At that moment, Serena felt a profound sense of emptiness.Lauren was so angry that she was about to charge at Justin. "Did your mouth get glued shut before? Why didn't you say all this crap before?"Justin was equally furious. His eyes darkened, and a sharp energy radiated from him. "Lauren, this is Farrow Corporation. Try making another scene and see what happens!"Lauren used to be afraid of him. But she was about to explode this time, so she didn't back down. She rolled up her sleeves and pushed Zane aside, ready to hit Justin.The latter immediately called security.In moments, a couple of security guards roughly grabbed Lauren and tried to drag her away.Serena quickly stepped forward, protecting Lauren. "Let go of her!"She glared at Justin. "If you dare lay a finger on Laurie, I'll ruin you, Justin! I've been your assistant for years. I know everything about you. You sure you want Farrow Corporation in the news tomorrow for all the wrong reasons?""Are you threatening m
Lauren's rear-end collision somehow lightened Serena's heavy heart."Are you okay, Rina?" Lauren asked."I'm fine now. I cried it all out," Serena replied. "Besides, you just hit a Bentley. I can't afford to dwell on my feelings.""You should've told me earlier! If I'd known this would help, I'd have smashed Scumstin's Maybach into pieces!"Serena chuckled and hugged Lauren tightly. "You're the best, Laurie.""Even though you're gorgeous and all, I still prefer tall guys with big dicks. Thanks, though," Lauren joked."Okay. When I make it big, I'll get you ten of them.""Two will do. My stamina's not that great."They laughed all the way home to their apartment, and Serena finally left Justin's drama behind.That night, they had a cozy barbecue dinner at home. Lauren took charge of prepping the vegetables while Serena handled the grill.Serena was a great cook. Years of humbling herself in the Farrow residence meant spending plenty of time in the kitchen.Later, following Ju
Wilson slid a pre-prepared contract across the desk toward Serena. "Take a good look. Sign it if everything checks out."Serena took the contract. She sat down on the nearby couch and began reading carefully.She was focused on the document. Wilson, on the other hand, was focused on her.Her chestnut brown hair spilled over her shoulders like waves. Her skin was porcelain smooth, and her features were flawless.Even seated casually, her posture was elegant. The graceful curve of her neck led to a delicate collarbone, and below that, a slender waist and subtly defined hips.Wilson's eyes darkened slightly before he turned his gaze elsewhere.The contract was solid, and the pay was even better than what Justin had offered her. Serena picked up the pen and signed without hesitation."Welcome aboard," Wilson said with a lazy smirk.Serena stood up. "Well, I won't keep you any longer, Mr. Quade. I'll be here on time tomorrow."With that, she turned to leave. But just as she reached
"Serena?" Arthur Collinsworth pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up, thinking he must have seen it wrong.Just as he was about to confirm, his phone rang.Joseph's voice came through. "Where are you, Arthur? We've been waiting for you for ages!""I'm coming."Arthur hung up and headed straight for the luxurious private room on the second floor. A few people were already there waiting.His brother Joseph, Justin's sister Mollie Farrow, and Justin were all there. Next to Justin was a petite young woman.Arthur casually tossed his suit jacket onto the couch. "Why isn't Serena here?"The mood in the room instantly froze.Justin spoke up coldly, "She quit. She's no longer associated with Farrow Corporation.""Did you two break up?" Arthur asked."We were never together." Justin's face darkened. He then pulled Candice closer. "This is my girlfriend, Candice Ashton."Candice smiled gently. "Nice to meet you all."Arthur barely acknowledged her, continuing, "Serena's been with us for s
The moment Wilson said that, everyone's faces were filled with shock.Justin was so furious that he actually laughed. He turned to Serena. "You really impress me. Just a few days, and you're already hooking up with my rival?""What's it to you?" Serena's face flushed with anger as she forcefully yanked his hand away.The force was so strong that she stumbled backward. Fortunately, a hand gently steadied her waist.Wilson's deep, mischievous eyes locked with hers.Serena froze for a second. She quickly straightened up and stood beside him.Wilson seemed pleased by her action. His eyes narrowed, a hint of a smile spreading across his face.Justin found the scene unbearable. Just as he was about to speak, Jacob stepped in his way. "Justin, didn't Serena quit? Why are you still bothering her? I'm sure your girlfriend wouldn't be happy about that."It was only then that Justin remembered Candice. He turned around and saw her pale face. She bit her lip, looking as if she might burst
When Serena was seven, Robert held a birthday party with several guests. She wasn't comfortable in crowded spaces, so she wandered off to the garden to watch the fish.She was getting bored when suddenly, a teasing voice interrupted her. "You've been staring for so long. Are you planning to catch one as your food?"Serena turned around to see a fair-skinned boy standing behind her. He looked to be a year or two older than her. He was dressed casually but still wearing a shirt that clearly wasn't cheap.Serena blinked. "No, I was just a little bored."After a pause, she asked, "Are you a guest here today?""Kind of. But honestly, they don't really welcome me, and I don't like them much either." The boy stared off into the distance. His expression was unusually mature and carefree for his age.When he saw Serena's confused face, he suddenly reached over and pinched her cheek.Serena quickly covered her face. "What are you doing?""Let me introduce myself. My name is Wilson Quade.
