Serena's hunch was right—something was going on between Lauren and her boss. She drew close to Lauren and said, "Show me a picture of him.""I don't know why you're so interested. He's not exactly handsome," Lauren grumbled even as she picked up her phone and pulled up a picture of her boss. "His name is Aaron Zimmers. I'd say he's around 30, and he took over the company from his father."In any case, he's got more money than I do."Serena took the phone and assessed the man in the photo. "He looks pretty decent to me. Kind of gentle-mannered, if you ask me.""That's great and all, but he's got nothing on Wilson," Lauren pointed out.Serena teased, "I think he'd be a good match for you, Laurie."Lauren hissed when the knife sliced across her fingertip. Blood beaded from the cut and rolled down her finger. Panicking, she quickly hid her hand behind her back and checked Serena's expression."Serena, maybe you should leave the kitchen until I've cleaned myself up…" she suggested, k
Surprised, Serena took a step back and said, "No, Mr. Quade, you shouldn't have…"She was starting to think that Wilson's kindness toward her was motivated by romantic feelings. Justin had hurt her too deep for her to even consider dating anyone, and she had no idea how she would face Wilson if he turned out to have feelings for her."It's just a box of chocolates. Why are you getting worked up all of a sudden?" Wilson asked, the cigarette dangling from his lips.As if reading her thoughts, he added for good measure, "I got them from the souvenir shop at the airport. Think of it as a token of thanks for celebrating my birthday. I got one for Jacob, too."He handed Serena the box of chocolates, and only then did she heave a sigh of relief. He did not leave after she took the box and instead asked, "Monique told me you ran into Shawn while you were trying on dresses at the boutique today. Is it true that he gave you trouble?""Yeah, but he backed off after Monique name-dropped you,"
Serena looked so stunning that Wilson fell speechless. He was suddenly seized with a primal urge to kiss her.…Meanwhile, Justin was sipping champagne in a resplendent banquet hall somewhere in Nocturna, occasionally glancing at the entrance. Several guests came up to him in hopes of making small talk, but he dismissed them after briefly humoring them.Candice could tell Justin's mind was far away. She pursed her lips as she looped her arm through his. "What a crowd, Justin. I don't know any of these people. Care to introduce me to some of them?"The Farrows were never ones to initiate small talk with other members of high society. It was always the other way around, and Justin was always their target. Unfortunately, Candice did not understand this unspoken rule.Justin pointed out with forced patience, "If you want to get acquainted with the other heiresses and socialites, have Mollie hook you up. I wouldn't know what young ladies talk about these days." He then turned to beckon
The crowd watched as a striking couple entered the hall.The man boasted a towering height, his tailored black suit accentuating his refinement and handsome features.The woman on his arm had the kind of beauty that kings would wage wars over. She wore a burgundy dress hugging her perfect figure. Her ruby necklace drew attention to her chiseled collarbones. She was dazzling, yet also surprisingly familiar."Is that Serena? How is that possible?" Lynn asked incredulously.Mollie and Candice couldn't hide their bewilderment, either.Standing nearby, Justin could feel his composure slipping away. He had expected Serena to show up, but he didn't think she would look so stunning. She was a vision, one that made the other socialites and ladies of leisure pale in comparison.He had forgotten how beautiful she was in the first place. There was a time when such a beauty had belonged only to him!Bitterness and resentment welled up in him at the thought. He was starting to regret kicking
"A good heart, huh?" Wilson returned Damian's card to Serena as something flashed in his eyes. He had caught Damian looking at Serena like she lit up his world.The sound of glass shattering cut through the hall, and everyone turned toward the noise. Wilson and Serena glanced over their shoulders to see a man with salt-and-pepper hair glowering at an indifferent Jacob, wine and shards of glass littered by his feet.Noticing everyone's stares, Jacob smiled at the older man and said, "Now, Dad, it's one thing to smash up wine glasses, but to throw a fit like that could shave years off your life."David Smith snapped, "I don't need your false concern!"Wilson led Serena toward the father-and-son duo, grabbing a glass of wine from the tray of a nearby attendant and handing it to David. His courteous tone belied the warning in his eyes as he said, "Now, Mr. Smith, surely your tantrums are better reserved for days when we aren't at a charity gala."David was silent for a few seconds bef
Wilson explained, "Jacob's mom was David's first wife. When Jacob was four, David threw him and his mom out of the family and remarried within a month. As a result, Marcus Smith, David's youngest son, was born."David had planned on letting Marcus take over the family business, but Marcus was a lost cause. On top of being talentless, he also got into fights. He broke his leg during a recent racing incident and is now receiving treatment abroad."Wilson continued emotionlessly, "Several years ago, Smith Group ran into a crisis. David's ailing health kept him from handling it, and with a few senior directors pressuring him, he had no choice but to call Jacob in for help."So while Jacob looked like he was inheriting his birthright, he was actually made to straighten out the company's mess."A wry smile curved Wilson's lips as he concluded, "I reckon David and Jacob never had much of a father-son relationship, to begin with. So, no, they don't get along at all. If Marcus had lived up
