Chapter 8

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 Justin around and catering to his whims had turned her into a culinary expert, mastering all kinds of dishes.

For the barbecue, Serena set up a perfect spread—vegetables neatly arranged, beef and lamb sliced to just the right thickness, and an array of seasonings laid out with precision. It could rival any professional barbecue joint.

Lauren was digging in. Sauce smudged around her mouth, but she still found time to check in on Serena. "What's your plan now, Rina?"

"I'm going to interview at Quade Group," Serena replied.

"What?" Lauren's eyes widened. "Justin's rival company?"

"Yeah. What do you think?"

"It's perfect!" Lauren practically sparkled with excitement. "You're finally stepping up, Rina! That's the way to do it! Since Scumstin didn't treat you right, there's no need to be kind to him. Go work for his rival company, crush it, and make him regret it so bad he won't know what hit him!"

Serena smiled faintly. "Whether he regrets it or not doesn't matter to me anymore. I just want a fresh start."

"Right, right! Here's to new beginnings!"

Serena raised her glass of coke and clinked it lightly against Lauren's.

…

The next morning, Lauren headed to work while Serena prepared herself for her interview at Quade Group.

Given her experience as Justin's assistant, she assumed the HR director would conduct the interview. To her surprise, she was escorted straight to the CEO's office on the top floor.

The elevator doors opened, revealing an expansive space with sleek, minimalist decor.

The entire floor was Wilson's domain. Two well-dressed secretaries greeted Serena politely as she stepped out.

When the office door opened, Serena was met with a familiar face.

"It's you?" she exclaimed, startled to see Sebastian.

"We meet again, Ms. Judd," he said with a polite smile. "Allow me to formally introduce myself. I'm Sebastian York, Mr. Quade's assistant."

"Nice to meet you," she replied.

"Mr. Quade is waiting for you inside."

Serena felt a bit overwhelmed. She was well aware of Wilson's reputation—arrogant and notoriously hard to impress. What had she done to deserve a personal interview with him?

"I applied for a position in the planning department as a specialist. Does Mr. Quade really need to handle this personally?" she asked.

"You can ask him yourself later," Sebastian replied politely.

Still puzzled, Serena pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The office was spacious and minimalist, adorned in a stark black-and-white palette that exuded an austere elegance. Despite its simplicity, every detail whispered of understated luxury.

A glass terrace extended outside, complete with a small private helipad where a sleek helicopter rested.

Wilson stood by a marble desk, leaning back casually with one hand braced behind him. His slightly open collar hinted at a rugged charm beneath his sharp suit.

"Mr. Quade," Serena greeted as she stepped closer.

She had seen him from afar at events before and always thought he was distractingly good-looking. Up close, he was breathtaking.

Wilson smirked. "When HR told me you applied, I thought they were joking. Didn't expect it to be true. Why? Were you bullied in Farrow Corporation?"

"Is this part of the interview, Mr. Quade?" Serena asked awkwardly.

"If I say it is, it is."

"I've severed all ties with Farrow Corporation. You can rest assured of that."

Wilson clicked his tongue. "Are you giving up on Justin, Ms. Judd? That's a surprise."

Her relationship with Justin was practically an open secret within their circles. Everyone said that she was his assistant in public and his woman in private.

Business media played their part too. They painted them as a match made in heaven, a power couple, or the perfect pair, as if she was destined to be with Justin and no one else.

Serena pressed her lips together. "If you're here to mock me, I think there's no need to continue this interview."

She turned to leave, but Wilson's voice stopped her. "Quite the temper you've got there, Ms. Judd. I heard Justin dumped you for a woman he's only known for two months. Could it be because he couldn't handle your fiery attitude?"

Serena whirled around, glaring. "You did a background check on me?"

"You worked for my competitor. Why wouldn't I?"

That made sense.

Wilson straightened up and walked toward her. He was very tall. Even at five feet and six inches tall in heels, Serena still had to look up at him.

He looked at her and spoke slowly, "Congratulations, you're hired. From now on, you'll be my assistant."

Serena was caught off guard by his abrupt comment. "But I didn't apply for the position of the CEO's assistant."

"What's the matter? You can be Justin's assistant but not mine?" He raised his pitch at the end, making a simple question sound loaded with hidden meaning.

Serena took a step back. "You haven't even asked me about my qualifications."

"You worked for Justin for four years. That's all the proof I need. Be here tomorrow."

The whole thing happened so fast that Serena felt like she was in a dream. "What if… I were a spy sent by Justin?"

Wilson let out a low chuckle. "If Justin wanted to send me a spy, why would he choose someone this gorgeous? Seems more like a gift."