Serena woke up early the next day. She felt energized and prepared a hearty breakfast for her first day at Quade Group.Lauren was still sound asleep as she was leaving, yet her phone was ringing incessantly beside her. Serena glanced at it and noticed the caller ID—Stupid Boss.She thought for a moment and picked it up. "Hello, I'm Laurie's friend. She's feeling unwell today and might need to take the day off."Lauren complained about him so often that Serena assumed her boss was a middle-aged man with a beer belly and a receding hairline. To her surprise, his voice sounded young—even polite."Alright, please let her know she has the day off. Her health is important.""Okay, I'll let her know.""Alright, I'll hang up now."Serena placed the phone back on the nightstand. She looked at Lauren, who was sprawled on the bed like a dead woman, and shook her head. She really had no reason to be ungrateful with such a nice boss.The apartment was very close to the Quade Group. It was
"Didn't I tell you to scram!" Justin sat in a leather chair inside the office, his entire presence radiating fury. He furrowed his brows when he saw that it was Candice."Why are you here?""Justin… you seemed upset, and I was worried about you.""I'm fine.""You're clearly not fine. You're already this angry—how could you be okay? If you're upset, talk to me. Maybe I can help." Candice moved closer to him, widening her dark eyes. "I want to help lighten your burden.""You can't." This was a work matter, and Candice didn't have the skills to help.If Serena were here, she might actually be of assistance. Yet thinking about Serena only added fuel to Justin's already bad mood.Candice, however, was persistent. "Justin, don't be like this. I'm sure there's something I can do to help. Besides, you haven't even had lunch yet. There's a new vegan restaurant downstairs. Let's go eat together. You shouldn't skip meals with your stomach issues.""I'm not going." He couldn't even think a
Justin was seated at a table in a high-end restaurant in Nocturna as he stared at the phone in his hand. The news about Ronald was displayed on the screen.Surprised that Ronald had been imprisoned, Justin read the article carefully, then closed the page. The Quades' affairs were none of his concern. With his company recently gearing up to bid on a large project, he'd painstakingly drafted the tender proposal and planned to submit it for the bidding."Aren't you going to eat, Mr. Farrow?" Lila asked softly from across the table."I was checking the news," Justin said, pocketing his phone.Lila poked at the steak on her plate. "Mr. Farrow, this is my first time dining at such a fancy restaurant… I never had a chance to come to such places before.""I gave you money, didn't I? You can eat whatever and wherever you want.""You've been incredibly kind to me, Mr. Farrow… I must have saved the universe in my past life to meet you in this one," Lila said.Justin fell into a momentary d
Willow's voice trembled slightly, followed by a bitter smile. "Arthur, what do you think she was trying to do? I'd already given up on our relationship. And now, she dies right in front of me. Do you know what her last words to me were? She said she's sorry."She lowered her head, hands digging into her hair. She looked completely drained, both physically and emotionally. "I don't understand. Did she love me or not? If she did, why was she always siding with Ronald? Why didn't she ever stand up for me? But then, there were so many times I felt like she did love me."Tears slid down her cheeks. "I remember when I was little and had a fever. She stayed up the whole night with me, didn't sleep a second. When I got beaten, she'd secretly put medication on me. When I went overseas, she used to call and ask how I was doing. But after a few minutes, she'd start scolding me, saying I never called Ronald."If she really loved me, why didn't she protect me when he hit me? Why did she want me
Willow rushed forward and caught Carmen just before she collapsed.A nearby officer tackled Ronald to the ground.Carmen fell into her arms, tears streaming down her face. Her hand trembled as she reached up and gently touched Willow's cheek. There was sorrow and guilt in her eyes.Her vision blurred as her consciousness faded, but in that haze, she saw a memory—Willow as a child. Back when she first gave birth to her, Ronald and his mother, Sarah Pattinson, were furious that it was a girl. They didn't even bother to visit.For those first few years, it was just her and Willow getting through one sleepless night after another. It was Willow who filled the emptiness and pain in her heart.She used to hold that tiny child in the dark, press kisses onto her soft little face, and dream that one day her daughter would grow up to be poised and happy, with a good life ahead.However, the moment Ronald came back into their lives, fear returned with him. She feared him and ultimately ga
