Serena checked the time. She estimated she would still be able to make it to
Brianna's coming-of-age party.
"Alright, I'm on my way now," she replied.
She hung up and looked at Catherine. "Mom, there's an emergency at the institute. I have to go handle it. You all go to the Blackwood family's home first. I'll head there directly from the institute after I'm done.”
Catherine was standing right next to Serena and had overheard the call. She looked worried. "Is it very serious?"
"It shouldn't be a big deal," Serena said with a smile. "With me on the case, what problem could there be?"
Though Catherine was a little disappointed they couldn't go together, she knew that matters at the institute were serious business.
When it came to national affairs, everything else had to take a backseat.
She couldn't hold Serena back. "Then take the gown Nicholas gave you and the styling team. Have Colin go with you..."
"There's no need, Mom." Serena shook her head. "It's better if unauthorized people don't go near there. I'll just take the gown."
Seeing her daughter's insistence, Catherine didn't want to delay her any further. "Alright, then you should hurry. We'll see you at the Blackwood estate."
Serena was glad she hadn't unwrapped the gift box last night; now she could just grab it and go.
She placed the box on the back seat and drove toward the research institute. After Serena left...
Isabella pursed her lips, her heart filled with disdain.
*Putting on an act! She's at it again!*
She had just exposed Serena's lie about leading a new project at the institute.
And now Serena was back to her charade.
She really didn't understand why her mother played along with her!
She was just some trash from the countryside who hadn't even finished high school.
How could her mother fall for her fabricated lies time and time again?
*An emergency at the institute?*
Mr. Harrison could solve it himself. Why would he ever need to ask Serena for help?
She pouted, her face a mask of contempt.
"Oh, weed mean, sweetheart~ An expression like that will look very very ugly with makeup on Sybil said sauntering toward her with a Sway in his hips.
As he walked, he clicked his tongue in disgust "Tsk, tsk, tsk, sweetheart, don't make me feel like I'm earning my pay the hard way. Now, fix that face of yours and lets get back to it, Shall we?
Failing to style that stunning younger sister was the regret of his life.
This ugly weed had better not ruin his mood any further.
"Sybil..." Isabella's eyes reddened. "You just praised me for my natural beauty!"
"Before I saw *that* Miss Lancaster,
you could indeed be considered
naturally beautiful. After all,
all-natural beauties are rare these a of
days, Sybil said without d'hineo
subtlety, his voice sharp. "But now
that I've seen her, what advantage do you think your face hás anymore?"
That woman was a stunning beauty with such striking features. Any other type of beauty standing next to her would be instantly outshone.
That face was one of a kind!
Isabella's eyes grew even redder with anger. She clenched her fists, feeling deeply humiliated as tears welled up.
***
Meanwhile, the moment Serena arrived at the research institute, she dove into the database, beginning the urgent restoration and data tracing.
This kind of work was always tedious and complex, requiring every nerve to be on high alert.
She worked nonstop until nearly four in the afternoon, when all the data was finally restored.
Serena glanced at the time, managed a quick word with Mr. Harrison, and immediately drove toward the Blackwood estate.
While waiting at a red light, Serena took out her phone, which she hadn't touched all day, and quickly scanned it.