Chapter 13
Serena used every ounce of strength to dodge Marco and stumbled away, running as she dialed Victor again. But all she got was the cold automated voice saying his phone was powered off.
The heat surged from her stomach to every part of her body, and her vision blurred even more. Serena bit down hard on the tip of her tongue, and only then did she regain a bit of clarity.
“Mrs. Powell, don’t leave so fast. We haven’t had our proper chat yet,” Marco said, reaching for her arm.
Serena yanked herself free. “Don’t touch me.”
“Playing hard to get, huh? Who do you think you are? Just some chick Victor got tired of,” Marco sneered, then lunged for her hair. “Don’t run. Let’s see how I’ll deal with you tonight.”
Panicking, Serena grabbed a sharp–edged stone from a nearby flowerbed and smashed it against the side of Marco’s head.
A scream tore through the air. Marco collapsed to the ground, clutching his bleeding forehead.
The drug was taking stronger effect–Serena could feel her body slipping out of her control, her legs growing weaker and weaker.
Suddenly, a tall, steady figure caught her trembling body from behind. In the dim light, all Serena could make out was the man’s black suit and his chiseled features hidden in shadow. His presence radiated a chilling intensity.
Serena opened her eyes in a daze, her fingers clutching his jacket tightly. “Please help me.”
Later, when they were inside his car, Serena kept murmuring, “Victor, help me.” Her hand uncontrollably traced across the man’s chest.
When Serena woke up, all she saw was white. The sharp scent of antiseptic filled her nose. She struggled to sit up, only to feel a pounding pain in her
head.
“You’re awake?” A young nurse walked over, her voice gentle with concern. “How are you feeling? You were brought in last night–someone drugged you. It’s a good thing you got here in time. Otherwise, it could’ve been really bad.”
“Who brought me here?” Serena asked.
The nurse shook her head. “I’m not sure. Whoever it was has already left. But he paid all your medical bills.”
Serena thought, ‘Who saved me? Victor? No way. He was with Eliza at the time.‘
She couldn’t remember the man’s face clearly, but those soulful, captivating eyes were etched in Serena’s memory, along with the warmth of his broad chest and the strength in his strong arms when he held her close.
Serena couldn’t quite recall what he looked like, but that feeling stirred something inside her she couldn’t explain.
Meanwhile, at Powell Manor, Albert slammed a file/down on the table. “How could you mess up such an important deal? What the hell were you doing?”
Victor tried to explain, “Dad, Ellie wasn’t feeling well. Besides, Serena was there.”
“Eliza?” Albert let out a sharp, angry laugh. “You’ve really lost your damn mind over that woman.”
Victor muttered, “It’s Serena’s fault the deal didn’t go through. She must’ve ruined it on purpose.”
“On purpose? Didn’t you leave her at the dinner party by herself and run off? Are you dumb?” Albert shouted.
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Chapter 13
Victor went pale. His mouth opened and closed as he tried to come up with something to say. He thought, ‘This deal went south–Dad’s not going to let
me off easy.
‘I need to find a way to pin it on Serena. It’s not like she hasn’t taken the fall before, One more time won’t make a difference!
Albert picked up his phone and called Serena. She was still a little disoriented when she answered the call. It wasn’t until she heard Albert’s voice that she began to gather her thoughts.
“Seri, where are you now? Come back to Powell Manor,” Albert said.
Despite still feeling unwell, Serena called a cab and returned to Powell Manor.
As soon as she walked in, she saw Victor sitting on the couch, his expression dark and stormy.
“Albert,” Serena greeted politely.
Albert nodded and gestured for her to sit. “Seri, what happened with the deal?”