"What the hell is going on?" Ronald's face twisted with anger. He saw the door of the Cullinan swing open.Out stepped Wilson, his every move calm and deliberate.Ronald's expression darkened instantly. Wilson again? The nerve of that bastard, barging right into his house as if he were already dead.Wilson strolled into the room, barely glancing at the others before a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Uncle Ronald, what's all this?""Wilson, shouldn't I be asking you that? You drove straight into my house. That's trespassing. What the hell do you think you're doing?" Ronald snapped.Wilson's eyes turned cold. "You're about to kill someone, and you're worried about trespassing?"Ronald sneered. "Are you here to save Willow? I never expected someone cold and heartless like you to actually care about her.""Of course. I'm just emotionally detached, not a monster like you," Wilson said.Ronald nearly choked on his fury. When it came to words, he couldn't match Wilson i
Willow was shaking with rage. "Ronald, you're disgusting. Hitting a woman? You're nothing but trash!""Hah!" Ronald's face twisted with fury. However, instead of lashing out, he suddenly calmed. "I see. No matter what, you still care about the woman who carried you for ten months, don't you? But do you think she cares about you?""What do you mean?" Willow frowned."She's been lying to you this whole time!" He jabbed a finger at Carmen. "This woman has been weak her whole life. She lives to serve me. I tell her to do something, and she does it. No questions asked!"Ever wonder how I found you in the Mardenes so quickly and easily? Your bracelet. There's a tracker inside! You idiot! Do you really believe she loved you?"Let me make this clear. No one has ever loved you. Not since the day you were born!" His voice thundered through the massive villa, every word like a hammer pounding into Willow's chest.Her face went pale. All the strength drained out of her.That one sentence wa
Arthur didn't say a word. He walked up to the table, picked up the pen, and signed his name on the document without hesitation.Ronald took the papers, and the joy on his face was unmistakable. It actually worked! Just like that?Nine percent of Collinsworth Group's shares would make him the biggest shareholder now. Arthur had lost his mind, giving up Collinsworth Group like it was nothing. What a delightful surprise."Let's go, Willow." Arthur reached for Willow's hand and was ready to go. They made it to the door, only to be blocked by two buff bodyguards.Arthur frowned. "What's this?"Ronald gave him a harmless smile. "You can leave. She stays.""Ronald, you promised to let her go once you got the shares!" Arthur rarely raised his voice, but now his anger flared.Ronald snorted. "Let her go? What the hell are you talking about? This is her home. Isn't it normal for her to stay here?"Willow turned around, eyes burning with fury. "You're a liar, Ronald. You're old enough to
"Don't you think this is ridiculous?" Willow's tone dripped with mockery. "My own parents locked me up, treating me like a hostage just to make a deal. And the one who's trying to save me? He's not even related to me by blood. Do you really think you deserve to be my parents?""If Arthur hadn't tricked your dad, he wouldn't have resorted to this… Lo, your last name is Quade. Don't you care that the company's in trouble?" Carmen asked.She laughed coldly. "If Ronald hadn't been so eager to sell off his own daughter, he wouldn't have fallen for it in the first place. I don't just want to see his company struggle. I want it to go bankrupt!"Watching the reputation and wealth he cared about most crumble right in front of him would be real pain. He deserved every second of it!"You're insane. Forget it. I'm done talking to you." Carmen shook her head like she couldn't be bothered anymore.Willow sat alone in the attic. Not long after, one of the housekeepers brought in a bowl of spaghe
At the hospital, Willow stared at the dozens of missed calls flashing on her phone. Her eyes darkened slightly.Arthur had already told her that Ronald's project had blown up. He was bound to be furious, maybe even come looking for her. So, Arthur bought her a plane ticket. He told her to leave town for a while and let the storm pass. He would take care of everything and call her back when it was safe.Willow agreed without hesitation. A little vacation sounded good anyway.She left the hospital, headed straight to the airport, and flew to the Mardenes. That evening, she checked into a six-star hotel. While enjoying a quiet dinner, she heard a sudden commotion outside the room. When she opened the door and saw who was standing there, her heart stopped. It was Ronald.He let out a cold laugh before lunging forward, his hand tightening around her throat as he forced his way inside.Willow had no idea how she had been taken. Ronald knocked her out the moment he entered.When she
There was still no answer. "What's going on with Lo? Why won't she pick up her phone? Honey, is something wrong?"Before Carmen could say more, Ronald's hand shot out. He seized her phone and smashed it violently against the floor.Carmen shrieked in shock. "Honey, what happened?""It's all because of your perfect daughter!" he roared, slapping her hard across the face.Carmen stumbled backward, clutching her cheek as tears welled in her eyes. "What… What did I do? What are you talking about?""Willow, your precious daughter, teamed up with that bastard Arthur to screw me over! The project he handed to me was a damn scam. It just got shut down by the authorities. Do you even know how much money I've lost?" Ronald snapped."Arthur… scammed you?" Carmen was in disbelief."He said it was a prime piece of land with a great location, perfect for a wellness retreat, full of natural resources… and it turned out to be nothing but a fantasy!" Ronald was practically roaring at this point.