Chapter 24


    Serene was seething in anger. She puffed her cheeks and took deep breaths as she tried to control


    herself. The warmth on her face was unmistakable; so she knew she must be as red as a tomato, but


    she did not care about that now.


    She stood up from her chair and looked down at him. She took advantage of the temporary position of


    power she had over him. ring angrily, her voice shaking, she pointed at his face, “If you think you


    can bribe me with yourpensation, Mr. Rain, think again! I will never give my eggs to you!”


    She did not bother waiting for his response. She stormed out of the cafe in her angry strides, not even


    bothering to look back.


    Serene left Justin stunned and puzzled. She was long gone, but he remained in his seat, looking in the


    direction she stormed out of. What just happened?


    The more he thought about the words she said, the more painful his head became. He shook his head


    and massaged his temples to ease the growing headache he felt. She made little sense at all. Eggs?


    What’s up with that?


    His fingers stopped massaging his temples when he suddenly thought of something. His face darkened


    and his aura became cold. He took out his phone and searched for a contact from his list. When the


    call connected, he coldly spat “Chester…”


    Serene angrily crossed the street to go back to Innovative Data. She went straight to the basement


    parking and got in her car. Because of the intense emotions she felt, she opted not to return to Lewis


    Tech immediately. She wanted to calm down first.


    After driving aimlessly around the city, she found herself by the seaside. She parked her car at the side


    of the road and rolled down her window, allowing the ocean wind tob her hair. She fumed with


    anger.


    “Those people would really not let me have a peaceful life!” As if the strong wind did not tousle her hair


    enough, she angrily ran her hands through them. To some extent, she admired Justin’s love for his


    brother. He had gone to great lengths for him.


    The high and mighty Justin Rain dared to bribe a lowly former employee to return to Hyacinth Bay just


    to fulfill his brother’s wishes. She sneered at the thought.


    Chester is really something. His greed knows no end. He not only stole Bryan from her, now he wanted


    her to make up the other 32 chromosomes of their baby. “If that isn’t being greedy, then I don’t know


    what is!” she muttered.


    After staying by the seaside for almost an hour, Serene eventually felt that her emotions calm down.


    She drove back to Lewis Tech toplete the remaining tasks for the day, entering all the needed


    documentations in their system and remembered to email Innovative Data of their action items for their


    next meeting.


    After work, Serene did not feel like going home yet. She still felt a little down because of the day’s


    events. Going home now, her parents will definitely sense her agitation and might feel worried about


    her. She dialed Mary’s number and asked her out for a meal at their favorite Japanese restaurant.


    She arrived first, but she did not wait long. In less than ten minutes, a svelte figure came in the door.


    She was wearing thigh-high boots, a miniskirt, and a sleeveless top. She lifted her dark sses to the


    top of her head and wore it like a headband. She looked around the restaurant and shed her a bright


    smile when her eyes locked with hers.


    They gave each other a kiss on each of their cheeks after their tight hug. “I already ordered.” Serene


    spoke first as Mary settled into a chair.


    “Great. You got my favorites?” She inquired as she quickly surveyed Serene’s face.


    She had known Serene since they were still in diapers. She can read her inly. Serene need not say


    a word to her, neither does she need to guess. She knew that there’s something wrong.


    “Yup. Salmon sashimi, gyoza, tempura, and maki” Serene put an effort to sound calm. She felt Mary’s


    burning gaze, and she knew  Mary knew something was bothering her.


    When their orders arrived, they politely thanked the server. Mary picked up a salmon with her


    chopsticks and ate. She did the same. After swallowing her sashimi, Mary ced her chopstick down


    and looked at her. “Spill it.”


    Serene told her about the encounter she had Justin. She did not spare any detail. She also shared her


    thoughts about it.


    Like her, Mary was indignant. Her face was flushed, just like she was earlier. The bracelets on her arms


    kept rattling as she shook her hands in anger. “That family is really something!” Serene just nodded at


    her as she nibbled on her maki. “But I am proud of you today. You fought that arrogant prick!”


    Hearing that Mary was proud of her made her feel warm. She knew exactly what she meant by that.


    She used to be timid and just cry whenever she was angry or frustrated. Had this happened when she


    was still in Hyacinth Bay, she knew  she would still storm out of the cafe, but she would definitely not


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    find the strength to speak up for herself. Somehow, the recent ugly events toughened her and gave her


    strength to fight back, or at least speak up.