Chapter 4: But I was not satisfied with your... service

Serena followed quietly behind Alexander, watching as he swiped his card to unlock the door. The slight beep of the scanner echoed in the silent hallway. 

The lobby beyond was gleaming, its marble floor polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflecting the soft glow of the crystal chandeliers overhead. Staff members stationed at the entrance bowed respectfully as Alexander passed, their postures stiff with formality. 

Serena lingered a step behind, observing how effortlessly he commanded respect without uttering a single word. His presence was intimidating yet compelling, radiating an aura of power that seemed innate rather than cultivated.

A moment later, Alexander stopped abruptly and turned to face her. His expression was unreadable, but his gaze was sharp. Serena maintained her composure, offering him a polite smile.

“How much did Raphael give you?” he asked, his tone cold and detached.

Serena blinked, momentarily confused by the question. She knew nothing about Raphael’s relationship with Alexander or the inner workings of the Vanderbilt family. Over the past three years, she had deliberately stayed away from their affairs. She had never even met Alexander’s father, let alone anyone else from the Vanderbilt circle.

In her mind, if Raphael was acquainted with Alexander, it meant they moved in the same elite social class—one she had no interest in being part of.

“My boss said the order might be worth hundreds of thousands,” Serena replied calmly, though she couldn’t help but feel puzzled by the sudden interrogation.

“You even have a boss?” Alexander’s brow furrowed slightly, as though the concept baffled him. 

His mind wandered back to something Raphael had mentioned earlier. Supposedly, the 54 Club provided certain “services” to select clients—something Alexander had never encountered firsthand until the previous night when he returned to New York. Now, seeing Serena here only seemed to confirm that rumor. 

Brushing off his growing irritation, he turned on his heel and strode toward his private suite, aware that Serena was still following behind him.

“Raphael said you charge high fees and that your services always leave clients satisfied. Is that true?” His voice was casual, but there was an unmistakable edge to his words. 

Serena, experienced in dealing with difficult clients, didn’t flinch. Over the years, she had encountered plenty of wealthy people—some easygoing, others demanding to the point of absurdity. She knew how to handle both types.

“Mr. Vanderbilt, satisfaction is subjective. It depends on what each client values,” she replied, her tone professional. 

Alexander’s lips curled into a sneer. “Well, I wasn’t satisfied with your service.”

His thoughts drifted to the previous night. She was awkward in bed. I had to take control from start to finish. If she’s in this line of work, shouldn’t client satisfaction come first? Sure, she’s attractive, but hundreds of thousands for that? Ridiculous.

Despite the jab, Serena remained unfazed. Maintaining her poise, she said, “Mr. Vanderbilt, if you could clarify your preferences, I’d be happy to make adjustments accordingly.”

Under the dim lighting of the corridor, her features appeared even more striking. Her composed expression and graceful demeanor only served to accentuate her elegance. 

Alexander found himself pausing, his gaze lingering on her longer than intended. Memories of dawn flickered in his mind—her arms wrapped around his neck, her parted lips trembling, her eyes half-closed in what seemed like both pain and pleasure. Her eyes had been particularly memorable, shimmering like rippling water beneath long, delicate lashes like lotus petals. Her eyes were stunningly beautiful. 

Serena lifted her chin slightly, projecting quiet confidence. “Many of my clients return with new orders because they’re satisfied.” The villas and mansions that she’d designed had often resold for several times their original value. She had yet to receive any complaints thus far. 

Her words caught Alexander off guard. 

“You have other clients?” he asked, his tone sharp. His brow furrowed as a flicker of annoyance crossed his face. “Wasn’t this your first time providing… your service?” 

Serena looked genuinely surprised by the question. “Of course not. I’ve been in the industry for three years.” Her brows knitted slightly as she wondered, What exactly did Mr. Richardson tell him about me? 

Alexander’s expression hardened further. He couldn’t explain why her response irritated him so much, but it did. The idea of her working with others before, her providing the same services she had provided him the previous night, left an inexplicable frustration simmering beneath the surface.

“Fine,” he said curtly. “Don’t follow me anymore. We’re done here. Don’t expect anything else from me.” 

Serena paused, confused by his sudden shift in demeanor. She had no idea what had triggered his irritation.

“Should I go find Mr. Richardson then?” she asked, her voice laced with genuine uncertainty.

Her question seemed innocent enough, but to Alexander, it felt like deliberate provocation. His frown deepened, and his jaw tightened. “Is he also your client?”

“Sort of,” Serena answered with a nod. In her line of work, potential clients were just as important as current ones.

Alexander’s face darkened noticeably. Without another word, he turned and walked away, his long strides carrying him swiftly down the corridor.

Left standing there, Serena blinked in confusion. What just happened? she wondered. She replayed their brief exchange in her mind, trying to pinpoint what might have set him off. They had barely exchanged a few words, yet something she said had clearly struck a nerve.

After a moment, she sighed softly and turned in the opposite direction, determined to focus on her work rather than dwell on Alexander’s inexplicable behavior.