Rebirth Into My Second Chance

Kate Goodwin and Tracey sat in a glass enclosure, their mouths sealed with duct tape and their bodies bound with chains, unable to move even an inch.

From where I stood, the world seemed utterly deranged, completely upside down.

"If I can't save Lily Williams, then I'm going to save them," I said, tears threatening to spill over my cheeks. I thought I had ensured their safety, that Max Hilton had gotten them out. So why were they here?

"Helen, didn't Max make sure they got out safely? When Lily told me to rescue people amidst the chaos, she must have meant them."

Helen gripped my wrist, signaling me to stay calm. "Mr. Hilton would never fail to get them out safely. There must be another reason. You have to trust him."

I did trust Max, but my eyes were telling me a different story.

The auctioneer was a madman, completely deranged. "Ten million to start the bid. You have to bid on both. It's more fun that way."

The bidders were equally insane, driving the price up higher and higher. "Forty million for the pair!"

"Eighty million!"

"A hundred million!"

Just as the numbers reached a ludicrous height, a gunshot rang out, silencing the

room instantly.

Panic ensued. "I don't want to die!"

"My jewelry! Don't step on it!"

"I can't die now; I haven't even spent half my fortune!"

And then it all became clear why Lily was so determined to kill.

I turned to where she was, only to clap a hand over my mouth. Princess Harriet

had killed Lily. She was slumped over the princess's shoulder.

Princess Harriet was a contradiction of emotions, laughing and crying as she clutched Lily's body. "Why did you try to kill me? Why?"

I rushed forward, desperate to take Lily away.

Helen pulled me back. "We have to save the others first."

Somehow, she had orchestrated a plan to free Kate and Tracey, and we made our escape through the chaos, heading for the back exit. In the distance, I saw Max getting into another car.

I needed to talk to him about what had happened today, but then I saw Princess Harriet emerge, sobbing, and throw herself into

swn arms.

I stood there, frozen in shock.

Helen dragged me into a car. "We have to go now, or it'll be too late."

I turned to look at Helen, stunned into silence.

Finally, I understood how Max had managed to move around so freely in that place.

My heart twisted painfully. My sister was dead. She was dead. I had only just found her.

"Claire, say something! What's wrong?"

I had to take care of the Goodwin sisters and comfort my terrified Helen.

I couldn't speak, my mouth open, hands gesturing wildly in a futile attempt to communicate.

It also explained why Helen insisted Maxnoveldrama

Sa Sent the Goodwin sisters

out

the

swakimet

only for them to end auction.

Did he use them to gain the princess's favor?

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And if my sister wanted the princess dead, did Max tell Harriet?

Max hadn't shown up for the entire auction, yet there he was, embracing Princess Harriet at the end.

My world plunged into darkness once more.

"Claire, what's wrong? Don't scare me."

Helen shook me gently. Even the

sisters, initially

staring blankly, all

broken in our own way et

It seemed I had lost the ability to speak.

"Claire, you must have misunderstood something. Please, trust Mr. Hilton. He's

risking everything for you."

I let out a hollow laugh, feeling my eyes betray me again today.

All I could see was darkness.