Chapte 28
With a sharp “click, the door slammed shut behind Serena as she rushed out of the house. She wasted no time worrying about her sore feet, sprinting toward the elevator, Pressing the button for the ground floor, a surge of relief washed over her. Once she escaped the confines of the elevator and hopped into a waiting cab, she finally exhaled, allowing the tension to seep away
Sitting in the back seat, she wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. After giving the driver her home address, she glanced up at the towering twenty–six–story building. With a huff of indignation, she flipped the bird, her frustration spilling over.
When Lennox emerged from his shower, fresh clothes adorning his frame, the room felt eerily errpty. His hand froze mid–motion as he noticed the absence of the purse on the couch and the high heels at the entrance. An icy expression settled on his face.
That little vixen dared to run away.
He tossed the towel he had used to dry his hair into the trash bin. Just then, his gaze fell upon a steaming plate of quiche on the coffee table, softening his fury ever so slightly. Bending down, he picked up a fork and snagged one of the quiches.
The meat was finely minced, mingling delightfully with bits of carrots. With a single bite, the savory juices exploded in his mouth, far surpassing any quiche he had tasted before. As he savored the flavors, Lennox’s anger began to dissipate.
“…I didn’t realize that little vixen could cook so well.”
He sank into the couch, enjoying the plate of quiche. By the time he devoured the last piece, most of his anger had faded.
Feeling sated, he finally took out his phone and dialed Serena’s number.
Meanwhile, Serena was still in the cab, her phone ringing insistently. When she saw “Lennox” flash across the Screen, she glared at it before hanging up with a flourish.
A smirk crept onto her face as she imagined the darkened expression on his face after she rejected his call. “Serves you right for picking on me. I won’t answer your call, humph.”
After severing the connection, a wave of satisfaction washed over Serena, as if all the frustrations of the day had lifted away, transforming her mood from stormy to sunny in an instant.
On the other end, Lennox’s expression darkened.
That little vixen has some nerve hanging up
He redialed her number.
on me.
Serena, undeterred, hung up once more. They were locked in a game of wills; he called again, and she cut himp off again.
As she exited the cab and started walking toward home, her phone rang once more. Without looking, she answered it, ready to unleash her fury. “How many times are you going to call? Are you crazy? I’m almost home! I warn you, don’t harass me anymore, or I’ll report you for sexual harassment.”
The voice on the other end was cool and composed. “So… you think I’m crazy?”
Serena froze in her tracks. That wasn’t Lennox’s voice.
She glanced at her phone, and a wave of dread washed over her as she realized it displayed “Lyle” in bold.
letters.
Oh no, oh no, oh no-
Panic surged through her. Had she jus
berated the director? Words of impending door floated through her
mind
Serena, you’re finished.
“M–Mr. Fisher… I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to
s was
Even though Lyle couldn’t see her, Serena bowed her head in apology, her embarrassment palpable. This the kind of bad luck that made a person want to weep. If her outburst cost her the role, she might as well perform the act of smashing stones on her chest in despair.
“Alright, I heard from Miss Zeller that you’ve been injured these past few days. You don’t need to come to the set for now. I’ll send the script over to you, so you can familiarize yourself with it. Once you’re healed, come to the set immediately to start filming.”
Before she could respond, Lyle hung up the phone.
Staring at her phone, now disconnected, Serena felt an overwhelming urge to pull her hair out in frustration.
Oh my gosh.
Was she going to lose her mind over this? She had just scolded the director–all because of Lennox. If he hadn’t stirred her emotions so wildly, she wouldn’t have reacted this way.
In a fit of anger, she added Lennox’s number to her block list.
Deflated, Serena returned home. As she opened the door, a delightful aroma wafted through the air, and her stomach growled loudly in response. She pressed a hand to her belly, suddenly feeling ravenous.
“Hey, Serena, you’re finally back!” Zoey called out, happily chewing on her chopsticks as she waved her over “Have you eaten yet? Come on, grab a bite! Did you sign the contract? When are you starting filming?”
Serena chuckled, overwhelmed by the barrage of questions.
Where to begin?
She shuffled in, wearing her slippers, limping slightly as she made her way to the living room.
“Mommy, what happened to your foot?” Silas, ever perceptive, was the first to notice her discomfort. His serious little face filled with concern as he set down his bowl and hurried over to support her. His brows furrowed as he examined the scrape on her knee. “Mommy, let me help you. Be careful!”
Sylvie and Zoey joined him, abandoning their meals.
“Mommy…
“It’s alright, it’s alright. I’m fine,” Serena reassured them, her heart melting at their concern. She smiled softly as she ruffled their hair, leaning on Zoey for support. As they walked together, she explained, “I got a little too excited while signing the contract and tripped.”
