Reborn To Conquer

007

Nate woke up feeling lighter than he had in years.

His mind was sharp, his body well-rested. No nausea. No dizziness. No sluggishness weighing him down. It was the first night in a long time that he had slept without that poison creeping through his veins.

He sat up, glancing around the unfamiliar bedroom. He had chosen to sleep in one of the guest rooms…far away from Serena. Sharing a bed with his killer had never been an option.

He threw off the covers and walked into the bathroom, turning on the lights. The mirror reflected back a man who barely looked like himself.

His hair was overgrown, messy in a way that made him look unkempt rather than rugged. His beard was thick, uneven. And his clothe…wrinkled, dull, a size too big. He looked nothing like a billionaire. More like someone who had given up on himself.

He let out a breath, gripping the counter.

That was the old Nate. The blind fool who had let himself be played.

That man was dead.

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

“Doctor,” he said when the line connected. “Come to my house. Now.”

…

The doctor arrived within the hour, carrying a black case.

“You want to switch to lenses?” the man asked, adjusting his tie.

“Yes.”

The doctor opened the case, pulling out a small container. “These should work for you. I’ll guide you through…”

“I’ll figure it out.” Nate took the lenses, turning toward the mirror. His hands were steady as he removed his glasses, set them aside, and carefully put the lenses in.

When he blinked and looked at himself again, something had changed.

His sharp green eyes were no longer hidden behind thick lenses. His face looked different. Stronger. He felt different.

He picked up his glasses, staring at them for a second before tossing them into the trash.

The doctor raised a brow. “Well, that’s one way to do it.”

“Send me the bill.”

Without another word, Nate turned and walked out.

. . .

The barbershop was quiet when he stepped in, the scent of aftershave thick in the air. A few men were getting their hair cut, but his arrival turned heads.

“Need a trim, sir?” one of the barbers asked, eyeing Nate’s messy hair and beard.

“More than a trim,” Nate muttered, settling into the chair. “Fix it.”

The barber smirked. “You got it.”

Nate closed his eyes as the clippers buzzed to life. The first cut was sharp, clean. Hair fell in thick clumps, his beard disappearing under the razor’s careful strokes.

By the time the barber finished, Nate looked at himself in the mirror and barely recognized the man staring back.

His jawline was sharper. His face looked younger, his features more defined. He ran a hand over his smooth chin, exhaling.

“Good?” the barber asked.

Nate smirked. “Better than good.”

He paid, left a heavy tip, and walked out.

. . .

Shopping had never been something Nate cared about. His wardrobe had always been simple…plain suits, casual shirts, clothes that blended into the background.

Not anymore.

He walked into the most expensive store in the city, his presence commanding attention. The staff rushed to greet him, sensing money.

“I need a full wardrobe,” he said, pulling off his old jacket. “Everything.”

The stylists went to work, pulling designer pieces, measuring his frame, dressing him in clothes that fit perfectly.

A crisp black suit, that clung to his body. A dark blue dress shirt that brought out his eyes. A watch that cost more than most people made in a year.

By the time he stepped out of the dressing room, the difference was undeniable.

He looked powerful.

He looked like a man in control.

A group of women browsing nearby turned their heads, their eyes widening. One of them whispered something to her friend, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

Nate caught her staring and smirked.

The old him wouldn’t have noticed.

The new him?

He didn’t just notice.

He owned it.

…

Harris pulled the car to a smooth stop in front of Aldric Innovations. The towering glass building reflected the early morning sun, standing tall and proud in the heart of the city.

Nate adjusted the cuff of his new suit, exhaling slowly before stepping out of the car. The moment his polished shoes hit the ground, he straightened his shoulders and walked forward, the weight of the past no longer dragging him down.

This company was his. Had been his ever since his father died two years ago.

But they had tried to take it from him.

Not this time.

As he walked through the entrance, heads turned. Conversations slowed, fingers hesitated over keyboards, and people exchanged quick glances, confusion crossing their faces.

At first, they didn’t recognize him.

Then, realization hit.

Eyes widened. Mouths parted in shock.

This wasn’t the Nate Aldric they were used to seeing.

This wasn’t the quiet, unassuming man who blended into the background.

This Nate walked like he owned the world.

A side smirk played at his lips as he continued forward, ignoring the whispers.

Halfway through the lobby, a familiar figure rushed toward him.

His personal assistant, Ryan Holt.

The same Ryan who had smiled in his face, worked under him for years, and then stabbed him in the back without hesitation.

What had it cost him?

Nate had given this man everything. Had helped him build his future, even opened a small business with him on the side. And yet, when the vultures came circling, Ryan hadn’t hesitated to betray him.

Nate’s smirk didn’t waver as Ryan reached him, tablet in hand, his expression unreadable.

“Mr. Aldric,” Ryan said, falling into step beside him. “There’s an urgent board meeting this morning. They require your presence.”

Nate didn’t respond right away. Instead, he let his eyes drag over the man beside him.

Ryan. A liar. A traitor.

And yet, he still walked with that same air of professionalism, as if he hadn’t played a part in destroying the very man he now answered to.

Interesting.

Keeping himself in check, Nate simply nodded.

“Lead the way.”

Without another word, Ryan guided him toward the conference hall.

A room full of men and women who had once sat before him and cast their votes against him.

People who had been manipulated into turning against him.

People who thought they had won.

Nate stepped forward.

It was time to show them they had made a mistake.