Back at the office, Martin found his company’s VP, Steve, looking like a deer caught in headlights. The man was visibly drenched in sweat and seed to sigh in relief upon seeing Martin, as if he was the answer to his prayers.
"Mr. Martin, thank goodness you’re here!"
Standing in front of Florence, the vice president was so frightened he barely dared to breathe, let alone move. He stood there, bent over, looking as if he was about to have a panic attack.
Refreshnts had been served—coffee and pastries—but Florence hadn’t touched a thing. She sat on the couch with an icy deanor, stone-faced and silent, as if she had been seething for hours.
Diana was there too, sitting off to the side, completely ignoring Steve. When she saw Martin walk in, she rolled her eyes at her own brother.
"Steve, you can leave us," Martin said, and the VP shot him a look of sheer gratitude, as if Martin had just offered him a lifeline out of a treacherous sea.
As soon as the office door closed behind Steve, Florence tossed a video onto the desk—it was footage of Serena berating a sales clerk on Rodeo Drive.
After Martin watched it, Florence recounted the incident on Rodeo Drive and another encounter with Serena at LY.
"I’ve never seen such vulgar behavior from a lady," she said with disbelief.
Serena’s actions were beyond shocking to her.
And to top it off, this was the woman her son had spent six long years pursuing.
"Let make myself clear, Martin. You can date her for fun, but if you think about marrying her, I will never allow it," Florence asserted with her usual ferocity. "If you dare have a wedding with her, I’ll jump into Luminescent Brook on your wedding day. You know I always an what I say."
"Mom." Martin hadn’t expected his mother to be so adamantly opposed to Serena—to the point of threatening her own life.
He knew his mother well. She never made empty threats.
"If you don’t mind losing your mother, then go ahead, defy !"
"Mom, Serena isn’t what you think," Martin defended, although even he had to admit that Serena’s behavior in the video was quite rude. But it wasn’t enough to warrant such disgust from his mother.
He looked at his sister.
"It’s exactly as I said. If Serena hadn’t acted like that, there would be nothing to discuss. But she did, and it was bizarre."
Martin knew his sister harbored a strong dislike for Serena, but he had not anticipated her to actually involve their mother.
"Our family is going through trying tis, Martin. With a weak link like her, our downfall is inevitable! I will not let so girl drag our entire family into the abyss! We’ve been laying low for years, just for this mont. Her presence is like a bomb, ready to destroy all our years of hard work!"
"Mom, I can handle it," Martin assured her seriously. "Whether it’s our family business or my relationship with her, I’ll manage both."
"One cannot have it all," Florence countered with a wisdom born of experience. "You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Especially not with a woman who’s not fit to stand by our side. The Cooper family doesn’t need her. If you don’t mind cutting ties with us, if you don’t mind us becoming strangers, if you don’t mind burying your own mother, then do as you please.
But let be clear: you only get one chance."
After her speech, Florence picked up her purse and headed for the door, her high heels clicking sharply against the floor.
"Mom!" Martin stepped in front of her. "Let arrange a eting between you and Serena. Talk to her. You’ll see she has many good qualities."
"Face-to-face with her? To watch her put on an act?" Florence scoffed dismissively and brushed past her son. "Don’t ever ntion her na in front of again."
Martin’s mother had a point. He had built his own empire and didn’t need the family money. But the thought of Serena splurging without a care in the world—that was sothing he still had to consider.
Florence couldn’t control her son with money, nor could she let the world know their family was at odds over a woman. So, aside from threatening to take her own life, she felt her only option was to sever ties.
Martin watched his mother’s resolute figure disappear into the distance, then turned to Diana.
"Diana, you just don’t get Serena. She’s genuinely easygoing. At school, everyone says she’s kind-hearted and sensible. Sure, she can be a bit moody at tis, but nothing serious. I have no issues with her."
"Have you been brainwashed or sothing? You see a freak show, and you treasure it? This is eye-opening for ! Let be blunt—if you marry her and Mom decides to jump in the river, I’ll be there playing music and parading her body to your wedding venue. I’ll give Mom a proper send-off and then slash my wrists!"
Martin was shocked his sister would resort to threats. "Can’t you just et her, get to know her properly?"
"Are you naive? Sotis, what you see is just a façade—a deliberate act for you! The real her is the one shouting at the sales clerks! I’d rather turn a blind eye than let her into our ho and turn it upside down!"
Diana stood up, her heart hardened. "If it’s her you choose, then consider no longer your sister!"
Martin still wanted to reason with her.
"Oh, and tell her to watch herself. If she crosses , I won’t be so forgiving!"
With those words, Diana stord out, slamming the door behind her.
Martin stood there, feeling helpless, when his phone pinged with a ssage from Serena:
[Going out for dinner with Grandma and Grandpa today. Let’s reschedule our date.]
She ended the ssage with a kiss emoji.
Suddenly, Martin felt all the negativity dissipate. He replied:
(Sure, have fun.)
JY Sky Restaurant
Upon hearing that the big boss Bard was coming for a al, the restaurant manager had cleared out the best private room with a view and gave it a fresh setup.
Rosemary, led by her grandmother, noticed the opulence of the room imdiately—it spanned over 2,000 square feet and even included a beautiful terrace with a stunning view.
"Mr. Darren, Mrs. Belinda." The manager greeted everyone. "Boss, Ma’am, Miss Serena."
When it ca to Rosemary, he couldn’t recall her na and looked apologetically at Eunice.
"This is my niece, Rosemary Collins," Eunice introduced her formally. "In the future, treat her as you would us."
The manager was taken aback but quickly replied respectfully, "Miss Rose, it’s your first ti here. If there’s anything you need, just ask for ."
"Thank you," Rosemary said with a gentle smile.
The manager noticed that from start to finish, Eunice and Belinda were holding Rosemary’s hand, indicating a deep affection for her.
Who exactly was Miss Rose? She was a new face, suddenly announced as Eunice’s niece.
And she bore the surna Collins.
What was the story here?
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