Chapter 351 We Are Not Suitable
Seraphina left Seraphina Enterprises and went downstairs to the Robinson Group building to wait for Stefan to get the keys.
Stefan handed the keys to Seraphina. He said a couple of words and then had to rush off to a meeting.
Seraphina took the keys and went to Stefan's rented apartment.
She was actually quite curious about what Stefan's place would look like inside.
The key opened the door. As Seraphina walked in carrying a bag of local specialties, she was stunned by what she saw.
"Did I go to the wrong place?" she muttered to herself, checking the keys. No, this was right.
The small living room was filled with several large pink stuffed animals, and the entire apartment was decorated in soft, pastel colors.
Seraphina was silent for a moment. She closed the door first, then took out her phone and messaged Stefan: [Stefan, I never would have guessed - you actually like pink and cute stuff!]
A few minutes later, Stefan sent Seraphina a voice message. His voice carried both amusement and helplessness, "Dione, weren't you the one who said you loved big stuffed animals and liked decorating rooms in soft, pastel colors?"
Seraphina was stunned. When did she say that? She immediately denied it: [Impossible, after I grew up I stopped liking such cutesy decorations!]
So childish.
Stefan must have been busy because he didn't reply right away. Seraphina put the bag of specialties on the table and looked around at the pastel decor several times.
Actually, if she was being honest, she kind of liked this style of decoration.
She went over and touched one of the big dolls. The fur was soft and looked so squeezable.
It was very comfortable to hug too.
The girlish heart hidden inside Seraphina stirred restlessly.
Back in high school, she had hung a small pink doll on her backpack, and then some classmates made fun of her.
At that moment, Stefan, still at work at the Robinson Group, had no time to check his phone messages.
The situation in the conference room was getting chaotic.
At today's meeting, Sloane was using some financial issues as an opportunity to fire the CFO, Asher.
Asher had been recommended by an old shareholder and had been with the company for over ten years.
Asher slammed his hand on the table and stood up, shouting angrily, "Chairwoman Johnson, you want to fire me as soon as you take office? Get Tommy out here to talk to me! I've been with this company for over ten years, and now you want to fire me over these minor issues?"
Sloane looked at Asher calmly, her tone steady, "These financial issues are no longer minor. Someone needs to take responsibility. You need to answer to all the company's shareholders and investors. As Chairwoman, I have the authority to make personnel decisions."
Asher's face turned dark with anger, clearly unconvinced. "I've been with this company for so many years, working diligently. These problems aren't entirely my fault!"
Several employees in the finance department were people placed there by various shareholders. Everyone had maintained a delicate balance all along.
And now Sloane actually wanted to break this arrangement. She wanted to clear out other people's staff and install her own people!
Sloane saw Asher's anger. She smiled slightly and continued, "The company doesn't belong to any one person. This meeting is adjourned."
Losing this position meant Asher's source of income was cut off.
He happened to owe money outside right now and had been planning to use company funds to tide himself over for a while.
Because of Sloane's sudden dismissal, he was finished!
As Asher saw Sloane preparing to leave the conference room, he suddenly pulled back his chair and, with a vicious look, grabbed a cup from the table and threw it at her.
Everyone in the conference room screamed at the sight.
Sloane had her back to Asher and didn't notice the cup flying toward her.
Stefan, as her special assistant, reached out and pulled Sloane away, shielding her in his arms and blocking the cup with his back.
The cup hit his back hard, shattered, and tea and glass fragments scattered all over the floor.
Stefan grunted, protecting Sloane. "Chairwoman Johnson, let's leave here first."
Some people in the conference room cried out in alarm, some took out their phones to call the police, and others went to restrain Asher.
Sloane's fingers trembled slightly. She pressed her lips together, forcing herself to stay calm, and walked out of the conference room.
Stefan used his phone to contact security while following her out of the conference room.
The two entered the office.
Stefan said, "Chairwoman Johnson, I need to take care of my back."
