Chapter 37
+25 BONUS
At the Farrow residence, Justin stepped out of the shower, the water finally easing the simmering frustration that had been building within him.
His phone buzzed. Without thinking, he picked it up.
On the other end, Candice’s soft, almost pleading voice came through. “Justin, I called earlier. Why didn’t you answer?”
“I was busy,” Justin replied coldly.
“How’s Mrs. Farrow Senior doing?” Candice asked, her tone laced with concern. “Maybe I should bring something over tomorrow and check on her.”
Justin pulled out a cigarette, placing it between his lips, before lowering his head to light it with a lighter. There’s no need. She wanted to see Serena, and after seeing her today, she’s doing much better.”
་་
Silence stretched on the other end. Before Justin could say anything, Candice’s quiet sobs broke through. “Justin, does Mrs. Farrow Senior not like me? Your mom and your sister already don’t. And now your grandma doesn’t like me either. What did I do wrong?”
Her crying made his temples throb. “What they think doesn’t matter. I’m the one in a relationship with you.” “So, Justin… you like me, don’t you?” Candice asked.
The word “yes” hovered at the tip of his tongue, but for some reason, he couldn’t say it. After a brief pause, he hummed nonchalantly in response.
Candice’s voice brightened immediately. “Justin, as long as you like me, nothing else matters…”
Before she could continue, a notification popped up on his phone. It was a message from Joseph. With a flick of his thumb, Justin opened the attachment. His expression darkened in an instant.
The photo showed Wilson and Serena seated at a romantic Pernch restaurant across from each other. Whether it was the angle of the shot or the play of light and shadow, an undeniable intimacy seemed to permeate the atmosphere between them.
Candice was still chattering away, but Justin wasn’t listening. After muttering a few vague responses, he ended the call.
Irritated, he stubbed out his cigarette. Before he could ask Joseph for the restaurant’s address, another message arrived. “Justin, are you coming or not? Serena looks like she’s about to be swept off her feet by Wilson!”
Justin stared at the message for a moment before typing back. “That’s none of my business.”
What did it matter to him who Serena was with?
On the other end, Joseph frowned at his phone, disappointment etched across his face. The fiery confrontation, the dramatic showdown he had anticipated, was now off the table.
The woman sitting across from him huffed. “Mr. Collinsworth, you’ve barely looked at me all evening. Are you even interested?”
“I’m busy. Feel free to eat or scroll your phone if you’re bored,” Joseph replied dismissively.
The woman glared at him before storming off.
Not far away, Wilson and Serena were finishing their meal. When the check arrived, Wilson reached for it, but
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Chapter 37
Serena stopped him. “Today’s your birthday. This meal is on me.”
Her unwavering resolve left him no room to argue. With a faint smile, he leaned back and let her pay.
After they left the restaurant, Serena climbed into the car. Wilson, however, paused at the door. “Wait here for a moment,” he said before getting out of the car and walking away.
Joseph was busy plotting his nexte
inside his Porsche when he spotted Wilson approaching. His stomach
dropped. Before he could even turn the key in the ignition, Wilson was tapping on his window.
Joseph reluctantly lowered his window, forcing a sheepish mile. “What a coincidence! Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Wilson’s eyes narrowed, a look of utter disdain spreading across his face. “Your acting’s so bad you can’t even fool yourself. What makes you think you could fool me?“”
Joseph gulped, saying nothing.
“Give me your phone.” Wilson extended his hand.
“What for? That’s a violation of privacy! You can’t just take my phone. It’s illegal! I can call the police for this!” Joseph protested, clutching it tightly.
“You’re not giving it to me?” Wilson’s voice edged with a dangerous note.
“I didn’t say that.” Joseph caved immediately, his defiance crumbling under Wilson’s icy gaze. The memory of being beaten up by Wilson, hospitalized when he was young, still lingered.
Handing over his phone, Wilson even made Joseph unlock it. Joseph, reluctant but intimidated, complied.
Wilson scrolled through Joseph’s phone and found the photo he had sent to Justin. “Ah, so that’s why you were sneaking around, taking pictures,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You were acting like a spy, sending updates to your boss.”
Joseph braced himself for a punch, but Wilson simply tossed the phone back. “Well done.”
Joseph was utterly dumbfounded.
“Add me to your contacts,” Wilson ordered, pulling out his own phone.
Joseph was bewildered, but he didn’t dare to question Wilson. He complied and watched in confusion as Wilson sent the photo to himself.
“You’re not as useless as you look. There’s potential for you as a photographer,” Wilson remarked.
Joseph frowned. Somehow, even a compliment felt like an insult coming from him.
“Next time, if I catch you pulling this stunt, I won’t let it slide so easily,” Wilson warned.
Joseph nodded fervently. “It won’t happen again.”
Satisfied, Wilson returned to his car.
Joseph immediately rolled up his window and drove off like he had seen a ghost.
Back in his Bentley, Wilson’s mood had noticeably improved.
“Why are you smiling?” Serena asked, curious.
“Today’s my birthday. I’m in a good mood,” he said, starting the engine. “Let me take you home.”
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Chapter 37
By the time they reached her apartment, it was nearly midnight. As Serena stepped out of the car, Wilson handed her a business card. “The gown for next week’s charity gala is ready. This is the address. I’ll come with you tomorrow to try it on.”
Serena recognized the high–end boutique. Jenna used to order her gowns there, each one ridiculously expensive. Alright, thank you.”
As she turned to leave, a thought occurred to her. She turned back toward the window and said, “Mr. Quade, I forgot to say something.”
“What is it?” Wilson asked.
“Happy birthday.” Serena smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling into crescents. “Mr. Quade, I wish you a very happy birthday.”
Framed by dimples, her smile was so genuine it struck a deep chord within him.
What he had once considered the most tedious day of the year suddenly didn’t seem so bad.
After she disappeared into her building, Wilson lit a cigarette and pulled out his phone. He opened the photo Joseph had taken, zooming in on Serena’s profile. His gaze lingered on her delicate, serene face for a long time.
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