Rebirth: A Second chance at life-Chapter 49: Crisis.

Veronica made her way downstairs, her empty water jug in hand, when the sharp sound of raised voices stopped her in her tracks. She instinctively clutched the jug tighter, her brows furrowing as she strained to listen.

Her father, Stephen Smith, was shouting, his voice filled with rare fury, while Lily’s choked sobs echoed through the hallway.

Veronica stood frozen, shock washing over her. This was only the second time in all these years that she had witnessed a fight between them.

Her father was not the type of man to lose his temper over household matters. He was a composed and sophisticated businessman, always detached from domestic disputes.

No matter what happened, he usually let Lily handle things and gave in to her whims. Yet today, he had slapped Lily and was furiously berating her. Veronica couldn’t believe her eyes. What was happening? What could have possibly pushed him to this point?

The tension in his voice, the fury in his words, and Lily’s desperate, choked sobs made it clear—this was no ordinary argument. Something serious was happening.

Veronica’s heart pounded as unease settled in her chest. She needed to find out what was going on.

Veronica’s heartbeat quickened as she pieced together fragments of their conversation. They weren’t just fighting about Aurora. They were talking about the Smith Group.

Her grip on the jug tightened. Was something wrong with the company? Was this crisis bigger than she realized? A wave of unease settled over her. If her father was this enraged, then whatever was happening had to be serious.

She placed the jug on the dining table, her mind heavy with unease, before making her way upstairs toward the study. Her heart pounded in her chest as she approached the door, the muffled sounds of her mother’s quiet sobs still audible from within.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked hesitantly before pushing the door open. free𝑤ebnovel.com

The sight before her made her stomach drop. Lily was sprawled on the floor, her body trembling as she clutched her cheek, which was swollen and marked with clear fingerprints. Her eyes were red and filled with unshed tears, her lips quivering as she tried to suppress her sobs.

Veronica’s gaze flickered to her father. Stephen stood by his desk, his face twisted in anger, his fingers still curled into fists as though he was barely restraining himself. The air in the room was suffocating, thick with tension.

A chill ran down her spine.

"Mom... Dad... what happened?" she asked, her voice unsteady as she stepped inside.

Seeing Veronica enter, Stephen’s anger eased slightly. She was his precious daughter—the one he took pride in.

Talented, intelligent, and capable of handling business affairs, she was everything he had hoped for in an heir.

More importantly, she had Alexander by her side, a connection that strengthened the Smith family’s influence.

But even with her presence, the weight of the crisis still loomed over him. His face remained dark, his mind racing with thoughts of the Smith Group’s downfall.

"Ver... our company is in crisis," Stephen said, his voice heavy with frustration. "It seems the Harrisons are furious with us because of that bastard."

His fists clenched as he paced the room, his anger barely contained. The weight of the situation pressed down on him like an impending storm, and for the first time in years, the Smith family’s future seemed uncertain.

Veronica sighed, rubbing her temples as she tried to make sense of the situation. "Dad, how can this be possible?

The Harrisons are powerful, yes, but they don’t have enough influence to completely suppress Smith Group. We are tied with Brown Group as well," she reasoned, her brows furrowing in confusion.

She refused to believe that a single incident could shake the very foundation of their company. Something didn’t add up.

"Also, what exactly happened?" Veronica asked, her voice laced with urgency.

Stephen let out a frustrated sigh and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "It’s a disaster," he muttered before launching into the details—the plummeting stocks, the investigations, the sudden withdrawal of investors. "If this continues, we will be finished..."

Veronica stood frozen, struggling to process everything. She had never imagined their family’s position would be threatened like this. A chill ran down her spine. She didn’t want to fall into this pit along with them.

"Don’t worry, Dad," Veronica said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I’ll go see Alexander now and ask for his help. We’re collaborating with Dr. Lia, and I’m the one who has direct ties with her. That gives us an advantage."