"You've got it," Lauren said as she took Serena by the hand and led her away from Justin."Serena, are you only avoiding me because you still care about me?" Justin asked icily, assessing Serena shrewdly as if he could see through her. "If you're really over me, you should treat me like any other guest and talk to me openly instead of hiding from me."Lauren rolled her eyes. "Imagine how busy one would be if one had to make small talk with everyone at a party! Mr. Farrow, did you ever think that Rina isn't so much avoiding you as she doesn't think you are worthy of her time? Must I spell that out for you?"Justin's eyes were like chips of ice. "You certainly have a death wish, don't you, Lauren?"Lauren was about to retort when Aaron stopped her. "Just drop it already. He's not someone you can afford to cross.""Not like I haven't crossed him already! I may as well give him a piece of my mind while I'm at it," Lauren snapped.Serena interjected, "Laurie, this isn't the time for y
Serena saw Wilson walking out when she arrived at the entrance. She smiled at him."Mr. Quade, why did you leave?""It's dance time. I'm looking for a dance partner." He reached out to Serena and bowed like a gentleman. "Ms. Judd, may I?"She slowly placed her hand in his. They made their way to the dance floor.Not far away, Justin shot them an icy glare. He was about to approach them when Candice took his arm.Looking eager, she said, "Justin, let's dance."He gave it some thought and went to the dance floor with Candice in tow.The lights in the brightly lit hall dimmed. When music started to fill the air, men danced with their partners.Wilson put his hand on Serena's waist. He could feel the slight burn on his palm.He looked down at her face, focusing on her nose and traveling south toward her rosy lips.Whenever he lowered his head, he smelled a whiff of light fragrance that did not seem to come from a perfume. It was just how she smelled like.The look in his eyes de
Lauren scratched her head. "It's just a gut feeling. But honestly, I don't know Mr. Quade that well. Rina, why are you suddenly asking me this?"Serena told her about what had happened yesterday, and Lauren's face changed instantly."Another creep? Damn, what kind of luck do you have? Why do you keep running into these messed-up situations?""At least nothing bad happened," Serena said calmly."Still… based on what you just told me, I'd say there's a good chance Mr. Quade likes you."Serena's eyes widened. "Are you sure?""Of course! He even patted your head. That kind of intimate gesture is something only a brother or a boyfriend would do. Unless he's your long-lost sibling, that means he wants to be your man."Lauren's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Hehe, Rina, can you smell that? Spring's coming.""Spring is long over. It's practically winter already," Serena muttered, still unable to believe that Wilson might actually have feelings for her.Lauren jumped up from the couch
"Then… Then what should we do?" Lara asked.Candice spoke in a low voice. "Act like you don't know anything. Also, get rid of the phone you used to contact Lucas. Just cancel the number and destroy it immediately."Lara nodded repeatedly. "Okay, got it… You be careful too."Then, she hurriedly hung up.Candice gripped the steering wheel, thought for a moment, and then drove back to the hospital. For now, all she could do was wait for news.She was certain that Lucas wouldn't betray her. As long as she didn't expose herself, she would be fine.…Meanwhile, Serena had a peaceful night's sleep at home. She woke up to a message from Wilson the next morning, saying the matter had been taken care of.She immediately called him. "Mr. Quade, I still think we should report this to the police. I'm worried someone was deliberately targeting me this time."Wilson's voice was calm and reassuring as he said, "I already reported it yesterday. That man's name is Lucas Montgomery."He has a p
In his half-conscious state, Justin felt a soft, delicate hand slide across his chest.It moved down past his abdomen as he shot out his hand, grabbing the wrist tightly.His eyes snapped open, and in an instant, he flipped over, pinning the person beneath him.The scent of alcohol still lingered on him."Serena… No, you're not Serena."Candice wrapped her arms around his neck."You're dreaming again, Justin. Just pretend I'm Serena. I love you. I'd do anything for you."She lifted her head and pressed her lips to his.Justin's body tensed for a brief moment.Then, he took control, gripping the back of her head and kissing her forcefully.Candice's heart surged with joy.She eagerly tilted her head back, responding passionately.…The next morning, Justin remained in a deep sleep until mid-morning.When he finally woke, his throat was dry, and he instinctively reached for the water on the nightstand.But his hand pressed against someone.His eyes flew open. Sleep instan
