On the other end, Sebastian studied his phone thoughtfully, then let out a quiet, amused breath.
The desk phone rang. He set his mobile aside and answered the landline. “Hello.”
Hearing Sebastian’s calm voice, Daniel immediately felt a chill. “Mr. Levine, the Beaumont Legal team will be here shortly to sign the agreement. Would you… like to attend personally?”
Sebastian’s lips curved slightly. “I’ll come.”
There was no reason to avoid it. They were bound to meet sooner or later.
After the call ended, Daniel stared at the phone, puzzled.
Such a small contract, yet Sebastian wanted to show up himself. That alone said how much importance he placed on Beaumont Legal.
A law firm, even a strong one, shouldn’t warrant that level of attention.
Unless someone he couldn’t stop thinking about worked there.
Daniel suddenly felt like he’d stumbled onto a secret too big to ignore.
Sebastian had been single for thirty-three years, spotless in both public and private life, with zero rumors. Some people even speculated about his preferences.
Sebastian never cared. He lived exactly as he pleased.
Even his assistant pool was mostly male.
So clean-cut that even Daniel had once wondered.
But a few days earlier, Sebastian had volunteered to drive a woman home.
And then he’d reprimanded Daniel late at night-all because of a lawyer connected to that same woman.
Anyone with half a brain could tell she mattered to him.
Daniel tapped his finger against the desk, then called Eugene.
At Beaumont Legal, Eugene ended the call still feeling confused.
Daniel had explicitly requested that Serena be present for the signing, even though Eugene had already planned to bring her.
But Daniel had emphasized it.
Eugene frowned. He had heard Daniel was married.
In the car, neither of them spoke.
Serena was wondering what she would do if she actually ran into Sebastian.
Meanwhile, Eugene was thinking about how to guide his favorite junior back onto the right path.
“Boss.”
“Serena.”
They spoke at the same time.
Serena hesitated. “Uh… you go first.”
Eugene’s mouth twitched. “So… you said you broke up with your boyfriend, right?”
“Yeah.”
He cleared his throat. “Can I ask why?”
Serena’s gaze dulled. “Why? He cheated.”
Eugene fell silent.
He knew her breakup hadn’t been clean. He’d clearly poked at a wound that hadn’t healed yet.
Eugene cleared his throat, trying to sound casual. “Serena… how about I introduce you to some new guys?”
Serena froze. “Some?”
“Ah… No, I mean a few colleagues,” he corrected quickly. “Good ones. You can decide for yourself. I’m not saying you should juggle anyone.”
He continued, warming to the idea. “Take Mr. Hart, the one who finalized the agreement today. He married a colleague from his department. After that, she chose to leave work and stay home.”
Eugene felt his delivery was smooth, even considerate.
He had made sure Serena knew Daniel was married, and he had offered her a respectable social circle. In his mind, he gave himself full marks for tact.
Serena had no clue what had gotten into him. Since when did her boss start playing matchmaker?
“Thank you, Boss, but there’s no need,” she said gently. “I’m not thinking about relationships right now.”
Her refusal lodged uncomfortably in Eugene’s chest.
Does she already have someone in mind?
With separate thoughts running in opposite directions, they arrived at the Levine Group headquarters.
Serena excused herself and headed to the restroom.
She stared at her phone for a moment, then inhaled and called Sebastian.
The call connected briefly-then cut off.
She immediately sent a message. ‘Mr. Levine, I didn’t realize you were calling earlier and ended it by mistake. Sorry.’
She reread it twice. It was polite. Neutral. Safe.
After locking her screen, she returned to Eugene.
The moment she appeared, Eugene motioned her over. “The elevator’s here.”
They went straight up to the twenty-eighth floor.
Only Serena accompanied him.
When she stepped into the conference room and took in the people seated around the table, she paused, slightly taken aback.
Eugene felt it too.
For a simple agency signing, the setup felt excessive.
He adjusted his tie and leaned close, speaking quietly. “Relax. Don’t let them see our nerves.”
Serena straightened, composed herself, and followed him forward.
Daniel greeted them with a smile. “Mr. Beaumont. Ms. Steele.”
He gestured as he spoke. “You’ve met Mr. Anderson from Investments. This is our finance head, and these are the executives overseeing the merger. You’ll likely be coordinating with them later.”
The central seat remained empty.
Serena’s gaze drifted, stopping briefly on the insulated cup placed in front of it. She quickly looked away.
Daniel noticed. He cleared his throat. “Here’s the contract. Please review it. Mr. Levine is finishing a call and will join us shortly.”
Serena felt her breath catch.
Eugene looked surprised as well.
“Seems this deal has Mr. Levine’s full attention,” he remarked.
At that moment, Serena’s phone vibrated, and the call tone rang out clearly in the quiet room.
Eugene glanced sideways. The caller ID read SL.
His brow creased. “Why isn’t your phone silenced?”
Serena smiled awkwardly and nodded. “Sorry. I’ll step outside.”
This time, she didn’t dare decline.
Once outside, she accepted the call. “Hello, Mr. Sebastian.”
His voice came through, relaxed and unhurried. “So now you’ve upgraded from ‘Mr. Levine’?”
Serena hesitated. She genuinely didn’t know what form of address felt right anymore.
“Where are you?” he asked.
She paused briefly before answering. “At your company. I stepped out of the conference room to take the call.”
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