Game Over No Second Chances

"I heard that you..." Cole started to speak, but just thinking about the tricks Hugh had pulled on him before made his teeth ache.

He paused, forced a smile, and continued, "Aunt Serene, I heard that you came to the office to wait for Uncle Hugh, so I thought I'd drop by and say hello. You don't mind, do you?"

He stayed where he was, looking perfectly well-behaved.

Hearing the way he addressed her, Serena relaxed a little. At least he knew how to show respect and wasn't overstepping.noveldrama

Not bad. She let her guard down slightly and picked up her coffee.

"Now that you've said hello, you should get back to work. I'm sure the Larson Group has plenty for you to do."

"Not really. Uncle Hugh's the one tied up with meetings. I don't have many projects on my plate right now. Besides, I just got back from overseas. I'm still fresh off vacation, so there's not much work for me yet."

Serena fell silent. She honestly just didn't want to deal with him. She'd been hoping to enjoy a quiet moment alone. But Cole clearly wasn't getting the hint and insisted on sticking around.

She was already thinking about ways she could get him to leave.

Meanwhile, Cole, completely oblivious to the irritation flickering in her eyes, stood up with a bright smile. "The company set out some desserts today. I'll grab a few for you."

"No, that's really not..."

Before Serena could even finish refusing, Cole had already headed off toward the pantry. Clearly, he had no plans to leave anytime soon.

Serena's lips twitched slightly. But seeing that Cole was at least trying to behave today, she decided to let it slide.

Just then, a message from Sarah popped up on her phone.

"Damn you for having Hugh torment me like crazy a few days ago! Well, look at you now, groveling like a dog in front of Dad. Karma's a bitch, isn't it? I should be thanking you, my dear sister, for cleaning up such a huge mess for me."

She even threw in a taunting emoji at the end.

Serena raised an eyebrow. She didn't even bother replying. She was to slip her phone back into h

bag

when another message pool

up.

"I'm going to be Cole's wife one day. And when that happens, you and Hugh? I'll make sure neither of you live in peace!"

As soon as she sent it, Sarah must've realized how easily Serena could show

Hugh the message because she deleted it right after.

Serena was so angry that she actually laughed. "Has the magic water affected her IQ?" she asked, then lifted her gaze toward the pantry.

The door was ajar. From inside, she could hear a woman's playful laughter.

Curious, Serena stood up and walked closer.

Through the gap, she saw Cole

leaning intimately against a

secretary, Ava Harper. Their

shoulders were practically touching as they laughed and whispered together.

A couple of small cakes sat forgotten on the counter beside them.

Oh... So, getting her dessert had been just an excuse. The real reason he stayed was to flirt with Ava.

Serena casually snapped a photo and sent it to Sarah. "So, this man is your future husband? Funny how the woman next to him isn't you."

It was just two short lines, but it completely shattered Sarah's pride.

What the hell? She hadn't even known Cole was back in the country! And Serena

had already caught him cozying up to some secretary?

"This is unbelievable! Cole, I gave you everything! How could you betray me like this?"

Sarah fumed. Cole had to take responsibility for her!