His back was burning with pain.
Sloane remembered that Stefan had just shielded her in his arms. She felt both grateful and guilty. "I'm sorry, I'll take you to the hospital."
Stefan smiled lightly, "This is my duty. I can go to the hospital myself, it's not a serious injury."
Sloane shook her head and said firmly, "No, I must personally take you to the hospital. You were injured protecting me, I can't let you go alone."
Stefan knew there was no point in refusing further.
Sloane drove herself, taking Stefan to the nearest hospital.
They arrived at the hospital in just over ten minutes.
The doctor asked him to take off his shirt.
Stefan looked at Sloane, "Chairwoman Johnson, please turn around."
Sloane paused, realizing it wasn't appropriate to watch Stefan undress. She turned around with her back to him.
The doctor quickly examined Stefan.
He confirmed that the area on Stefan's back where the glass cup hit had cuts and swelling.
The doctor prescribed some medication and reminded him to protect the area when it got wet.
After getting the medicine, they left the hospital. Sloane drove Stefan home, then returned to the company to handle matters.
Stefan realized that Seraphina should be in the apartment now. He quietly put his suit jacket back on to hide his injury.
When Seraphina was hugging the pink doll, she heard the door opening. She quickly put the doll back in its original place and sat down, pretending to look at her phone.
"Dione, I'm back." Stefan walked into the apartment. He first looked at Seraphina and spoke gently, then bent down to change into slippers.
Seraphina smiled. She checked the time. "It's not time to get off work yet, is it? Why are you back?"
Stefan walked over and sat beside her, smiling warmly. "Isn't it good that I came back early? We can go out for dinner together."
Seraphina thought he had gotten off work early specifically because she was visiting today. She smiled, "We haven't had a meal together in a long time."
Stefan nodded and reached out to pat her head. "Let me change my clothes first, then we'll go out."
His car was at the company, so they had to take a taxi.
Because of his back injury, Stefan didn't dare lean against the seat back. He tried to act natural.
Seraphina noticed Stefan sitting very straight and looked at him with concern. "Stefan, what's wrong?"
Stefan smiled warmly, looking puzzled. "What do you mean, what's wrong?"
Seraphina frowned. "You're sitting so straight. Are you uncomfortable somewhere?"
Stefan smiled, "No, sitting up straight is more comfortable."
Seraphina observed him carefully for a few seconds but couldn't see anything wrong. "If you're uncomfortable at all, you have to tell me. We can have dinner together another day."
Stefan nodded. "Okay, I know."
They went to an affordable restaurant, ordered a few dishes they liked, and chatted while eating.
After dinner, they walked along the sidewalk to digest their food. Stefan's wound was starting to throb with pain.
He was a man - he could endure this pain!
They walked hand in hand, and passersby occasionally looked at them with surprise at how mismatched they seemed.
Stefan was very handsome, and Seraphina was very overweight.
This combination was a bit hard for people to accept.
Stefan looked down at the relaxed and carefree Seraphina and squeezed her chubby hand.
Seraphina looked up, puzzled. "Why are you squeezing my hand?"
Stefan smiled. "It's soft and nice to hold."
Seraphina said, "Oh, I see."
Seraphina was clearly adorable!
Those people just didn't know how to appreciate her!
Before they knew it, they had walked to a park.
Seraphina's sharp eyes spotted Demetrius. She instinctively pulled Stefan to turn around and take another path, but unfortunately it was a bit too late.
She heard Adelaide Fairfax's voice. Adelaide said forcefully, "Mr. Kramer, our personalities aren't compatible. I hate your controlling nature. I like men who can respect me as an equal! I won't marry you! We're not right for each other!"
After Adelaide said this, she ran off, passing by Seraphina and Stefan as she ran.
Seraphina, considering that her large body might block Adelaide's way, moved closer to Stefan to make room.
Seraphina saw Adelaide's appearance - very pure and beautiful, with a perfect figure too.