Sebastian sipped his water slowly. “There’s no need. If a thank-you isn’t sincere, it means nothing.” He smirked, eyes glinting with mockery. “I’ve been away for five years, and it seems some things have truly changed since then.”
After saying that, he rose and made his way upstairs.
Bryce let out another snort before trailing after him.
Once they were gone from the dining room, Nathan turned to his son, both furious and disappointed. “Trevor, do you realize what you just did? You’ve got some nerve, huh? Bold enough now to challenge your uncle?”
After delivering his reprimand, he went upstairs as well.
Worried her son might not take the lesson to heart, Deanna decided to call Serena herself.
Trevor lowered his eyes to his sister. “Amber, I’m sorry you had to endure that.”
Amber shook her head slightly. “Trevor, I’m sorry you got yelled at because of me again.”
Trevor didn’t mind the scolding. What frustrated him was how the family treated his little sister.
His irritation toward Serena was even stronger.
“Tomorrow, I’ll be here with you. No one’s going to push you around.”
He ruffled Amber’s silky hair, protective and tender. “Weren’t you hoping to get into showbiz? I’ve put together the perfect team to produce a solo album just for you. Consider it a little gift to make up for the past few days, alright?”
Amber’s gloom vanished like storm clouds after rain. Her eyes sparkled. “Really, Trevor?”
“Of course,” he said with a gentle smile, gaze lowered. “Someone like you will be seen by everyone, and everyone will love you.”
…
Deanna called Serena to invite her to dinner at the Levine residence the next day. However, Serena already had a business dinner with the Levine Group and declined without hesitation.
Despite this, Deanna’s former almost-mother-in-law was unusually insistent and suggested rescheduling for the following day. Serena couldn’t refuse and had to agree.
In Bryce’s study, Sebastian and Nathan were both present.
“Seb, don’t get worked up over that kid. I’ll take care of him,” Nathan said.
Sebastian lowered his chin, his expression unreadable. “Nathan, I seldom lose my temper with juniors.
“But Trevor crosses the line sometimes. Everything has rules and etiquette, and I don’t want outsiders criticizing our family. Don’t you agree?”
Though Nathan was twelve years older, he often appeared younger than Sebastian in his presence.
“You’re right, Seb. I’ll manage him privately.”
At that moment, Deanna entered carrying fruits for the men. “Bryce, Sebastian, I just called Rena. She has a business dinner tomorrow, so we moved ours to the day after.”
“That works,” Bryce replied.
Sebastian’s face remained neutral, only a subtle twitch of his eyebrows betraying his thoughts.
He rose, voice calm and composed. “Dad, Nathan, Deanna, I have plans later, so I’ll leave now. I’ll return the day after to dine with you. I won’t be here tomorrow.”
Bryce had intended to keep him to discuss the blind date, but Sebastian slipped away regardless.
“Go ahead then,” Bryce waved a hand. “Take it easy on the drinks-your stomach can’t handle it.”
Sebastian bowed slightly. “Understood, Dad.”
Serena buried herself in research on the Levine Group.
Beaumont Legal didn’t stand a good chance of winning the agency for this merger-it was going to be a hard fight.
The person Eugene was meeting tomorrow happened to be Daniel Hart, the executive in charge of the project.
Serena looked into Daniel’s background. He was the vice president of Levine Group’s overseas division and had returned to the country with Sebastian this time. He was very much Sebastian’s right-hand man.
He had a reputation for being decisive and tough. Serena had never dealt with him personally, so she couldn’t help feeling a little unsure.
Still, if anything went wrong, Eugene would be there to take the heat.
She bought hangover pills and stomach medicine in advance. Tomorrow’s dinner was bound to involve a lot of drinking.
…
When Trevor went back to his bedroom, the quiet made Serena’s burn come back to him.
He hesitated for a long moment, then finally decided to set aside their differences and send her a message.
‘Are you okay? How’s the burn on your neck?’
A red exclamation mark appeared beside the message. ‘This message was not delivered.’
His brows tightened.
Trevor took a screenshot and sent it to a group chat with a few spoiled rich kids.
‘Is WhatsApp acting up for you guys? Can you receive my messages? I just tried to text someone and got this weird notification.’
The group, which had been buzzing just seconds ago, went dead silent.
Is the app really broken?
Finally, one person replied cautiously, ‘Mr. Trevor, WhatsApp isn’t broken. It looks like the other person blocked you.’
Trevor was speechless.
Blocked? What right did Serena have to block him?
…
For the occasion, Serena had chosen a blue suit that looked mature without being dull. She checked herself in the mirror and made a small fist-pumping gesture.
For her grandmother’s sake, she had to do her best and help Eugene secure this contract.
The dinner was set for the evening at Midnight Society.
Eugene brought two lawyers from his team-Serena and Shawn. Knowing Serena had a bad stomach, he made sure to bring someone who could handle alcohol.
From the Levine Group’s side, besides Daniel, there were two people from the investment department and a deputy finance director. All of them were core figures within the group.
“Mr. Beaumont, I’ve heard a lot about you,” Daniel said, extending his hand. After shaking Eugene’s, his gaze shifted to Serena and Shawn.
Eugene introduced them confidently. “These are the two best lawyers on my team. This is Ms. Steele, and this is Mr. Yonge.”
Despite the nervous flutter in her chest, Serena kept her composure. “Hello, Mr. Hart. I’m Serena Steele.”
Daniel nodded slightly, a smile on his face. “Impressive. Ms. Steele, you look barely in your early twenties.”
Serena replied calmly, without arrogance or self-deprecation, “Mr. Hart, I’m twenty-six.”
Eugene naturally added more about his prized protege. “She got into Hamilton University as the top scorer, then stayed on for graduate school. She’s still a junior for now, but she’ll be eligible to apply for intermediate status next year.”
An intermediate lawyer at twenty-six was no small feat.
Daniel couldn’t help taking a closer look at her.
Eugene and Daniel led most of the conversation. Then, James Anderson from Levine Group’s investment department smiled and called over a server.
“Everyone here can drink, right?” His gaze lingered deliberately on Serena. “Ms. Steele, how about you?”
Eugene was just about to explain that Serena wasn’t suited for drinking when she spoke up, her voice clear and firm.
“My tolerance isn’t great, but I’m happy to meet all of you today. I just hope you won’t mind if I can’t keep up later.”
That was Serena-she really was giving it everything she had.
James laughed. “Ms. Steele, you’re refreshingly straightforward. How much you drink doesn’t matter. What matters is enjoying the moment.”
Serena secretly stuck out her tongue. Judging by what he had just said, she was going to be drinking a lot tonight.
Shawn glanced at her and gave her a thumbs-up under the table.
Serena smiled bitterly to herself. She had no choice. She wanted to move up too badly.
Only when she had real money in her hands would she be qualified to push back against her family.
Once all the appetizers were served, Serena accepted a full glass of clear liquor that James poured for her, smiling politely.
It looked like nearly half a pint.
Eugene shot a sideways look at the liquor in her glass and gave her a look that said everything.
She understood perfectly. He was calling her stupid for bringing this on herself.
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