007: Mind Your Own Bussiness

A sharp slap landed across Serena's cheek.

"I dare you to try!"

Her head snapped to the side, her cheek burning hot with pain. Serena lifted her eyes and stared straight back at Donald. "Oh, yeah? You think I wouldn't dare? He doesn't love me. I don't want to marry him anymore. Is that not allowed?"

Donald's chest heaved with fury. "Love? What's love worth? Do you have any idea that my company is at a life-or-death crossroads right now? As long as you obediently marry into the Levine family, we'll naturally be saved. If you don't, then we just wait for bankruptcy."

He had no sons to his name—both of his marriages had resulted in daughters. The younger one at least knew how to sweet-talk him and keep him happy. But this eldest daughter of his was stubborn to the bone.

Serena tugged at the corner of her lips. "Let it go bankrupt then."

It was already at its breaking point anyway—bankruptcy might as well come sooner.

"After that, I can still support you on my salary without any help."

Donald was beyond furious at this point. "Spare me. With that little salary of yours, it wouldn't even cover a day of my expenses! Serena Steele, think carefully. If it weren't for the engagement between our families, do you really think you'd be able to marry into the Levine family?"

Serena laughed softly. "Give the engagement to Kyana Steele instead, then."

Kyana's eyes widened in response. "Hmph. You'd really be willing to give it up?"

Serena clicked her tongue, unwilling to waste another breath on them.

She picked up her bag and left decisively.

…

When she stepped outside, Trevor was leaning against the car door, smoking. Seeing her come out, he stubbed out the cigarette and tossed the butt into a nearby trash bin.

As she drew closer, he finally noticed the distinct red mark on her fair cheek. "Did your dad hit you?"

He frowned slightly and lifted his hand to take a closer look, but she slapped it away.

"Mind your own business."

Trevor's gaze darkened. Just like her father said—stubborn to the core.

"Get in the car," he said. "We still have to register the marriage tomorrow. I couldn't make it on Valentine's Day, but I'll be yours for the rest of our lives."

Oh, now you want to be romantic. Too bad; too late.

"Don't bother with the registration, Levine," Serena said evenly. "I already told you—we broke up."

His heart was just aching for her a moment ago, but now, anger burned ablaze beneath his eyes. "Enough, Serena! Amber is my sister. No one is replacing you. How many times do I have to explain that?"

"But you know full well that she's not your biological sister. You're not related by blood. Can you promise me that you'll never see her again for the rest of your life?"

Serena caught the way his gaze shifted aside and instantly had her answer. "See? You can't do it. And neither can I. Just thinking about what's on your mind makes me sick."

Trevor's breathing grew heavier. He suddenly reached out and shoved her into the passenger seat. "You can be disgusted all you want," he said coldly. "But breaking up? That's not happening."

He stepped on the accelerator, and the car shot into the night like the wind.

Serena turned her head and shot him a cold glance. His lips were pressed into a hard, straight line—his foul mood was plain to see. But she only found it laughable. What right did he have to be angry?

"I'm not ready to die yet," she said flatly. "Slow down, or I'm calling the police."

Trevor flicked his gaze toward her colorless lips. Remembering her earlier complaint about feeling unwell, he eased off the accelerator, and the car gradually slowed.

When Serena got out of the car, she slammed the door shut hard, her face taut as she went straight upstairs to the guest room. Trevor followed a moment later, stopping outside her door for a brief pause before turning into another guest room down the hall. Neither of them went into the master bedroom, as if by unspoken agreement.

Serena pressed a hand to her stomach, forcing herself to reply to her client's messages. After that, she checked her calendar and sorted through next week's cases before finally closing her laptop.

She was logged into her burner social media account. The only person it followed was Amber. Last time, she'd checked it on impulse and forgotten to switch back, so now, she found a red dot lying on the following list.

She tapped it without thinking and saw Amber's newest post, uploaded just five minutes earlier. 'Angel's Heart—a welcome-home gift from my brother. What do you all think?'

So the Angel's Heart that sold for 47 million at Sotheby's last time was bought by Trevor.

Knock, knock.

Serena opened the door reluctantly to find Trevor standing there with one hand in his pocket, a gift box held out in the other. "I saw a style you liked while I was on my business trip. I picked it up for you."

If she hadn't just seen Amber's post moments earlier, Serena might have thought he'd finally grown a conscience. But now, looking at the faintly ironic jewelry box in her hand, she felt no anger at all. Her lips curved slightly. "That's too kind of you. You really didn't have to spend so much."

Trevor frowned faintly, sensing something off in her tone. "It's nothing. A few hundred thousand isn't exactly a big expense."

Serena accepted the box and moved to close the door, but he blocked the space between the door and her body. "More gifts for me?" she asked, quirking a brow.

"No," he replied, suppressing his annoyance. "I'm just reminding you that we're going to register the marriage tomorrow…"

Serena glanced absently at the message that had just popped up on her phone. 'Serena, are you with Trevor right now? Wanna bet that Amber could call him away with just one phone call?'

The next second, Kyana deleted the text.

Trevor's tone turned displeased. "Serena Steele, I'm talking to you."

She looked up at him with a half-smile, her gaze steady. "Mm. What were you saying?"

Growing impatient, Trevor repeated himself. "I said we're going to register the marriage tomorrow. Don't oversleep—"

He had barely just finished speaking when his phone rang.

"Hey, Amber." His expression changed instantly. "Where are you? I'll come right now. Wait for me."

He didn't even look at Serena. He turned and hurried downstairs, and soon she heard the sound of a car speeding away.

Register the marriage? Huh, register, my *ss!

Serena didn't waste any time. She immediately sent a picture of the jewelry to a luxury resale shop.

This time, she was even more thorough. The bedding set, the diffuser, the shower gel—everything she had personally chosen for the marital home was stuffed into boxes. Then she went to Trevor's guest room, opened his wardrobe, and pulled out every shirt and tie she had ever given him, taking them all with her.

Dragging a suitcase downstairs once more, Serena headed for the door.

Lucy stared, stunned. "Mrs.—Ms. Steele… are you going on another business trip?"

Serena smiled lightly. "Not a business trip. I'm moving out. I probably won't be coming back."

Lucy watched her leave, shock filling her eyes. Is Mrs. Levine joking… or is she really not coming back?

…

"How could you be so careless, Amber?" Trevor reprimanded softly. "You know your health isn't good. Why didn't you stay at the family home?"

Tears fell from Amber's eyes, landing on the back of his hand. Seeing them drop like pearls, Trevor felt a dull ache in his chest. "Amber, I wasn't trying to scold you…"

She lifted her hand and wiped her tears away. "I know, Trevor. I know I'm useless. But what am I supposed to do?" Her voice grew softer and softer. "I know you're the only one in this family who likes me."

Trevor set the cotton swab aside and carefully pulled her into his arms. "Alright, don't cry. It's my fault, I was too harsh just now. It's fine. I've got you."