Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 278: They are the same

"Boss, are you even here?" Henry’s voice cut in when he noticed the grim look settling on Daniel’s face. Sensing the dark clouds gathering, he tried to pull him back before the tension thickened further.

Daniel tilted his head slightly at the concern in Henry’s tone, his expression hardening instead of softening. "Where else would I be?" he replied coolly.

Henry winced at the response, wisely choosing silence as Daniel locked his phone screen and shifted his focus toward Shawn.

"Did you get what I asked for?" Daniel asked, his voice sharp as his gaze landed on him.

Shawn nodded and handed over the file.

Daniel shot him a cautionary look before opening it. As he scanned the contents, a smirk slowly curved his lips. He leaned back in his chair, tapping the file thoughtfully.

"So my doubt was right. Both men are the same," he said calmly.

Henry stiffened. "Boss, should we warn Miss Anna?" he asked, the question immediately capturing Daniel’s attention.

After Ethan’s warning about Anna being watched, Daniel had quietly set the investigation in motion. What lay in front of him now confirmed everything.

The man who had introduced himself as Rupert Maxwell was none other than Collin Fort.

No wonder the address he had provided never matched any records. But the face did.

Daniel studied the two photographs Shawn had compiled, one of Rupert Maxwell and the other of Collin Fort. Side by side, the resemblance was undeniable. The only difference had been the scar, cleverly concealed under makeup in one image.

His smirk faded, replaced by something colder.

"They thought a little makeup would be enough," Daniel said quietly. "Big mistake."

Daniel closed the file and slid it across the desk, his fingers drumming once against the wood before he looked up at Shawn again.

"I don’t want Anna alerted directly," he said calmly. "Not yet."

Henry frowned. "But if she’s being watched—"

"She is," Daniel interrupted, voice steady but dangerous. "Which is exactly why panic isn’t an option."

He turned his attention back to Shawn. "You’re her tracker friend. She trusts you. That makes you the safest route."

Shawn straightened, understanding dawning on his face. "You want me to warn her... casually?"

"Subtly," Daniel corrected. "Like coincidence. Like concern. Nothing that smells like an investigation or protection detail."

Shawn nodded slowly. "I can do that. Maybe bring up odd activity, tell her to stay alert without mentioning names."

"Good," Daniel said, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "No Rupert. No Collin. No scares."

Henry glanced between them. "And meanwhile?"

"Meanwhile," Daniel replied coolly, leaning back, "we dig deeper."

His gaze dropped briefly to the photos again. "Collin Fort didn’t resurface under a fake identity just to admire Anna from afar. And Bennett doesn’t hide connections unless they’re worth hiding."

Shawn hesitated. "You think they’re working together."

"No," Daniel said evenly, "... but their relationship is buried for a reason."

He looked up again, eyes sharp. "And I want to know exactly what it is before they realize we’re onto them."

Shawn nodded once more. "I’ll reach out to Anna. Keep it natural."

Daniel gave a brief, approving nod and watched him leave.

Meanwhile, Henry remained rooted to the spot, clearly hesitant to leave.

Daniel noticed immediately. "What is it?" he asked, voice measured. "You have something to say."

Henry swallowed. "Boss... your aunt called me today."

The moment those words left his mouth, Daniel’s expression turned ice cold.

He had been avoiding her calls for weeks now, keeping any updates minimal and distant. It had been intentional. Calculated. But the fact that she had gone through Henry instead of him told Daniel exactly what kind of pressure was coming.

Ignoring her any longer was no longer an option.

"What did she say?" Daniel asked, his jaw clenched tight enough to ache.

He was not ready. Not ready to introduce Anna to Aunt Norman. Especially knowing how displeased she already was with his decision to marry Anna instead of her sister. The thought alone made his temples throb. Now, with her suddenly curious enough about his life to reach his assistant, Daniel could not help but wonder what she was planning.

Henry cleared his throat. "She asked me to pass along a message. She said she would be visiting you soon at the family house. And she expects you not to ignore her calls for the time being."

Daniel remained still, his face schooled into calm. Only he realized that he had been holding his breath the entire time.

Slowly, he exhaled.

