Reborn From Oblivion by Christia Muray

Chapter 242

From a distance, the lively chatter and laughter from the main hall were impossible to ignore for

Nathalie. She couldn't help but overhear everything.

"Ashley, you're both beautiful and smart, just my cup of tea. If you are willing, | hope you'll give

Nathan a shot. Maybe you'll fall for him. After all, you two are around the sage, so you should

have plenty to talk about,” Mason was saying. Ashley's voice, as clear and sweet as a nightingale's

song, echoed back, "Mason, letbe straight with you. I've got high standards. If your grandson

isn't good-looking and bright, I'm not interested."

Mason chuckled at her bluntness, "Ha-ha. You'll judge for yourself when you meet him. I believe you

won't be disappointed, Ashley."

Passing by the hall's entrance, Nathalie couldn't resist a peek inside. One look at Ashley's vibrant

presence had her hooked.

Ashley had such a sincere and untouched charm, with eyes as clear as a blue summer sky. It was

like she'd never known the world's harshness. Nathalie could only think one thing: perfect.

A girl this genuine and pure was just right for Nathan. No wonder, in another life, she was the only

woman who stood by Nathan's side.

Suddenly, Nathalie's phone rang, jolting her into a quick retreat. She shielded her phone as she left

the hall before daring to answer it. Nathan was on the line, sounding a bit tired, "Nathalie, did you

get lost or something? Why aren't you up here yet?"

Nathalie blurted out, "Nathan, I just saw your future wife..."

Nathan's tone turned sharp, "I'm not even married yet."

Nathalie gasped. She almost spilling the beans. Nathan and Ashley's story hadn't even started in

this lifetime.

Quickly, she backtracked, "No, | meant | saw the girl your grandpa wants to introduce to you."

"We haven't even met. How can you be so sure she's the one?" Nathan asked.

"Uh-" Nathalie tapped her lips. She was always too quick to reveal what

shouldn't be said. "Nathan, youth.

totally like her. She's stunning and so straightforward..."

"Really?" Nathan was suddenly right in front of her.

Nathalie's surprise was almost cartoon-like. She'd never seen Nathan look so disheveled before.

His hair was greasy and clumped et

with a sprinkle of dandruff. His normally glowing skin was now an uneven tan, blotchy in places. His

clothes hung loose and ill-fitting.

"Nathan, who did this to your face?"

Nathan grumbled, "I was hoping you'd be here early to helpwith the makeup, but you were late,

so | had to wing it."

Nathalie couldn't help but laugh,

set

"Looks like you really care about this date. You even tried doing yourown makeup. But, you've got

sroom for improvement."

She figured he'd messed up his own attempt.

"Nathan, go wash your face. Letdo your makeup, and | promise you'll be dashing."

Nathan's lips curved into a slight smile. Who needed to be dashing, anyway?

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"We're out of time. We're already late. I think being punctual is more important than looking good,"

Nathan said.

With that, he tugged Nathalie along toward the hall.

Chapter 241

Nathan stood there, momentarily stunned, his usually captivating eyes now sparkling with newfound clarity.

"Does Nathalie see it that way, too?" he wondered to himself.

"Looks like the road to winning her might be longer than | thought," Nathan murmured, more to himself than

anyone else.

His assistant, overhearing this, was taken aback. To him, Nathalie was someone who had faced many of life's

harshest blows-having been homeless, weighed down by her family issues, divorced, and even having lost a

kidney. Yet, there was Nathan, born into one of the wealthiest families, blessed with both looks and brains, and

with a knack for the unpredictable-a true prodigy. How could Nathalie ever be a match for someone like him?

The assistant could only sigh at Nathan's predicament.

That weekend, Nathalie got a text from Nathan: [Hey, up for sextra work today?]

Being the work enthusiast she was, she didn't hesitate. [Sure thing.]

[Great, mind swinging by my place to pickup?] Nathan asked, pushing his luck just a bit.

[Always happy to help my boss,] Nathalie responded with an easy-going smile.

[I'll be waiting at home, then.]

