He Ghost Returns 9

Posted by Adminh, ? Views, Released on March 8, 2025

Chapter Nine

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“What’s this nonsense I’m hearing about your engagement to Zack Ethan?” Mr. Rashford hollered as he barged into the living room.

Mrs. Rashford and Serena were busy picking out the dresses, location, food, everything for the wedding. A wedding planner stood nearby, jotting down details, while the maids arranged a selection of champagne flutes on the marble coffee table.

Mrs. Rashford rolled her eyes, excusing them.

“Come on, sweetheart. You know about Serena and Zack‘ s history before Lena came into the picture,” Mrs. Rashford said reluctantly.

“Are you even hearing yourself? We just buried Lena a few days ago and now Serena is announcing her marriage to Zack? Have

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Chapter Nine

you seen the news?” Mr. Rashford yelled even louder.

Serena clenched her jaw, setting down the bridal catalog she had been flipping through. “Dad, lower your voice,” she hissed, shooting a glance at the maids nearby. “You‘ re making a scene.”

Mr. Rashford turned to her with narrowed eyes. “A scene?” He scoffed.

“You made a scene when you stood beside Lena at her wedding, pretending to be happy for her while waiting for the perfect moment to snatch her husband!”

Serena’s eyes flashed with something unreadable, but she remained composed.

“Zack and I have a history, Dad. You know that. It’s not like I plotted her downfall.”

Mr. Rashford let out a bitter laugh. “No, you just benefited from it. How convenient.”

Rebecca sighed dramatically and stood, smoothing down her silk dress. “Darling,

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Chapter Nine

you‘ re being overdramatic. Zack is an

excellent match for Serena, and with Lena gone, what’s the harm?”

Mr. Rashford’s gaze darkened.

“The

harm? The world still remembers Lena, and they will not take this lightly. The media is already tearing into this engagement. “Zack Ethan moves on with deceased wife’s sister.‘ Do you have any idea how terrible that sounds?”

Serena crossed her arms. “The world will adjust.”

“The world may,” he snapped, “but I won‘ t.

“Do you know how that makes me look? My investors, my partners, they don’t want their names tied to this kind of scandal.”

Serena rolled her eyes. “Dad, don’t act like you cared so much for Lena.”

His expression stiffened. “She was still my daughter.”

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hapter Nine

amatic. Yeah, sure. We all know you never truly erena, a knowledged her like you do me.”

m?”

Your business will be fine. I can even tell darkeneryone the truth about how Lena stole rememck from me in the first place,” Serena e this lip led.

ing into

Ethan m

er.‘ Dow

Rashford exhaled sharply, pinching the dge of his nose.

It sounds at least be smart about this, Serena.

‘t you wait? Hold off on the wedding now. Maybe in a few months, or even a

rms. “T

r. By then, the attention will die down, ne snappal people will move on.

99

ena‘ s lips curled into a knowing smile that makshe leaned back in her chair. “I would, tners, th we don’t have that kind of time.”

d to this

es.

“Dad

frowned. “What do you mean?”

met his gaze head–on. “I’m gnant.”

ch for leo

ena crossed her arms. “And I know ned.feed

Dad. You don’t want me having a

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Chapter Nine

child out of wedlock, do you? So, we need to get married fast.”

Mr. Rashford’s jaw tightened, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He looked from his daughter to his wife, then back again.

Rebecca smiled smugly. “See, darling? This is exactly why this wedding needs to happen now.”

“The both of you, fix this! I can’t deal with this scandal!” Mr. Rashford ordered as he walked away angrily.

“To think it’s just his business he cares about, poor Lena,” one of the maids muttered to herself.

Just then, Serena‘ s phone rang. It was Zack. She answered without hesitation.

“Hey, babe.” She smiled, mouthing ‘It’s Zack‘ to her mother.

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“Have you been paying attention to the business lately?” Zack‘ s voice was sharp

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Chapter Nine

child out of wedlock, do you? So, we need to get married fast.”

Mr. Rashford‘ s jaw tightened, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He looked from his daughter to his wife, then back again.

Rebecca smiled smugly. “See, darling? This is exactly why this wedding needs to happen now.”

“The both of you, fix this! I can’t deal with this scandal!” Mr. Rashford ordered as he walked away angrily.

“To think it’s just his business he cares about, poor Lena,” one of the maids muttered to herself.

Just then, Serena‘ s phone rang. It was Zack. She answered without hesitation.

“Hey, babe.” She smiled, mouthing ‘It’s Zack‘ to her mother.

“Have you been paying attention to the business lately?” Zack‘ s voice was sharp

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Chapter Nine

and urgent.

“Our biggest investor, Asher Farleigh just pulled out. Do you know what that means?” Zack panicked.

Serena sat up straighter. “Asher Farleigh pulled out?! Why? When?” She panicked.

“Just this morning. I tried getting in touch. but I’ve been blocked everywhere. This is so messy!” Zack yelled.

“Serena‘ s stomach twisted. “Why would he-”

“You know why,” Zack cut in. “The engagement. The media storm. This isn’t just gossip, babe, it’s affecting our

money.”

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She swallowed hard. He wasn’t panicked about losing her. He was panicked about losing his funding.

“I’m sure we can find new investors,”

she said, trying to sound reassuring.

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‘Sure‘? That’s not good enough,

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Chapter Nine

Serena! I need stability. I need to know your dad is handing the business over to you. What’s he saying about his retirement?”

“Serena hesitated. “He hasn’t said

anything yet. He’s angry that we‘ re getting married so soon. He wants us to wait.”

“Wait?” Zack‘ s voice sharpened. “We can’t, baby. I…I love you.. we’ve each other. I’ve always wanted to be with you. And you‘ re pregnant. That’s more than enough reason to push for this.”