Once She Came Like a Flash novel Chapter 63

**Chapter 63**

In the serene courtyard of the villa, Renee slid into the plush interior of her car, the familiar scent of leather greeting her as she settled into the driver’s seat. With a flick of her wrist, she turned the key in the ignition, and the engine roared to life, a sound that resonated with her determination. As she drove down the winding road, the world outside seemed to blur, the trees and buildings merging into a kaleidoscope of colors.

At a red light, she seized the moment to connect her phone to Bluetooth. The anticipation of the call danced in her mind.

“Daniel, how’s the task I assigned you coming along?” she inquired, her voice steady yet laced with an undercurrent of urgency.

“Hey, Renee! Everything you asked for has been purchased. The pastry chef and the cook are both ready and waiting for your instructions,” Daniel responded, his tone bright and reassuring.

Renee allowed a small nod, a gesture of gratitude. “Thanks for the effort,” she replied, though her mind was already racing ahead. Only three more days stood between her and the finality of divorce—a thought that weighed heavily on her heart.

“Let’s plan to visit the children’s welfare center the day after tomorrow,” she said, her voice firm with resolve.

“Got it. I’m with you every step of the way,” Daniel affirmed, his enthusiasm infectious. They exchanged a few more details, each word weaving a thread of connection before the call ended.

Arriving at Genome Tech, Renee strode into Alison’s office, her purse swinging gently by her side. The atmosphere buzzed with the hum of productivity, but as soon as Alison caught sight of her, she sprang to her feet, her smile broad and eager. “Hey, my little rascal! Weren’t you out celebrating last night? What brings you back to the office instead of resting at home?”

Renee made her way to the plush couch, placing her purse down with a soft thud. She let out a weary sigh, the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her shoulders.

“Jasper is proving to be impossible to deal with. And now, with the Spencer Group entering the fray, it feels like we’re outmatched,” she admitted, her brow furrowing in frustration.

Their company remained a mere blip on the radar, practically invisible to someone like Jasper. It wasn’t just indifference; it was a palpable arrogance, a belief that their project wasn’t worthy of his attention.

Alison, ever the optimist, smiled brightly. “No big deal! So what if the Everest Group is out of reach? We still have Prospero Group, Imperia Group, and Centuro Group to consider. We’re not limited to just one option.”

“True, but if we could snag Everest Group, it would elevate our status significantly. We’d finally be in a position to negotiate with the industry’s elite,” Renee countered, her voice tinged with frustration.

A long sigh escaped her lips, the thought of missed opportunities weighing heavily on her.

“I just didn’t expect Adam to be collaborating with Julian on a robotics project,” she murmured, her thoughts spiraling.

Alison remained silent, understanding the depths of her best friend’s determination. Renee had never been one to shy away from a challenge; it was in her nature to fight for what she believed in.

As the hours slipped by, the workday came to a close. At precisely six o’clock, Renee clocked out, a sense of relief washing over her. Before leaving, she instructed one of the employees to deliver a package to Platinum Heights, her mind already racing with thoughts of the next steps.

“Alison, I’m off. I won’t be heading home for the next few days. I’ll be staying at Platinum Heights. Let’s head back together,” she said, her voice casual as she organized her desk.

Alison, mid-sip of water, nearly choked at the unexpected news. Coughing and waving her hands in a panic, she quickly replied, “Ah, no, no, no! That’s okay. My mom’s been on my case to stay home more often. Platinum Heights was just a temporary thing for me. You go ahead; I won’t be there.”

One small lie had spiraled into a tangled web of deceit.

Alison had carefully concealed her true identity from Renee, leading her straight into the orbit of her brother. The thought of staying at Platinum Heights now?

The very idea sent a shiver down her spine. If she were to run into Jasper, it would spell disaster for both of them! The anxiety bubbled within her, a storm brewing just beneath the surface.