Chapter 9 At Ganja City International Convention Center , the grand finale launch event for Rebirth was underway . I stood backstage , peering through the curtain at the packed auditorium . Today wasn't just a book launch . Not only was this the grand finale for my new novel , but I knew some " old friends " would show up . " Nervous ? " Xavier walked up beside me , handing me a glass of water . He wore a navy - blue suit that accentuated his tall frame , paired with the tie I'd casually complimented last time . " Just a little . " I took the glass , and as our fingers brushed , a subtle electric tingle ran down my spine . " Is everything ready ? " Xavier nodded , his gaze steady . " Press , security , evidence . They are all covered . " He paused . " You sure about this ? " I knew what he meant . Today wasn't just a book launch . It was the final act of a revenge four years in the making . Time to end it . " Absolutely ." I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear . " Some things just need closure . " Xavier didn't argue . He just gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze and said , " I'm always here for you . " Those simple words made my eyes sting . For four years , no matter what I decided , Xavier had always said those same words . From the quiet senior who'd watched over me at Harverd University . To the publisher who'd shaped me into a bestselling author , he'd always stayed , never overstepping , never leaving . " Five minutes , Ms. Bailey ! " My assistant Lynn hurried over . " Ms. Bailey , there are some suspicious people outside ... " I smiled . " Let them in . Anyone who bought a ticket is welcome . " Lynn hesitated , glancing at Xavier for guidance . When he gave a slight shake of his head , she quietly stepped away . Taking a deep breath , I stepped onto the stage . Spotlights hit me instantly , camera flashes erupting like fireworks . 55 vouchers My tailored white suit and blood - red lips mirrored the girl in the black dress who'd once stunned the graduation ball four years ago . " Thank you all for coming to the grand finale launch of Rebirth tonight ." I stood at the microphone , my voice clear and steady . " This book tells a story of rebirth . But today , I'll share what wasn't written ." The audience fell silent , everyone holding their breath in anticipation . My gaze swept slowly across the auditorium in the third row , I spotted Jeremiah , trying to stay inconspicuous under a baseball cap , with Sarah beside him , her makeup garishly thick . Then , in the far comer of the last row , a scruffy , unshaven man was glaring at me with burning intensity . It was Carson . Cast complete . " Four years ago , I was just a student at Ganja City High School " I opened my book . " Back then , I was so foolish , so blind , pathetic for love . " P. Chapter 9 Light laughter rippled ; someone yelled , " Go easy on yourself , Ms. Bailey ! " 55 vouchers " I was obsessed with a boy who never loved me back ," I said calmly , as if recounting someone else's story . " I gave up my studies , my future , even my very self for him . Later , I realized it was all an elaborate scheme . " The room gradually fell silent as everyone sensed the shift in atmosphere . " Clara ! " A shrill voice cut through . " You're lying ! " Sarah stood , her caked foundation threatening to crack at any moment . Dressed in a garish sequined dress , she stood out like a sore thumb among the well - dressed readers . The security guards started toward her , but I raised a restraining hand . " Something to share ? " " Everything in your book is a lie ! " Sarah shrieked hysterically , waving her arms wildly . " You seduced Carson ! You set us up . I've got proof ! " She yanked a battered notebook from her bag . The very same forged " secret diary " from four years ago . I smiled . " Sarah . Four years , and you haven't changed . Turning to the audience , I said , " Most of you probably don't know this lady . Her name is Sarah . She was my senior back in high school , and the real - life inspiration for the ' hypocritical innocent ' character in my book ." The audience erupted in shocked murmurs . Sarah's face turned ashen . She clearly hadn't expected me to expose her so directly . " You ... you liar ! " Sarah stammered , her voice trembling , " It was you ... " " Me ? What ? " I cut her off sharply . " Me exposing your plot with Jeremiah to manipulate Carson and me ? Me leaking your affairs with three sugar daddies ? " Sarah froze on the spot . I signaled to the control booth , and the sound system blared a recording from four years ago . " That idiot Carson is so easy to manipulate ," Sarah's smug voice rang out . " Don't get cocky . " Jeremiah said coldly , " The more Clara loves him , the smoother our plan will go . " The recording continued , detailing how they schemed to exploit my feelings and seize control of the Collins Group , Camera flashes erupted from the press pit , flooding the venue with blinding light . " Fake ! All edited ! " Sarah shrieked hysterically . She lunged for the stage , but security blocked her . She struggled wildly , her wig slipping to the side , revealing a thinning hairline . " You ruined my marriage ! You made me lose everything ! " I looked down at her , almost pitying . " Your husband went bankrupt because he embezzled funds to gamble . That had nothing to do with me . " I paused . " Though I did arrange the tip - off to the police ." Sarah froze in shock , then crumpled to the ground . Just then , Carson suddenly stood up from the back row , stumbling toward the stage . "Clara ! I was wrong ! I know I messed up ! " He reeked of alcohol , his shirt wrinkled , a far cry from the campus heartthrob he once was . 2/5 P Chapter 9 0 Security immediately grabbed him , but he dropped to his knees , sobbing . " I've regretted it every single day for the past four Please , give me another chance ... " The crowd erupted in shocked murmurs as reporters immediately turned their cameras toward the spectacle . I stared blankly at the man who once haunted my dreams , feeling nothing . 