My Second Chance
Copyright© 2026 by BillMax
Chapter 13: Who Is He?
In his previous life, Grace Morrison was sentenced to fourteen years in prison for killing Serena Blake.
Luckily, she caught the attention of some wealthy young heir who saw potential in her. After a dramatic makeover, she was released in less than five years.
Subsequently, a genius superstar rose swiftly to fame. Not only were her singles smash hits—even her art films were box office successes. With a fan base in the billions, she was known as the National Goddess of Music.
It wasn’t until several years later, after that rich heir ran into trouble, that people suddenly realized the celebrated star was actually a murderer.
Marcus had genuinely enjoyed her work and sympathized with her plight. In this life, the moment he heard the name Serena Blake, he resolved to save her and change her destiny.
Of course, he also intended to profit from her talent.
Personally cultivating a goddess of music would be a deeply satisfying achievement.
“Don’t you understand what ‘being obedient’ means?” Marcus opened his eyes, his gaze sharp.
Grace felt intimidated under his stare. Her face went timid as she countered weakly, “I ... I only agreed to work for you, not to be your slave.
And right now, I don’t want to do anything other than avenge my sister.”
“Stop the car!”
At Marcus’s sudden command, Bryce Thornton quickly pulled over.
“Within six months, I guarantee you’ll have your chance for revenge. Six months later, I’ll make you soar to heights you can’t even dream of,” Marcus said coldly, looking at Grace. “Or you can walk away right now.”
Grace felt wronged. Her eyes welled with tears. “I haven’t wronged you. I only asked a question. Why are you being so harsh?
We can talk things out nicely, and I’ll listen, right?
After all ... after all, you just spent a million to save me. I may be young, but I understand the principle of repaying kindness.”
“Then get out of the car too.”
Grace looked up, unable to hold back her tears any longer.
She felt as if she had been abandoned.
“As I said earlier,” Marcus continued, “find a place to stay yourself. We’re about to reach my home, and there are no good schools nearby.”
The heart that had plummeted instantly clicked back into place. Grace instinctively wanted to smile, but her tears surged even harder. She found this man extremely vexing.
“Mr. Hale,” Bryce interjected, “why don’t we let Grace stay with me? I’ll take care of her living and schooling arrangements.”
Marcus pondered for a moment, then nodded. As the car resumed its journey, he asked, “What do you plan to do after you get back?”
Bryce’s eyes gleamed with murderous intent. “Of course I’m going to clean house.”
Marcus curled his lips and fell silent.
Bryce would not dare underestimate him in the slightest now. She even felt that his every action was profoundly significant, so she asked, “Mr. Hale, is there something amiss?”
“Your underlings betrayed you, so cleaning house is only fitting for ‘Bryce.’ There’s nothing amiss with that.”
“‘Bryce’? And what about ‘Bryce Thornton’?”
“This is an excellent opportunity to go legit.”
Bryce gripped the steering wheel tighter, her heart in turmoil.
She had been contemplating going legit for a long time and hadn’t mentioned it to anyone.
After long reflection, she made up her mind and said earnestly, “What should I do? Please guide me, Mr. Hale.”
Indeed, she was a very perceptive woman.
Marcus’s lips curled slightly into a smile. “It’s simple. After this incident, you should have a clear idea of who’s loyal and who isn’t.
Under the guise of cleaning house, hit a bunch, recruit a bunch, and distribute the dirty business operations you can’t clear up as rewards—but don’t make it too fair. Let them squabble over the uneven distribution, which will give you the chance to cut ties with them.
However, be careful not to affect the pork supply I’ve ordered.
Besides, once your business is settled, shut down the modeling company and replace it with an entertainment agency. I’ll invest in you.”
Bryce couldn’t help making a strange face.
A man who had gambled in her joint for nearly two years, losing more than winning, who had even borrowed high-interest money for ten thousand dollars, was speaking as if he were some mighty hidden big shot.
It was all too bizarre.
If she hadn’t just witnessed the scene in Westlake City, where top wealthy heirs were smilingly calling him ‘Marcus,’ she would have thought he was just another boastful street vagrant like the night before.
They arrived at the address Marcus gave and stopped in front of a deteriorating old apartment complex. Bryce’s feeling of strangeness intensified, and she couldn’t help asking, “Mr. Hale, you ... you live here?”
Guessing what she was thinking, Marcus smiled faintly. “This is where I grew up.
If possible, I’d like to spend the rest of my life here. Unfortunately, as I’ve mentioned, there are no good schools nearby.
For the sake of the children, I’ll have to move sooner or later.”
“You already have children?” Grace looked even more shocked, with a hint of slight disappointment.
“I will in a little over eight months.”
Having said that, Marcus pushed the car door open and walked into the complex.
Grace stared at his retreating figure until it disappeared, then asked, “Bryce, who is he really?”
Bryce shook her head. “I’d very much like to know the answer to that question myself.”
When Marcus got home, he saw a suitcase in the living room and was filled with surprise and excitement.
His wife had returned.