Serena was caught off guard by Cole''s sudden move, but she quickly regained herposure.


    Meeting his teasing gaze, she let out a soft chuckle.


    "I''m doing this because I want to. I''m sure your fiancée, Regina, would be more than happy to do the same for you. Besides, you don''t look busy at all. I''m sure you can get whatever you want without needing someone to bring it to you."


    With that, she brushed past him.


    Serena was like mist-elusive and impossible to hold onto.


    Cole turned, his gaze fixed on her retreating figure as his fists slowly clenched.


    "I didn''t mean it like that..."


    Cole''s mind was in turmoil as he raised a hand to his face. Serena''s mention of Regina''s name lingered in his thoughts, and his gaze slowly turned cold.


    "I never wanted that," he murmured.


    The only thing he wanted was Serena. His burning gaze followed her every step.


    But Serena didn''t flinch. To her, Cole was nothing more than a spoiled child- fixated on whatever belonged to Hugh.


    His fixation on her was nothing more than a reflection of his subconscious belief that she was another of Hugh''s possessions.


    But she wasn''t anyone''s possession, and she had no intention of letting his strange gaze affect her.


    Serena headed straight for the top floor.


    Having already been informed of her arrival by the receptionist, Chandler smoothly led her into Hugh''s office.


    She frowned at the towering stack of paperwork on his desk. Her gaze then shifted to the slightly ajar lounge door, where she saw Hugh curled up on the small two-person couch, drowsy and almost asleep.


    Not wanting to disturb him, she quietly ced the breakfast down and turned to leave.


    "Wait." Hugh''s deep, hoarse voice cut through the silence.


    Serena paused mid-step and turned toward him.


    He had already gotten up and stepped out of the lounge, groggily brushing the strands of hair that had fallen over his eyes. His gaze was dark and unreadable, like the depths of a stillke.


    "You showed up unannounced and now you''re leaving just as quietly? I even went


    out of my way to stand up for you yesterday."


    His tone almost sounded like a yfulint.


    Serena genuinely appreciated what he had done the day before. A faint smile tugged at her lips.


    "I''ve been swamped with work during the day, and my schedule''s pretty tight. But


    if you''re free tonight, how about we grab dinner together?"


    "Sure," Hugh responded immediately.


    Serena was surprised.


    "Shouldn''t you check your schedule first? You seem pretty busy..."


    "No need. If thispany crumbles just because I step away for a few hours, we might as well dere bankruptcy now."


    Hugh strolled back to his desk, casually instructing someone to book a restaurant.


    Seeing that dinner was already settled, Serena agreed without hesitation. She ced the breakfast


    in front of Hugh and casually pushed the stack of documents aside.


    "Have breakfast first, then you can get to work."


    "The work I have during the day..." Hugh rubbed his temples. He wanted to finish more work to free up time for dinner.


    Serena scoffed. "If thispany


    really can''t operate for even a few minutes without you, I''ll have your grandpa dere Larson Group bankrupt tomorrow."


    Hugh was momentarily speechless. Well, that was a taste of his own medicine. Strangely, he didn''t mind it.


    With Serena watching closely, he slowly unwrapped the breakfast and took his time enjoying the warm meal.


    Just as he was about to say something, Serena was already at the door, waving at him.


    "See you tonight."