Chapter 161

Chapter 161

Bianca paused for a moment, thinking she hadn't made her point clearly enough.

"Trent, you need to understand that getting tangled up with Serenity would do you nothing but harm."

"I'll handle it myself."

Trent was about to hang up, but Bianca wouldn't let it go.

"That's only because you don't fully know what she's like. That's why you think you can handle it."

She took a sharp breath. "You have no idea how far she'll go."

As if to prove her point, what Bianca said next was shocking enough to stop anyone cold.

"There was this guy she liked once, but he had a girlfriend and wasn't interested in her. So she had someone beat the girlfriend so badly she ended up with broken arms and legs. Then she pressured the guy's family until they went bankrupt and had to leave town with their tails between their legs."

Bianca let out an exaggerated sigh as she said this.

"I tried to talk her out of it back then, but there was no getting through to her."

Seeing that Trent still wasn't responding, Bianca connected the story to Abigail.

"I'm not sure what happened to that girl in the end, but just imagine if Serenity pulled something like that on Abigail. I think you'd know better than I would what that would mean."

"She wouldn't dare!"

That told Bianca everything she needed to know about how furious Trent was.

The corner of her lips curled up slightly, a flash of satisfaction crossing her eyes.

"Oh, she absolutely would. What is there that she wouldn't dare do? You don't know Serenity. You have no idea how unhinged she is. She'll do whatever it takes to get what she wants."

Bianca let out another dramatic sigh.

"All I'm asking for is some money so I can live comfortably. That's it, nothing more. And in return, I can keep an eye on Serenity for you. It's a fair trade."

She paused for a moment before continuing.

"I know you're worried about how this might look if Abigail finds out. But if it ever comes to that, I can help explain things to her."

Whether Abigail would actually believe it, well, that she couldn't promise.

After hearing everything, Trent had already started to guard himself against Serenity.

But continuing to deal with Bianca after getting that information? Some kind of mutual exchange of favors?

Not a chance.

"I already told you. No."

This time, without giving Bianca a chance to say another word, Trent hung up.

Listening to the dial tone, Bianca couldn't believe it and called out a few more times.

"Trent? Trent?"

When she was sure the call had ended, she was so angry she could barely stand it.

Why?!

She had laid everything out so clearly. How could Trent still not get it?

Was Abigail really that important to him?

She ground her teeth in frustration, then thought of Serenity, and a wave of anger rose on her face.

Disgusting. They were both disgusting.

Both of them clinging to Trent, when Trent was supposed to be hers.

But thinking back on what she had just said, an idea started to form in Bianca's mind.

If Trent wasn't willing to pay her to keep tabs on Serenity, why not help Serenity instead?

Trent was only turning her down because he hadn't truly seen how obsessive Serenity could be.

So what would happen once he did?

The corner of Bianca's lips curved into a small smile.

She thought she knew exactly what to do.

She scrolled through all her contacts and landed on Serenity's assistant's number.

She wasn't sure if the assistant had been replaced by now.

Turning the thought over in her mind, she made the call.

It rang several times before someone picked up, and the person on the other end said her name right away.

"Hello, Bianca. What can I do for you?"

"Mia, I'm glad you still remember me. I'm calling because I wanted to ask about Serenity's upcoming schedule."

Serenity's assistant Mia paused at that, then replied politely.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Taylor, but Ms. Powell's schedule isn't something we share with outside parties."

Bianca wasn't surprised by the refusal.

She put on a helpless tone. "I understand her schedule is private. After all, Serenity's in a very different position now than she used to be."

She let the words hang for a moment before continuing.

"It's just that her birthday is coming up soon, and I want to plan a surprise for her. I was worried it might clash with something she already has going on, so I thought I'd check with you ahead of time."

That cleared things up for Mia right away.

She had been wondering why someone who hadn't been in contact with Serenity for so long would suddenly call asking about her schedule.

So Bianca had an ulterior motive after all.

"Ms. Taylor, if you want to know, you're welcome to ask Ms. Powell directly."

Even knowing what Bianca was up to, Mia still turned her down.

"I'm trying to surprise her, so I obviously can't ask her directly. That would ruin the whole thing."

Bianca sighed. "I've been staying at her place lately and I haven't been pulling my weight at all. I just feel bad about it. I only wanted to confirm her schedule. Is that really too much to ask?"

"You're currently staying at Ms. Powell's home?"

Mia was caught off guard.

How come Serenity had never mentioned it?

Mia had initially assumed Bianca was reaching out with some hidden agenda, the way people who disappear for long stretches always seem to when they suddenly get back in touch. She had always been cautious about that kind of thing.

But if Bianca was actually living at Serenity's place, that suggested they were on fairly close terms.

In that case, flatly refusing might not be the right move.

"That's right, I've been there for a while now."

Bianca answered with a smile, her voice giving nothing away.

Mia thought it over for a moment, then said warmly, "Ms. Taylor, Ms. Powell will be attending a large charity auction tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

Bianca's eyes lit up the moment she heard that.

A large charity auction was exactly the kind of event Trent would likely attend.

This could be her chance to let him see firsthand just how relentless Serenity could be.

Once he truly saw it for himself, surely he wouldn't turn her down again.

Bianca kept her expression perfectly neutral and simply thanked Mia with a smile, exchanged a few pleasantries, and ended the call.

"Serenity..."

Without wasting a second, Bianca called Serenity. The two of them stayed on the phone for quite a while.

Meanwhile, Abigail checked the time, packed up her things, and got ready to leave work.

She had barely stepped out of her office when she spotted someone sitting in the waiting area outside.

He stood out immediately among the patients.

"Kevin?"

Abigail called out, not quite sure, and watched as the man looked up with a face full of surprise and delight.