In the study, Hugh still remembered his earlier agreement with Serena to keep their marriage private for a while.


    He said, "Grandpa, I think we should wait a little longer before announcing our marriage. Revealing it at Cole''s engagement party mighte across as disrespectful to Serena."


    As he spoke, he naturally put his arm around Serena''s waist. They stood close, and their actions were affectionate.


    Serena was a little stunned, but with his hand gently resting on her waist, his demeanor gentlemanly, she didn''t feel any resistance. She leaned into him and feigned a shy look.


    Seeing their little disy of affection, Calvin smiled. "It seems like you two are getting along well. I''m getting old. Earlier, I was so focused on worrying about not revealing your rtionship, fearing that someone might mistreat Serena, that I forgot the timing of the announcement could be a bit off.


    "Serena, don''t be upset with me."


    Serena smiled helplessly. "I know you''re only looking out for me, Grandpa. How could I be angry with you?"


    Hugh added, "But, Grandpa, you''re right about one thing. Since Serena is now part of the Larson family, we can''t let her feel mistreated. In a few days, there''s a team-building event at Larson Group, and I''ll be bringing Serena along with me."


    "That sounds like a good idea." Calvin nodded in agreement.


    Thepany''s team-building event brought together both upper and lower management. Having Serena attend with Hugh would almost be like making their rtionship semi-public.


    Not only would it allow the public to gradually be aware, but it would also signal to everyone within the Larson Group to treat Serena with more respect.


    Both Hugh and Calvin were thinking of Serena''s well-being.


    Serena thought that Hugh was just worried about the announcement of their marriageing too suddenly and wanted to take things slow. She figured that Hugh always handled things with such meticulous precision.


    Meanwhile, outside the room, Cole hadn''t heard the rest of the conversation and quietly left.


    Walking to a secluded spot, he gazed out at the backyard through the ss and made a call. "You know how I feel. I don''t want to marry Regina, but Grandpa insists on the engagement. I''m sorry for what I''m putting you through."


    "Cole!" Sarah''s surprised voice came from the other end of the line. "You''ve never done anything wrong to me. I''m just not good enough to be with you.


    "Please, hold on just a little longer. Don''t go through with the engagement. I''ll convince Mr. Larson Senior to let us be together!"


    Sarah realized that Cole still had feelings for her. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have confided in her about not wanting to get engaged.


    Cole smiled, but his voice sounded full of frustration. "But Regina just won''t let go. She''s like... a leech. Sarah, do you have any ideas to make her give up on me? You''re a woman, and so is she. You should understand her better."


    His desperate tone only fueled Sarah''s satisfaction. She spoke sharply, almost piercing the phone with her voice. "I know. I''m sure I can figure something out!"


    "Good. I trust you," Cole said, a faint smile appearing in his eyes before he hung up the phone.


    As long as the engagement party was ruined, Hugh and Serena''s rtionship wouldn''t be announced.


    Then, he would still have a chance.


    ...


    Two dayster, Serena was done organizing Amber Group''s operations neatly and had even recruited some fresh talent to thepany.


    She handled the store inspections and project negotiations, working alongside a few senior employees recruited by headhunters, paired with some fresh graduates. The team was mostly made up of the younger generation.


    After finishing her work, Serena was about to leave when Alicia happily pushed the door open.