Zoey shot Serena an annoyed glance, rolling her eyes with a flair of exasperation “What a way to go”
In response, fierana could only manage a sheepish smile. She felt it was impossible to share with the children how Lennox had bullied her. The two little ones were already more mature than their peers, and learning about such matters would only burden them with worry
“Mommy, have you eaten yet?” Sylvie tilted her head, her big eyes sparkling with curiosity
Setona shook her head.
The little one let out a soft whimper.
Mommy is so pitiful
She had not only stumbled while trying to find a job but had also gone without food to care for us.
In an instant, Sylvie dashed into the kitchen, reappearing with a pair of forks and spoons, along with a small bowl. “Mommy, you need to eat something!”
Silas quietly filled a bowl with rice for her, his actions filled with love and thoughtfulness.
A warm sensation blossomed in Serena’s heart.
It was incredibly heartwarming.
With such caring and sensible children by her side, what more could she ask for? Suddenly, everything felt clear. Wasn’t she just about to sign a contract with Starlight Media?
So what if she signed? This was a chance to create a better life for her two precious kids. With such an excellent opportunity before her, how could she let it slip away?
Besides, no matter how shameless Lennox was, would he truly force her if she refused?
(With that thought, a surge of clarity washed over Serena.
“Come on, let’s eat!”
As she took in the spread laid out on the table, Serena was momentarily taken aback.
There were braised fish, tender eggplant, savory, shredded potatoes, and fragrant rib soup. She remembered that Zoey didn’t know how to cook.
Absently, she picked up a piece of fish and nearly swallowed her tongue.
Wow!
The flavors danced in her mouth, a delightful surprise that brought a smile to her face.
This is delicious!
“Zoey, where did you order this takeout? It’s amazing!” Serena exclaimed, marveling at the flavors that rivaled those of a five–star hotel.
Zoey chuckled awkwardly, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “It’s not takeout.”
“Uh…”
Mommy, Silas made these, Sylvie chimed in, her pride evident.
Serena stared at Silas in disbelief. “What?”
How could she have forgotten that Silas could cook? She turned to him, and he raised his head from the small bowl, pointing to the computer nearby. His cool little face remained expressionless as he explained, “There are recipes online. I just had to watch one to learn. It’s simple.”
Goodness!
He could just watch once and create something so delicious. Her son was a genius.
Serena gazed at Silas as if she were observing a rare specimen, a blend of admiration and awe swirling within her.
With a frown, Silas urged, “Hurry up and eat, or it will get cold.”
Feeling a swell of gratitude, Serena quietly dug into her meal, realizing that her son possessed the potential to become a top chef one day.
By
the time they finished, the table was completely cleared, every last morsel devoured. It was already past one in the afternoon, and the children were accustomed to their nap time. Serena settled in with them, reading a story that soon lulled them into a peaceful slumber.
After tiptoeing out of their bedroom, she closed the door softly behind her.
“Serena___”
“Shh-” Zoey interjected, glancing back at the room and nodding in agreement. She then led Serena to the living room.
Once settled on the couch, Zoey pointed to the new phone resting on the coffee table. “Did you buy this today?”
Seeing the phone sent a wave of anxiety through Serena, tightening the knot in her stomach. After a moment of contemplation, she took a deep breath and began recounting the events of the day to Zoey, her voice heavy with frustration. “Zoey, what am I supposed to do now?”
Listening intently, Zoey swallowed hard, appearing momentarily at a loss for words. “Zoey…”
“Dear Lord, Serena, hold on a second. Let me catch my breath, Zoey replied, eyes wide in disbelief. “Are you telling me that the man you had a one–night stand with is the big boss of Starlight Media? And he’s been trying to find a way to get you into the company? Good grief, it feels like I’m listening to a legendary tale!! can’t still be dreaming, can I?”
A thin, sardonic smile crept across Serena’s lips. “Do you want me to pinch you to see if it hurts?”
Hmph!
This girl didn’t seem to grasp the crux of the issue!
The main concern was that she was being pursued by a stranger with ulterior motives.
“No, no!” Zoey exclaimed, grasping Serena’s hand, her excitement palpable. “Why worry so much? You’ve already signed the contract, and the terms they offered were excellent. The entertainment industry may seem glamorous on the surface, but it’s murky and corrupt beneath. With your looks, you’ll attract plenty of attention. But with Starlight Media backing you, you’ll ward off many predators.”
Serena hung her head, sighing deeply. “I know that, but Lennox…”
Forget about him,” Zoey interrupted, her voice soothing like a gentle breeze. “He’s the big boss. He can’t possibly spend all his time hounding you. In time, he’ll back off once he realizes you’re not easy prey.”
Would that really happen?
