Once Rejected, Now Rising Chapter 05

Once Rejected, Now Rising Chapter 05

The news of the prison fire reached Rinaldo while he was in a 

meeting. 

He shot up from his chair. “Nerissa?! She’s still inside!” 

Grabbing his car keys, he was about to dash out when Azura grabbed his arm. 

“Where are you going?” 

“She’s an adult. Hands, feet, alive and kicking, if there was a fire, wouldn’t she run out herself? There are so many guards. How could they deliberately keep her trapped?” 

Azura shook his sleeve lightly. “Honestly, I think she did it on purpose. She knew she’d pissed you off and wanted to make a scene, so you’d feel sorry and rush to save her, forgive her. It’s a classic pity ploy. Rinaldo, don’t you see it?” 

His steps faltered, his panic slowly fading into a dark, 

brooding irritation. 

He sat back down and rubbed his forehead. 

Azura slid onto the armrest of his chair, draping herself softly 

around him. 

“Rinaldo, stop worrying about her. When will that fake marriage certificate become real? I want it legitimate, you 

know.” 

Rinaldo stiffened, turning his head toward her flushed, near face, but there was no warmth in his gaze. 

He lifted a hand, pinching Azura’s chin. 

“Azura, I’ve been clear with you. I cooperate with you, I play along in front of others, I indulge your vanity, but marriage?” 

He let out a sneer and released his hand. 

“I love Nerissa. This life, the next life, all of it, she’s the one. Don’t even dream about it.” 

Azura’s smile faltered briefly, but she quickly recovered, even sweeter than before. She didn’t argue, didn’t cling, just slid off the armrest and adjusted her dress. 

“Alright, alright. Got it, You only have eyes for her.” 

She linked her arm through his, chirping, “Shall we go home? I bought new pajamas, black, you’ll love them. I’ll model them for you, okay?” 

Rinaldo, drawn along by her, seemed distracted. 

At the door, he couldn’t resist pulling out his phone, quickly typing a message: [Where are you? Are you okay?] 

No reply. 

Even after he drove a long distance, the screen remained dark. 

Azura snuggled closer, her fingers tracing circles on his chest, 

whispering, but he didn’t register a word. 

Where was Nerissa? What was she doing? Could the fire have hurt her? Was she trapped? Would the guards have left her behind to save themselves? 

One thought after another popped up uncontrollably. 

His grip on the steering wheel tightened. 

“Rinaldo, what’s wrong? Your palms are sweaty,” Azura 

asked, voice concerned. 

He snapped out of it, suppressing the strange panic, forcing a dry smile. “Nothing. Just… warm.” 

He pressed the accelerator, but he still stole glances at the 

silent phone. 

The car hadn’t gone far before a patrol vehicle intercepted 

them. 

The officer knocked on the window, showing credentials, tone firm, “Ms. Azura Crowe, please step out and come with us to 

the station.” 

Rinaldo frowned. “What’s going on?” 

“There’s been a prison fire. Preliminary investigation suggests arson. Witnesses and surveillance indicate Ms. Crowe as the prime suspect.”