Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 314: I’ve already found a way

"There isn’t much I could dig up," Shawn admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Except for one thing. Daniel’s aunt will be visiting him soon."

He relayed what he had overheard Henry informing Daniel about, his tone casual but careful.

Shawn might work at Glorious International, but first and foremost, he was Anna’s friend. Being close to Daniel was never his end goal. What Anna had really hoped for was insight into Daniel’s past, the parts no one spoke about.

Anna fell silent, her thoughts drifting to a name Mariam had once mentioned. Aunt Norma.

Maybe she’s the one, Anna thought.

"I was lucky to overhear them at all," Shawn continued. "And honestly, there’s barely anything about Daniel that anyone knows. Henry is the only one who’s been with him since he rose to power. If someone holds answers, it’s him."

Anna pressed her lips into a thin line. Shawn was right. Even in her past life, Henry had been the only one allowed close to Daniel. Closer than anyone in business. Closer than anyone in his personal life, except Mariam.

Henry knew the empire.

He knew the man.

And he knew exactly how dangerous it was to cross him.

Anna had hoped Shawn might uncover something more, something hidden. But once again, she hit the same wall.

Betty noticed her sudden silence and leaned forward. "Big sis, why are you trying to learn about Mr. Clafford from the outside? You could just ask him. I’m sure he’d tell you anything."

Anna looked at her and offered a weak smile. "If only it were that easy," she said softly. "But things with Daniel are never simple. Not when it comes to his past."

She could feel it. Daniel had loved his parents deeply, and their loss had carved wounds that never truly healed. Touching that subject meant risking a side of him that still bled.

She exhaled, then straightened.

"Anyway," Anna said, her tone shifting abruptly, all softness disappearing. She turned to Shawn, her gaze sharp. "There’s something else I need to ask you. And this time—no lying."

Shawn stiffened and gulped.

"Are you sure Daniel only wanted you to warn me about the threat?" Anna asked, not bothering to soften her words. She had never been one to circle around questions, especially not when her instincts were already screaming at her.

No matter how simple it sounded, she knew Shawn knew more than Daniel had chosen to tell her.

Ever since Shawn had started working for her, his loyalty had never wavered. Hiding things from Anna was not something he did lightly. But Daniel was equally firm when it came to certain matters, especially Collin. And that put Shawn in a position he did not like being in.

"Yes," Shawn replied after a brief pause. "That was the only reason." He tilted his head slightly. "Why are you doubtful?"

He kept his voice steady, his expression carefully neutral. And somehow, he managed to pull it off.

Anna studied him for a long moment, her eyes lingering on his face, searching for cracks, for hesitation. Finding none, she finally sighed and leaned back.

"You know why," she said quietly. "I always doubt him. Daniel can be unpredictable at times, even when he’s trying to protect me. Especially then." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Shawn mentally released a silent breath of relief. ’So she’s trusting her instinct, not suspecting me. Phew’

He did not say much after that, only nodded in agreement. The last thing he wanted was to become the wedge between them. Whatever Daniel was hiding, Shawn believed it was his place to decide when and how Anna would learn about Collin.

Some truths, after all, were dangerous not because they were lies, but because they were revealed too soon.

***

Meanwhile, after waiting for hours for Daniel to show up, Fiona was left humiliated yet again when he left the building without even sparing her a glance.

It had been a while since she started trying to get Daniel Clafford’s attention. At first, it had been her father’s insistence, a calculated move meant to secure influence. But somewhere along the way, it had become personal. Daniel intrigued her.

He was powerful, commanding, and everything women dreamed of. And she wanted him.

Yet every time their paths crossed, she was met with indifference at best and humiliation at worst. A cold shoulder. A dismissal. As if she were invisible.

Last night had been the final blow. He had not even bothered to see her, not once. Instead, he had walked away, taking Anna with him, leaving Fiona to wait like a fool until dawn.

That realization burned the most.

His attention was not divided. It was claimed.

