Chapter 30 – Uncle’s New Wife. Nephew’s Regret

Trevor seemed to catch the faint sound of sniffles, but Amber’s louder cries quickly pulled his attention. There was no time to think about who else might be crying. “It’s okay, don’t cry. I’m here. I’ll always protect you. That’s right, Amber. Be good now.”

After what felt like an eternity, about twenty minutes, the elevator doors finally opened.

The moment Serena saw the light, it was like she could breathe again. Like she was alive.

“Is everyone inside okay?”

Trevor waved his hand. “Yeah, we’re fine. Amber’s just shaken up. We need to get her to a hospital!” He seemed to realize something and glanced back at Serena, who was crouched on the floor. “Serena, what about you? Are you okay?”

Serena spoke through a stuffy nose. “I’m fine… really. Don’t worry about me.”

Not again! She’s always like this, so stubborn!

Trevor frowned, clearly annoyed, and ignored Serena for the moment. He was letting the firefighters lift Amber first.

Once Trevor went up, he spotted Reno Dorsey, the manager from administration. He reminded Reno, “There’s still someone down there. Send someone to take her back.” Then he carried Amber straight to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Serena’s legs were weak, trembling uncontrollably. Reno, standing nearby, recognized her as Serena from Beaumont Legal and looked genuinely concerned. “Ms. Steele, are you okay?”

Serena shook her head. “I’m fine. Just… could you help me sit down for a bit?”

…

Lucinda was in the Residence’s garden, enjoying the flowers. When her phone rang, she hit the speaker. “Hey sweetie, hehe, missed me today?”

“Lucy,” Serena’s voice was weak. “Can you come by Levine Studios? I’m on the nineteenth floor.”

“What’s going on?” Lucinda’s voice shot up. “Rena, are you okay? Hang on, I’m coming right now!” She didn’t know what had happened, but she caught the tremor in Serena’s voice.

Sebastian had just gotten out of the car and saw Lucinda panicking. “Lucy, where are you going?”

“Uncle Sebastian, Rena seems to be in trouble. I have to go see her.”

Sebastian felt his heart skip a beat. His fingers twitched. “Don’t worry. I’ll go with you.”

Lucinda felt uneasy after that call. She had wanted to lean on Sebastian a little, but a sudden glance at him made her swallow the words she had on the tip of her tongue.

The man in the driver’s seat had dark, bloodshot eyes.

“Lucy.” Sebastian’s voice was hoarse, the last note of it trembling slightly. “Text her. Tell her we’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

“But it’s at least forty minutes to Trevor’s office from here…”

Before Lucinda could finish, she heard him repeat, voice low and commanding, “Twenty minutes.”

The route from the residence to downtown felt like it had been cleared just for them. Only the black Maybach tore down the road.

…

Nineteen minutes later, they arrived right on time. Lucinda barely shut the car door when she saw a tall, long-legged figure striding quickly into the office building.

Serena buried her face deep in her knees. She had been out for a while, but her body still shook.

If she hadn’t been at the breaking point, she wouldn’t have even called Lucinda.

This was Trevor’s company. Serena didn’t want to show any weakness in front of him. Not that it mattered-he had already walked off with the one he cared about most.

She knew she shouldn’t feel upset, but in that moment, fear, anxiety, and sadness hit her all at once, swallowing her completely.

Lucinda’s breathing was quick, her voice shaky. “Rena, are you okay?”

The familiar voice shattered Serena’s mask instantly. Her eyes welled up, and her voice caught. “Lucy, you’re here. I’m fine. My legs just went weak. I can’t get up.”

“Uncle Sebastian! What do we do?” Lucinda asked.

Serena’s heart skipped when she finally noticed the tall, serious-looking man crouched beside her.

“Can’t get up?” His voice was tight, holding back an emotion that looked like it could explode at any second.

Serena nodded slightly. “Yeah, a little.” The moment she said it, his warm hand moved across her knees and lifted her effortlessly into his arms.

Sebastian glanced at Lucinda and nodded in her direction. “Go press the elevator.”

Lucinda blinked, her brain stalling for a second, then snapped back. “Oh, right. Okay.”

Serena stared at Sebastian, a little unnerved. There was something in his eyes she couldn’t read. His faint scent of sandalwood filled the air, easing the lingering edge of fear she had just felt.

“I…” she struggled, trying to wriggle free.

“Don’t move.” Sebastian’s eyes stayed on her as he lowered his gaze. His hand, strong and precise, brushed her head. “It’s not your legs. I’m carrying you to the car.”

Luckily, the elevator was empty except for the three of them.

They rode down to the parking lot without a hitch. Lucinda watched Sebastian cradle her best friend with an odd mix of caution and tenderness, and she couldn’t quite put her finger on why it felt so strange.

Sebastian supported Serena’s head as he placed her in the back seat. He even gave instructions. “Lucy, sit in the back. Watch over your friend.”

Whose friend is this anyway?

Lucinda mumbled, “Uh… okay!”

Serena, coming back to her senses, felt entirely on edge. Especially the warmth she still felt where he had held her waist.

“Rena, what happened back there? And where was Trevor? If something happened to you, why wasn’t he here?” Lucinda asked.

Serena’s eyes darkened as she let out a small, bitter laugh in her head.

His whole heart and every glance are for Amber. How could he even notice me? Besides, we’ve already broken up!

“The elevator just broke. I’m a little scared of the dark,” Serena admitted, feeling a bit dramatic.

The man in the driver’s seat looked at her through the rearview mirror, his gaze sharp. “Claustrophobia?”

Serena’s hands clenched slightly on her lap. “Yeah, I guess.”

Lucinda had no idea about this. Her voice went urgent. “Rena, how do you even have claustrophobia?”

Most people only get it after severe psychological trauma.

“Enough. Let’s get you to the hospital first,” Sebastian cut her off.

“I don’t need the hospital. Just take me home so I can rest,” Serena said, hating hospitals.

Sebastian tilted his head, staring straight at her. “If the doctor says it’s fine, then it’s fine.”

Serena had nothing to argue with. “Okay, fine.”

…

He drove her straight to Denton’s best private hospital.

Lucinda pouted and muttered under her breath, “Uncle Sebastian, why are you bringing Rena to Julian’s hospital?”

Sebastian’s voice stayed calm. “Lucy, just because you don’t get along with him doesn’t mean you can ignore his expertise.”

When they got out of the car, Sebastian bent down and lifted her again.

Serena squirmed. “I can walk, really.”

Sebastian ignored her. “It’s just a few steps.”

Julian was in his clinic that day. He watched Sebastian walk in, carrying a girl in his arms.

“She seemed claustrophobic. Just now, the elevator incident had her shaking, and her legs were weak. Go check her out!” Sebastian ordered from above, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Julian raised an eyebrow, eyes practically asking silently who exactly Sebastian was ordering around.

“What are you just standing there for? Or do you only sit around and not actually see patients?” Sebastian pressed.

D*mn. Julian swore quietly in his head.

He pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose and cleared his throat. “Name and age, please.”

Serena had been keeping her head down, bangs hiding her look, and Julian hadn’t recognized her right away. “Serena, 26.”

Julian snapped his gaze up, shock written all over his expression. That was when he realized the patient in the chair was Sebastian’s future niece-in-law.

He narrowed his eyes, giving Sebastian, who stood nearby, a look loaded with meaning. “Could you step out? I need to speak with this patient alone.”

Lucinda knew the man inside was Julian, so she didn’t come in.

At that moment, Julian’s words were meant for only one person-Sebastian.

Sebastian shot him a cold glance, then his eyes softened as he looked at Serena in the chair. “You okay on your own?”

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