Chapter 25

Serena pov 

I asked casually, "What happened?" "That Elena—she vetoed every single project you'd lined up! Not one left!" Chloe was clearly hiding in the bathroom to vent, keeping her voice low. I paused. "All of them?" "Yes, all of them! Including the AI and gaming projects you were most excited about." Chloe sounded exhausted by it all. I frowned. "What did Adrian say?" "Adrian said nothing." My mind went blank for a second, but I quickly pieced it together. Adrian knew perfectly well which projects were worth investing in. He stayed silent simply because Elena was the one vetoing them. He was building her authority, making sure everyone in the pack office respected and submitted to her. As always, shielding and supporting Elena. "Do you think Adrian's been cursed or something? How is everything up to Elena now?" Chloe had nowhere else to unload her frustration but on me. "Simple. He's solidifying her position," I said. I'd already seen through it. Even if he announced he was handing Blackwood business to Elena tomorrow, I wouldn't be surprised. "What position needs this kind of favoritism? Is he treating her like the future lady of Blackwood business?" Chloe always spoke before thinking. She realized too late and stumbled. "Serena, I didn't mean…" I stayed calm, even joking a little. "Maybe he is. So you'd better stop badmouthing behind backs—if word gets out, you'll lose your job." Chloe didn't care about that. She just felt bad for me. "Adrian will definitely regret this!" Her voice thickened, remembering how I'd looked—pale and lifeless on a hospital bed, barely hanging on. Just a little more, and I wouldn't have made it. "No—he absolutely will regret it!" She was furious on my behalf. Whether he regretted it or not no longer mattered to me. Whatever he felt later, I'd already chosen to move past him. "It's just a shame about those projects," I said, staying composed, only sorry to see good opportunities wasted. Chloe agreed. "Yeah. You scouted and vetted each one yourself. Who knows which investment firm will snap them up now." She said it carelessly, but it struck me. If… I started my own firm, could I take those projects? But the networks and resources I had access to were all tied to Adrian and Blackwood business. Once I left, once we went our separate ways, which investors would still give me the time of day? … Jack arrived right on time. He must have spoken with Grant beforehand—the man was already waiting in his office. When we entered, Grant greeted Jack warmly, shaking his hand. "Please, Jack, this way." I didn't know Jack's full background, but Grant's attitude made it clear his status was high. Jack stated our purpose directly. Grant hesitated. "The slot was finalized yesterday. Changing it now wouldn't be proper." Jack said, "Serena is my friend." That put Grant in a difficult spot. I sincerely asked for his help and showed him the materials I'd prepared. As the eldest son of Jendris Pack's Sawyer family, Grant couldn't outright refuse. He excused himself and left the room. He didn't return for a long while. Then Leonard messaged me: during the experts' meeting, he'd shown them my materials. They were actually more interested in Grace—her case was more challenging. Hope flickered in me again. Then Grant returned. This time his stance was firm. "Jack, I'm really sorry. The slot was committed earlier and already scheduled. I can't change it last-minute." Seeing Jack's expression cool, he quickly added, "But rest assured—we'll do everything for Serena's mother. If you're worried, I can even help connect you to more authoritative hospitals." The last thread of hope snapped. The light in my eyes dimmed. "Serena, wait outside," Jack said. I left in a daze. "Grant, be straight with me. What would it take for Grace to get the surgery?" Jack's gaze was deep. "Name your terms." "Jack, you misunderstand. I truly can't help with this." Jack understood instantly. "Mind telling me who's making it difficult for you?" "Well…" Grant hedged. There were only a handful of top families in Jendris Pack. Even fewer outranked the Stone family. Jack guessed easily. "Adrian?" Grant neither confirmed nor denied. Jack nodded. "Understood. Thank you." He left the hospital without saying anything to me. I'd already sensed the odds were low. I started preparing alternatives, searching online for expert teams within the pack. Jack went straight to Blackwood business to find Adrian. Elena was there too. "Jack, what brings you here?" Elena seemed genuinely pleased. "I'm here for Adrian." "He's in his office. I'll take you." She led the way. Adrian had expected the visit—Grant had called him an hour earlier. Jack wanted the consultation slot. But Adrian had already promised it to Elena and wouldn't easily yield. So he'd made his position clear. Grant, weighing options, had gently refused Jack. "Could you let me have the expert team's consultation slot?" Jack asked directly. Adrian didn't budge. "Sorry. I can't give it up." When Elena learned what it was about, she quickly explained, "Jack, Adrian fought to get this slot for me. My mother is ill and hospitalized—she really needs it." "So you're the one who took it?" Elena nodded. "Yes. Who are you trying to help?" Jack didn't answer. He gave Adrian a complicated look and left. That evening Grace wanted fresh air, so I wheeled her outside for a walk. The sunset painted the sky and the whole pack in vivid red. Rare for early winter to have such brilliant colors. Not far away, Elena was pushing Helen on a similar stroll. Not wanting to cross paths, I turned the other direction. Elena was focused on chatting with Helen and didn't notice us. "Mom, just wait peacefully for the surgery. This time it's the world's top expert team—very low risk!" Helen sounded reassured. "This time we really owe Adrian. You must thank him properly for me." Elena smiled sweetly. "Adrian said there's no need to be so formal with him." "That's true. After all, we'll be family soon." "Mom!" Elena pretended to be shy. "I'm not wrong. Your father and I can both see he truly cares for you…" Mother and daughter walked farther away, their voices fading. But under the tree shadows, my face had gone deathly pale. I never imagined—Adrian had helped Elena seize the consultation slot!