When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 500

Chapter 500 Ashes and Sparks

The fire at Stone Villa hadn’t spread far-neighbors had called it in quickly, and both firefighters and police had arrived within minutes. The flames were soon extinguished, but part of the villa was destroyed beyond repair. For now, it was uninhabitable.

The moment Natalie thought of the staff who’d stayed behind, she jumped out of the car. Ruby, with Flynn’s help, followed close behind. Baron moved swiftly to Natalie’s side, while Yvonne, still recovering from her wounds, stayed in the car to watch over the two sleeping children.

“Officer,” Natalie said as soon as she reached the police line, “this is my house. What happened here?”

The officer recognized her immediately. Seeing Ruby behind her, he asked, “You weren’t home at the time?”

“No,” Natalie replied. “We were at Brian Payne’s house. We heard about the fire and came straight back. Please tell me-was anyone hurt?”

Baron’s voice carried urgency.

The officer straightened a little. “From what we’ve gathered, one of your chefs suffered burns and was taken to the hospital. Everyone else is fine-they were outside working when the fire started and called emergency services immediately. The chef was too close to the ignition point and got caught in it.”

Natalie exhaled sharply in relief. “Can we go inside and look around?”

Flynn stepped forward before anyone could stop him.

The officer hesitated. “Not yet. The fire’s out, but we need to check for structural risks and hidden hot spots. You won’t be able to stay here tonight. You should find somewhere else for the time being.”

“But the study,” Flynn pressed, his tone darkening, “has important Stone Group documents in it. I need to check if anything’s salvageable.”

The officer sighed. “There’s no need. The fire spread from the kitchen to the study upstairs. Both rooms were completely destroyed. Nothing’s left-just ashes.”

Flynn’s expression tightened in frustration. He said nothing, but the anger in his eyes spoke for him.

Chapter 500 Ashes and Sparks

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Given his position, the officer finally relented and allowed them to take a brief look inside.

The sight that greeted them was bleak-the kitchen was nothing but charred wreckage, and what used to be the study was blackened rubble. Natalie stood quietly beside Baron, her lips pressed together, while Flynn’s face turned as dark as the soot-stained walls.

“It’s unlivable,” he muttered. “Where are we staying tonight?”

He already knew Baron had made arrangements but asked anyway, giving him an opening.

“Come to my place,” Baron said.

“Right,” Flynn said flatly. “Guess that’s all we can do.”

He turned toward the driveway—just as someone shouted Natalie’s name.

“Natalie!”

Jensen came running up, looking flushed and out of breath. “If you don’t have anywhere to stay, go to Grand Pavilion! You know that villa’s already yours-I gave it to you!”

Natalie froze, taken aback that he’d blurted that out in public.

Baron’s expression changed instantly. His eyes went cold.

“Jensen,” he said slowly, “are you asking to get punched again?”

In one sharp movement, Baron closed the distance, grabbed Jensen by the collar, and drew back his fist. The sudden motion made nearby officers and neighbors turn their heads.

But Natalie, watching closely, saw something the others missed-when Baron grabbed Jensen’s jacket, his fingers slipped something small and metallic into Jensen’s pocket.

Her heart skipped.

Baron didn’t look at her, didn’t break his act. His punch came down, grazing Jensen’s cheek hard enough to make him stumble back.

But this time, Jensen was ready. He ducked the second blow, shoved Baron’s arm away, and shouted angrily, “That’s enough! I’m not here to fight you! I came for Natalie! If you don’t want to go to Grand Pavilion, fine! I wouldn’t let you in anyway!”

He turned to Natalie, his expression softening instantly. “Natalie, your family can’t stay here- it’s dangerous. The villa’s destroyed, and hotels aren’t safe right now. Come back to Grand Pavilion. The security there is excellent. You lived there for five years-you know how

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comfortable it is.”

Natalie’s mouth opened to refuse, but Baron cut her off sharply.

“You said you gave her that villa? Fine. How much was it? I’ll pay you. My wife doesn’t need your charity.”

Jensen let out a short, bitter laugh. “You’ll pay me? With what, Baron? You’re nothing but a live- in son-in-law of the Stone family. The only money you’ve ever had was theirs. Stop pretending you can throw cash at me-you can’t afford it.”

The insult hit hard, his tone dripping with disdain.

It was the first time he had ever mocked Baron so openly in front of Natalie—and not even an ounce of respect colored his words.

Natalie’s face hardened, her voice low and cold. “Jensen, that’s enough.”

Her tone cut through the tension like a blade, but the damage was already done-the air around them crackled with something far darker than the remnants of smoke.