Shattered Dreams Find Light by Niro Dane Frost 14

Shattered Dreams Find Light by Niro Dane Frost 14 Summary

In Chapter 14 of “Shattered Dreams Find Light,” Carter finds himself in the stark environment of a hospital, engulfed by memories of his childhood and the emotional weight of his current situation. As he grapples with feelings of vulnerability and longing for Simone, he is acutely aware of the pressures mounting from both his family and the media. The chaos outside the hospital mirrors his internal turmoil, as he struggles with the implications of a rival’s public accusations against him, which threaten to unravel his reputation and sense of control.

Carter’s interactions with his mother, Michelle, reveal the depth of the familial tensions and the urgency of the situation. She insists on the need for Simone’s assistance, highlighting the desperation of their circumstances. Despite his irritation and reluctance to reach out to Simone, Carter feels the weight of responsibility to protect his family’s name. The phone calls from both his mother and cousin Trevor force him to confront the reality that Douglas’s actions are not just personal attacks but also public spectacles that could jeopardize his position as CEO.

As the chapter progresses, Carter is confronted by Sandy, who reveals Douglas’s attempts to bribe her into betraying him. This unexpected revelation shifts the narrative, providing Carter with a newfound clarity amidst the chaos. The betrayal he feared becomes a catalyst for action, igniting a determination to reclaim his narrative and confront the challenges ahead. The urgency of the moment compels him to seek out Simone, not only as a professional ally but also as a reminder of the connections that ground him through the storm.

Ultimately, Carter’s journey in this chapter is one of resilience and self-discovery. The chaos surrounding him serves as a backdrop for his emotional growth, as he learns to navigate the treacherous waters of his personal and professional life. The chapter closes with a sense of hope, suggesting that even in the darkest moments, there is potential for light and redemption. As he prepares for the challenges to come, Carter recognizes that his shattered dreams may yet lead to a renewed sense of purpose and strength.

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**Shattered Dreams Find Light by Niro Dane Frost**

**Chapter 14**

Carter sank into the unforgiving embrace of the hospital chair, the sharp, clinical scent of antiseptic wrapping around him like a suffocating shroud. For a brief moment, he was transported back in time, a ten-year-old boy once more, surrounded by the cold, sterile walls of various hospital rooms. The echo of forced laughter from nurses floated through his mind, their smiles as hollow as the promises of swift recoveries—words that felt like empty shells, devoid of meaning.

His left hand instinctively brushed against the scar that marred his skin, a tangible reminder of battles fought, losses endured, and the resilience that had shaped him. The rough texture brought him back to the present, anchoring him in a moment of vulnerability he could hardly afford.

Thoughts of Simone flooded his mind, an ache of longing twisting in his chest. He needed her now more than ever—not merely for the sake of his reputation, but for the comfort and strength she provided. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was preoccupied with her own storm, leaving him to weather his alone.

He turned his gaze toward the window, observing the frenetic activity at the hospital entrance. People rushed in and out, their faces a blur of urgency and concern, each carrying their own burdens, their own stories.

“Shall we, sir?” Rex’s voice sliced through his contemplation like a knife.

The thought of returning home to face Alexa sent a wave of dread crashing over him; the mere idea of seeing Sandy was even less appealing. There was only one refuge left to him, one place where he could attempt to regain a semblance of control.

“Yes. To the office, please,” he replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.

“Of course, boss,” Rex responded, the engine humming to life with a soft rumble that felt oddly comforting.

As the car pulled away from the hospital, Carter’s phone buzzed insistently in his pocket. Without hesitation, he answered. “Hello, mother.”

“Why haven’t you been answering my calls?” Michelle’s voice pierced through the line, sharp and demanding, a blade of frustration cutting through the air.

“I’ve been busy,” he replied, striving to keep his tone neutral, though irritation simmered just below the surface.

