[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-reborn-heiress-strike-back":3,"chapter-the-reborn-heiress-strike-back-the-reborn-heiress-strike-back-chapter-10":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Reborn Heiress Strike Back",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1266451,1695,"Chapter 10 - The Queen Plays Quietly","the-reborn-heiress-strike-back-chapter-10",10,"\u003Cp>\"I knew he’d come to me. No pressure. No chase.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Samantha’s voice was low, quiet, laced with a calm edge as she stood before the floor-to-ceiling glass on the 50th floor of Elevate Strategic Group. The sky was painted in a crisp daylight shimmer, the city stretched beneath her like a chessboard, and she — the queen — watched in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was holding a sleek windowpane, a built-in optical surveillance display shimmered faintly — the kind only multi-billion dollar tech could afford. Samantha lifted one hand and swiped across a nearly invisible panel, zooming in on the building’s entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There they were — Nick Carter and Lynn. Standing beneath her empire like ants. Watching, failing, guessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small, pleased smirk tugged at her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, a soft beep chimed from behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door to her office slid open. Lynn stepped in confidently, her card still in hand, cheeks flushed with laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should’ve seen his face, ma’am,\" Lynn said, barely containing her giggle. \"He looked like someone stole his crown. Absolutely stunned.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Samantha turned slowly. Her expression neutral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynn’s breath hitched — had she gone too far?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But instead of reprimanding her, Samantha said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You did well, Lynn. A real leader makes calculated moves. You followed the plan — and it paid off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynn brightened. \"I stuck to the script, just as we rehearsed. Denied access. Kept calm. Showed no emotion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Samantha offered the faintest nod of approval as she slid the surveillance panel back into the wall. She moved toward her desk — her gait fluid and elegant — then sat, fingers brushing across the keyboard of her silver laptop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may go. I’ll call if I need anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, ma’am,\" Lynn said with a proud smile, backing out of the office. The door sealed behind her with a second beep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Samantha’s expression shifted. Calculating. Cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She picked up her phone and dialed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jake. Come to my office now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No emotion. No need for more words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within minutes, Jake Morgan stepped into the room — sharp in a grey tailored suit, sleeves rolled slightly at the wrist. His energy was calm, protective, quietly intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Any updates?\" she asked, still facing her screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chloe’s good at hiding her dirt,\" Jake admitted. \"But I’m digging. I’ve got her private socials, dummy bank cards, a few encrypted messages we’re working on cracking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Samantha’s gaze stayed on her screen. \"Keep going. She’s hiding something big. I can feel it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jake leaned against the desk edge, arms crossed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sam, you sure it was smart letting Nick get that close today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Samantha looked up, her eyes sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think I don’t know what I’m doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t say that,\" Jake said gently. \"But I don’t want you getting hurt again. That family — they destroyed Ally. I’m just making sure Samantha doesn’t fall the same way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She rose from her chair — slow, powerful — and stepped toward him. Her voice was quiet, precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ally was blind. Samantha isn’t. Letting Nick into my space lets me study him, control the narrative. He thinks he’s chasing a deal. He has no idea he’s walking into a trap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jake’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. She was always three steps ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Samantha handed him a thick black folder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is everything on the unlaunched project. Read through it. I want feedback by tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jake took it, eyes scanning the seal. \"You’ll have it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Samantha walked back to her desk, pressed a button under the glass. Her panoramic window, once offering a view of the city, faded to white as the smart-glass darkened into an impenetrable opaque screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m heading out,\" she said, picking up her Hermès handbag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jake stepped aside, watching her move like a ghost through power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the hallway, they parted without a word. She headed toward the elevator. It opened with a soft chime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ground floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lynn was already waiting beside a sleek black Mercedes. She took Samantha’s bag with practiced ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chauffeur stepped out, bowing slightly before opening the door. Samantha slid into the leather seat. Lynn followed, door closing quietly behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Status?\" Samantha asked as the engine purred to life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All meetings for today were cancelled and rescheduled per your request, ma’am,\" Lynn replied crisply. \"Nothing left on your calendar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Samantha exhaled — slow, measured — and stared out the tinted window as Manhattan drifted past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good,\" she said. \"Now drive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",733,"2026-06-05T16:26:33.508Z",1,"novelbin.me","08bc288b54110d2fb934916a6a7c839ed545ace618362473660d32bd8a78a6a7","the-reborn-heiress-strike-back-chapter-11","the-reborn-heiress-strike-back-chapter-9",88,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-reborn-heiress-strike-back-cover.jpg"]