Serena watched as Zach ran toward Wendy, then suddenly let out augh.
"Love is ridiculous. One moment, you think you can go back to the past, and the next, reality reminds you where you really stand."
She smoothed back her wind-tousled hair. There was no heartbreak-only relief. Wendy''s dramatic stunt meant she wouldn''t have to endure another one of Zach''s forced "dates".
And just as she had expected, Zach rushed out of the restaurant, carrying Wendy in his arms.
Through the ss window, Serena caught the smirk ying on Wendy''s lips.
She chuckled and silently mouthed, "I should be thanking you instead."
She didn''t care if Wendy saw it or not. Serena stood up calmly, ready to go home and enjoy a well-deserved good night''s sleep.
But amidst the chaos outside, a camera lens quietly withdrew.
By the time Serena got home, she hadn''t even had the chance to freshen up when her phone buzzed.
It was a message from Calvin. "Serena,e to the Larson residence."
Calvin rarely texted her directly. This was a first.
Worried that something had happened, she didn''t hesitate. She grabbed her car keys and rushed out the door, then drove straight to the Larson residence and headed directly to Calvin''s study.
"Grandpa, what''s wrong? Are you okay?"
Calvin sat at his desk, watching Serena''s worried expression. For a moment, he was taken aback, a faint warmth rising in his chest.
He paused briefly before saying, "I''m fine."
Serena let out a breath of relief.
She steadied her breath before stepping into the room. "So, Grandpa, why did you ask me toe over today?"
Seeing how much she cared, Calvin found it hard to be harsh. Instead of answering, he slid a few photographs across the desk.
She picked them up, her brows knitting together.
They were pictures of her and Zach at dinner, taken from multiple angles. The candlelit setting made the conversation appear far more intimate than it had been.
She said, "Yes, I had dinner with Mr. Foster, but we were just discussing business."
"Since when does discussing business require a candlelit dinner?"
Although Calvin favored Serena, Hugh was still his grandson.
His brows furrowed as he said, "Serena, tell me the truth. Did you and Hugh have an argument? Is that why you''re out looking forfort from another man?"
She nearly choked. What kind of twisted logic was that?
Serena let out a helplessugh. "Hugh treats me well. There''s nothing I need to confide in anyone else about.
"As for the candlelit dinner, it really was just business. If I had anything to hide, would I have been sitting in front of a floor-to-ceiling window where anyone could see us?"
Calvin slowly came to his senses. He had been so focused on worrying about Hugh''s temper that it had clouded his judgment.
Before he could respond, the door swung open.
Outside, Hugh, who had been listening in for a while, walked inside. "Serena''s been getting picked up and dropped off by Celeste every day. Tonight, her father personally arranged for someone to take her to meet that man for a business discussion. Maybe the venue wasn''t ideal, but during the dinner rush, a poor table choice isn''t unheard of."
He still carried the chill of the night air as he moved closer to Serena. He draped his arm around her shoulders in what seemed like an affectionate gesture.
The coolness seeped through her skin, making her shiver slightly.
Serena suddenly felt a little awkward, recalling everything that had happened earlier. But she had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Calvin''s tense expression finally rxed. Seeing that the two of them seemed to be on good terms, he smiled.
"With your rtionship still under wraps, what if Serena gets mistreated out there? But this is just perfect timing. Cole''s engagement party ising up. Why don''t we take that opportunity to announce your marriage as well?"
Outside the room, Cole heard everything clearly and gripped the doorknob tightly.
If Serena and Hugh''s marriage became public, then any chance he had left with her would bepletely crushed.