Gina didn''t pay much attention to where her daughter was working. "Oh really? So, how does Xavier treat you?"


    "He''s wonderful! If it weren''t for-" Serena caught herself and quickly shut her mouth.


    Gina pressed, "If it weren''t for what?"


    Serena smiled slyly. "Nothing, Mom. I like Xavier a lot. You have to help me with this marriage. I really want it to work."


    Gina secretly hoped her daughter would marry into the Vaughn family. It wasn''t about money or status-Xavier''s character alone made him a catch in her eyes.


    In a quiet, elegant restaurant, Mrs. Vaughn-Henrietta-had already arrived and was waiting for them.


    "Gina," she greeted warmly.


    “Henrietta,” Gina replied with a pleasant smile.


    Once the two women were seated, Henreitta turned her attention to Serena, looking her up and down with an approving smile. "Serena, it''s been so long since Ist saw you."


    "Hello, Mrs. Vaughn." Serena''s cheeks flushed with shyness.


    "What a lovely, well-mannered girl," Henreitta praised. She still remembered attending Serena''s older brother''s wedding, and now, in the blink of an eye, Serena had grown into a young woman.


    Now that her son had just taken over as chairman of the Vaughn group, Henreitta thought it was the perfect time to form a strong alliance with the Goodwin family. It made sense for the family business and, besides, her son was at the right age to settle down.


    Henreitta began asking Serena about her interests with genuine warmth.


    "I enjoy flower arranging and baking. Andtely, I''ve been learning German."


    "Oh, that''s wonderful!" Henreitta beamed.


    Serena''s cheeks colored. "I want to learn more so I can help Xavier in the future."


    Henreitta exchanged a satisfied nce with Gina. It was clear this future daughter-inw had her approval.


    “So, Serena, what do you think of my Xavier?" Henreitta asked, her tone gentle but probing.


    A hint of admiration flickered in Serena''s eyes. "Xavier is incredible. I... I''ve always looked up to him."


    Just from Serena''s expression, Henreitta could tell the girl was genuinely fond of her son, and that put her mind at ease.


    At that moment, Gina stood up. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."


    As soon as her mother left, Serena bit her lip and turned to Henreitta. "Mrs. Vaughn, does Xavier know about the marriage arrangement between our families?"


    Henreitta set down her cup. "I''ve mentioned it to him, but he''s been so busytely, he hasn''t given me a proper answer yet."


    Serena''s hands clenched tighter in herp. Xavier hadn''t just failed to answer-


    his heart was clearly being drawn away by another woman.


    If she didn''t find a way to break things off between Xavier and Eleanor, this engagement would be doomed.


    And the only person with the power to help was sitting right in front of her-Mrs. Vaughn.


    "Mrs. Vaughn, there''s something I''d like to discuss with you." Serena decided to take the initiative.


    "Oh? What is it?"


    "Do you know Eleanor?" Serena lowered her voice.


    Henreitta frowned in thought. "The name sounds familiar."


    "She''s my brother''s ex-wife. My former sister-inw," Serena exined.


    "Ah, yes," Henreitta nodded. "So what about her?"


    Serena hesitated, biting her red lip. "Since the divorce, she''s been spending a lot of time around Xavier. She used to coborate in Mrs. Juliette Grayson''sb, too. I''m worried-"


    Henreitta immediately understood. This Eleanor had just gotten divorced and was already trying to climb the socialdder again—this time with her son in the crosshairs.


    Henreitta set her cup down, keeping her tone even. "Perhaps it''s just a professional rtionship?"


    Serena shook her head, her voice urgent. "No, it''s more than work. Your granddaughter Vivian goes to the same preschool as my niece-they see each other all the time. I even heard Eleanor might be interested in pursuing Xavier."


    That sparked Henreitta''s memory. Hadn''t Vivian mentioned a kind "Aunt Eleanor" who took good care of her?


    "Mrs. Vaughn, I wouldn''t bring this up if it weren''t important. Eleanor is my brother''s ex-wife—I want the best for her, truly. But you''d never allow your son to marry someone like her, would you?"


    Henreitta''s expression grew serious. "If there''s any truth to this, I''ll look into it and handle it personally."


    Serena nodded obediently, a glimmer of triumph in her eyes. Atst, the Vaughn family matriarch was going to intervene. Eleanor, your days were numbered.


    When Gina returned to the table, neither Henreitta nor Serena mentioned a word about their private conversation.