Chapter 1369


    The sky was a nket of dull gray, the night''s curtain not yet fully lifted, when she couldn''t help but ask


    the housekeeper, "What time does Uncle Bard usually wake up?"


    "Well, usually about half an hour from now, but ever since his wife came back, Mr. Bard has been rising


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    Serena couldn''t help but inquire further, “And what about Grandpa?"


    "Mr. Darren woke up justst night. He''s usually in aatose state, so his routine is unpredictable."


    Serena could only put down her fork, ‘Then I''ll go for a morning run, and we can all have breakfast


    together when they wake up."


    At minus three degrees, even d in thick clothing, the bone-chilling wind made Serena shiver


    uncontrobly.


    But she jogged on determinedly, thinking to herself, what if Uncle or Grandpa woke to find her running


    before dawn, impressed by her self-discipline and drive?


    So, braving the cold, she ran around the garden for 40 minutes, and with still no one awake, she


    couldn''t bear it any longer and hurried back inside.


    Half an hourter, Bard was the first toe downstairs. Spotting Serena at the breakfast table,


    cradling a bowl in her hands, he couldn''t resist asking, "Serena, why so early? And your face is so red.


    Is it from the cold?"


    “Lran outside for an hour. It started snowing, so I stopped. Good morning, Uncle Bard." Serena spoke,


    her breath visible in the air.


    Bard hadn''t expected her to change, to take up early morning runs.


    "That''s a good habit, but on bad weather days, you might consider an indoor workout. Your aunt does


    just that with her morning yoga."


    Serena thought, had she known, she would have grabbed a yoga mat and practiced in a conspicuous


    spot indoors, enjoying the warmth and avoiding the strenuous run while still catching people''s attention.


    Bard joined her at the table, sharing breakfast. "By the way, Serena, you mentioned on the phone that


    you have a boyfriend. How long has that been going on?"


    "It started after my sister came home.” Serena deliberately cast her eyes down, then mustered a smile.


    "It''s been about half a year. He pursued me for six years, from junior high through to senior year. After


    the college entrance examsst summer, I gave it a shot."


    "What does he do?" Bard asked with interest. "A student like you?"


    "He''s a freshman too, but he’s exceptional. The college granted him privileges due to his grades. He


    only needs to take exams at the end of each semester and will graduate in four years."


    Unable to resist boasting, Serena added, "His family owns a department store chain with over 600


    locations worldwide. Using his family''s resources, he started a logisticspany and recently secured


    funding. He owns fifty cargo nes and exclusive rights to certain flight paths."


    Bard was well aware of what owning fifty cargo nes meant at such a young age, especially with


    exclusive domestic flight path rights — no small feat.


    "He''s expanded the air freight business nationwide, the fastest in the country, outpacing other logistics


    Serena made a point ofparing him to the Collins and McMillian families.


    Bard nodded, "Impressive. Young, ambitious, with a unique vision."


    “Thank you, Uncle Bard"


    Serena thought to herself how Uncle could so easily overlook the truth. Inparison, Martin was


    clearly no match for Romeo!


    "Since my sister is the true Collins family heiress and I''m just an adopted daughter, it''s only natural that


    the arranged marriage between the Collins and McMillian families should be for her."


    Serena put on an understanding face, not mentioning whether Romeo was interested in her or how she


    reluctantly settled for Martin.


    If she could have her way, she would be Romeo''s wife!


    "My granddaughter has a boyfriend now.’ Darren''s cheerful voice came from the doorway. "I sleep for a


    little while, and I miss my granddaughter getting a boyfriend."


    Eunice, supporting Darren, added with a smile, "It''s not toote for you to find out now, Dad."


    "Bring him over to meet us when you get a chance,’ Darren suggested with a twinkle in his eye. "I


    overheard at the doorway that the young man is in logistics. Not bad at all, quite the business acumen


    for a freshman. He has a promising future."