“Good,” he said, pressing his lips together. “Then… because of who?”
His eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing through them. “Someone poured that on you just now, didn’t they? Who dared to do this? Tell me their name-I’ll take care of them.”
After that single crying spell, Serena felt a little of the weight in her chest lift.
She awkwardly accepted his handkerchief and wiped her own tears. “It’s fine, Mr. Sebastian. I got my revenge.”
Unsure if he would believe her, she repeated, “Mr. Sebastian, I really did take revenge myself.”
Sebastian saw that she wouldn’t say more and didn’t push.
“Do you want to tell Trevor?” he asked.
Serena’s lips curved downward. “No, Mr. Sebastian. He’s probably busy. Better not bother him.”
Sebastian studied her silently, then said nothing further.
…
At the hospital, the doctor quickly cleaned and treated her burn.
“Good, no blisters. Keep the area dry for a few days. Apply this ointment three times a day, and the redness should fade by tomorrow.”
Serena thanked the doctor, and Sebastian drove her back home.
Once her figure disappeared from the car, he stepped out, pulled a cigarette from the pack, and sparked it to life, the tip flaring crimson in the evening gloom.
“Mr. Levine, are you heading to the office?” asked his driver, Patrick Carter.
Patrick had been with Sebastian since Sebastian was a teenager, and now Sebastian was in his thirties. In all those years, Patrick had never seen him this tense over anyone.
Even more startling-Serena, in the car just now, had been Trevor’s fiancee.
Sebastian exhaled a last stream of smoke, his eyes dark and stormy with emotions Patrick couldn’t read.
“Patrick… today’s incident stays between us,” Sebastian said, curt and final.
Patrick, long accustomed to Sebastian’s unspoken rules, nodded. “Yes, Mr. Levine.”
But inside, he was buzzing with alarm-something big was brewing.
Sebastian’s voice dropped into a cold command as he spoke into his phone, “Check the surveillance footage from the coffee shop below Fidelity Tower around 1:30. I want results within an hour.”
…
“Trevor, can you believe what she did? Not only did she insult Amber, but she even poured hot water on us! I don’t mind a little burn, but Amber… her health isn’t good. How could she handle that?”
Trevor glanced at Amber’s flushed collarbone and felt a pang of heartache.
“Amber, the doctor said you’re really okay? Your skin is all red.”
Amber shook her head. “I’m fine, Trevor. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone to see Serena. I just wanted to ask her not to stay mad at you.”
Her head slowly lowered. “I’m sorry, Trevor. I only made things worse.”
“Silly girl.” Trevor rubbed her hair. “You’re just too kind. Next time, remember to protect yourself. Don’t make me worry. Serena went way too far this time. I’ll deal with her at the office tomorrow.”
Then he turned to Kyana. “Kyana, Serena doesn’t get along with her father. I’ll handle her for you this time. Just don’t tell Mr. Steele what happened today.”
The smile that had just lifted Amber’s face froze for a split second.
What did Trevor mean by that? After all this, did he still care about that woman?
Kyana’s voice rose in protest. “Why should I keep quiet? Trevor, she threw hot water on us! She even insulted Amber! Aren’t you being way too biased?”
Trevor’s jaw tightened. “Relax. I won’t play favorites.”
The wedding with Serena was scheduled for the end of the month. He didn’t want to push her too far.
…
The next day, Serena checked herself in the mirror. The redness on her neck had faded by more than half.
She tied her hair up and wore an off-the-shoulder knit top, paired with beige wide-leg pants.
The doctor had warned her that burns needed air. Covering them too much would only slow healing.
As soon as she arrived at the law firm, Lily noticed the injury.
“Oh my god, Serena, is that a burn?”
Serena smiled lightly. “Yes. I accidentally burned myself yesterday. It’s fine. It looks worse than it is. A couple days of ointment will take care of it.”
While Lily was still telling her she should’ve taken more time off, Eugene called Serena into his office.
“You wanted to see me, Boss?” Serena said, sitting down without hesitation.
Eugene’s gaze landed on the faint red mark on her neck, and his brows creased. “How did you manage to burn your neck?”
Serena answered calmly, smiling, “A dog knocked over my cup, and that was that.”
Eugene shook his head helplessly. “You’re sharp and capable at work, but a mess in daily life. I’m not rushing you, but a breakup is a breakup. I’ve already set aside money for your wedding gift. Can you give me a chance to hand it over next year?”
Serena smiled without a sound. “Boss, that kind of thing can’t be forced. I’ll do my best.”
“Good.” Eugene tossed a thick stack of documents onto the desk. “Have you heard of Sebastian Levine?”
Serena’s heart skipped.
She took the file without showing anything on her face and opened it. The first page revealed a man with strikingly sharp features and a cold, commanding presence.
“Sebastian Levine, thirty-three years old. Young, but already the real power behind Levine Group. He spent the past few years in Ameron expanding their overseas market. He returned to the country a few days ago and is said to be focusing on domestic expansion now.”
Serena asked, “Boss, what are you thinking?”
Eugene tapped his fingers against the desk. “He’s only been back a few days, and I’ve already heard insider news that Levine Group plans to acquire Credence Electronics. If we can land the legal mandate for this merger, we’ll have a direct line to Levine Group.”
Serena wasn’t optimistic. “Boss, Levine Group is old money at the top. They have their own elite legal team. They’ve always worked with Lunbridge Legal.”
Eugene smiled, unreadable. “Nothing stays the same forever. I’ve heard that the first thing Sebastian did after coming back was decide to replace their long-term law firm. Serena, if we secure this Levine Group contract, your promotion to non-equity partner next year will be almost guaranteed.”
Serena felt a surge of heat rush through her chest. A promotion to a non-equity partner still wouldn’t give her a share of the profits, but her income would at least double.
That meant her grandmother’s rehabilitation center fees would no longer be a constant burden.
“I have a dinner meeting tomorrow with people from the Levine Group,” Eugene said. “Come with me.”
Serena could barely contain her excitement. “Absolutely. I’ll start reviewing all of Levine Group’s projects right now. Boss, I’ll get back to work.”
Eugene watched his prized protege leave and smiled silently.
He had taken a liking to Serena because she carried something rare for her age-a stubborn refusal to lose.
…
Serena had just settled back at her desk when Trevor called.
For the first time, she hung up without answering.
When he called again, he went straight through the front desk.
With her temper barely in check, Serena had no choice but to pick up.
“Hello, Mr. Trevor. How may I help you?”
The words Mr. Trevor made his temple throb.
“Serena, I’m ordering you to come to my company right now.”
Serena turned her back to the reception desk and rolled her eyes. “Mr. Trevor, I really can’t leave today. Would it be acceptable if I sent Mr. Yonge instead? He’s a mid-level attorney on our team with five years of experience. Rest assured, he’ll provide excellent service to your company.”
“No. It has to be you. Serena, I’m giving you one chance. If you keep dragging your feet, I’ll call your boss directly.”
Serena fell silent.
“Fine,” she said at last. “I’ll be at Levine Studios in thirty minutes.”
…
“Ms. Corwin, is Mr. Trevor in his office?” Serena asked.
She was there on behalf of the firm, after all. She had to at least keep up appearances.
Otherwise, she would have kicked his office door open.
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