“Did you get my text?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Can you believe that boy?” she lamented, her frustration palpable. “He’s out there publicly criticizing you—claiming you’re unfit to be CEO! It’s cruel, Carter. He doesn’t even consider that we’re family. And the media? They’re eating this up!”

“Calm down, Mother,” Carter said softly, though he felt the heat of anger creeping into his veins. “This will blow over.”

“Of course,” she sighed, her tone tinged with resignation. “But that’s why we need Simone. Have you managed to reach her?”

He pinched the bridge of his nose, a habit he had developed in response to stress. “Not yet,” he lied, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. “Why can’t we consider someone else? Must it always be her?”

Michelle scoffed, a hint of pride creeping into her voice. “If you understood how disloyal and incompetent most journalists are, you’d be grateful we have Simone on our side.”

His mind drifted back to Simone, and he felt an unwelcome stirring of desire. Shaking his head, he cleared his throat. “So, we really need her?”

“Desperately,” Michelle replied, urgency lacing her words. “She hasn’t responded to my calls. Can you help me locate her? We’re in dire need of her expertise.”

Carter was taken aback by the tone of desperation in his mother’s voice. It wasn’t uncommon for her to lean on others, but this felt more urgent, more personal.

“Will you, Carter?” she pressed, her voice pulling him from his thoughts.

“Yes, yes, of course,” he replied hastily. “I’ll track her down and let you know.”

“Oh, thank you, love,” she breathed, relief evident in her tone. “Call me as soon as you can.”

He had no intention of bothering Simone again—not because she had turned him away, but because he understood the weight of her current commitments.

“Alright, mother,” he lied, forcing a calmness into his voice. “Take care.” He ended the call before she could sense his hesitation.

Before he could even slip his phone back into his pocket, it buzzed again. He glanced at the screen and saw Trevor’s name lighting up.

“Hey, cousin,” he answered, his voice steady.

“Where are you? Your mother mentioned you weren’t picking up her calls,” Trevor said, his concern evident.

Typical Michelle—always involving Trevor in her dramas.

“I’m on my way to the office,” Carter replied. “And I’ve already spoken to her.”

“Did she mention Douglas?” Trevor’s tone shifted, tightening as it always did when Douglas was brought up. “He’s been giving interviews, making all sorts of claims about you and Sandy.”

Carter straightened in his seat, his heart racing. “What? My mother didn’t mention that.”

“Oh, trust me, he is,” Trevor said, irritation bubbling beneath his calm exterior. “I couldn’t even watch more than a few seconds of it. He’s so damn envious.”

A surge of rage coursed through Carter. He hadn’t realized Douglas had sunk this low, and now it made sense why Michelle had been so furious.

“Your mother said we need Simone,” Trevor continued, his voice now more measured. “After what she pulled with Krissy, she’s our best chance. My team is looking for her, but I’ll need your help too.”

The concern in Trevor’s voice tempered Carter’s anger. Still, he held back the fact that he knew exactly where Simone was. “I’ll look for her,” he promised.

“Thanks, man. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this,” Trevor said. “Are you coming to the club tonight at eight?”

“Sure,” Carter sighed, the weight of his situation pressing down on him. “See you then.”

He ended the call and leaned back, resisting the urge to search for Douglas’s interviews.

No.

He would rather swim through a stormy sea than give Douglas the satisfaction of knowing he was affected. Yet, the anger lingered, gnawing at him.

Simone was on everyone’s lips, everyone insisting he needed her, but he knew better than to believe that.

His phone buzzed once more. When he saw it was Sandy, he frowned, slipping the device back into his pocket. In the few months they had been entangled, he had made one rule abundantly clear: he was the one who initiated contact, no exceptions.

It was time to sever ties, he thought grimly. She had undoubtedly noticed her name trending and, like every other attention-seeking woman who had crossed his path, she was probably looking to leverage that for her own gain.

Suddenly, Rex gasped, followed by a series of sharp taps against the windows.