[Okay, be there soon.]

Nathalie drove over to the gate of the Rowland family estate. The security guards gave her a curious look but

greeted her with friendly smiles as they opened the gate. As her car rolled away, she caught snippets of their

hushed conversation. "Looks like today's going to be interesting. | smell ," one of them chuckled.

"Even if she's pretty, her background and her divorce only make her fit to be Mr. Nathan's sidekick. No way he'd

ever let someone like her into his life."

"Being linked to Mr. Nathan is already hitting the jackpot for her. Heard he spent a fortune just to keep her

happy."

Nathalie's expression turned sour. She reversed the car, and the guards fell silent, startled.

She parked right in front of them and

addressed them openly, "My relationship with Mr. Nathan is strictly business. He pays me, and | work hard. Do

you really think. Krely on just my looks to earn a

Swnov

The guards, embarrassed, mumbled apologies, "Sorry, Ms. Nathalie, we didn't mean anything by it."

"That wasn't funny. It's a blow to my pride. | work hard and earn my keep through my skills, not my appearance,"

Nathalie shot back. "We're really sorry."

Deciding to let it go, Nathalie drove off. The guards wiped the nervous sweat from their brows.

"Think she was telling the truth?" one asked.

"Who knows?" replied the other.

"Millions spent, huh? Mr. Nathan hasn't showered any other woman with that kind of cash. There's definitely

more to their relationship." "Still, she seems pretty decent."

"True, we bad-mouthed her, and she didn't flip out like others might have."

Nathalie parked in the underground lot and had initially planned to go up and see Nathan herself. However, the

guards’ gossip served as a reminder. It was best to keep a bit of distance to avoid any unnecessary rumors.

Instead, she stayed in the car and called Nathan.

"I'm here, Nathan."

"Con up," Nathan replied curtly, his words carrying a subtle urgency. Nathalie wanted to say more, but he

had already hung up.

With a resigned sigh, she stepped out of the car, her heels clicking as she walked gracefully towards the Rowland

family's house. Today, their hseemed particularly bustling.

Chapter 240

Nathan flashed a devilish grin, as if he already had a master plan brewing. "Why should I get into a direct

confrontation with him? My pryears are way too valuable to waste on someone like that, wouldn't you

agree?" His assistant looked puzzled. "If we don't spend tdealing with him, how do we expect to beat him?"

Nathan glanced at his assistant as if he was missing the obvious. With a quiet sigh, he patiently explained, "The

Dawson family's got two heirs, and they're equally powerful. If they were allies, they'd be a force to reckon with.

But if they becenemies, we could easily benefit from their fallout."

The assistant's eyes shone with admiration. "Mr. Nathan, you're a genius. Those Dawson brothers weren't raised

together, so they probably don't have a tight bond. A little divide and conquer could easily set them against each

other."

Nathan gave a nod of approval. "That's why you should start honing your skills in the art of persuasion. Whether

we can drive a wedge between those brothers might just hinge on that talent."

The assistant puffed up with pride. "Mr. Griffin ditched his wife for a new flame, which has likely stirred up

Cameron and his mother. With Cameron and his father's relationship already shaky, just a little push from me

could shatter it completely." "I'll be waiting for your good news," Nathan said, leaning back into his office chair.

The assistant was caught off guard. "Mr. Nathan, you're just going to sit here and wait for my news?"

Nathan, without lifting his gaze, replied, "Is something wrong? Didn't you say it was going to be simple?"

The assistant felt a bit embarrassed. Even if it was simple, it still needed tand effort. Then, an idea struck

him. "Oh, Mr. Nathan, Mr. Mason mentioned setting you up on a date. He booked your free time... | scheduled it

for the weekend." "Cancel it," Nathan said, still not looking up.

"But Mr. Nathan," the assistant protested, "the lady Mr. Mason's introducing you to comes from a notable family.

Can't you see his intent? He wants to find you a supportive partner."

Nathan shot him a look. "Do | have to get married for business gains? Cancel it. I've got plans for the weekend."

