Goodwin Manor


    Serena Goodwin had just returned home after spending a week abroad, trying to shake off a lingering bad mood. The driver carried her suitcases into the foyer, where a housekeeper promptly arrived to unpack for her. Serena flopped onto the sofa, phone in hand, utterly exhausted.


    "Where have you run off to this time, youngdy? You''re never home for more than a day," Magdalen''s voice boomed from across the room.


    Startled, Serena quickly straightened up and puffed out her cheeks. “Grandma, you nearly scared me to death!"


    Magdalen sat opposite her, eyeing Serena''s makeup with clear disapproval. "Just look at yourself. Is this how you want to go around, all painted up? Why can''t you be more like Eleanor-fresh-faced and elegant? She always looks so lovely."


    Serena hadn''t expected to bepared to Eleanor the moment she walked through the door. Annoyed, she turned her face away and muttered, "Right, right. In your eyes, it''s always Eleanor who''s the real granddaughter, not me."


    Magdalen let out a heavy sigh, wondering for the hundredth time why Serena seemed to have it in for Eleanor.


    At that moment, Gina, returning from outside, caught sight of her daughter and called out, "Go take a shower and change your clothes. I''m taking you out to lunch today."


    Serena slumped back into the couch. "No way. I''m dead tired."


    "Don''t be difficult. This isn''t just any lunch-we''re meeting Mrs. Vaughn."


    "Which Mrs. Vaughn?" Serena arched an eyebrow and pursed her lips. As the realization hit her, she shot her mother a wide-eyed look. "Wait-do you mean Xavier''s mother?"


    Gina couldn''t help butugh at her daughter''s dramatic reaction. "Yes, Xavier''s mother."


    "Really?" Serena''s exhaustion vanished, reced by giddy excitement.


    Gina raised an eyebrow, amused. "Not so tired anymore, are you?"


    Serena leapt off the couch, all fatigue forgotten. "Mom, why didn''t you tell me sooner?" she called out, already dashing upstairs. "I''ll be ready in ten minutes!" Downstairs, Magdalen turned to Gina, frowning. "The Vaughns actually agreed?" Gina sat down and replied, "They''re the ones who reached out to us, so I think it''ll work out. I''ve watched Xavier grow up-he''s always been steady and reliable. If Serena marries him, I''ll finally have some peace of mind."


    Magdalen nodded in agreement. "Yes, Serena would be lucky to marry a man like Xavier."


    Gina''s thoughts drifted to the scene she''d witnessed earlier: Xavier getting into Eleanor''s car. She couldn''t help but wonder how those two even knew each other, and from the looks of it, they seemed quite familiar.


    "Did you telln?" Magdalen asked.


    Gina''s expression stiffened. There was no need to mention her son''s predictableck of enthusiasm he never had anything nice to say about these matters anyway.


    Magdalen, ever the optimist, said, "I''m suren will help nudge things along."


    Not wanting her mother-inw to worry, Gina changed the subject. "I bought your favorite fish for lunch, Mom. I''ll have the kitchen steam it for you."


    Upstairs, Serena''s heart was pounding with anticipation. Vanessa had been right -the Vaughns'' elders had finally reached out. She was really about to marry Xavier, or at least be engaged to him.


    Even if Xavier didn''t love her now, surely he would grow to care for her over time. After all, she was attractive, had a great figure, and, aside from Xavier''s indifference, had no shortage of admirers.


    After her shower, Serena dried her hair and sat down at her vanity. She was pondering what kind of makeup to wear when her grandmother''s words echoed in her mind-Eleanor''s clean, understated style.


    Maybe Xavier liked girls who looked natural and fresh. Serena bit her lip, studying her reflection. Aside from the dark circles from too manyte nights, she was still quite pretty.


    She decided against her usual heavy makeup, opting instead for a simple, natural look.


    A littleter, Gina joined her upstairs to help pick out an outfit. She selected a refined, elegant dress, and Serena wore it without protest-she was eager for her mother to help make this marriage a reality.


    "Mom, do you think Xavier''s actually agreed to this arrangement?" Serena asked tentatively as they drove.


    "For now, it''s just an idea between the families. There''s no rush," Gina replied, ncing over at her daughter. Something urred to her and she asked, "Are you and Xavier close?"


    "Mom, don''t you remember? I interned at Xavier''s firm, remember? I was his assistant for two months."