you've always loved is your own

Subition."

I could sense his desperation, trying to reassemble his composure, as he quickly reached out to grab my shoulders.

But in that instant, Max appeared.

He grabbed Claude's hand, "What's this? Trying to catch up with your aunt?"