Chapter 2

Serena didn't go back to her apartment. Instead, she found a hotel nearby.

She scrubbed her fair skin in the bathroom until it turned red, then crawled into bed.

The soft yellow glow of the bedside lamp lit the room. She curled up under the thin blanket. Gradually, the unease in her heart began to fade, and she fell asleep.

But her rest wasn't peaceful. She had all kinds of strange dreams.

One moment, Justin, as a boy, stood protectively in front of her, saying, "I'll always watch out for her. No one's allowed to bully her."

Then, she was in a dark stairwell. A strange man pinned her down, greedily inhaling her scent.

The final image was Candice's innocent-looking face. As she leaned against Justin, her eyes mockingly locked on Serena. "You look like a dog, Serena."

She drifted in and out of a restless sleep until a phone call abruptly woke her up.

She picked up the phone and heard Justin's cold, detached voice on the other end. "Make some oatmeal and bring it to the office."

Serena was still groggy. "I don't have time for that."

"I won't deduct your pay. You can come late," Justin said.

The call ended, and Serena finally woke up fully.

Justin had chronic gastritis. When they flared up, he liked to eat the oatmeal she made.

Serena got out of bed, freshened up, and went downstairs to a nearby breakfast shop to buy some oatmeal to bring to the office.

Farrow Corporation was located in the heart of Nocturna, where space was scarce and expensive.

The headquarters was a towering building, and the CEO's office was on the 26th floor. As Justin's personal assistant, Serena could navigate this route with her eyes closed.

But today, as she walked in, something felt off.

When her colleagues saw her, the whispers that had been floating around suddenly stopped. They turned to look at her with a complicated expression.

Serena felt somewhat confused.

One of her closer colleagues quietly leaned in. "Serena, there's a new lady in Mr. Farrow's office. They say she's a new intern secretary."

Serena frowned, sensing something was up. She quickly walked to Justin's office and pushed the door open.

The spacious office was flooded with natural light. The sun shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, landing on the man and woman who were leaning toward each other at the desk.

Candice was sitting in Justin's chair, fiddling with a laptop.

Meanwhile, Justin stood behind her with one arm resting on the back of her chair. His other hand pointed at the computer screen as he quietly spoke to her.

When he saw Serena, he simply lifted his eyes. "Where's the oatmeal?"

Serena walked over and placed the oatmeal in front of him.

Justin frowned. "You didn't make this?"

"I didn't have time."

"Make some tomorrow and bring it again." He opened the oatmeal package and slid it over to Candice. "Try this. It'll help your stomach."

Candice took a spoon. "Thanks, Mr. Farrow."

"Why the formal tone all of a sudden?" Justin asked.

Candice blushed. "I need to mind my manners at work. I'm your secretary now."

"Fine."

Their casual conversation sounded like they were a couple.

Candice ate a couple of bites, then suddenly looked up and glanced nervously at Serena.

Justin didn't even lift his gaze as he said, "You can leave now, Serena. Candice doesn't feel comfortable with you here."

Serena didn't want to stay and watch them anyway; it only made her sick. She turned and left.

As she walked out, she bumped into Joseph Collinsworth, who casually strolled out of the elevator with his hands in his pockets.

Joseph and Justin had grown up together. As the second son of the Collinsworth family, Joseph didn't have to worry about the family business, so he'd often drop by the office to hang out with Justin.

Seeing Serena, Joseph waved. "Mrs… I mean, Serena."

Some of Justin's friends were familiar with her. They had started calling her "Mrs. Farrow" a while back. Justin had never denied it, so over time, her title as "Mrs. Farrow" had become kind of established.

But this time, Joseph had called her by her name.

Serena stopped in her tracks and looked at him.

Joseph looked awkward. "I'm just going to see Justin." He left as if he was running away.

Serena pressed her lips together and turned to sit at her desk. As she stared at the dark screen in front of her, her thoughts drifted.

She'd known Justin for 19 years.

She was his childhood friend, his personal assistant, his closest confidant, and, according to everyone, his future wife.

Everyone knew she had feelings for Justin. She loved him to the point that he was in her every thought. She had always believed Justin had feelings for her too.

Over the years, Justin had had women around him, but most were just rumors. They were fleeting faces that never lasted more than three days. Each time, he would casually explain it away.

"It's all just for show. If they didn't benefit me, I wouldn't bother to see them. You're different from them, Serena."

But this time, Candice had been by his side for two months, and there had been no explanation.

Serena's fingers tightened into a fist.

She had grown up dependent on others, which made her sensitive and reserved. She never took the initiative to resolve things. She just waited for the results.

But this time, it seemed there was no need to wait anymore.

Serena stood up and walked straight into the CEO's office again.

Justin and Joseph were talking, both wearing smiles. Meanwhile, Candice was sitting next to them. Her eyes gleamed as she watched.

Serena's sudden appearance made things awkward.

Justin frowned. "I didn't call you in here. Why are you here?"

"Mr. Farrow, as your assistant, I think I should remind you of something." Serena slammed the door shut behind her.

"Candice doesn't meet the qualifications for the position of your secretary. She doesn't even have the necessary credentials to be an intern. This arrangement is unreasonable."

Candice stood up in a panic. Her eyes instantly reddened. "Serena, I know I have a lot to improve on, but I'll try my best to learn."

"Serena, whether she's qualified or not isn't up to you." Justin's voice turned cold. "She's my girlfriend. Not only is she qualified to be my secretary, she's even qualified to be my wife!"

His words felt like a heavy blow to her chest.

Serena laughed bitterly.

Girlfriend… Wife…

What was she then?

In the chaos of her thoughts, one thing suddenly hit her.

Over the years, while Justin never stopped his friends from addressing Serena as Mrs. Farrow, he also never acknowledged her as his girlfriend.

She had been too slow to realize.

After a brief moment of discomfort, the knot of frustration that had been weighing on her heart suddenly loosened.

"Congrats, then. Let me know when the wedding is." After a sneer, Serena turned around and walked out.

Joseph stood there, looking at a loss. "Serena, are you okay?"

Serena continued walking out. Her high heels clicked on the floor.

As she closed the door, she heard Joseph's anxious voice coming from inside. "Justin, Serena really looked angry. You should go after her."

Justin's cold voice followed. "Let her go. She's more obedient than a dog. I don't need to call her back. She'll come crawling back on her own."