The restaurant was filled with the gentle melody of a piano and the rich aroma of fine cuisine.
Serena set down her knife and fork, feeling pleasantly full. A faint smile yed on
her lips.
"If you hadn''t shown up in time, who knows how long my dad would''ve kept me there? Thanks," she said.
"Next time, just call me right away," Hugh replied.
He casually wiped the corner of his mouth, his gaze meeting Serena''s under the restaurant''s warm, ambient glow. A faint smile yed on his lips.
If he could, he would have loved to have dinner with her like this every day. But moments like this were always fleeting.
With the Larson family''s charity g approaching, calls from Larson Group kepting in, each one pressing for more details.
Hugh had answered twice, his expression growing darker with each call.
"If you need my approval for every minor decision, why do I even keep you around?"
"But, Mr. Larson Senior emphasized how important this charity g is for you... We just don''t want to make any mistakes."
The voice on the other end was cautious, barely above a whisper, but Serena heard every word.
She had a pretty good idea why Hugh was so tied up. Calvin had emphasized the importance of the charity g to him. While it added to his workload, she knew
this was Calvin''s way of showing he cared-about both of them.
With that thought, she spoke up. "Grandpa just wants the best for us. He''s making sure nothing goes wrong with the announcement. We''re almost done here-how about I head back to the office with you?"
Her words seemed to ease Hugh''s mood a little.
"I''ll be right back," he said.
The person on the other end exhaled in relief. Serena had just spared them from Hugh''s growing impatience.
As they stood to leave, a familiar voice called out. "Mr. Larson, what a coincidence..."
Zach approached in a sharply tailored gray suit, but the moment his eyesnded on Serena, his steps faltered.
"Serena? You''re here too?"
He had been keeping close tabs on Hugh''s schedule for one reason, and that was
to secure Larson Group''s support for the chip investment.
His n had been to "coincidentally" run into Hugh after dinner and seize the opportunity to bring up the deal.
What he hadn''t expected was that, despite Hugh''s hectic schedule, he had still made time for dinner with Serena.
A deep frown settled on Zach''s face, and a flicker of frustration crossed his eyes as he looked at her.
Serena noticed the shift in his expression and raised an eyebrow slightly.
"If this is business, don''t mind me."
With that, she casually leaned back into her seat.
This was a business matter between Hugh and Zach, and Serena had no intention of getting involved or causing any disruption. Content to stay on the sidelines, she simply
observed in silence. ''
Yet Zach''s gaze remained fixed on Serena as he calmly stated, "Foster Group has
a new R&D project and hopes to secure chip support from Larson Group."
"I still need to return to the office to take care of some things. Work-rted matters can be scheduled for a meeting, but personal issues won''t be addressed," Hugh said.
Without sparing Zach a nce, he extended a hand toward Serena. "I''ll take you home."
She hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering to his hand. He was clearly overwhelmed with work, and there was no need for him to feign such affection.
But when she looked up, she met Hugh''s steady, unwavering gaze. Almost instinctively, she ced her hand in his.
Zach observed the exchange, irritation shing across his face Without thinking, he blurted out, "If you''re so busy, Mr. Larson, why not let me take Serena home? You''ve got enough on your te."
Hugh''s grip on Serena''s hand tightened slightly. His cold gaze shifted toward Zach.
"No matter how packed my schedule is, I always have time to take her to dinner and see her home. Compared to her, business is insignificant. So, Mr. Foster, you can save yourself the trouble."