Chapter 69
Willow was displeased.
“Wilson, we’re family, and you’ve never given me such an expensive gift,” she complained.
Wilson narrowed his eyes slightly. “You’ve never asked me for one,” he replied calmly.
Willow said, “Well, I’m asking now! Give me something valuable too, will you? Wilson, the way you spend money is so dashing.
From today onward, you’re officially my favorite person in the family!”
Wilson’s expression remained nonchalant. “Your flattery is too fake. It’s sycophantic.”
Willow was speechless. His standards were ridiculously high.
Lauren grinned and leaned closer, throwing an arm around Willow’s shoulders. “You won’t make it. You’ve been a pampered girl
for too long You’ll never master my level of bootlicking. Don’t worry, though. I’ll teach you my tricks someday.”
Wilson’s gaze shifted to Serena. “What about you, Ms. Judd?” he asked.
Serena lifted her beautiful eyes. “Hm?” she murmured.
“Aren’t you going to ask me for something?” he questioned.
“No need,” Serena answered softly.
“Why not?” Lauren leaned over, blinking mischievously.
“Mr. Quade, Rina sees money as dirt. She doesn’t care about wealth. What she’s lacking is a man. Are you up for it?” she joked
with a grin.
“Shut up already!” Serena exclaimed, stuffing a piece of cake into Lauren’s mouth and shoving her back into her seat.
“Mr. Quade, please’pretend you didn’t hear any of that!” she said hurriedly.
Wilson smiled slightly as he watched their lively exchange.
His gaze lingered on Serena’s slightly flushed face before he looked out the car window.
Her words echoed in his mind, and he found himself willing to offer himself to her. Yet, he couldn’t shake the worry that she
might not want him.
After dropping Serena off at her rented apartment, none of them seemed eager to leave.
Aaron checked his watch. “It’s lunchtime. How about we grab a meal together? There’s a decent restaurant nearby,” he
suggested.
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Serena shook her head. “I’ll pass. I’ll just eat something simple at home,” she replied.
+25 Bonus
Her face was bruised, and with the Quade Group office nearby, she didn’t want to risk running into company people. She didn’t want any gossip behind her back.
Lauren clung to Serena’s arm. “Then I’m not going either. I’ll eat with you,” she declared.
Willow chimed in, “Can I join too? I’m easy to please and not picky about food.”
None of them planned to go to the restaurant. Aaron instinctively glanced at Wilson.
Wilson remained silent, standing calmly in place.
The ever–perceptive Lauren immediately said, “Mr. Quade, you should join us too. Since you brought Rina back, it’s only right we treat you to a meal!”
Wilson immediately replied, “Sure.”
This bootlicker knew what she was doing. The watch was worth it.
Serena’s modest 645–square–foot apartment was soon inexplicably crowded.
Having just been discharged from the hospital, Serena was told not to overexert herself. The group decided to use the ingredients
in her fridge for a small barbecue.
They gathered in the kitchen to prepare the food, leaving Wilson and Aaron outside.
Wilson casually leaned on the couch with his long legs crossed in a relaxed yet dignified manner.
A cigarette dangled between his fingers as he twirled it absentmindedly.
Aaron grabbed a lighter, ready to help him light the cigarette.
Wilson shifted his fingers away. “No smoking here.”
Aaron paused, then chuckled. “You’re right. My mistake.”
Wilson squinted. “Are you Lauren’s boyfriend?”
“Yeah, Laurie works for my company. I’m her boss. We just made things official yesterday,” Aaron replied.
“A boss–employee relationship, huh.”
Wilson seemed to ponder this.
Aaron smiled gently and handed over his phone, displaying a WhatsApp QR code. “Mr. Quade, here’s my contact information. Lauren and Ms. Judd are good friends, so we’ll likely be seeing each other often.”
Wilson lowered his gaze and remained silent for a few seconds before lazily taking out his phone to scan the QR code. “You’re in
real estate?”