The assistant, well-aware of Nathan's schedule, responded, "Mr. Nathan, after you meet with Ms. Nathalie on

Saturday, your weekend's wide open."

Nathan replied, "I'm planning to spend the entire day with Nathalie."

The assistant was in a bind. "You're making it tough for me. How do | explain this to the old man?"

"Just be honest with him."

The assistant argued, "But Ms.

Venet

Nathalie is older and entirely career focused. Mr. Mason won't believe there's nothing going on between you

two."

Nathan asked, "You think that too?"

The assistant blurted out, "Everyone thinks so. Even Ms. Nathalie herself."

Nathan's tone shifted to serious. "It's up to us to make it happen."

The assistant was dumbfounded. "Are you seriously pursuing Ms. Nathalie?" Nathan nodded

slightly.

vel

The assistant felt so awkward he wished he could disappear. "Mr. Nathan, | thought having Ms.

Nathalie as your girlfriend was just a business tactic."

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"A business tactic?" Nathan was surprised.

"Yeah. If you and Ms. Nathalie were seen as a couple, your rivals would view it as a powerhouse

alliance, making them think twice about messing with you."

Chapter 239

Kristina was left speechless. She stood her ground with an air of authority. "Maybe you have a

point. But my money is off-limits for her." Seeing no other option, Cameron relented, "Alright, Mom,

I'll do as you say. Is that good enough?"

Satisfied, Kristina nodded approvingly.

Kristina went through her assets. She held onto just her retirement hand passed everything

else to her son, Cameron. As Cameron accepted these assets from Kristina's unsteady hands, a

weight of responsibility settled on him. He mentally reminded himself, ‘Cameron, you've got to rise

above this, no matter what.’

Once out of the hospital, Cameron dove headfirst into his work. He let go of the fashion brand he

and Greta had built together. With his mind clear of romantic distractions, he saw things as they

were: Greta's designs couldn't hold a candle to Nathalie's, and Nathan had already cornered the

networking resources.

He realized the fashion industry was no longer an option for them. So, he turned to his specialty-

artificial intelligence. Another reason for this choice was that it was Nathan's playground, too.

Cameron had fallen because of Nathan, and he intended to reclaim his pride there.

Defeating Nathan was his path to redeeming his self-respect.

Having weathered the storm, Cameron emerged tougher. He approached all potential business

partners, undeterred by their mocking and dismissive attitudes. Despite the challenges, he got his

company off the ground.

The media returned to singing his praises: [Only he could fall from the heights and rise again.]

Spectators were eager for the : [Cameron, his half-brother, and Nathan battling it out for

supremacy in Al. This is gonna be a show.]

"I'm betting on Nathan," remarked someone with a knowing tone.

So, the stage was set with the three Al giants Nathan, the new and old heirs of Dawson

International-locked in a standoff.

At Rowland Corporation, Nathan

stood by a massive window, exuding an aura of cool sophistication in perfectly tailored black suit.

He gazed down at the cityscape, a cigar in hand, his striking features partly veiled in smoke.

"Like a centipede that refuses to die," he mused, releasing a smoke ring with an almost scandalous

grace.

His assistant stood nearby, slightly bowed, showing utmost deference to Nathan. "Mr. Nathan, you

mentioned Mr. Cameron-we thought we'd buried him, yet he's bouncing back so soon."

Nathan responded with a casual air, "Cameron, | can't help but envy you for having such a good

mother."

The assistant-added, "Nathan, Cameron's making a comeback and taking us head-on. The Dawson

family's has a firmer foundation than ours, being around longer. If he teams up with Mr. Justin to

compete against us, we could have

if rough."

Nathan turned slowly, backlit by the window, his features cast in shadow. "No matter how many

times Cameron rises, I'll knock him down just as often."

The assistant squinted in puzzlement. He couldn't fathom why Nathan harbored such animosity

toward Cameron. From the get-go, taking down Cameron had been his favorite pastime.

With a hint of doubt, the assistant remarked, "Mr. Nathan, Cameron's learned from his past. This

comeback is likely fortified. Beating him again will be no small feat."