Chapter 140
Three Bouquets.
On a late Wednesday morning, Serena was in a daze.
Her mind drifted to a scene of two ill-timed lovers who were making out on an open-
deck balcony.
The scene was hot.
Too hot.
The memory was vivid, uninvited, and it sent a tingling sensation straight down her core.
Serena shut her eyes briefly, as if that might stop it.
Just who could these two people be, and why were they insisting on occupying her thoughts?
Of course, Serena knew the answer to it; she was just not ready to face the rekindling emotions in her heart.
Serena stared at her chest, and when she remembered how the man in that scene had pleasured her last night, she bit her lip.
Then Serena slammed her hand against the table’s surface. “What am I doing p>
She glanced at her computer screen, and her only progress after half an hour of working was… nothing.
Her Word document was completely blank.
“Miss Vander?” Serena’s assistant suddenly knocked on her office door. She was holding a bouquet of red roses. “These came for you p>
Just when Serena thought there was only one, Helene let the receptionist in, carrying two more bouquets of deep red roses.
“The delivery guy said they came from one person,” Helene reported. “Who could it be p>
Helene and the receptionist found a place for all three bouquets. After that, Helene exclaimed, “Boss, read the card. Read the card! Who gave you these flowers p>
Serena stood up to get the cards. There was one in each bouquet. She read the first
one:
“I don’t want another life if you’re not in it.
Love, Nathan p>
It didn’t affect her at first, but the next one did, quietly. She read the second card softly:
“I broke us. I learned the hard way how much it hurt. You are the part of me that never healed.
Love, Nathan p>
The last one read:
“I swear this with my life. Everything I am now is for you and the kids p>
When Serena turned to her assistant, there was a big question mark on her face. Helene’s mouth was open, her brows knitted together.
Serena couldn’t hide it anymore. “These came from the father of my kids p>
“The father of Bastin and Ali?” Helene echoed. “Is he trying to get back with you?” Serena’s mouth opened, but no words escaped her.
Helene filled in for her. “Obviously, he is, judging by the words on those cards p>
“But there were talks about the twins’ father being someone not worthy of your family,” Helene added. “Would your family accept him p>
Serena frowned. “What do you mean p>
down at her hands.
Helene looked e
“Oh, never mind. It’s just gossip.
Your family has been very secretive about the twins’ father, so people
made assumptions Some
assumptions Some said your ex-husband was unimpressive, of low background-one rumor even suggested he was a criminal p>
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” Helene said quickly, making hand gestures. “Forgive me for bringing it up p>
Serena laughed. “What? Where are these rumors coming from p>
“You probably didn’t notice, but people talk,” Helene said. “I overheard it from employees, executives, and even some vendor partners. In fact, I heard Stella Montgomery assume the same during the twins’ birthday celebration p>
Serena laughed again. “Yes, I was secretive about my ex-husband, but it wasn’t because he’s unimpressive. Our breakup was painful. Not talking about him helped me move on faster, and there were other reasons for the secrecy too p>
That included her kidnapping case, one that had never been brought to justice because Victor died.
Serena never er cared
about rumors, but she realized they might hurt her children one day. She turned to her assistant and ordered, “From now
has
on, dispel those rumors. No one the right to make presumptions without actually meeting or seeing my ex-husband p>
“Okay, Miss Vander,” Helene said, smiling. “Whatever happened between you and your ex-husband, he seems to regret it. I hope you’ll come to terms, at least for the children p>
Before Serena could respond, Silas
walked into ker office. He asked, “Serena, received a call from Brian Trece Kingsley. He said you disapproved of their proposar Is it because his girlfriend talked behind your back at last night’s gathering? Before I respond, I want to make sure I get this right p>
Silas was referring to Gwen Porter, the girlfriend of HelixPoint CEO Brian Kingsley.
“No, Silas,” Serena replied. “The project proposal didn’t meet my standards. They changed the project manager. It’s now Gwen Porter. I learned from a source that Brian fired the previous project manager, Noelle Rowan p>
“What?” Silas’ face reddened, the veins on his forehead bulging. “What did you say? They fired Noelle p>
The way he called the project manager so casually, Serena asked, “Do you know Noelle p>
“No!” Silas denied immediately. “I just think her work is impressive p>
It really was. Serena agreed. “Exactly why I disapproved of Gwen’s proposal. It had nothing to do with my encounter with her last night p>
Silas was already taking out his phone. He called Brian Kingsley and said, “I’m not working with a company that has an incompetent project manager. Let’s end our partnership p>
Serena, p>
While Serena agreed with her brother’s decision, she found his actions impulsive. She wondered if there was more she didn’t know.
Before she could dwell on her brothers’ actions, Serena received a call from Nathaniel.
Something had happened in Velmon City, and she didn’t like it one bit.
Her eyes grew cold as she held the phone. When the call ended, she said, “I’m coming with you p>