"What magic has that woman cast on him," Fiona muttered bitterly, her nails digging into her palm, "that he cannot even see the beauty willing to fall into his arms... willing to warm his bed?"

Jealousy twisted sharply in her chest, hardening into resentment. This was no longer about business. It was about pride. And Fiona Stewart was not used to losing—especially not to Anna.

"I must find another way," Fiona muttered to herself as she leaned back against the couch and closed her eyes.

Her determination had not vanished, but exhaustion finally seeped in. For once, she needed a pause, a moment to breathe and collect herself. Yet it seemed that not only Daniel but fate itself had decided to turn against her.

"Fiona, why do you never answer my calls?"

The sharp voice cut through the quiet as Ester stormed into the house, stopping short when she saw her daughter sprawled on the couch, eyes closed, clearly avoiding her.

"Mom, please don’t start again," Fiona groaned without opening her eyes. "I already know what you’re going to say. Yes, I drank too much. Yes, it was irresponsible. Venus filled me in on everything, so can we please be done with this?"

Ester studied her closely. Fiona looked drained, her usual confidence dulled by fatigue and frustration. Still, Ester felt a flicker of relief knowing her daughter had not passed out or landed herself in worse trouble.

She sighed, her anger softening just a little. "You can’t keep doing this to yourself," Ester said quietly. "Running yourself into the ground won’t change anything."

Fiona finally opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling. "I know," she replied, her voice low. "And trust me, I’ve already found a way."

"A way?" Ester frowned, trying to understand what Fiona meant.

Fiona paused and finally looked at her mother, catching the curiosity written all over her face. If she told her the full truth, she knew Ester would try to stop her immediately. That alone was reason enough to be careful.

"I decided to meet Daniel," Fiona said evenly, watching her mother closely. "To request him to spare us."

Ester’s expression flickered, concern and disbelief crossing her face.

"Yesterday I went to Glorious International to meet him," Fiona continued. "But he was in a meeting and asked me to come another day."

"You went to meet him?" Ester asked, stunned.

"Yes," Fiona replied without hesitation. "And I’m sure once I talk to him properly, he won’t let us fall into complete ruin."

Her confidence made Ester’s stomach twist. This was not just about Fredrick anymore. Fiona had her own agenda now, and that worried her far more.

Ester fell silent, her thoughts spiraling. She had her own plans, her own ways of ending their misery, and Fiona’s sudden determination threatened to derail all of it.

Fiona noticed the change immediately, the distant look in her mother’s eyes. "Don’t worry, Mom," she said, softer now. "I’m not doing anything reckless. I won’t get us into trouble."

Ester forced a small nod, though unease lingered.

Meanwhile, Fiona leaned back, her lips curving faintly, her resolve hardening.

Daniel Clafford won’t ignore me forever, she promised herself.

***

Now that the shooting had wrapped up, Ethan finally had a short break to himself. Unfortunately for him, his mother had other plans. Resting was apparently unacceptable when he could instead be taken out on a date with Kathrine.

"I still don’t understand how she even fell for a man like you," Stephane had remarked bluntly earlier. "Do you even know how to woo a woman? I’m convinced it’s Kathrine who’s doing all the hard work, tolerating your tantrums."

The memory alone was enough to send Kathrine into another fit of laughter.

"Hahaha... y-your mother is really funny," she said, her voice echoing inside the car as she tried, and failed, to calm herself.

Ethan groaned from the driver’s seat. "Funny is one word for it. Brutal is another."

"But still, she’s cute," Kathrine said, unable to stop herself from appreciating Stephane’s sharp sense of sarcasm.

Ethan, however, remained in the driver’s seat with a faint scowl, clearly still nursing the verbal bruises his mother had so generously delivered.

Then, without warning, Kathrine yelped.

"Wait—pull over!"

Ethan slammed his foot on the brake, shooting her a startled look. "What? Why?"

Kathrine was already unbuckling her seatbelt, leaning forward as she stared out the window with sudden urgency.