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Chapter 46
Chapter 46
The crowd watched as a striking couple entered the hall.
The man boasted a towering height, his tailored black suit accentuating his refinement and handsoine features. The woman on his arm had the kind of beauty that kings would wage wars over. She wore a burgundy dress hugging her perfect figure. Her ruby necklace drew attention to her chiseled collarbones. She was dazzling, yet also surprisingly familiar.
“Is that Serena? How is that possible?” Lynn asked incredulously.
Mollie and Candice couldn’t hide their bewildernient, either
Standing nearby, Justin could feel his composure slipping away. He had expected Serena to show up, but he didn’t think she would look so stunning. She was a vision, one that made the other socialites and ladies of leisure pale in comparison.
He had forgotten how beautiful she was in the first place. There was a time when such a beauty had belonged only to him!
Bitterness and resentment welled up in him at the thought. He was starting to regret kicking Serena out of his life.
Guests started to swarm around Wilson and Serena after they made their rounds in the hall. She politely greeted each of them and exchanged pleasantries alongside Wilson. When she sensed him struggling to recall the guests‘ names, she would lean in and whisper them into his ear.
Wilson stiffened whenever her breath tickled his earlobe like the brush of a feather. A smile curved his lips.
Noticing this, Serena asked, “Why are you smiling, Mr. Quade?”
“Do I need a reason to smile?” Wilson countered.
Did he? Serena touched her face self–consciously, wondering if there was something on it that made her look funny.
“Serena!”
At that moment, a surprised voice rang out nearby, interrupting her and Wilson. Damian hurried over to them, his eyes glittering as he said, “Serena, it’s been a while!”
“Damian Farrow?” Serena froze. She stared at Damian’s delicate, youthful face and couldn’t help musing, “You’ve grown a lot.”
“You, too.” Damian lowered his gaze bashfully. “You look more beautiful than the last time we saw each other.” Wilson interjected coolly, “Damian Farrow? Are you related to Justin?”
“I’m his younger cousin,” Damian answered. He met Wilson’s gaze, only to look away when he felt the latter’s domineering presence.
Serena said mildly, “Damian, I’ve left Farrow Corporation.
“Yeah, Joseph told me about your fallout with Justin.” Damian added tentatively, “Serena, you won’t cut me off because of what happened between you and Justin, will you?”
“What happened between me and Justin will not affect our friendship, Damian,” Serena replied firmly.
Damian’s eyes
lit up at this. He fished out a business card and handed it to Serena. “My friend and I set up a photo studio together. Feel free to drop by and take a gander, Serena.”
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Chapter 46
“You bet,” Serena said as she took the card.
When Damian left, Wilson took the card from Serena and held it between his fingers. He observed, “You seem rather close with Justin’s cousin.”
“Damian is nothing like Justin,” Serena said quietly. “The kid’s got a good heart.”
Damian had lost his parents to a plane crash when he was young. He lived with Beatrice until he was slightly older, and only then did he move in with Jenna, who practically raised him.
Serena had been orphaned as well, and perhaps she saw herself in Damian. She especially doted on him and treated him like a little brother. He went abroad for school eventually, though he would come home every once in a while.
Whenever they reunited, Damian was as pleasant and upbeat as always. He would follow Serena around, calling her name whenever he wanted her attention.
He had grown so much in the blink of an eye that Serena could hardly believe it.
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