Chapter 324 She Seems to Have Many Worries

Chapter 324 She Seems to Have Many Worries

The hand holding Serena's utensils trembled slightly.

She didn't know how much effort it took to suppress the bitterness rising in her chest.

She looked up and smiled at him. "No, thank you."

Adrian stared at her smile without speaking.

Serena lowered her head again and continued eating.

Throughout the rest of the meal, they had no further exchange.

After eating, Adrian went back to his room to rest.

Though he'd told Serena not to bother with the dishes, that someone would come clean up—she had nothing else to do. The idleness made her anxious, so she personally cleared the dishes to the kitchen and washed them.

The entire time, she fought the stinging in her nose, but tears still fell uncontrollably, drop by drop, into the sink where the water washed them away...

Adrian had let go.

She should too.

In the afternoon, she went to work as if nothing had happened.

Adrian was in meetings all day—either senior management meetings or international video conferences.

Serena watched the time. It was almost six o'clock, and Adrian still hadn't emerged from the office.

She'd arranged to meet Jacob at six-thirty at Snowflake Club.

If she left work even ten minutes late, she'd definitely hit rush hour and wouldn't make it in time.

She had no choice but to message Jacob: [Sorry, Mr. Flaming. I'm still working overtime at the office. I might be a bit late.]

Jacob replied quickly. [No problem. I haven't left yet either. Is eight okay? Or nine? Whatever works for you.]

Serena glanced toward Adrian's office, unsure when his meeting would end.

She replied to Jacob: [Eight should work.]

Jacob: [Great. Take your time, no rush. I'll head over right on time.]

From Locke Group to Snowflake Club, without traffic, was a twenty-minute drive.

Serena figured she had plenty of time and relaxed, waiting patiently.

She saw Lilith emerge from his office—the meeting must have ended.

Serena stood and walked toward Adrian's office.

Just as she was about to knock, the door opened.

Adrian stood in the doorway, checking his watch. "Didn't you say you needed to leave at six today? Why are you still here?"

"When I reported your schedule earlier, I left out an important appointment. At seven-thirty tonight, you have dinner with Mr. Carleton from Carleton Tech. The location is Snowflake Club."

Adrian nodded slightly. "Got it. You can clock out."

"Okay."

Serena returned to her desk to pack up.

Now that the time had changed to eight, and it wasn't even seven yet, she had plenty of time. She didn't want to arrive too early.

After packing her things, she sat back down in her chair.

When Adrian emerged from his office, he found her staring blankly at the river view outside.

He suddenly realized that lately, whenever he saw her, she always seemed lost in thought.

Did she have a lot on her mind?

He walked over and tapped on her desk.

Serena instinctively turned, looking up at him. "Mr. Locke, do you need something?"

"I'm also going to Snowflake Club. Let's go together."

"Oh, okay."

Serena grabbed her bag and walked with him.

In the private elevator, just the two of them.

Adrian noticed her staring at the numbers on the LCD screen. He suddenly spoke. "What are you thinking about?"

Serena turned to meet his gaze. "Nothing... nothing."

"Not interested in Jacob?"

Serena shook her head. "Jacob doesn't really matter. Mrs. Flaming is very easy to get along with. Marrying into the Flaming family, life should be manageable."

"But you'd be spending your whole life with Jacob."

Serena smiled faintly. "If I can't marry the person I love, it doesn't matter who I marry."

Since that was the case, she might as well choose a family that was easy to deal with.

She spoke these words so quietly, so heavily—like thoughts meant to stay inside, never voiced aloud.

Adrian only saw her lips move slightly. He frowned. "What did you say?"

Serena shook her head at him with a smile. "Nothing."

Just then, the elevator reached the basement level.

The doors opened.

Serena made a gesture of invitation.

Effectively ending the conversation.

They didn't exchange another word during the drive.

When they arrived at Snowflake Club, Harvey stopped the car at the main entrance.

Serena got out first, then opened the door and stood properly to the side, waiting for Adrian to exit, a professional smile on her face.

As Adrian stepped out, he glanced at her but said nothing, walking past her.

Serena watched his tall figure enter through the main doors, quickly disappearing behind the ornate screen.

Only then did she head inside herself.

The reception staff led her to the room Jacob had reserved.

It was only seven o'clock—still an hour before their appointment.

Bored, Serena called Jessica. "Jessy, you're not at Snowflake Club today?"

"I've been abroad these past few days. Not in New Valley. Are you at Snowflake Club now? Which room?"

"The Backstage Room."

Jessica made a disapproving sound. "Didn't you use my name when you booked? Why did they put you in The Backstage Room?"

The Backstage Room was the most remote, smallest, worst room in Snowflake Club. It didn't even have a window.

Usually only people too cheap to spend money but wanting to look wealthy would book this room.

Even if the front desk staff didn't recognize Serena, with the membership level Jessica had arranged for her, they shouldn't have assigned her to a room like this.

Jessica said angrily, "These people are getting so careless. Hold on, I'll have them change your room right now."

Serena quickly said, "No need. It's not the staff's fault. I didn't book this room. It's fine—I'm just meeting someone briefly and leaving. Won't be long."

Serena figured Jacob had booked this kind of room because he wasn't interested in her either and wasn't taking this blind date seriously.

That was actually good. It would save trouble later.

Just then, footsteps sounded at the door...