The man grabbed Seraphina's hand and quickly led her into an empty private room. He told the approaching waiter, "We'll clean up later."
Seraphina, out of breath, looked at the man. "What are you doing here?"
Zachary took a moment to catch his breath. "I was meeting a friend for dinner."
It was then that Seraphina realized he was still in Rosewood City. Thinking of her family also being there, she asked, "Do you want to come say hi to my parents?"
Zachary looked at her silently for a moment, then shook his head. "No."
Seraphina felt a pang in her heart and turned away to wipe a tear. But as soon as she raised her hand, Zachary grabbed her wrist tightly, his eyes filled with disbelief. "Crying like this, you still haven't forgotten me?"
The atmosphere in the room became tense.
Seraphina used her other hand to break free from his grip and snapped, "It's none of your business."
Zachary frowned slightly. "Next time, be more decisive when rejecting strange men. Learn to protect yourself."
Seraphina retorted angrily, "I don't need your advice."
Then, as if remembering something, she questioned Zachary, "Why haven't you replied to Della's texts?"
Zachary's eyes turned cold. "I don't waste time on women I'm not interested in."
But when he looked at Seraphina, his gaze softened involuntarily. Seraphina, flustered by his look, turned her head away. "Don't look at me like that. I'm going back to my room."
As she took a step, Zachary grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace, kissing her forcefully.
At first, Seraphina's body stiffened, and she tried to resist. But gradually, she got lost in the kiss. It wasn't until she was out of breath that Zachary let her go, looking into her eyes seriously. "If it were any other woman, I wouldn't care. I'm only interested in you."
Seraphina's heart ached. She struggled to pull away and warned him, "You better not hurt Della."
With that, she turned to leave. The door was heavy, and she stumbled. Zachary stepped forward to help, teasing, "So clumsy."
Seraphina glared at him and hurried to the restroom to calm down.
Zachary composed himself and walked into the private room. Raymond, dressed in a sharp black suit, exuded an air of authority. Seeing Zachary, he smiled. "Haven't seen you in a few days. You seem different. Something good happen?"
"Yes, I met someone I like," Zachary admitted cheerfully.
Raymond's interest was piqued. "When can I meet her?"
Zachary shook his head. "It's complicated. When the time is right, I'll introduce her properly. But for now, I have revenge on my mind."
His expression turned serious, and Raymond's smile faded. "Don't act rashly. These things are more complicated than you think."
Zachary's eyes were resolute. "I won't follow Aiden's plan. I have my own way."
Raymond patted his shoulder. "Alright, if you need anything, just ask."
Zachary nodded slightly. "Still preparing. The time isn't right yet."
Back in her family's private room, Seraphina lied to Della. "I just ran into a friend and chatted for a bit."
She avoided looking Della in the eye. Della immediately asked, "What friend? Do I know them?"
Seraphina was at a loss for words when her phone buzzed with a text. She glanced at it secretly. It was from Zachary, giving her his private number and telling her to save it discreetly.
She quickly covered her phone, afraid someone might see.
Niamh then turned to Hawk. "Dad, Seraphina is at the age to get married. You know so many kids from prominent families. Shouldn't you introduce her to someone?"
Hawk nodded in agreement.
Verity chimed in eagerly. "Dad, you have a meeting with the Baker family tomorrow to discuss Della's wedding."
Hawk acknowledged with a nod.
Della's face lit up with excitement and anticipation.
Seraphina watched her, feeling both heartache and helplessness. She wanted to tell them about Zachary's intention to break off the engagement but lacked the courage. She could only watch her family excitedly discuss Della's wedding, knowing it would end in disappointment, yet she remained silent.
Leaving the restaurant, Seraphina was on edge, worried that Zachary might suddenly appear and break off the engagement with Della in front of her family. Thankfully, nothing happened as they got into the car.
Niamh noticed Seraphina's unusual quietness and concern. "Seraphina, are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?"
Seraphina forced a calm demeanor. "Mom, I'm fine. Just a bit shaken. I need some rest."
Her parents exchanged a worried look. "As long as you're safe, that's all that matters."
Seraphina nodded.
At home, Seraphina lay on her soft, comfortable bed but strangely missed the hard bed at the camp. Avoiding Zachary seemed to make it hard to find her old happiness.
At ten o'clock, after a bath, Seraphina put on a face mask and listened to soothing music, feeling drowsy. Suddenly, she sensed movement on the balcony. At first, she ignored it, but then she felt someone watching her.
She removed the eye mask and opened her eyes to see Zachary, nearly screaming in shock. He quickly covered her mouth.
Seraphina angrily tore off the face mask and whispered, "How did you get in? We upgraded our security. What if you got electrocuted climbing the wall?"
Zachary watched her flustered state and smiled. "Are you worried about me?"
Seraphina quickly denied it. "Who cares about you!"
"Seems like the camp was tough on you," Zachary said, sitting down and looking around her room.
Seraphina retorted, "I'm not that delicate."
Then, she asked warily, "What are you doing here?"
Zachary crossed his arms and smiled. "Just came to see you."
After a pause, he admitted, "I climbed the wall."
Seraphina's eyes widened. "The wall has an electric fence. What if you got electrocuted?"
Zachary's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Worried I might really get hurt?"
He pretended to be hurt, clutching his chest.
Seraphina, concerned, moved closer to check. Realizing she was tricked, she slapped his arm. "How can you be so careless about your life!"
Zachary, though hit, laughed even more joyfully. He lay down on the sofa, looking tired. Seraphina's heart softened, and she urged him to go home. "You should go. Don't stay here."
Zachary played coy. "Just let me rest on your sofa for a bit."
Seraphina tried to pull him up, but Zachary's long arm reached out, pulling her into his embrace and pinning her beneath him. The atmosphere turned intimate and tense.
Zachary, with a burning gaze, leaned in to kiss her.
Instinctively, Seraphina raised her hand to block him, but in the chaos, her arms were pinned above her head, leaving her in a vulnerable position.
Seraphina, both shocked and angry, glared at him. "Zachary, let me go!"
Before she could finish, Zachary's lips pressed down on hers, a forceful kiss that left her no escape.
Seraphina's heart was torn. On one hand, she was getting lost in Zachary's passionate kiss. On the other, thinking of Della, her conscience felt like it was being pricked by a thousand needles.
Finally, helpless tears streamed down her face.
Zachary noticed her distress and slowly released her, seeing her tear-streaked face. Confused, he frowned. "Why are you crying?"
Seraphina, full of grievance and inner conflict, turned her head away, not wanting to look at him.