“Alright. Head up.”
Serena raised her eyes.
Sebastian stood a short distance away, phone still to his ear. As she walked toward him, her steps stayed even, unhurried. She did not rush, and she did not hesitate.
Light from the corridor window cut across his figure. The sharpness in his features softened the moment he saw her approach.
For an instant, Serena lost focus. It passed quickly, but she felt it.
He ended the call and lowered his hand. A faint smile crossed his face. “We should go in. They’ve probably been waiting.”
The moment Sebastian pushed open the conference room door, attention snapped toward him.
Eugene’s gaze flicked instinctively to Serena, and his eyelid twitched.
Something felt off.
Standing side by side, the two of them looked unnervingly compatible. It was not just appearance. It was the way they moved, the quiet confidence, the unspoken ease. Eugene could not decide whether he was imagining it.
Daniel, on the other hand, was internally screaming.
So this is it. This is definitely it!
After all, since when did Sebastian look so relaxed around anyone?
Sebastian walked in at his own pace and took the empty seat at the center of the table. “Apologies for the delay,” he said lightly. “I ran into Ms. Steele outside. She seemed busy on a call. With her boyfriend, I think.”
Serena’s face heated instantly.
Boyfriend? Why does he open his mouth just to stir trouble?
Eugene blinked once before understanding dawned.
So that mysterious SL was the ex.
Daniel’s lips curved into a knowing smile. Somehow, it felt like Sebastian himself had not fully accepted that fact yet.
The room moved past the awkward beat and returned to business.
Sebastian turned his attention to Eugene. His tone shifted, calm and professional. “I’ve been informed there were disagreements within your firm regarding this engagement. Because of that, we’ve included an additional term.”
He slid the document forward. “The core legal team for this merger will be led exclusively by you, Mr. Beaumont. No substitutions.”
Eugene nearly lost his composure.
That clause effectively shut out the competing partner entirely.
Even with years of courtroom discipline, the surge of excitement showed. “That’s… not a problem at all.”
Sebastian nodded. “Then please proceed.”
He signed first, pen moving with unbroken certainty.
Serena watched Sebastian as he worked. Inside the room, he was composed, distant, and precise. Nothing like the man she had spoken to outside minutes earlier.
She found herself wondering, without warning, what he would be like with someone he truly cared for.
The thought startled her.
She immediately reined it in. That was not her place to think about.
Sebastian set the pen down and glanced up. He caught her momentary distraction, and something warm flickered briefly in his expression.
Daniel saw it and inhaled sharply.
So it wasn’t his imagination after all.
Once the paperwork was complete, Daniel checked his watch and smoothly transitioned. “It’s almost noon. I’ve reserved a private room at Midnight Society. Shall we have lunch together?”
Sebastian considered. “I’m available after twelve. That depends on Mr. Beaumont and Ms. Steele.”
Eugene answered without hesitation. “I’m free.”
Then he added, “But Serena has a hearing at two-thirty.”
Daniel sighed in genuine disappointment. “Unfortunate timing. Then Mr. Beaumont can join us.”
Sebastian glanced at his phone, expression neutral. “That reminds me… I have another matter to attend to at noon.”
He stood. “Mr. Hart, please host Mr. Beaumont.”
Daniel was rather speechless upon hearing that.
I knew it!
As Sebastian left, Daniel fixed his gaze on Serena, committing her name and face firmly to memory.
Eugene exhaled, feeling slightly disappointed. “Serena, go handle your prep.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Serena offered polite farewells and stepped out of the building.
The moment the glass doors closed behind her, she released a long breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
At last, she could breathe.
Her phone rang again.
Serena hesitated for a split second before looking down. When she saw the caller ID, her shoulders finally loosened.
“Rena!” A bright, familiar voice burst through the line. “My flight touches down at seven tonight. Be a darling and come get me, will you?”
Serena’s eyes curved as she smiled. “You’re serious? Lucy, you disappeared for ages. Took you long enough.”
“Hey, heartbreak tourism takes time.” Lucinda laughed. “Anyway, I’m back now. Oh-by the way, why didn’t you ever show me your marriage certificate with my brother?”
Lucinda Levine was Trevor’s younger sister, the second daughter of the Levine family. Unlike Amber, she carried the Levine name outright. Her father had passed early, but that had only made her grandfather more indulgent toward her.
Three months earlier, after a messy breakup, Lucinda had announced she was going abroad to mend her broken heart. Serena had stayed in touch, but she had never mentioned ending things with Trevor.
On the other end of the line, Lucinda suddenly went quiet. “Rena? Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t tell me your feelings have cooled off. That hurts.”
Serena laughed softly. “Relax. You’re special. I could drift from anyone, but not you. Lucy… I’m not getting married anymore. I broke up with your brother.”
“What?” Lucinda froze. “Are you alright? Did he start it? He wouldn’t dare.”
She was genuinely rattled. Lucinda had watched Serena pour her heart into Trevor for years. Even she had sometimes wondered what made her brother worth that much effort.
Between blood and friendship, Lucinda had always sided with Serena.
She had imagined that once Serena married in, they would be inseparable. In the Levine family, she would never have let her best friend be treated poorly.
And now, after only three months apart, everything had fallen apart?
Serena’s smile thinned. “No. I ended it. I’m exhausted. I don’t want to keep chasing him anymore.”
“But… you were so close to the wedding.”
“Exactly,” Serena said calmly. “Better to stop now than regret it later.”
Lucinda inhaled sharply, then laughed. “Fine. Then, forget him. There are plenty of men out there-we’re not settling for this one. Pick me up tonight. I’m dragging you out to celebrate freedom.”
Serena chuckled. “Deal. I’ll get you. I’ve got court this afternoon, though.”
…
After grabbing something quick to eat, she returned to the firm.
Shawn bounced over the moment he saw her. “All good?”
She flashed an OK sign. “Yup.”
Eugene’s team erupted quietly. Across the floor, Chris’ group looked like they had swallowed broken glass.
“Keep it down,” Serena reminded them. “Celebrate after the Boss gets back.”
She gathered her files and left for court just after 1 p.m.
…
By the time proceedings wrapped up, the clock had crept past 4 p.m.
Her phone buzzed again. Serena glanced at the caller ID, then declined without hesitation.
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