It was the first time he had ever seen her in a dress. The form-fitting garment hugged every curve of her figure, making it impossible for him to look away.
Her beauty held a dangerous allure that sent a sharp thrill racing through him.
He frowned, his voice tight with tension. “Go upstairs and change immediately.”
Serena chuckled softly. “And who, may I ask, gave you that order?”
“Tonight is Grandpa’s birthday banquet. Wearing that…” he hesitated before continuing, “you’ll draw far too much unwanted attention.”
Serena glided toward the rear door. “Exactly. I want every eye on me. I’ll save the boring look for your funeral.”
“Serena.” Trevor ground out her name.
Ignoring him, she slipped gracefully into the back seat.
He climbed into the driver’s seat, his voice calm but unyielding. “Sit in the front. I’m not your chauffeur.”
Her gaze flicked to a pearl earring on the front seat.
Her expression darkened. “No thanks. It’s filthy. I’m not risking ruining my gown.”
Trevor had no idea why she was being so obstinate; it seemed like she might be on her period, but that wasn’t due until the end of the month.
Time was pressing.
As the eldest grandson, he couldn’t risk being late.
…
When they pulled up to the venue, he stepped out of the car and offered her his arm.
Serena shot him a sharp, irritated glance-but tonight was Bryce’s birthday.
And he was right; Bryce had backed their engagement more than anyone, and she couldn’t humiliate him on his special night.
She pulled a silk scarf from her clutch, wrapped it neatly around her hand, then lifted her gaze, cool and composed. “Fine. Let’s go.”
That one small gesture made the vein in Trevor’s temple pulse. “Serena, don’t push your luck. Do you honestly think I’m that filthy?”
Her lips curled into a mischievous smile as she shrugged. “That obvious? I’ll be more discreet next time.”
…
The second they stepped into the banquet hall, every head turned.
Trevor looked as if he’d stepped straight off a fashion magazine page. Tall, lean, and poised, he commanded attention wherever he went.
His eyes glinted like starlight, his brows bold, his features sharply chiseled. A faint, cool smile softened the sharp lines of his face.
As the heir to Denton’s most powerful family, he was a natural magnet for admirers.
His warm hand rested over hers through the silk scarf. “Stay here. I need to go greet Mr. Wright of Starhill Corporation. Keep yourself occupied for a moment.”
Serena’s lips twitched in a faint smirk, and she slipped her hand free effortlessly.
Her palm had grown damp beneath the scarf anyway.
Trevor’s expression darkened faintly, but more important matters demanded his attention. He turned and strode off.
…
The second he was gone, whispers erupted and spread like wildfire.
“Well, well-look who it is. Isn’t this Trevor’s clingy little fiancée?”
“Funny, wasn’t there someone who swore just days ago she’d stop clinging to him?”
Serena let out a cold, sharp laugh that cut through the room. “Oh? Are you suggesting Trevor can never have children?”
The woman had only meant to provoke Serena-not insult Trevor.
“What on earth are you talking about?”
Serena’s eyes glinted with biting sarcasm. “I did swear, didn’t I? If he can’t have children, that means I’ve broken my vow, hasn’t it? No one even knows if he’s sterile-maybe you ought to find out for me.”
“How dare you!” The woman’s face contorted with shock.
Her friends stared at her, wide-eyed. Has Serena lost her mind? Did she really just suggest someone seduce her own fiancé?
“Hmph. Enjoy your little moment. Once Amber shows up, you’ll be nothing.”
Naturally, the Levine family’s beloved adopted daughter wouldn’t have missed a night like this for the world.
…
“Serena, Mom and I have been calling you nonstop. Why didn’t you pick up?”
Serena turned slowly to face Kyana Steele, her irritation plain as day.
Her gaze drifted to the poised woman standing beside her. Yvonne Quinn, her stepmother, wore a saccharine smile. “Rena, didn’t you say you’d go get the marriage license with Trevor on Valentine’s Day? Why haven’t you posted it in the family chat?”
Serena looked away and pulled her phone out of her bag. “Oops. I must’ve left the family chat by accident. You three are doing just fine without me-I doubt you’d even notice.”
Her father, Donald Steele, wasn’t even here tonight.
Her mother had died when Serena was three. Three months later, her father remarried-and that was the day her own father became nothing more than a stranger in her life.
“Serena, what’s that supposed to mean? Show my mom some respect!”
Before Serena could reply, Kyana’s eyes lit up. “Amber’s here! Mom, I’m going over!”
Yvonne kept her smile in place. “Be careful. Don’t fall.”
She turned back to Serena, a smirk playing on her lips. “Don’t pay her any mind. Kyana’s just impulsive. She and Amber are best friends, and after five years apart, it’s only natural they’re this excited.”
“By the way… does Trevor know his sister is back?”
Everyone knew just how deeply Trevor doted on his adopted sister. He spoiled her so shamelessly that people whispered: if Amber hadn’t been taken in by the Levine family, she might well have become his fiancée instead.
Still, no one dared say such a thing out loud in front of the Levines.
Years ago, Bryce himself had quashed those rumors-Amber was, and always would be, the Levine family’s daughter.
Serena pressed her lips into a thin line and said nothing.
Yvonne still got a kick out of needling her with words, but Serena was no longer the fragile, easy-to-hurt girl she used to be.
Yvonne only smiled.
When she spotted a man striding toward them across the hall, her smile widened. “Rena, who would’ve thought… after five years apart, Trevor still adores his little sister this much?”
A tightness coiled in Serena’s chest. “You’re right. But tell me something, Yvonne, do you think Trevor knows his precious sister’s best friend is in love with him too?”
Yvonne’s smile faltered at once.
“Come now, Rena, you’re being ridiculous. Kyana isn’t trying to steal your man.”
Serena smiled softly, calmly. “It’s quite all right. I’m done with him.”
Yvonne stared at her, stunned. “Rena, you…”
Her eyes darted back and forth between Serena and the man approaching.
“Serena… who exactly are you done with?”
Yvonne gave a gentle smile. “Trevor, Rena was only teasing you.”
Amber’s long hair cascaded over her shoulders, complementing her fresh, simple white dress. Her voice was soft as she asked, “Serena, are you still upset with Trevor about what happened that day?”
Kyana curled her lips in a mocking smirk. “Serena, how do you even find it in yourself to be angry at Trevor?”
None of this mattered to Trevor, though.
His gaze dropped, sharp and calculating. Slowly, he repeated each word with deliberate clarity. “What did you just say you’re done with?”
Serena gave him a disdainful smile.
“So, Mr. Trevor, you don’t hear well, huh?” came her reply. Then, she firmly said, “I said I’m done with you.”
Yvonne raised an eyebrow, realizing she had greatly misjudged her stepdaughter.
Anger surged through Trevor, but he restrained it and pulled her into his arms. “Do you really think you can push me away just by saying that? Stop it. It’s Grandpa’s birthday. Let’s go wish him a happy birthday.”
He draped an arm around Serena and walked past Amber toward the main table where Bryce was seated.
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