The more Old Mr. Blackwood looked at Serena, the more impressed he became. And the more he looked at his own grandson, the more disdainful he felt.
He decided he was done looking at the brat and turned his attention to the charming young lady, speaking with enthusiasm. "Serena, stay for lunch. You have to try what our private chef can whip up!"
Serena was about to refuse.
But Brianna grabbed her arm. "Serena, please stay with me and Grandpa....."
Seeing the hopeful looks from both the young girl and Old Mr. Blackwood, Serena's heart softened. The cool look in her eyes warmed slightly, and she gave a helpless smile. "Alright. Thank you for having me, Mr. Blackwood."
Lunch turned into dinner.
By the time Old Mr. Blackwood and Brianna were willing to let Serena go, it was already eight o'clock at night.
Serena checked the time and stood up to leave.
As reluctant as Old Mr. Blackwood and Brianna were, it was late, and they had to let her go.
They could only shoot Nicholas resentful looks.
If he would just get his act together and marry Serena, they wouldn't have to suffer through this painful goodbye!
Nicholas stood up to see Serena out.
"Don't worry about it," Serena said, shaking her head. "I have something I need to take care of."
Nicholas noticed her glancing down at her phone from time to time, a serious expression settling on her cool features.
He swallowed the words, "I'll take you wherever you're going."
He had a sharp sense that this was something she needed to handle alone.
Instead, he just smiled and nodded, walking her only to the main door of the residence.
The moonlight was clear and cool.
Nicholas draped his jacket over Serena's shoulders in a perfectly natural motion. "Call me when you get home."
The elegant scent of pine, unique to Nicholas, instantly enveloped Serena, carrying his warmth with it.
Serena wasn't quite used to it.
The man then pressed his car keys into her hand. "If you won't let me drive you, then take this car."
Serena glanced at him but ultimately didn't refuse.
This area was an affluent neighborhood, and hailing a car wouldn't be easy.
Besides, she was in a hurry.
Nicholas opened the car door for her.
She slid neatly into the driver's seat, started the engine, and the black Maybach quickly blended into the night.
She left without a moment's hesitation.
Nicholas stared at the car as it sped off and vanished from sight, a soft chuckle escaping him.
"What a heartless woman."
He smiled to himself and turned to go back inside.
The moment he stepped into the living room, he was met by two pairs of eyes-his
grandfather's and his sister's both screaming with disappointment.
"Tsk, you useless thing!" Old Mr. Blackwood huffed in disgust. "It was the perfect opportunity! Why didn't you offer to drive her home? You could have just stayed the night the Lancasters place and not bothered coming back! The way you chase girls, you'll still be single in your next life!"
Brianna pouted. "Exactly! Nicholas, you're so slow! Serena is so amazing. If you keep dragging your feet, someone else is going to sweep her off her feet!"
The elegant, languid man leaned against the doorframe, hands in his pockets, listening to their complaints with a faint smile. "Don't worry, no one can take her from me serena. will only ever be mine."
He held up a finger and wagged it. "You two don't get it. When you're pursuing a girl it's all about a delicate touch. You have to know when to be close and when to give
her space. It's called strategy."
Old Mr. Blackwood and Brianna exchanged a look, their disdain practically
overflowing.
"Strategy?" Old Mr. Blackwood scoffed. "If you really knew anything about strategy, would you still be single?"