Eugene shot Serena a sharp look, wondering what was going on-why was she acting so flustered today?
He smiled and raised his glass. “Mr. Levine, Serena might be a little nervous today. Please don’t take it personally. I’ll drink with you.”
He drained the glass in one go.
Sebastian lowered his gaze, scanning the glasses on the table. “Sorry, Mr. Beaumont. I haven’t been drinking lately. How about we switch to… yogurt instead?”
Everyone froze.
Did he just say yogurt at a dinner like this?
They weren’t kids-why were they drinking yogurt?
Daniel quickly chimed in, “Haha, Mr. Levine, you’re right. Wine’s not that great anyway, and too much messes up your stomach. Waiter, bring us some yogurt!”
Serena stole a quick glance at the man beside her. Sebastian liked yogurt?
Soon, the wine glasses in front of everyone were replaced with cups of yogurt.
Sebastian’s thin lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. He took a casual sip. “Not bad. This yogurt’s a little sweet today.”
Serena wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but it seemed like he had glanced in her direction. She wished she could just bury her face in her cup.
After that, Serena stayed quiet, quietly eating her food, while Eugene chatted animatedly with the others, his face flushed.
Sebastian didn’t say much either, just a word or two here and there.
Daniel sensed that Sebastian was in a decent mood-so Beaumont Legal must have been chosen. Encouraged, he chatted even more energetically with Eugene for the rest of the meal.
By the end of dinner, Eugene felt the atmosphere had gone well and allowed himself a small sense of relief.
“Mr. Levine, should I call your driver?”
Sebastian shook his head. “I didn’t bring a driver. I drove myself.”
He glanced around. “You’ve all been drinking, right?”
Daniel nodded. “A little at the start. Everyone else will need a designated driver.”
Serena had been smart enough not to drive today-she’d hitched a ride with Eugene.
Sebastian’s gaze lingered on her lightly. “Ms. Steele, you didn’t drive? It’s not easy to grab a ride around here.”
His eyes flicked to her phone, still open to a ride-hailing app. “Forget calling one. You can ride with me. You guys get a driver, I’ll just give Ms. Steele a lift since we’re going the same way.”
Serena was startled.
Her mind screamed, No, Mr. Sebastian! Couldn’t you just pretend you don’t know me right now?
Unsurprisingly, the expressions around the table were priceless.
Eugene, in particular, frowned meaningfully at her. “I’m going the same way as Serena. I’ll take her instead.”
Sebastian’s deep, calm voice cut through. “Mr. Beaumont, you’ve been drinking. Designated drivers aren’t easy to get here. Don’t worry, I’ll get Ms. Steele home safely.”
And just like that, Serena followed Sebastian out and got into his car.
James from the investment department watched them drive off, grinning slyly. “Mr. Beaumont, Ms. Steele is something else.”
Sebastian was untouchable-no one dared get near him-and yet she’d managed to get into his car without a second thought.
Daniel felt uneasy too, but he had to protect Sebastian’s image in front of others.
“James, don’t talk nonsense just because you had a little wine. Mr. Levine is being kind to a client. What’s so strange about that?”
James scoffed. Try calling that not strange. Listen to what you’re saying.
Then he smiled at Eugene. “Haha, Mr. Beaumont, come by the office another day, and we’ll talk about the merger properly.”
Eugene felt a mix of emotions. The client contract seemed almost within reach, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that his protege was being swept away.
…
“Mr. Sebastian.” Serena sat up straight.
Sebastian’s lips twitched faintly. Compared to his prominent nose, they seemed almost thin and distant. “Why aren’t you calling me Mr. Levine anymore?”
Serena was speechless.
“Mr. Sebastian, my boss thinks I come from a normal family. I don’t want any special treatment at the firm.”
Sebastian gave no response.
“Hmm,” he said, his gaze slowly resting on her cheek. “When did you learn to drink?”
Serena looked down at her lap, her voice barely audible. “The first month I joined the firm.”
“Hmph, the first month?” Sebastian gritted his teeth and slowly spat out, “You’ve got guts.”
Serena could only shrug helplessly. What could she do if she couldn’t drink? Their clients were all elites-top executives from publicly traded companies. Could she really keep sipping yogurt at meetings like today?
The car was tense.
Pouting in stubborn silence, Serena stared out the window.
Sebastian, on the other hand, was thinking.
Before she realized it, the car pulled up in front of her apartment building.
“Mr. Sebastian, we’re here. Thanks for the ride,” she said, unbuckling her seatbelt and reaching for the door-only to find it locked.
She tilted her head, glancing at him with curiosity. “Mr. Sebastian?”
“Girls should drink less at night,” he said. “If someone pressures you, just say… Trevor’s name.”
Serena chuckled. “Mr. Sebastian, his name doesn’t work as well as yours.”
Immediately, she realized she’d said too much.
His voice was cool and low, tinged with huskiness. “Then say my name instead, okay?”
Serena felt a surge of embarrassment and wished she could bite her tongue off.
“I-I was joking,” she stammered, lowering her head and forcing a nervous laugh.
Sebastian’s eyes fixed on the tips of her reddening ears, unblinking. His Adam’s apple slid down with a subtle, sexy movement. “I’m not joking. You’re Trevor’s fiancee. To me, you’re like family. I don’t mind.”
Serena blinked. She did mind.
They weren’t family. They might barely even see each other in the future-especially since she was about to break off her engagement with Trevor.
With a soft click, he unlocked the car door. His voice, even huskier than before, rumbled, “It’s late. Let’s go home.”
“Oh.”
Obediently, Serena got out of the car, moving like a wooden puppet back to her apartment. Her heart gradually slowed.
Before she could think much, her phone rang-Eugene.
“Hey, Serena. Are you home yet?” His voice was cautious.
Serena smiled. “Boss, I’m home. You and Shawn made it back okay too?”
“Yeah. I had the driver drop him off. I’m still on the road.”
He paused, then added, “Serena… Mr. Levine didn’t do anything to you in the car, did he?”
Serena stiffened, feeling her cheeks heat up again. “No! Boss, what are you thinking? Mr. Levine just felt sorry that I couldn’t get a ride and offered to drop me off.”
Eugene exhaled in relief. “Good. But tell me, had you met Mr. Levine before?”
Serena had no intention of explaining the messy ties she had with the Levine family. She shook her head decisively. “No. Never met him before.”
“This was my first time,” she added.
Eugene nodded thoughtfully. “Alright, got it. Listen, Serena… I don’t know this Mr. Levine well, but don’t let that handsome face fool you into thinking he’s easy to deal with.
“Old Mr. Levine bypassed his eldest son to hand over the entire Levine Group to him. That should tell you how formidable he is. People like him aren’t someone we can mess with.”
Serena pressed her lips together, catching the underlying warning in his tone, and smiled lightly. “Don’t worry, Boss. I’m not going to assume someone has feelings for me just because they gave me a ride.
“And I’m not going to chase someone just because they’re from a good family.”
Eugene sighed. “I don’t mean to meddle, but in their world, everything’s about status and connections. I just don’t want you getting hurt.”
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