Chapter 42
Justin answered frostily, “Serena has left Farrow Corporation and no longer has anything to do with our family.” Damian was about to press for more details when Mollie shot him a warning look. He wisely kept his mouth shut. Everyone began to dig into the food, making small talk with one another. Damian quickly tugged on Joseph’s sleeve and asked, “Joseph, did something happen between Serena and Justin?”
“It’s a long story,” Joseph replied. With a sigh, he gave Damian a brief run–down of Serena and Justin’s fallout.
Damian’s eyes flashed with interest. “So, what you’re saying is, there’s no way Serena and Justin will ever get together?”
“Pretty much. Justin’s already seeing someone else, and Serena seemed to have made up her mind. I don’t think they’d speak anytime soon, let alone date each other,” Joseph pointed out.
Upon hearing this, Damian held his wine glass by its stem and lowered his gaze in thought. A small smile curved his lips as he considered what Joseph told him.
Halfway through the meal, Arthur asked, “There’s a charity gala coming up a couple of days from now. Will you be there, Justin?”
“Yeah,” Justin said.
Jenna set her spoon down. “You’ll need a date for the charity gala. Who will you bring?”
Justin countered, “Who do you think?”
“Don’t tell me you’re planning to let this one tag along!” Jenna pointed at Candice contemptuously. “I won’t stand for it. Can you imagine what my friends would say if they learned about her background? They’d never let me or the Farrow family live the shame down!”
“Candice is my girlfriend. Who else will I bring to the gala if not her?” Justin asked, growing irritated with his mother. “You didn’t like it when I brought Serena to these events before. You were always going on about how a housekeeper’s daughter wasn’t good enough for the family.
“Have you switched targets to Candice now that Serena’s no longer in the picture? What do you want from me, Mom?”
Jenna went still. “Why would I be pleased with your dating Candice when she isn’t half as good as Serena?” She threw a quick look in Jessica’s direction and added, “If you insist on attending the gala, you should bring Jessica with you.
“At least she graduated as an honor–roll student from Brentworth University. Besides, she’s your assistant, which isn’t too shabby a job.”
Jessica’s eyes lit up when she heard this, and she turned her gaze on Justin. However, he simply cleaned his fingers with a napkin as he drawled, “I will bring whoever like, and if you have a problem with that, too bad.”
With that, he rose and left. Candice followed suit.
At once, a hush fell upon the table. Mollie was the first to break the tense silence. “Mom, you don’t think Justin takes after Dad-”
“Don’t mention your father!” Jenna roared. Realizing she had lost her composure, she cleared her throat and willed her grimace to soften. “Forget about them. Let’s continue our meal.”
Everyone else at the table picked up their utensils again.
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Chapter 42
+25 BONUS
An unreadable look crossed Mollie’s face.
Her and Justin’s father, Anthony Farrow, had fallen out with Robert back in the day because he claimed to have fallen for another woinan. In the end, he cut ties with the entire family and gave up his birthright to take over Farrow Corporation for her. He abandoned his wife and children just to relocate abroad with his so–called “true love“.
Mollie knew Jenna was worried Justin might take after Anthony. As such, Jenna would never allow Justin to be blinded by the idea of “true love“, be it with Candice or Serena.
After trying on dresses, Lauren dragged Serena to the movies. They also hit up the supermarket in the afternoon and returned to Serena’s apartment with a large haul.
Serena was an excellent cook, and Lauren was happy to stay for a meal. To earn her place at the table, Lauren even helped with the food preparation.
She was busy cutting up vegetables when her phone rang. She put the call through and said in hushed tones, ” Didn’t I tell you I was busy? Stop calling… Yes, I know… Look, I need my hands now, so leave me alone!”
Lauren hastily hung up after that.
“Who is it?” Serena asked, casting her friend a sidelong glance.
“Who else?” Lauren countered plainly. “Stupid Boss.”
“I’m curious. Why would your superior call you every day? Be honest with me, Laurie. What’s going on between you and your boss?” Serena questioned.
Lauren winced as if struggling to come up with an answer. He’s probably got too much time on his hands, that’s why. But I won’t discount the possibility that he thinks I’m pretty and wants to go out with me.
“Why else would he be so concerned about my health and overlook my tardiness without docking my pay?”