She took a deep breath and straightened her posture, determination flickering in her eyes. "We’ll get through this crisis. Alexander won’t let us fall. He won’t let the Smith Group be ruined."

Hearing this, Stephen felt a wave of relief wash over him. A small smile replaced his earlier tension as he reached out and gently patted Veronica’s head.

"Ver, we’re lucky to have you," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.

With that, he straightened his suit and left for his office, a bit more at ease knowing that Veronica would handle things.

Veronica turned to her mother, her gaze filled with disdain. She could hardly believe they were related.

How can this woman be my mother? Pathetic... she thought.

Despite being the wealthy madam of the Smith family, Lily carried herself in a way that felt cheap.

The way she treated Aurora was proof enough—if Veronica hadn’t been born with the right qualities, her mother would have treated her the same way.

That was just the kind of person she was.

People like her only respect power, Veronica mused. If you’re weak, they’ll trample all over you.

Aurora... Veronica’s hands curled into fists, her nails digging into her palm. I will destroy you and throw you into the pit where you belong.

Her lips twisted into a sneer as she looked down at her trembling mother.

Veronica took a step closer, her voice sickly sweet yet laced with venom. "Mom... don’t worry," she whispered, brushing a loose strand of hair from Lily’s tear-streaked face. "I will take revenge on your behalf for this slap."

Lily looked up at her daughter, hope flickering in her swollen eyes.

"Try to get Aurora," Veronica continued, her lips curling into a cruel smirk. "And I will personally send her to the Harrisons."

A dark glint flashed in her eyes. This time, Aurora wouldn’t escape.

Lily knew her daughter’s character all too well. Veronica wasn’t just intelligent—she was cunning, ruthless, and knew exactly when to strike. Over the years, Lily had molded her into a woman who could smile sweetly while plotting someone’s downfall, a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

As she gazed at her daughter, a slow, satisfied smirk crept onto her lips. This was the daughter she had raised, the one who carried her ambition and thirst for power.

No matter what obstacles stood in their way, Veronica would tear them down without hesitation. She wasn’t just a privileged heiress—she was a force to be reckoned with.

Lily reached out and patted Veronica’s hand, her grip firm, her voice filled with approval. "Good, my daughter. You know exactly how to deal with that wretched girl. Make her regret ever crossing our path."

Veronica met her mother’s gaze, her lips curving into a sinister smile. "Don’t worry, Mom. She won’t escape."

Lily’s blood boiled with rage. She had sacrificed so much, endured countless struggles, and schemed her way into the prestigious Smith family. She had secured her place as Stephen’s wife, ensuring her daughter’s future—only for everything to be shaken because of Aurora.

And now, Stephen had dared to slap her because of that wretched girl?

Her fingers clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms. Hatred burned in her eyes as a cruel thought took root in her mind.

"Aurora," she seethed, her voice dripping with venom. "I will make sure you regret ever being born."

"Don’t worry, Mom," Veronica said with a cold smile. "Just find a way to bring Aurora here. Once she’s in our hands, I’ll make sure she suffers."

Lily’s smirk deepened as she nodded in satisfaction.

"And where are you going?" Lily asked.

Veronica straightened her posture, her expression calm yet resolute. A hint of arrogance flickered in her eyes as she looked at her mother.

"I’m going to Alexander," she declared, her tone brimming with confidence. "He won’t allow the Smith family to crumble."

She smoothed out an invisible crease on her dress, exuding the poise of a woman who knew her worth.

"With our collaboration with Dr. Lia, we hold a significant advantage. And don’t forget," she added with a knowing smirk, "I’m the one connected to her.

That alone gives me leverage."

Her gaze darkened with determination. "Alexander is a man of power and strategy. He won’t sit back and watch his business partner fall.

Whether he wants to or not, he will help us. And if I play my cards right, he won’t even hesitate."

Without waiting for a response, Veronica turned on her heels and strode out, her mind already plotting the next steps.