chapter 9

serena pov

Damon expected surprise.

Instead, Adrian was remarkably calm. "Ethan still hasn't given up?"

"You mean… this isn't the first time he's gone after Serena?"

"Yeah." Adrian sounded unconcerned, even certain. "He won't succeed. Serena won't leave with him."

Damon agreed, scoffing. "Exactly. How could Serena bear to leave Blackwood Business?"

As long as Adrian was there, she never would.

"That she-wolf's too calculating. I bet she purposely met Ethan at Noctis, hoping I'd run into them and tip you off—making you think she's considering a jump so you'd beg her to stay."

Damon spoke as if he saw through everything. "Probably jealous you're favoring Elena and ignoring her, so she pulls this petty trick. So tacky—no sense of proportion. Doesn't she know wolves hate when she-wolves get jealous and play games? The more she schemes, the further she pushes you."

"She really doesn't know her place. Who does she think she is? How could she compare to Elena? Anyone with a brain would know who to choose."

Adrian had no time for Damon's gossip. He brushed him off and ended the call.

Opening the files for signature, his eyes landed on my resignation letter. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Then he set it aside and continued signing.

…

I had a pleasant chat with Ethan—my mood was good. On the way home, I even bought myself flowers from the shop downstairs.

Only when I got in did I remember I had no vase. Looking at a room full of things that weren't mine dampened my spirits a little.

I found some boxes and packed away all the files, finally clearing the dining table.

After scanning the room, I found something that could work as a vase: a trophy.

Blackwood Business Outstanding Employee Award.

One Adrian had personally presented to me.

I had treasured it like a gem. Last time Maya got drunk at my place, she grabbed it in the night to vomit.

I snatched it away—rather she ruined the bed than dirty the trophy.

I filled it with water and arranged the flowers. I gazed at it for a long while before murmuring to myself, "Finally useful for something."

Before bed, I started my new habit of turning off my phone—slept soundly through the night.

At nine sharp the next morning, I arrived at the pack office. Colleagues were surprised to see me at this hour—I used to be the first one in.

And today I wasn't in my usual rigid professional wear, but a soft, light-colored blouse and skirt.

"Serena, you look different today."

I smiled. "How so?"

"Really beautiful."

Extremely beautiful, to be precise. Even with light makeup, my whole aura had shifted.

Clean, fresh, beautiful yet gentle. The kind of refined beauty that appealed to everyone.

"Thank you." My mood lifted further.

I had eaten breakfast on the way, so at the office I went to the pantry for water to take my stomach medicine.

At the door, I overheard the gossip.

"Who do you think is prettier—Serena or Elena?"

"They're different types. Hard to compare."

"Before, definitely Elena. Serena used to be so stiff—clothes, makeup, everything aged her ten years. But Serena has great bones. Just a little effort, and she dazzles again and again."

"Yeah, yeah—so elegant. I almost want to call her baby!"

"Purely on looks, Serena edges out. But Elena's credentials and background are top-tier. Serena can't compete there."

"Right. Intelligence and birth are innate. Even reincarnation is a skill."

"I heard Serena comes from a single-parent family…"

I appeared at the perfect moment, cutting off the pantry gossip. "Good morning." I acted as if I'd heard nothing, breezed in calmly for water, and greeted everyone.

They returned the greeting and scattered.

After taking my medicine and returning to my desk, Simon Parker from Department Three rushed over, asking for the SkyBlade drone project evaluation report—Adrian had specifically requested it.

When I handed it over, he asked, "Serena, is your phone broken?"

"No." I was puzzled.

"Then why can't we reach you? Adrian left on a business trip this morning and urgently needed this report, but he couldn't get through."

I replied lightly, "Battery died, probably."

The excuse was weak—even Simon didn't buy it. But he didn't press.

"Adrian's accompanying Elena to inspect the SkyBlade drone project. They'll likely be back next week. I'll send this report to him now."

I nodded faintly and opened my computer to start the day's work.

The drone project had always been mine—I handled both rounds of inspections and negotiations. Adrian never asked about it, let alone traveled out of town with me for it.

It was just one of many Blackwood Business projects—not important enough for him personally.

Yet this time, he went himself. Anyone could see: he wasn't inspecting the project—he was backing Elena, giving her authority.

Perfect. It had that husband-and-wife harmony feel.

With Adrian away, my workload halved. No longer handling Department Three projects, I felt lighter. And freer.

I had booked an after-work appointment with Henry Hughes for a consultation—he could prescribe medicine for my stomach issues. My health was too poor. I needed proper treatment.

Henry was a renowned healer in the Jendris pack—appointments were nearly impossible. Before, to win over a client's family, I had queued at dawn for his slots.

Over time, we became acquainted. Henry admired my drive but always reminded me to care for my body.

Not to take youth for granted—regret comes later.

He rarely saw me prioritizing health, so he stayed late for me.

But halfway there, I got a call from Ryan Sullivan, SkyBlade's boss.

"Serena, trouble. You need to come quick!"

I frowned, asking for details. He said Blackwood Business's team had arrived for inspection—everything was fine at first.

Then during talks, Elena from Department Three insisted on shaving three percentage points off the agreed valuation. She claimed SkyBlade's drones were too industrial, low commercial value, lower market share than consumer brands—hence the pressure on price.

"Serena, if not for your sincerity and the cooperation plan that fit us perfectly, we wouldn't have chosen Blackwood Business. You know—plenty of investors wanted us. This feels unfair! I'll only negotiate with you now. If you don't come, we're done talking."