Fated Love Tribulation

Chapter 20

Finally back at work, Serena felt like she was stepping into a different world as she saw the familiar faces around her. It was as if she had been gone for ages.

Pushing open the office door, she saw her secretary organizing files.

When the secretary noticed her, worry flashed across her face before quickly being replaced with pure joy.

"You're here! Are you feeling better?" she rushed over, her eyes a little misty.

"I'm fine now. Look, I've still got all my limbs intact, don't I?" Serena joked with a cheeky grin, a warmth spreading through her chest.

"You're impossible! How could you be so careless?" The secretary scolded her, pouring her a cup of coffee and casually sitting on the edge of her desk.

Serena took the coffee and sipped it slowly. "How's the preparation for the fashion show going?"

"Everything's on track, but…" The secretary glanced toward the door, making sure no one was nearby before leaning in to whisper, "While you were away, Donna's been strutting around like she owns the place.

She's been lording it over everyone because the general manager is favoring her. It's sickening."

"Is that so?" Serena responded casually, barely reacting. "Let her be. We just need to focus on doing our jobs."

"You should've seen her! She's been unbearable, even claiming she'll replace you! She even swapped out some of your designs for hers. Thankfully, the general manager switched them back, but still…" The secretary fumed, finally feeling like she could vent now that Serena had returned.

"Forget about her. Let me see the progress report," Serena said, finishing her coffee, feeling a bit more energized.

The secretary left to fetch the report, but she hadn't been gone long when Donna swaggered into the office, exuding her usual arrogance.

"Serena! You really should've taken a few more days off. You know, Mr. Renard's had me handling everything in your absence. He's been so busy he hasn't had time to visit you—sorry about that," Donna said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness as she perched on a chair.

"It's fine. The work is more important anyway," Serena replied, her tone neutral, not a flicker of emotion crossing her face.

"How about this, let me treat you to lunch today?" Donna's smile grew wider, clearly enjoying her newfound status.

"No need. I've got a lot of work to catch up on," Serena said coolly, in no mood to endure lunch with Donna or her overpowering perfume.

"Oh, come on! You've got to eat sometime, right?" Donna insisted.

As Serena opened her mouth to refuse again, a familiar, cocky voice interrupted from the doorway.

"Lunch? Count me in! How about that?"

Serena looked up to see Julien sauntering into the room, smirking and tossing winks in every direction.

Serena felt her scalp prickle—what kind of man went around winking like that? The world had truly gone mad.

"Mr. Renard, you're here!" Donna's voice turned sickeningly sweet, her face lighting up even more.

"Of course I am. Serena had just got back, so I had to stop by and say hello. Isn't that right?" Julien winked at Serena, but she didn't react.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Renard. You've seen me now, and I've received your well-wishes. If there's nothing else, I'd like to get back to work," Serena said, her patience wearing thin.

"There is something. Of course, there is!" Julien said with exaggerated enthusiasm before turning to Donna. "Donna, don't you have something else to do? I need to speak to Serena privately."

Donna froze, clearly annoyed. "Oh… sure. You two talk." As she passed Julien, she stealthily pinched his thigh hard, causing him to grimace in pain but say nothing.

Once Donna left, Julien flopped down in the chair across from Serena, rubbing the sore spot where Donna had pinched him.

Serena just watched him, not saying a word, amusement flickering in her eyes.

"You enjoy seeing me suffer, don't you?" Julien said, annoyed.

"Not at all," Serena said matter-of-factly. "What do you want?"

"Nothing much. It's just been a while, and I missed you," Julien said with a sly grin, reaching out to take her hand.

"Mr. Renard, this is the office. I'd appreciate it if you behaved," Serena said coldly, her expression unchanged.

"Office, schmoffice. It's just the two of us here," Julien shrugged, clearly unconcerned. He had always been a man who did what he wanted, when he wanted.

"I don't like mixing work with… other things," Serena said firmly, her tone making it clear this conversation was over.

"Why not?" he asked, surprised.

"Work requires focus. Office relationships are distracting," Serena said simply, meeting his gaze without flinching.

"Really?" Julien was taken aback. He hadn't realized how serious Serena was about her work. No wonder she had risen to the top as head designer.

"Yes. Now, if there's nothing else, I'd like to get back to work."

"How about dinner tonight?" Julien asked, flashing her a devilish grin. "My treat."

"No, thank you. I'm busy."

"Well, too bad! Seven o'clock at the Hilton. Don't be late!" And with that, he walked out before she could protest further.

By the time she finished the mountain of paperwork, it was already 6:30 p.m. Serena stretched and sighed in relief. Just as she was about to relax, her phone buzzed with a message notification.

"Don't forget our dinner date tonight at the Hilton, darling. 7 pm sharp!"

Serena chuckled, shaking her head as she deleted the message. Julien's little jokes didn't faze her.

Outside, the city was already aglow with streetlights, and neon signs flickered like music notes dancing in the night air.

"Rena!" Ethan called out from across the street, waving as she approached. Serena smiled and quickened her pace.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, getting into his car.

"I saw your office light on and figured you were still working, so I thought I'd wait for you," he replied, buckling her seatbelt for her.

"What do you feel like eating?" he asked with a warm smile.

"Anything. I'm so hungry I could eat a whole cow," Serena joked, her face lighting up in a way that was almost childlike.

"Did you skip lunch?" Ethan's tone softened with concern as he gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"Barely had time to breathe today, let alone eat," Serena grumbled playfully.

"No matter how busy you are, you have to eat," Ethan scolded gently, though his eyes were full of affection.

"Okay, okay," Serena giggled, leaning over to plant a kiss on his cheek. "I'm starving, EJ."

"Then let's go," Ethan said, tapping her nose playfully before revving the engine. The car sped off into the night, like an arrow loosed from a bow.

Not long after they drove off, a black SUV pulled out of the shadows, trailing them.

They arrived at a quaint French restaurant. The dim lighting, candles, and soft music created an intimate atmosphere, perfect for a quiet dinner. As they sat enjoying their meal, the mood was serene.

"Excuse me, are you Miss Serena?" A group of well-dressed men in black suddenly approached their table, breaking the peaceful moment.

"I am. Can I help you?" Serena replied, putting down her fork, her tone cold and wary.

"We need you to come with us," the leader said, his expression as stoic as his voice.

"And why would I do that?" Serena asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Do you know Vivienne? Vivienne Devereaux. If you don't come, she's as good as dead," the man said, his tone sharp.

"Vivienne Devereaux?" Serena whispered, her brow furrowing. "I don't know her. You've got the wrong person."

"Tomorrow, 10 a.m., Ming Yu Building. If you don't show up, she dies." With that, the man turned and walked away, leaving the air heavy with tension.

The romantic atmosphere vanished. Serena quietly resumed eating, though her fork slipped from her hand twice, clattering loudly and drawing a few stares from nearby diners.

Frustrated, she set the fork down for good, no longer interested in her meal.

"Rena, what was that about?" Ethan asked, having watched the entire exchange silently.

"I don't know," Serena replied curtly. "Are you done? Let's go."

With that, she stood up, and their once-romantic dinner ended abruptly.