Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 396: Reputations crumbled overnight

[Flashback]

"You know what you have to do, Collin," Roseline whispered, her lips barely moving as she passed by him. "Just get the girl lured away while I keep everyone busy."

Collin, disguised neatly as one of the waiters, gave a subtle nod. His uniform blended perfectly with the chaos of the evening—trays clinking, children laughing, adults chatting over wine. No one paid him a second glance.

It was Kathrine’s fifth birthday.

The mansion was alive in a way it rarely was. Balloons floated everywhere, colorful streamers hung from the chandeliers, and the lawn was filled with children and their parents—invited personally by Hugo. Kathrine was his only child, his entire world. After losing his wife, he had made a silent vow to be everything for her—mother, father, protector.

"Daddy!" Kathrine’s excited voice cut through the noise as she ran toward Hugo, nearly tripping over her dress. "Look what Uncle Gorge brought me!"

She held up the gift proudly.

Hugo bent down, smiling warmly as he took a look before his eyes lifted to the man standing behind her. Gorge stood there awkwardly, hands clasped behind his back, his expression polite but hopeful.

"Did you like the gift, young miss?" Gorge asked gently.

Kathrine nodded enthusiastically. "I love it!"

It was a Barbie set—simple, not nearly as extravagant as the gifts piled up nearby. But it didn’t matter. To Kathrine, it was special. It was from Uncle Gorge. Her favorite.

She hugged the box to her chest and ran off to show the other children.

Hugo watched her go, then turned back to Gorge. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

Gorge smiled, relief softening his features, and turned to leave.

That was when Fredrick’s voice sliced through the moment.

"Why would you let your daughter even hang around people like him?" Fredrick scoffed loudly, his tone dripping with disdain. "We don’t let servants get that close to our family."

Gorge froze.

The words landed like a slap.

Hugo straightened immediately, his smile gone. "He isn’t just anyone, Fredrick," he said sharply. "He is one of my most trusted men. Family." His gaze hardened. "Next time, think twice before speaking like that."

Fredrick muttered something under his breath and walked away.

Gorge stood still for a second, then a quiet smile made its way onto his lips. It wasn’t pride—it was gratitude. He nodded once to Hugo and finally walked off.

"Gorge."

He stopped.

Roseline stood a few steps away, her expression pleasant, professional. Hugo’s secretary. Always composed. Always watching.

"Aren’t your wife and son coming for the party?" she asked lightly.

Gorge frowned. He had never liked her. There was something about the way she spoke—too knowing, too familiar. But Hugo trusted her, and that alone kept Gorge polite.

"They couldn’t make it," he replied briefly.

Roseline smiled. "That’s a shame. Family moments are so important, don’t you think?"

Before he could answer, she turned away, already distracted by another guest.

Gorge watched her leave, unease creeping into his chest for reasons he couldn’t explain.

Across the lawn, Collin moved quietly, eyes fixed on Kathrine as she laughed with the other children—completely unaware of the shadows closing in.

And Roseline? She stood next to Hugo, smiling, greeting guests, keeping everyone busy—just as she had promised.

The music played on. No one noticed the moment everything began to go wrong.

***

"So," Ester’s voice chimed in smoothly, cutting through Roseline’s thoughts, "what did Hugo say? Is he finally ready to accept you?"

Roseline turned sharply, brows knitting together. "What are you talking about?"

Ester laughed, a knowing, almost amused sound. "Oh, don’t give me that look. You and I both know you have a crush on Hugo."

Roseline stiffened. "That’s ridiculous."

"Is it?" Ester tilted her head, eyes gleaming with mischief. "I’ve seen the way you look at him. The stolen glances. The way you suddenly straighten when he walks into the room." She smirked. "You might not say it out loud, Roseline, but you’re terrible at hiding it."

Roseline opened her mouth to deny it, then stopped. There was no point. Ester always noticed more than she let on.

"I used to think Hugo would never move on from Grace," Ester continued casually, circling Roseline like a predator enjoying its advantage. "She was... irreplaceable. Or so everyone believed."

Roseline’s fingers curled slightly at her sides.

"But look at him now," Ester went on, her voice lowering. "He’s changing. Smiling again. Attending business events. Expanding deals. His company is soaring higher than ever."

She paused deliberately. "And I can tell you exactly why."

Roseline’s gaze snapped to her. "You’re imagining things."

Ester chuckled. "Am I? Or are you just uncomfortable with being seen?"

She leaned closer, her tone dripping with mock admiration. "You’re always there, Roseline. Managing things quietly. Supporting him. Filling the spaces Grace left behind—without ever demanding the title."

Roseline swallowed. "I’m his secretary. Nothing more."

"For now," Ester corrected lightly. "But Hugo doesn’t treat you like the other women, does he? Not like those desperate socialites throwing themselves at him, hoping to become the second Mrs. Bennett."

Roseline looked away.

Ester smiled wider. "See? Even you know it."

"No, I am not," Roseline said sharply, the words tumbling out faster than she intended. "And there is nothing going on. I am here to work. That’s it."

She didn’t wait for a response.

Roseline turned on her heel and walked away, her back straight, her pace controlled—too controlled. She refused to give Ester the satisfaction of seeing even a crack in her composure. If Ester looked closely enough, she might see hesitation. Or worse, truth.

Behind her, Ester watched every step.

And then she smiled.

A slow, knowing smirk curved her lips as Roseline disappeared into the crowd. "There is no way I can’t see through you, Roseline," Ester muttered under her breath. "You’re just better at lying to yourself than you are to others."

Her gaze drifted lazily across the room before settling on Fredrick.

He stood near the bar, nursing a drink that had long gone untouched, his expression tight, bitter. Ever since Hugo had returned with a bang, Fredrick’s world had shifted in ways he despised. Deals that once came easily now slipped through his fingers. Investors compared him—unfavorably. Whispers followed him into rooms he once dominated.

Hugo Bennett was thriving.

And Fredrick was being left behind.

Ester’s fingers tightened around her clutch. She hated that imbalance. Hated watching Hugo reclaim his power while her husband struggled to keep up. Success looked good on Hugo—too good. It made people forget his vulnerabilities. Forget his grief. Forget how easily trust could be weaponized against him.

But Ester hadn’t forgotten.

Scandals had a way of leveling the playing field.

She glanced back in the direction Roseline had gone, her smile sharpening. "Today," she murmured, "I will find a way to expose you."

Her eyes flicked between Roseline’s retreating figure and Fredrick’s brooding stance. "After all, who doesn’t thrive on a scandal—especially one that benefits us?"

The idea settled comfortably in her mind, taking shape with every passing second. Hugo didn’t need to fall financially. No, that would take too long.

But reputations?

Reputations crumbled overnight.

And Ester knew exactly what would make people look at Hugo Bennett differently—what would make them whisper, doubt, and finally turn away.