Garbage like that had no place here. It belonged where it belonged—in the trash. …After getting an IV and taking his medication at the hospital, Justin's stomach finally felt a little better.Mollie had just breathed a sigh of relief when, out of nowhere, he yanked out the IV and insisted on going home.She couldn't stop him. All she could do was grumble and drive him back to the villa. "The doctor told you a hundred times—your stomach needs rest. No drinking. But you just had to mess yourself up! Justin, ever since Serena left, you've completely lost it!"Justin leaned back against the car seat, his eyes closed. It was unclear if he was even listening.Taking advantage of his half-drunken state, Mollie kept ranting."You were so damn confident before, saying Serena would never leave you—like she couldn't live without you. Well, look at you now. I guess that confidence didn't age well, huh? "I'm not even a fan of Serena, but to be fair, this is all on you. Of all the thing
At this moment, Wilson's voice was nothing short of heavenly to Serena.Behind her, the man, his swollen eyes barely open, still came charging after her."You bitch! I'm going to kill you!"He was still unsteady from climbing up when a powerful kick knocked him off his feet.He crashed hard at the basement entrance, the impact echoing through the space.Kayden walked down the stairs at a leisurely pace, his expression unreadable.Serena turned her head. "Is he dead?“"Not something you need to worry about."Wilson turned her face back toward him, scanning her up and down. Seeing that she was unharmed, he finally let you a breath of relief."Did he hurt you?"Serena's wide eyes blinked as she shook her head. "No. I caught him off guard and used my pepper spray."Wilson chuckled softly and ruffled her hair. "Not bad."Serena felt a bit odd. Wasn't this gesture too intimate?Wilson took her hand. "Leave this to Kayden. I'll take you back to your complex first."Serena obedie
Serena forced herself to stay calm."I'm the assistant to the CEO of Quade Group. If you dare to lay a finger on me, he'll track you down. You still have a chance to stop this before it's too late."The man let out a mocking laugh. "Oh? A CEO's assistant? Does that mean the big boss of Quade Group values you that much? What, are you his mistress? Have you two done it already? If I get my hands on the Quade CEO's woman, imagine how impressive that'll sound!"His vulgar words sent a wave of disgust through Serena.She spoke coldly, "So, you're the one who sent those harassing messages?""That's right. You're too damn tempting, walking in and out of the complex every day like that. I knew you were trying to seduce me!"His lecherous gaze roamed over her as he sneered. "But tell me—how did you realize I was after you?"Serena clenched her jaw. She didn't want to say anything, but to buy time, she spoke."When that homeless man grabbed me earlier, he kept muttering something. At tha
It was the same man the police had released earlier.Serena's heart clenched. She was just about to scream when a sudden shout cut through the night."Who's there? Stop right there!"She looked up and saw a man in a security uniform rushing over from a distance, pulling out a stun baton as he moved.Serena immediately shouted, "Help me!"But the man behind her had already lunged, grabbing her forcefully and trying to drag her toward a nearby alley."Let go of me!"Startled, Serena instinctively reached for the pepper spray in her bag.Before she could use it, the security guard was already upon them, swinging the stun baton down hard.The man recoiled in pain, stumbling to the ground, but his eyes remained locked on Serena with an eerie intensity.The security guard stepped protectively in front of her. "Still staring?"He charged forward and rained punches and kicks onto the attacker. The man rolled on the ground, shielding his head before staggering to his feet and fleeing
Serena jerked her head to the side, and his lips landed on her cheek instead.That act of resistance completely ignited Justin. Fueled by alcohol, he lost all reason.He grabbed her chin."Not willing? Weren't you the one who used to chase after me? Serena, how did you move on so fast?"And now he was blaming her? Serena didn't bother arguing. She simply bit down hard on his hand.Justin gasped in pain, instinctively releasing her.Taking advantage of the opening, Serena swung her hand and slapped him hard across the face.Justin was stunned. "You dared to hit me?"Serena kicked him off her, scrambled up from the couch, and quickly smoothed out her wrinkled clothes."Are you sober now?"Justin didn't respond. He remained motionless, lying face-down on the floor."Justin?" Serena nudged his leg. "Stop faking."Still no reaction. Sensing something was wrong, she crouched down to check on him—only to see him clutching his stomach, his forehead drenched in sweat, his face t
"You think it's easy for me? Driving all the way here in the middle of the night just to get beaten up." Joseph said.Serena frowned slightly. "Lead the way."The two led her upstairs.Inside the private room, Mollie let out a breath of relief when she saw her."You're finally here, Serena. Hurry up and talk some sense into Justin! He's had way too much to drink. If he keeps this up, he'll end up with a stomach ulcer!"Serena walked over to the couch.Justin was slumped against it, one hand clutching his stomach, the other gripping a bottle of liquor. The heavy scent of alcohol surrounded him.Standing in the dim lighting, Serena called out to him. "Justin."The man on the couch turned his head slightly. The moment he saw her, his gaze flickered with a hint of light.His eyes swept over the others in the room. "Get out."Without hesitation, the group filed out.Damian hesitated before leaving."Serena, we'll be right outside.""Oh, come on. What, do you think Justin's goin