Rebirth Into My Second Chance

Ronald was ticking names off his list as he briefed Claude. "You need to start by cleaning up Claire's reputation as requested. Let's see what his next move is."

"That girl's reputation is as tarnished as a burnt burger in a diner," Claude scoffed with disbelief.

I had lost all hope in him, indifferent to his attitude toward everything.

Yet, in an attempt to better my public image, Richard seemed to throw caution to the wind. I wondered how I could ever repay his kindness.

When Ronald arrived at Richard's apartment, a run-down building that screamed years of neglect, no one answered his knocks. Spotting the detectives, a neighbor approached, "Officer, has Mr. Price gotten himself into trouble?"

Ronald didn't beat around the bush. "He's a suspect in a kidnapping case. We're trying to locate him."

The neighbor looked incredulous. "I think you've got it twisted. Mr. Price is a real diamond of a guy. He's even looked after numerous stray cats. Despite his wealth, which he generously donates to the local orphanage, he chooses to live here. Oh, and he drives a car with the license plate 8888. Quite the figure, that one. Maybe you can check where his car is, huh?"

The neighbor's disbelief in Richard being capable of crime was palpable, leaving Ronald momentarily speechless. Yet, he noted the license plate details, feeling that Richard was involved in the kidnapping case.

He left the building, instructing his team to track down the car, secretly hoping it would prevent Richard from heading to Serenity Bluff.

that awaited there. From Kate's demeanor, I had a gut feeling she knew the truth about my supposed demise and how

"It appears he's headed toward the mountains, the

choice of location baffled everyone, but time was of the

"Claire Floyd is a kind-hearted woman. I've always considered her my sister. Please stop slandering her, or I'll resort to

had given him. "Don't worry, Claire.

embraced his role as a protective

a prison visit, I told him, "Richard, listen. Claude and I

of his disdain for

bless your union if he truly loves you. And once I'm out, I won't cause him trouble," he reassured me, promising to be my forever sanctuary if ever Claude wronged me. These thoughts only intensified my

Ronald to intercept us,

didn't

had reached Serenity

the usual hikers. Without hesitation, Richard disembarked, armed with a hiking stick,

team arrived,

by Ronald's presence, Richard engaged him casually,

Richard, dressed for the mountains, Ronald shifted the conversation to