The Billionaire’s Obsession: Craving Her

7: If It Weren't for Him, Would You Have Agreed?

The next morning, after her transaction with Adrian, Serena left the room and was on her way back to the hotel to meet her assistants. To her surprise, she ran into them in the hotel lobby.

She raised an eyebrow as she saw them checking out. Turns out, they had stayed at the same hotel last night.

When one of her secretaries turned around and saw her, she looked surprised, quickly rushing over. “Serena, are you okay? We’ve been looking all over for you.”

"I'm fine. I just drank too much and took a nap in a random room," Serena said with a smile, casually stretching as she spotted Winston walking out of the elevator. Her smile grew brighter as she walked toward him, continuing her stretch. “The hotel bed wasn’t great, though. It was uncomfortable and now my whole body hurts. I just need to stretch it out…”

As she finished speaking, two crisp slaps rang out.

Her secretary gasped and covered her mouth, while Serena casually rubbed her palm—surprisingly, those two slaps really stung.

Winston, holding his face, was seething with anger. “Are you crazy?”

Serena smiled. “I’ve never taken such a big hit in my life. This isn’t over. You’ll be hearing from me.”

“You... you b*tch—”

Winston, unable to maintain his dignity in front of everyone, rushed toward her, trying to slap her back. Serena swiftly dodged, and just as the elevator door opened, she collided into someone’s chest. The man caught her waist with ease, and Winston’s raised hand was quickly grabbed by another person from inside the elevator.

Serena turned her head to see several men in sharp suits. The one holding her was tall, dressed in a neat silver-gray suit from head to toe, radiating an air of unparalleled wealth.

Serena had intended to pull away, but seeing who it was, she stayed relaxed. Leaning against him, she gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bump into you.”

Adrian let go of her, giving her a brief, indifferent glance. “It’s fine.”

Serena tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, noticing Winston was too intimidated to retaliate, likely realizing that Adrian and his group were clearly wealthy and powerful. This was perfect—she had no intention of causing a scene here. Straightening her clothes, she led her secretary away.

Winston, still held back, was smiling awkwardly. “Sorry... um…”

Adrian glanced at Serena as she got into her car before turning to leave. The man holding Winston shoved him aside and quickly followed Adrian’s pace.

Once Adrian was in the car, the secretary in the passenger seat turned to ask, “Mr. Lancaster, what should we do about Martin?”

A memory of Serena from the previous night, disheveled and vulnerable, flashed in Adrian's mind. His brow furrowed slightly as he closed his eyes. His voice remained flat. “Take his eyes.”

“Understood.”

…

With no hope left for the contract, Serena had no reason to stay in Silver Bay. That same morning, she flew back to New Belmont.

As soon as she got home, she received the property deed for the estate Adrian had transferred to her name two weeks ago.

Lying on the bed, she held the deed up to her nose, inhaling the scent of paper, and she was inexplicably reminded of the scene last night when Adrian helped her deal with Martin. The cold, detached look on his face when they parted that morning made something tug at her heart, leaving a dull, almost painful ache.

Realizing she was overthinking, Serena quickly tossed the deed aside, took a deep breath, and grabbed her phone. She scrolled through her contacts and dialed a number saved under “Veronica.”

Veronica was the one who had helped her look into Martin.

Soon enough, a lazy voice came from the other end. “Hello?”

Serena smiled. “Veronica, what time is it? You still aren’t up?”

“I worked late last night and almost broke my back. I’m only picking up your call because I’m giving you face. What’s up?”

“I have a property I want you to sell for me.”

“What’s the location?”

“An estate on the outskirts of town.”

There was a brief pause on the line, then Veronica’s voice became knowing. “From Mr. Lancaster? Did you two break up?”

Before Serena could respond, Veronica’s tone shifted to realization. “It’s been a hundred days, huh?”

Serena chuckled softly. Everyone knew the rules with Mr. Lancaster—if a man like him was so heartless, she wouldn’t have gone out of her way to provoke him unless it was absolutely necessary.

Veronica, now dressed, muttered to herself and then spoke directly. “Come to ‘Star River Club.’ We can talk face-to-face.”

Serena had no objections. She hung up and hailed a car to head there.

Star River Club was a high-end venue. Serena wasn’t one of the “girls” here, but it was where she had met Adrian.

In the private room, Veronica lit a cigarette, letting the smoke swirl around her as she spoke. “I know Mr. Lancaster is generous with his lovers, but I’ve never seen it go to this extent. Looks like he really likes you.”

Serena shrugged, unfazed. “No matter how much he likes me, it’s still just a hundred days.”

Veronica laughed. Though young—around twenty-four or twenty-five—she had entered the social scene early and had a distinct air of experience. As the club’s top performer, she held a high status, with everyone eager to please her.

Veronica’s smile faded as she grew serious, her voice softer. “Such a prime location... are you really going to sell it? Listen, you need to think about your future. You can’t keep throwing everything into that bottomless pit. What will you do if something happens again?”

Serena fell silent.

Veronica, a close friend who had known Serena’s hidden pain for years, sighed and took her hand. “You’re not like me. You need to leave yourself an escape route. You can’t keep doing this kind of work forever.”

“Impossible!”

The room fell into a heavy silence. Serena lowered her head and gave a bitter smile. “Veronica, don’t I know that? But if it weren’t for that bottomless pit, why would I have agreed to be with Adrian?”

She had always been clear-minded, with a simple philosophy—when it’s a critical moment, some things just have to be done. In this world, virtuous women don’t hold much value. At least not as much as a human life.

Veronica didn’t know what more to say. Serena didn’t want to dwell on the topic either. She handed over the property deed, smiling faintly. “Here’s the deed. You handle the price. Just sell it quickly. I’ve got work at the company, so I’ll head out now. I’ll take you out for a meal another time.”

As Serena reached the door, Veronica called out slowly from behind. “Actually, I’ve always wanted to ask you something.”

“You said you’re ‘doing it for the money,’ so... would you have done it for anyone who paid you? If it wasn’t Adrian, would you have agreed?”

Serena froze, a sense of embarrassment rising in her chest. She didn’t know how to answer, hurriedly turning away without a word.

The cigarette in Veronica’s hand had burned out. She dropped the butt into the ashtray and thought back to Serena three months ago—so fragile, yet so stubborn. She sighed deeply, genuinely moved. “If it weren’t for him, would you have agreed?”