“What the hell!” Carter snapped, irritation bubbling over.

Outside, a throng of reporters had gathered, their microphones and cameras pressing against the glass like a swarm of hungry insects.

Though the tinted windows obscured his presence, they clearly knew he was inside.

“Get us through,” he instructed tightly, a thread of unease weaving through him.

He hadn’t witnessed this level of chaos since the announcement of his marriage to Alexa, which had sent shockwaves through social media.

Just how significant was the uproar Douglas had ignited?

A shiver danced down his spine at the thought.

He swallowed hard, watching as Rex maneuvered the car through the crowd, the muffled shouts and pounding against the glass only amplifying his anxiety.

Finally, some of his security team rushed out, clearing a wider path for the vehicle. Once they were safely inside the building, Carter stepped out, steeling himself for the onslaught of questions.

“Mr. Wilde!”

“Just one question, sir!”

“Are the allegations true?”

The barrage of loud inquiries and blinding flashlights twisted his stomach into knots, but he maintained a stoic expression, pushing past them as he entered the building.

Nicole was waiting at the door, her expression one of concern. “Mr. Wilde… I’m sorry about the chaos outside,” she said, pushing her glasses up her nose, her cheeks flushed.

“It’s fine,” he replied evenly, trying to project calm. “They’re just hungry for attention; it’s nothing new. Any updates?”

“Not yet, sir,” Nicole said, slightly breathless. “But… you have a visitor in your office.”

Carter frowned. “Van Steele?”

“No, sir. It’s Miss Sandy.”

His jaw tightened involuntarily. “What the hell, Nicole! You—”

“She insisted it was urgent,” Nicole interrupted quickly, lowering her gaze.

Something in her tone piqued his curiosity. He sighed, surrendering to the situation. “Fine. Where is she?”

“In your office, with a guard, sir.”

With purpose, Carter marched to his office, finding Sandy perched on one of the couches. She was clad in a striking yellow suit, a stark contrast to the last time he had seen her, which had been far less formal.

He nodded at the guard. “Thank you.”

The man acknowledged him and stepped out, leaving them alone.

“Oh, Carter,” Sandy said, rising to her feet and rushing towards him.

He instinctively shifted back, avoiding her touch. “How much do you want?” he asked, cutting straight to the chase.

She gasped, her eyes wide with surprise. “I don’t want anything from you! I just wanted you to know that Douglas is trying to pay me to betray you.”

Carter regarded her skeptically. “That’s… hard to believe.”

Without argument, she retrieved her phone from her bag and displayed a message.

“Two hundred thousand dollars if you can publicly announce your affair with Carter Wilde. The offer is slightly negotiable. Call me.”

Carter exhaled sharply, taking the phone back and staring at the screen in disbelief.

“He came to my salon this morning and sent the message shortly after,” Sandy said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Damn that bastard!” Carter muttered under his breath, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on him.

If Douglas knew where Sandy worked, this was far worse than he had anticipated.

“What do we—”

His phone buzzed, interrupting Sandy mid-sentence. He glanced down and saw a text from his mother.

“Have you found Simone? It’s getting worse. The jewelry store is now suing Krissy.”

Carter groaned, rubbing his forehead in frustration. Everything felt like it was spiraling out of control.

Resigned to the chaos, he texted his mother back, informing her of where he had last seen Simone.

As Carter sat in his office, the weight of the world pressing down on him, he felt the shattering of his dreams transform into a flicker of hope. The chaos outside, the accusations from Douglas, and the urgent need for Simone all converged to create a storm of emotions within him. Yet, amidst the turmoil, Sandy’s unexpected revelation offered a glimmer of clarity. For the first time in a long while, he recognized that he was not alone in this fight. The betrayal he had feared was now a catalyst for action, propelling him to confront the shadows of his past and the uncertainties of his future. With determination ignited, he understood that he had the power to reclaim his narrative, to rise from the ashes of his shattered dreams.

