The Abandoned Heiress Reborn to Be Cherished (Seraphina) novel Chapter 302

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Chapter 302 The Decision

Oberon’s somber gaze lingered on the names of the two individuals, his brows drawing together in quiet contemplation.

A call from Jane interrupted his thoughts, and the moment he picked up, a frantic voice tumbled through the line. “Mr. Whitewood, there’s been a major accident with the Gravefall project. The scaffolding at the construction site collapsed. Over twenty workers have been injured, and two of them didn’t make it.”

Construction accidents of this magnitude invariably led to project halts, pending investigations by the authorities.

The Whitewood Group was already in dire financial straits, and this incident would only exacerbate the situation. It was like trying to tread water with an anchor tied to his feet.

“I see,” Oberon replied evenly before ending the call.

The ramifications churned in his mind. Once the news broke, the banks would descend like vultures, demanding repayment. How could he plug the gaping holes in his finances?

Everything he owned was either mortgaged or leveraged to the hilt.

He needed money—and fast. If he could secure enough to weather this storm, the Whitewood Group might yet survive. He couldn’t let the empire he had painstakingly built over the years collapse, but he could not now.

Oberon’s fingers hovered over the names on the screen. His voice dropped to a murmur, low and deliberate. “I’ve provided for you all these years. Now it’s time for you to give something back to the family.”

With a resolute press of a button, he sent a series of photographs and personal information belonging to Seraphina and Linara through email.

A reply came half an hour later.

It was brief–an address and a time. Nothing more.

Oberon exhaled a quiet breath of relief. Both had been approved. That was a small mercy.

The golden light of early summer spilled through the gauzy curtains, pooling softly onto the plush carpet below.

In the room’s center, the grand bed was slightly rumpled, the silk covers drawn in faint ridges where they had settled. A figure sat up against the headboard, her silhouette bathed in the gentle morning glow. She glanced at the clock, and a faint, knowing smile played at her lips.

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By her estimation, the storm would break in the next day or two.

It wouldn’t be long before the Whitewood Group crumbled into ruin, never to recover.

Oberon, Chloe, Linara, Aidan–every last member of the family–was living on borrowed time. Their days of ease and luxury were drawing to a close.

The thought sent a warm rush of satisfaction coursing through Seraphina, as radiant and comforting as the sunlight streaming through her window.

After tidying herself up, she headed downstairs, carefully smoothing her expression into one of calm neutrality. As she stepped into the dining room, Oberon greeted her with an easy smile.

“It’s the weekend,” he remarked. “Why not sleep in a little longer?”

Seraphina blinked in mild surprise before answering, “I’m used to waking early.”

Linara and Chloe entered shortly after, and Oberon turned to greet them with the same genial expression. The heavy atmosphere that had lingered earlier seemed to have evaporated completely.

“Dad seems to be in a good mood today,” Linara murmured to Aidan as they took their seats.

Aidan nodded thoughtfully. “Must’ve heard some good news.”

Once breakfast was finished, Oberon straightened in his chair and addressed Seraphina and Linara directly. “There’s a banquet tonight. Both of you will come with me.”

At the mention of a social event, Aidan immediately perked up. “Dad, I want to go too!”

Oberon’s sharp gaze flicked to him. “And what would you do there? Embarrass yourself in front of everyone?”

The reprimand was enough to silence Aidan, who shrank back in his chair.

Turning back to Seraphina and Linara, Oberon’s tone softened, his earlier smile returning. “I’ll have someone send your dresses over shortly. Make sure you’re both well–prepared. The group might seem like it’s on shaky ground to outsiders, but when you step out tonight, you must represent us with dignity. Hold your heads high. The harder the times, the more we must show strength and confidence. Do you understand?”

“Understood,” Linara replied dutifully, her tone as composed as her demeanor.

Just moments ago, she had suspected her father’s intentions, assuming he was using them to forge connections with influential figures. Now, she realized it wasn’t about that at all.

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Seraphina nodded quietly to show she understood as well, though unease twisted faintly in her chest.

That feeling was all too familiar, an echo of something she couldn’t quite push away.

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