"Alright," he said, giving a single nod. There was no argument in his tone, no visible reaction.

He dismissed Henry with a brief gesture.

Once the door closed behind him, Daniel leaned back in his chair, eyes darkening.

A visit from Aunt Norman was never casual.

And the timing was far too deliberate for comfort.

***

[Bennett Household]

Roseline lay back against the pillows, still recovering from surgery, but rest refused to come. Her body might have been healing, yet her mind was trapped in a constant spiral of fear.

The news about Kira’s death replayed endlessly in her head.

The police had ruled it a suicide. Clean. Simple. Convenient.

But the forensic report said otherwise. Kira had been tortured before she died.

And still, there were no signs of forced entry. No struggle. No witnesses. Not a single lead.

Roseline’s fingers trembled as they tightened around the blanket. A shaky breath escaped her lips as the truth settled heavily in her chest.

Collin.

There was no doubt in her mind. He had hired the girl, used her without mercy, and once her purpose was served, discarded her like she meant nothing. Just another loose end he could not afford.

Fear crawled up her spine.

If he could do that to Kira, what would stop him from doing the same to anyone else who got in his way?

Roseline’s thoughts immediately drifted to Anna, and her stomach twisted painfully. Even if she knew the full truth, even if she wanted to scream it out loud, she could not. Not when she knew Collin would not hesitate to retaliate.

He had already made sure she understood that.

Her nails dug into her palm as tears stung her eyes. But I can’t let him destroy everyone’s life, she told herself desperately.

The thought barely had time to settle before his threat echoed in her mind, cold and merciless, crushing whatever strength she tried to gather.

Roseline turned her face toward the window, blinking rapidly.

She was trapped.

And for the first time, she was painfully aware that silence might cost lives, but speaking could cost even more.

A sudden knock at the door pulled Roseline out of her thoughts.

Before she could respond, the maid stepped inside. "Ma’am, Anna is here to see you."

Roseline’s eyes widened in surprise. For a brief moment, worry flickered across her face, but the second she saw her daughter step into the room, her expression softened. She quickly masked her unease and offered a weak smile.

"I thought you were shooting today," Roseline said gently, watching Anna walk in and settle into the chair across from her.

"I was," Anna replied with a small smile. "But since it’s lunch break, I thought I’d come check on you."

She did not mention the real reason.

Kathrine had told her earlier that Roseline had been unusually quiet since the attack. Too quiet. It worried Anna, especially knowing how such things could affect recovery. Taking even a little time out of her schedule felt necessary.

Anna leaned forward slightly, studying her mother’s face with concern. "How are you feeling today?"

Roseline nodded slowly, still holding onto her smile, though Anna could sense the effort behind it. But for now, seeing her daughter seemed to lift something, if only a little.

"I’m fine," Roseline said softly. "Better, now that you’re here."

Anna relaxed back into her chair, unaware of the storm her presence had stirred inside Roseline, who was fighting the urge to both hold her close and warn her away from dangers she could not yet name.

"I heard what happened with the girl," Roseline said suddenly, her voice cutting through the quiet room.

Anna looked up at once. There was no shock on her face, only calm attentiveness. If anything, the fact that her mother brought it up reassured her. Roseline sounded present. Aware. Not fragile in the way Kathrine had implied.

"I figured you would," Anna replied gently.

As she studied her mother now, really looked at her, Anna realized something felt off. Roseline did not look withdrawn. Nor broken. Tired, yes. Still healing, absolutely. But not the silent, distant woman Kathrine had described.

It dawned on her then.

Kathrine had pushed her to come.

Just like yesterday, when Kathrine had shown up on set unexpectedly. Just like now, nudging Anna into her mother’s room under the guise of concern.

Anna’s fingers curled slightly in her lap as the realization settled.

She met Roseline’s eyes again, softer this time. "Are you okay, Mom?" she asked, more carefully.

Roseline hesitated for just a fraction of a second before nodding. "I am," she said. Then, after a pause, "I didn’t want you worrying."

"I know, but I want you to be careful, mom," her words drew Roseline’s attention, and the look in her eyes made her heart tighten in pain.