Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!-Chapter 668: Alexander’s Scheme

Ever since Everett had taken over the company, the number of female employees had dropped—most had been replaced with men.

Even his secretary? Always male. He never hired women.

Aurora gave an awkward little laugh.

"Yeah... I get it. Your charm isn’t exactly easy for most women to resist."

"And you?" Everett asked, expression softening. "You couldn’t resist either, right?"

Aurora dropped her gaze and stayed quiet.

That irritated Everett.

"Look at me. Lift your head."

Being ordered around out of nowhere made Aurora bristle, but she still obediently raised her head to meet his eyes.

His face was as striking as ever, but his gaze had cooled noticeably.

Seeing the innocence in her eyes, Everett’s annoyance faded. He let out a quiet sigh.

"Eat."

He gracefully cut a piece of steak and brought it to his mouth. Even the way he ate looked effortless and elegant.

Aurora stared, completely entranced.

When she realized it, her face went hot and she silently cursed herself for being ridiculous.

She barely ate anything during the meal, but Everett didn’t push her. After all, this was technically their first date.

After dinner, soft, romantic music began to play in the background. If she wasn’t mistaken, it was a famous tango piece—Por Una Cabeza.

Everett walked over to her and offered his hand with a slight gesture.

Aurora froze, unsure what to do. Everett raised a brow, confident as ever.

"Get up. Dance with me."

Wait, that’s how you ask someone to dance?

Aurora was both amused and helpless. Still, she stood up and placed her hand in his.

"I... I’m a bit rusty. I learned this piece before, but haven’t danced in forever..."

Back when she was with Alexander, that guy was always working, juggling side gigs and acting like a robot. When did he ever have time for dancing?

Aurora rarely went out dancing herself. Her free time was spent training her vocals. She’d let dance fall by the wayside. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

The company had recently told her to brush up on dance though—just in case.

Luckily, she had natural musicality, so her singing didn’t suffer even without much training.

"It’s fine. I’ll teach you," Everett said coolly.

He was a little nervous too. In truth, he’d never really danced either. But after watching Scent of a Woman, he’d become intrigued by Por Una Cabeza and had practiced on his own.

Aurora... totally embarrassed herself.

She was too flustered, too jittery, and kept stepping on Everett’s shoes.

She wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

By the time the dance ended, he pulled her into a quiet embrace. Nothing inappropriate—just a peaceful, warm hug.

Aurora’s eyes shimmered like spring water, and her heart softened into mush.

But the romantic moment didn’t last long. Tobias knocked on the door—Everett’s father was calling. It was about Cassian.

Everett figured it had to be his uncle begging for mercy.

He really didn’t want to go, but knowing how his sharp-tongued uncle could push his father’s blood pressure through the roof, he had no choice. He asked Tobias to escort Aurora back to her hotel while he rushed home.

Aurora thought... maybe they were finally starting something real.

The next afternoon, Everett came to see her off at the airport. He looked relaxed and casual.

"Make sure you miss me," he said with a smirk.

Dominic, eavesdropping nearby, stifled a laugh behind his hand.

Aurora’s face flushed ever so slightly.

Meanwhile...

In Country S, within the city—

Alexander lay in a shabby rental apartment, unshaven and lifeless. He looked up at Peyton as she walked through the door, his lips pressed into a cold line.

Peyton stood awkwardly, not daring to come any closer.

After all, Alexander was now "the guy with AIDS."

He coughed and said hoarsely,

"Peyton... why are you standing so far? I’m lonely. Come talk to me for a bit."

Peyton’s eyes flickered with fear.

The doctor had said casual conversation wouldn’t transmit anything, but... she was still scared.

Because he had HIV. An incurable disease.

What if she caught it?

Would she have to die early too?

She was still so young—just in her twenties. She had friends, a promising future, and way too much to lose.

She also had wealthy parents backing her—why on earth should she keep dating Alexander?

Alexander’s so-called illness had been "discovered" a week ago.

He’d been pretending to have a cold. When Peyton came over to take care of him, she accidentally saw a lab report—and it scared the life out of her.

"Alexander... are you okay? Do you want to see a doctor?" she asked, voice trembling.

"No need, Peyton. Right now... you’re all I have left. Can you stay with me for a bit?" Alexander’s voice was extra gentle.

Peyton shook her head in a panic. There was no way she was sticking around a man with that kind of illness.

"I—I just remembered something urgent at work! I have to go, Alexander. I’ll... I’ll hire a nurse for you, okay?"

Without another glance at his pitiful expression, she slammed the door and bolted from the apartment like she was fleeing for her life.

Alexander lay on the bed and let out a cold laugh.

Peyton was such an idiot—terrified over one piece of paper. He’d pulled off the act flawlessly.

He’d paid an HIV-positive patient to go get tested at a hospital—using his name.

So when Peyton checked the report, the name on it was Alexander’s.

The small clinic didn’t enforce strict protocols, and he’d exploited that loophole perfectly. Now that she’d run off in fear, he was free to worm his way back into Aurora’s life.

Alexander picked up his phone and dialed Aurora’s number.

"Sorry, the number you have dialed is powered off."

His mood instantly sank again. It had been ten days since her phone went off the grid.

What the hell had happened to her?

Worried, he tried calling Courtney. But she didn’t know where Aurora was either.

After a few seconds of thought, Alexander decided to call Peyton. He wanted her to really fear him. To hate him.

Peyton picked up after a long pause.

"Alexander? What’s wrong?" she asked softly, clearly trying to mask her unease.

"Peyton, are you free right now? I’m craving congee... would you mind making some for me?"

His tone was warm, intimate. "After all this time, I’ve realized you’re much gentler than Aurora ever was, and..."

"N-no! I don’t have time right now!" Peyton cut in, panicking.

Alexander let out a quiet, melancholy laugh.

"I see... well, maybe I’ll ask my mom to make it, then. Peyton, even though I really like you now, I don’t want to drag you down with me. But I realized... I can’t lose you. Could you come see me tomorrow? I want to go out for a bit..."

"W-what? Tomorrow?" Peyton practically dropped her phone in terror.

"I have plans tomorrow! I swear I’ll come when I’m free!"

"Alright then. You take care. I’ll call you again tomorrow. Bye," Alexander said gently before hanging up.

Then he chuckled to himself, clearly pleased. This woman is such an idiot. So easy to manipulate. He’d stressed over her for nothing.

On the other end, Peyton lowered her phone and muttered with disgust,

"An HIV patient who wants to go shopping? Isn’t he afraid of infecting other people? God, he’s disgusting. No... I have to think of a way to get rid of him..."