As the evening settled in, Zachary pulled up right on time in his sleek black sedan.
He was dressed in a dark shirt and a perfectly tied tie, paired with a tailored suit that made him look exceptionally dashing.
Seraphina watched him, feeling a flutter in her heart.
She wore a long white coat over her elegant dress, her hair styled in a graceful updo secured with a pearl clip.
Her makeup was light and enchanting, her lips a cherry red, and her eyes sparkled with a bright light.
She walked up to Zachary with poise and gave him a gentle smile.
“You look amazing tonight,” Zachary said, genuinely complimenting her.
Seraphina blushed and lowered her head shyly, a rosy tint spreading across her cheeks.
Zachary, ever the gentleman, helped Seraphina into the car and then drove them to the banquet hall.
The banquet was held at a prestigious venue, with guests of high status and wealth, all feeling honored to attend. Zachary and Seraphina walked in hand in hand, catching the eye of Indigo, who was in charge of welcoming the guests. She was visibly impressed and couldn’t help but praise, “Seraphina, you look absolutely stunning.”
Zachary then led Seraphina to their seats, while Indigo watched them, her gaze lingering on Seraphina’s back, contemplating how to persuade Seraphina to convince Zachary to abandon a certain mission.
Soon, Indigo sent someone to call Seraphina to her private room, seemingly to use this opportunity to talk to Zachary.
Someone informed Indigo that Aiden couldn’t make it due to hosting foreign guests.
The traditional banquet gathered elites from various fields, creating a scene of elegance and sophistication.
Seraphina, who was more accustomed to Western-style banquets, sat beside Zachary with grace and charm, drawing many admiring glances. People were also curious about the tall and handsome Zachary beside her.
After all, as Indigo’s only son, he rarely appeared by her side.
At that moment, Gregory Lopez’s voice was heard, prompting Zachary to stand up and greet him politely, “Mr. Lopez.”
Gregory, with his innate elegance, had a noble air about him. After marrying Indigo, he respected her career choices, and they didn’t have children of their own but adopted a daughter.
Zachary always respected his stepfather.
After introducing Gregory to Seraphina, Gregory smiled and invited Zachary to the lounge, saying some old friends wanted to meet him.
Zachary softly informed Seraphina before leaving with Gregory.
Just then, someone approached Seraphina and respectfully said, “Ms. York, Mrs. Lope would like to see you alone.”
Seraphina was slightly surprised but quickly stood up, nervously following the person to the second-floor lounge.
In the lounge, Indigo stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, seemingly waiting for some time.
She turned around and smiled gently at Seraphina, “Ms. York, please have a seat.”
After Seraphina sat down, a server brought a cup of warm water. Indigo didn’t wait for Seraphina to speak and began with a comforting tone, “Ms. York, don’t be nervous. I asked you up here just to have a private chat. I like you very much and won’t interfere with your relationship with Zachary.”
“Mrs. Lope, please just call me Seraphina,” Seraphina said, her fingers tightening slightly around her dress.
Indigo’s expression turned serious, “Seraphina, Zachary’s father was brutally killed during a mission when Zachary was very young. This planted a seed of hatred in his heart. Now, the person who killed his father has kidnapped an important figure. Despite my and Zachary’s uncle’s efforts to stop him, he’s determined to join this mission. I’m really worried he’ll lose his mind and risk his life for revenge.”
Hearing this, Seraphina’s heart tightened, her face showing concern as she clenched her hands. She knew Zachary’s character well; once he made up his mind, there was no turning back.
But how could she just watch him walk into danger?
She bit her lower lip, remaining silent.
Indigo looked at her with hopeful eyes, “Seraphina, I know Zachary listens to you. You have to convince him not to act impulsively.”
Seraphina took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, nodding firmly, “Mrs. Lope, I’ll do my best.”
Her eyes reddened with worry as she expressed her feelings, “Mrs. Lope, I really love Zachary. I don’t want to lose him.”
Indigo was touched by the girl’s devotion to Zachary. She slowly removed a family heirloom bracelet and handed it to Seraphina, “Seraphina, I like you very much. Take this bracelet and find a way to make Zachary see reason and come back alive. Remember, don’t let Zachary know about our conversation.”
Seraphina tightly grasped the bracelet and nodded firmly, “Mrs. Lope, don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to Zachary.”
After coming down from the second floor, Seraphina was filled with worry.
She stood by the railing, her gaze quietly falling on Zachary.
He sat alone, his posture straight and imposing, exuding a cool aura that deterred others from approaching him.
Zachary noticed her and immediately reached out to hold her hand, guiding her to sit beside him.
Seraphina shyly smiled at him and carefully showed him the bracelet, “Zachary, Mrs. Lope really likes me. She’s already accepted me as your wife.”
Zachary looked at the bracelet on Seraphina’s wrist and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, his eyes filled with tenderness.
Seraphina knew how determined Zachary was about avenging his father, just as she was destined to love him. Everyone had their own mission in life. She sighed silently in her heart.
After the banquet, while others continued with the seminar, Zachary took Seraphina and left early.
In the outdoor parking lot, Seraphina looked up at Zachary with anticipation, “I want to go for a drive by the beach.”
Zachary saw the light in her eyes and smiled, indulgently holding her hand, “Tonight, we’ll do whatever you want.”
On the way, Seraphina, curious like a kitten, blinked and asked, “Zachary, didn’t Mrs. Indigo Lope and Mr. Gregory Lopez want another child?”
Zachary focused on driving and replied, “No, they adopted a friend’s daughter. She was raised by my mom when she was little.”
Seraphina, seeing how much Zachary cared for Indigo, felt a pang of sympathy and held his hand, her eyes full of longing, “Zachary, I want to get married and have kids soon. Let’s have a boy first, then a girl, so you can teach the brother to protect his sister.”
Zachary’s lips curved into a smile, his eyes also showing a hint of longing. He nodded in agreement. Their conversation was filled with dreams and hopes for the future, creating a warm and sweet atmosphere in the car.
Soon, Seraphina excitedly pointed to Celestial Haven in the distance, “Zachary, I heard the top floor of the hotel is the best place to watch the sunrise. Let’s go up.”
She tentatively asked, “Did you bring your ID?”
Zachary glanced at her, “I did.”
Seraphina gathered her courage, her face slightly flushed, “I want to watch the sunrise. Will you stay with me?”
Zachary frowned slightly, a bit concerned, “It’s late. Won’t your parents worry if you don’t go home?”
Seraphina showed him a message on her phone, “I’m twenty-five, not a kid anymore.”
After sending the message, she quickly received a reply from Niamh: [Be safe, don’t stay out too late!].
Seraphina, still mustering her courage, linked arms with Zachary and walked into the hotel lobby.
At the front desk, Seraphina confidently asked for a room with a king-sized bed and handed over their IDs.
The receptionist, admiring the handsome couple, quickly processed their check-in.
Seraphina, holding Zachary’s hand, walked into the elevator and pressed the button for the top-floor café, “Let’s have something to eat first and enjoy this beautiful night.”
After a simple meal, they returned to their room.
Seraphina swiped the key card and entered the room. Seeing the pristine white bed, her face quickly turned red, her bright eyes sparkling beautifully.