55 vouchers years ... " Carson , " I said calmly , " You know what disgusts me most about you ? It's not your betrayal . It's that you always think you deserve forgiveness . " He looked up , face streaked with snot and tears . It was utterly pathetic . " Get up . " A cold voice cut through the noise from the third row . Jeremiah removed his cap , revealing a face still handsome but now dark with anger . " Stop embarrassing yourself ." Carson gaped at Jeremiah before suddenly exploding in rage . " You ! This is all your fault ! If you and Sarah hadn't set Clara up ... " " Shut up ! " { " Shut up ! " Jeremiah snapped , then turned to me , his voice softening unnaturally . " Clara , can we talk alone ? There's so much I need to say ... " I nearly applauded his masterful performance . He always knew when to be ruthless and when to play weak . " Talk about what ? " I raised an eyebrow . " How you married the Smith heiress for your family's sake but still texted me late at night ? " I gestured to the control booth , and the screen lit up with a series of text message screenshots . " Or how you spent four years leaving bad reviews on all my books ? " Jeremiah's face went pale . He hadn't expected me to know that . " Oh , right , " I added . " Isn't your wife filing for divorce ? I heard she found those ... special interest videos on your computer . " The crowd gasped . Jeremiah's mask finally shattered , his eyes burning with hatred . " You bitch ! I should've ... " " What ? " A deep male voice cut him off . Xavier had suddenly appeared beside me , holding a file . He said , " Kill her ? Like your father killed her mother ? " The room fell dead silent . I stared at Xavier , stunned . What was he talking about ? Xavier opened the file and pulled out a faded photograph . " Clara Bailey , originally named Clara Collins , is the illegitimate daughter of Diego and Ellie . " His icy gaze locked onto Jeremiah . " Which makes her your cousin ." The bomb dropped . The room exploded in noise . Jeremiah staggered back , blood draining from his face . " No ... that's impossible ... " " Twenty - four y r years ago , Diego had an affair with his secretar Ellie . They had a child , Clara . " Xavier continued , " The Collins family couldn't accept it . A ' tragic fire ' killed Ellie , and the baby was sent to an orphanage . " My mind went completely blank . God , so was my marriage to Jeremiah in my previous life incestuous from the very start ? No wonder he always kept his distance after we got married ... 875 Chapter 9 " You're lying ! " Jeremiah roared hysterically , his voice cracking . " None of this is true ! " E55 vouchers Xavier calmly displayed more documents . " DNA test results , the original fire investigation report , orphanage adoption records ... Shall I go through them one by one ? " Jeremiah collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut . Sarah stood frozen , seemingly unable to process what was happening . And Carson was laughing . It was a twisted , unhinged grin . " We deserve this ... we deserve it ... " he muttered . He staggered toward the exit , mumbling to himself , " We deserve this ... every bit of it ... " Security swiftly escorted all three out . Reporters shouted questions , cameras flashed , but I couldn't hear anything . My vision blurred , and my body shook uncontrollably . " Let's go . " Xavier pulled me into a protective hold , shielding me as we quickly exited the stage . His car waited at the back exit . He buckled me in but didn't start the engine . " I'm sorry ." His voice was rough . " I should've told you at a better time . " I stared at the neon lights outside the window and suddenly laughed . " So this is why ... you've been watching over me for four years ? " Xavier fell silent for a moment . " My mother was Ellie's best friend . On the day of the fire , she happened to be visiting your family . She saw everything ." His grip tightened on the steering wheel . " On her deathbed , she made me swear to find you and protect you . " - I turned to look at him , the man who had quietly watched over me ever since my rebirth . In his eyes , I saw nothing but guilt and aching tenderness . " Why didn't you tell me sooner ? " " I ... didn't want to get in the way of your revenge . " He smiled bitterly . " And honestly , I was terrified ... terrified that knowing the truth might destroy you . " I reached out and gently cupped Xavier's cheek , feeling it wet with tears . This unshakable man was crying . " Xavier . " I murmured softly , " Do you know what I left out of my book ? " He looked at me , puzzled . " You " 29 I smiled at him . " You were the one sending me editing notes at 3 a.m. You checked every security detail before my signings . And when you learned about my revenge ... " My voice broke with emotion . " You didn't stop me . You just quietly gathered all the evidence I needed ." Xavier's eyes lit up . With trembling hands , he pulled a small velvet box from his pocket . " I ... I planned to do this after the launch event ... " I took the box and opened it myself . Inside was a simple diamond ring , nothing like the gaudy one Jeremiah had given me in my past life . It was understated , elegant ... just like Xavier . " I won't make the wrong choice this time ." I slid the ring onto my finger . It fit perfectly . Xavier was stunned for a moment , then broke into the brightest smile I'd ever seen on him . 4/5 P Chapter 9 He leaned in , kissing my forehead gently . " Welcome home , Clara Collins ." 55 vouchers " No. " I shook my head . " I'm still Clara Bailey . That other name belongs to the past . " Outside , the city lights flickered to life against the darkening sky . " Now , I just want to be me . " The car pulled away , leaving the chaos behind . In the rearview mirror , the glowing skyline looked like a trail of stars , lighting the way forward . This time , I was finally on the right path . The End .