Rebirth: A Second chance at life-Chapter 42: What are they hiding?

Aurora’s fingers grazed over the contract as she read through each word with a calm, unwavering gaze. The only sign of emotion was the faint smirk playing at the corner of her lips.

Lily, growing impatient, scoffed loudly. "Aurora, no need for the theatrics. Just sign it or make a thumbprint. Who do you think you’re trying to impress?" Her voice was laced with disdain. "We all know you can’t even read. Alexander isn’t here, so there’s no need to put on a show."

She leaned back and folded her arms smugly before adding, "Once you sign and marry the person we chose for you, we will return that jade pendant you hold so dearly. It was placed in your room yesterday. Isn’t that the last thing your grandmother gave you?"

Aurora didn’t even bat an eyelid at Lily’s words. Her focus remained entirely on the contract, her smirk deepening.

So this was their game.

The document was a legally binding agreement that would sever all ties between her and Helen Smith, her grandmother. More importantly, it stated that Aurora willingly forfeited any inheritance and would never make any claims in the future.

Aurora’s fingers tightened slightly on the edges of the paper. Her eyes gleamed with a sharp glint.

Why?

As much as she could recall from the original Aurora’s memories, she and her grandmother had lived a simple, almost impoverished life in the mountains. They had no wealth, no assets—nothing of value. So what inheritance were they so desperate to keep from her?

Luna’s mind raced.

Something wasn’t adding up.

If there was truly nothing, why go through all this trouble?

Her smirk widened, but this time, it was laced with cold amusement.

She slowly placed the contract down on the coffee table and leaned back against the couch, crossing one leg over the other.

With an arched brow, she looked up at Lily and Veronica, whose faces were still painted with smugness, oblivious to the fact that the tides had already shifted.

"You seem awfully desperate for my signature, Mrs. Smith," Aurora mused, her tone light, almost playful. "Makes me wonder—what exactly are you hiding?"

She glanced at the stupefied expressions of both mother and daughter, amusement flickering in her eyes. Smirking, Aurora turned on her heels, the document in hand, and walked away without a second glance.

Lily’s heart clenched with panic as she watched Aurora rise from her seat. Had she somehow deciphered the contents of the contract? But how? That was impossible! She had ensured Aurora remained an illiterate fool all these years.

Her nails dug into her palms as rage bubbled beneath her skin. That wretched girl should have been dead long ago! If not for her usefulness, Lily would have long disposed of her.

"Where the hell do you think you’re going, bitch?" Lily’s voice was sharp with desperation. "Sign that agreement now, or you won’t be leaving this villa!"

Aurora’s lips curled into a smirk as she met Lily’s furious gaze. She didn’t bother to respond—Lily’s threats were nothing more than desperate barks.

She resumed her steps, but before she could reach the door, a dozen black-clad bodyguards emerged from the shadows, swiftly surrounding her.

Lily sneered, her voice dripping with malice. "Bitch! If you don’t sign, you won’t leave this compound!" she spat, her eyes glinting with sinister intent. Even if she did sign, it wouldn’t matter—Lily had already decided her fate.

Now that Aurora was divorced from Alexander, she was nothing. No one would come looking for her. Lily could do as she pleased. A twisted smile curled on her lips as she declared, "I’ll make good use of your pathetic life. Guards! Seize her and lock her in the basement. Mr. Harrison is expecting his gift tonight."

"Hah, this bitch..." Lily scoffed, crossing her arms as she watched Aurora with contempt.

Everyone knew what Mr. Harrison was like—it was an open secret among the elite. His twisted desires and unspeakable fetishes were the kind that made even the most ruthless shudder.

Lily smirked in satisfaction. "Now that she’ll be dead by tomorrow, there’s no need for that contract anymore."

Veronica stood at the corner, her lips curling into a wicked smirk as amusement flickered in her eyes. Her arms crossed over her chest, and she barely contained the laughter bubbling within her.

This wretched bitch will finally get what she deserves tonight, she mused, watching Aurora with sheer delight. Hahaha... I wonder what kind of twisted desires Mr. Harrison has to even take an interest in her. She isn’t even beautiful to begin with! What man in his right mind would want her as a mistress?

The thought alone filled her with glee. After years of watching Aurora exist like an unwanted pest in the Smith family, tonight would mark the end of her. Once Mr. Harrison was done with her, Aurora would be nothing more than a broken doll, discarded like trash. And that thought alone was enough to make Veronica’s heart swell with satisfaction.

Aurora stood calmly, her eyes gleaming with cold amusement as the guards lunged toward her. With a swift flick of her wrists, a sharp force sliced through the air. One by one, the black-clad men collapsed, groaning in pain, their limbs rendered useless before they could even touch her.

If one with keen observation and specialized in martial arts looked closely, they would notice thin silver needles plunged precisely into a critical nerve point at their necks.

Lily and Veronica watched in horror as their so-called elite guards dropped like lifeless puppets, their bodies twitching on the ground.

Veronica clutched Lily’s arm, her voice trembling. "M-Mother... what is this? What did she just do?"

Lily’s face contorted with rage, but beneath it, a flicker of fear surfaced. "You useless fools! You can’t even handle a single girl?!" she screeched, her voice shrill with disbelief.

Meanwhile, Aurora stood amidst the fallen men, her expression calm, almost bored. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze landing on Lily with an icy smirk.

"Is that all?" she mused, dusting off her sleeves as if dealing with them had been nothing more than a mild inconvenience.

Aurora turned around, and with a swift flick of her wrist, she delivered two sharp slaps to Veronica, the sound echoing through the hall. Before Veronica could react, Aurora grabbed her by the hair and yanked her toward the large aquarium in the living room.

With a ruthless grip, she plunged Veronica’s head into the cold water, her voice dripping with mockery. "Well, mother dearest," Aurora drawled, watching Lily’s panicked expression, "if you don’t want your precious daughter to suffer more, don’t mess with me."

Veronica thrashed, bubbles rising as she struggled, but Aurora’s grip remained firm—just enough to instill fear without letting her drown.

With a swift move, Aurora appeared in front of Lily, her hand raised mid-air. Lily instinctively staggered backward, fear flashing across her face as she anticipated a slap.

Aurora chuckled, amused by the terror in Lily’s eyes. Instead of striking her, she reached out leisurely, tucking a stray strand of hair behind Lily’s ear in a deceptively gentle gesture. Leaning in close, she whispered something, her voice low and chilling.

Lily’s body trembled, her face draining of color. Without sparing her another glance, Aurora straightened and turned away, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. She strode across the living room, her presence suffocating, before making her way toward the basement of the villa.