Facing the skeptical gazes of the shareholders, Seraphina straightened her back, her eyes resolute. Despite feeling the immense pressure, she was filled with confidence. She thought to herself, I can do this.
As the meeting was wrapping up, Seraphina glanced at her watch, anxious about her lunch date with Zachary. After giving a brief speech as Niamh had requested, the meeting finally ended.
Niamh approached her with a smile, inviting her to lunch. Seraphina looked troubled and said, "Mom, I have plans with a friend."
She then hurriedly left the company.
Outside, Seraphina immediately spotted Zachary's familiar black SUV. After a quick look around to ensure no one was watching, she discreetly ran over and got into the car.
Zachary noticed her cautious movements and found them utterly adorable.
As soon as Seraphina settled into the car, Zachary handed her a bouquet of red roses, their petals vibrant and fragrant. He smiled and said, "I picked these out myself and had them trimmed and wrapped. Do you like them?"
Seraphina was both surprised and delighted. She took the bouquet, her eyes filled with emotion, feeling that the flowers were especially precious.
Zachary then drove them to a rooftop restaurant at a hotel, where the ambiance was elegant and the decor luxurious.
Looking at the prices on the menu, Seraphina couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt over the expense. She whispered to Zachary, "We didn't have to come to such an expensive place."
Zachary chuckled and replied, "What, are you worried I can't afford it?"
They exchanged smiles, the atmosphere sweet and relaxed.
Zachary gazed at Seraphina with a gentle look and said earnestly, "I just want to give you the best."
Seraphina felt a wave of happiness wash over her.
During their meal, Seraphina noticed a girl at a nearby table sneaking glances at Zachary, even making deliberate moves to catch his attention.
When Seraphina returned from the restroom, she saw a girl trying to chat up Zachary. Her heart tightened, and she immediately stepped forward, declaring, "He has a girlfriend."
The girl didn't seem to care and returned to her seat, giving Seraphina a provocative look.
Zachary's brow furrowed slightly as he shot a cold glare at the girl, who quickly lowered her head, not daring to make any more moves.
Afterward, Seraphina tasted a bite of Zachary's steak, her eyes lighting up at how delicious it was. She playfully tried to steal more, their interaction sweet and fun.
By the time they finished lunch, it was already 2:30 PM. Seraphina remembered she had a department meeting in the afternoon and needed to return to the office.
Zachary dropped her off at the company entrance, debating whether to go up with her. In the end, she got out of the car with the flowers, bidding him goodbye.
Zachary leaned against the car door, watching her leave with reluctance.
This scene was witnessed by Niamh from a window. She was shocked, her eyes wide with anxiety. She thought to herself, When did Seraphina get a new boyfriend? He better not be a fraud like Nico.
Back in the office, Niamh saw Seraphina hiding the flowers behind the curtains. Her face darkened as she sternly questioned, "Seraphina, do you have a new boyfriend? Who is he?"
Seraphina initially tried to hide it, but Niamh pressed on, even threatening to have Xander check the license plate.
Seraphina had no choice but to confess, "Mom, it's Zachary."
Niamh's phone slipped from her hand, her face full of shock. She never expected it to be Della's ex-fiancé.
Regaining her composure, Niamh looked at Seraphina's guilty and flustered expression, feeling both angry and helpless. She asked, "How did you two get together? When did this start?"
Seraphina explained, "It happened at the camp. I went after him first, not knowing he was Della's fiancé because my phone was taken, and I was cut off from the outside world."
She looked at Niamh with guilt, repeatedly apologizing, "Mom, I know I hurt Della by doing this. I..."
She even offered, "If Della can't accept it, I can break up with Zachary."
Niamh knew Seraphina wasn't at fault but was worried about how to explain it to Della.
After all, when Della called off the engagement, Verity had complaints, and now her previous words at the dinner table seemed awkward.
"Is Zachary serious about you?"
With teary eyes, Seraphina nodded, "He really likes me."
Niamh thought for a moment and then told Seraphina, "You need to be honest with Della first and seek her forgiveness, then explain it to the family."
Seraphina nodded in agreement.
Niamh called Xander to inform him that Seraphina's boyfriend was Zachary.
Xander was surprised, and Niamh explained, "They fell in love at the camp. I only found out today when I saw them on a date."
Xander sighed, "Looks like Della wasn't meant to be with him."
They agreed to discuss it with the family after Seraphina talked to Della.
While Seraphina was daydreaming in her office, Niamh's assistant knocked and handed her an elaborately packaged invitation.
It was an invitation to a charity gala.
Curious, she opened it and saw that it was from Zachary's mother, Indigo.
Niamh advised, "This might be a test from Indigo. You need to make a good impression."
Seraphina nodded, feeling the pressure.
She then called Zachary to ask about it.
Zachary's voice was smiling on the other end, "My mom probably just really wants to meet you. After all, I haven't dated anyone or gotten married for years."
Seraphina told Zachary about the afternoon's events and said, "I've already told my family. Now I need to explain it to the rest of the family."
Zachary, feeling protective, wanted to take the blame, "It's my fault. I caused this, and now you're bearing it alone."
Seraphina refused, "No, this is my fault. I fell for you first, so I need to explain it myself."
In the afternoon, Seraphina called Della and asked her to dinner.
Della, packing for a trip, happily agreed, "Seraphina, I booked my ticket. I'm leaving in two days with a friend. Remember to transfer the money."
"Don't worry, I've got it."
In the car, Seraphina was hesitant to speak.
Della asked, "Seraphina, do you have something to tell me?"
Looking into Della's eyes, Seraphina finally decided to come clean.
Seraphina recalled that when Della announced her engagement, she didn't mention the fiancé's name. Feeling guilty, she said, "Later, I was kidnapped, and Zachary saved me. My phone was taken, and I was cut off from the outside world, so I didn't know he was your fiancé."
She looked at Della with guilt, repeatedly apologizing, "Della, I know I hurt you by doing this. I'm really sorry."
Seraphina even offered, "If you can't accept it, I can break up with Zachary."
Della was initially shocked, her eyes wide. She never expected Zachary's love interest to be Seraphina.
Then, she slowly smiled, hugged Seraphina, and said happily, "Seraphina, I'm glad Zachary can be your husband."
Della sighed lightly and said, "At first, I was just attracted to his looks. It's hard not to be. But as we spent time together, his intense presence made me uneasy. I knew he wasn't right for me. Seraphina, you two seem perfect for each other. Just be with him and forget about the engagement. Grandpa is still hoping for a connection with the Baker family."
Seraphina was stunned, her eyes welling up. She hugged Della tightly, choking up, "Della, thank you for understanding. I was so worried you'd blame me."
Seraphina, moved to tears, nodded repeatedly, "Della, I'm so grateful for you."