In the face of adversity, Carter found strength he didn’t know he possessed. The chaotic world outside his office mirrored the tempest within, but it was in this very chaos that he discovered resilience. The urgency of the moment pushed him to seek out Simone, not just as a professional ally, but as a reminder of the connections that anchored him amidst the storm. With each breath, he resolved to navigate the treacherous waters ahead, prepared to fight for his truth and protect those he cared about. As he steeled himself for the challenges to come, Carter realized that sometimes, it is only in the darkest moments that we can truly find the light within ourselves.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the upcoming chapter, the stakes are set to rise as Carter grapples with the fallout of Douglas’s relentless attacks. With the pressure mounting, he must navigate not only the chaos surrounding his reputation but also the precarious dynamics with Sandy and the increasing demands from his family. Douglas’s underhanded tactics will force Carter to confront the lengths to which his rival is willing to go, igniting a fierce determination within him to reclaim control of his narrative. Will he find a way to counter Douglas’s machinations, or will he be drawn deeper into a web of deceit?

Moreover, the urgency of locating Simone looms large. As Carter’s mother grows increasingly frantic, the question remains: can he put aside his personal feelings and reach out to the one person everyone insists he needs? The emotional turmoil he faces will not only challenge his resolve but also test the boundaries of loyalty and ambition. With reporters clamoring for answers and the specter of betrayal hanging over him, readers can expect a gripping blend of suspense and drama as Carter races against time to protect everything he holds dear. Will he emerge victorious, or will the shadows of his past and present conspire to shatter his dreams once more?

Conclusion

In the swirling chaos of his life, Carter emerged from the depths of despair with a newfound clarity. The tumult of accusations and the relentless pressure from his family had threatened to consume him, but Sandy’s revelation about Douglas ignited a spark of determination within him. No longer just a pawn in a game he didn’t fully understand, Carter realized that he held the power to shape his own narrative. The weight of his shattered dreams transformed into a call to action, propelling him toward a confrontation not only with Douglas but with the shadows of his past. As he prepared to reclaim his story, he felt an unexpected sense of hope, a flicker of light amidst the turmoil that promised a path forward.

With each passing moment, Carter understood that resilience was born from adversity. The chaotic world outside his office mirrored the storm within him, yet it was this very chaos that fortified his resolve. The urgency to find Simone became more than just a professional necessity; it represented a connection to the support he needed to navigate the treacherous waters ahead. As he steeled himself for the battles to come, he recognized that the bonds of loyalty and friendship were as vital as his ambition. In this pivotal moment, Carter not only prepared to confront the challenges that lay ahead but also embraced the truth that sometimes, it is in our darkest hours that we discover the strength to rise and the light that guides us forward.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

In the upcoming chapter, readers can anticipate an exhilarating escalation of tension as Carter is thrust into the eye of the storm created by Douglas’s relentless campaign against him. The fallout from the accusations will not only challenge Carter’s professional standing but also unravel the fragile threads of his personal relationships. As the media frenzy intensifies, Carter must navigate a labyrinth of deceit and betrayal while grappling with the weight of his family’s expectations. The stakes have never been higher, and the question looms: can he outmaneuver Douglas, or will he find himself ensnared in a trap of his own making?

Simultaneously, the urgency to locate Simone becomes a pivotal point of focus. With his mother’s anxiety reaching a fever pitch, Carter is forced to confront his own reservations about reaching out to her. Will he set aside his pride and personal turmoil to seek her expertise, or will he allow his fears to dictate his actions? As the clock ticks down, the emotional stakes rise, and the tension between ambition and loyalty becomes palpable. Readers should prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, as Carter’s journey unfolds amidst the chaos, leading to revelations that could change everything. Will he find the strength to forge alliances and reclaim his narrative, or will the shadows of betrayal pull him under? The next chapter promises to deliver gripping twists and a deeper exploration of Carter’s resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.