Chapter 14
“Didn’t I tell you to scram!” Justin sat in a leather chair inside the office, his entire presence radiating fury. He furrowed his
brows when he saw that it was Candice.
“Why are you here?“”
“Justin… you seemed upset, and I was worried about you.”
“I’m fine.”
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“You’re clearly not fine. You’re already this angry–how could you be okay? If you’re upset, talk to me. Maybe I can help.”
Candice moved closer to him, widening her dark eyes. “I want to help lighten your burden.”
“You can’t.” This was a work matter, and Candice didn’t have the skills to help.
If Serena were here, she might actually be of assistance. Yet thinking about Serena only added fuel to Justin’s already bad mood.
Candice, however, was persistent. “Justin, don’t be like this. I’m sure there’s something I can do to help. Besides, you haven’t even had lunch yet. There’s a new vegan restaurant downstairs. Let’s go eat together. You shouldn’t skip meals with your
stomach issues.”
“I’m not going.” He couldn’t even think about eating in this state.
Candice was about to keep persuading him when Justin’s phone rang. He answered. “Mom, what is it?”
“Justin, I heard from Mollie that Serena left Farrow Corporation to join Quade Group?”
Serena again.
Justin rubbed his forehead, trying to keep his composure. “Yes,
“How could this happen? She chased after you for years, and now she’s turned on you just like that? The Farrows practically raised an ingrate! If we’d known, we should never have taken her in!
“Tell her to come back immediately. The Farrows didn’t work so hard to nurture her just to hand her over to a rival company!”
“Is Farrow Corporation going to collapse without Serena Judd?” Justin’s sharp brows furrowed even tighter. “If you called just to
talk about her, then don’t bother
“There’s something else important,” Jenna said sharply “I heard you’re dating someone named Candice Ashton.”
“That’s true.”
“I already had her background checked Candice is just an ordinary girl from a small town with an average education and a family that doesn’t even meet the Farrow family’s standards. What on earth are you thinking?”
Jeuna’s voice grew more agitated as she added, “Mollie said she met Candice yesterday She’s not even as pretty as Serenal Justin,
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I’m not against you having a girlfriend, but at least pick someone worthy!”
Justin loosened his tie. “This is my business, Mom. Just don’t worry about it.”
With that, he ended the call. He exhaled deeply, as if trying to release all the frustration weighing on his chest.
After calming down slightly, he noticed Candice was still sitting on the couch nearby. “Why are you s
still here?”
Candice hesitated. “1…”
“Just leave. There’s nothing here for you to do.”
Candice then slowly got up and walked out. Her face was somewhat pale.
Justin’s mother had spoken so loudly just now that Candice had heard almost everything. She had expected Justin to say a few words in her defense or to comfort her even a little. Yet he said nothing to her. She couldn’t help but question if Justin truly had any feelings for her.
Then, a loud bang came from behind, and Justin walked out of the office. He had his suit jacket draped over his arm, looking like
he was about to leave.
Candice’s eyes lit up. “Justin, are you going to the vegan restaurant downstairs with me? We could—”
“I have something to do. I’m heading out.”
“Then I’ll come with you.”
“There’s no need. I’m going alone.” Justin then strode into the elevator without paying her any attention.
Serena went downstairs with one of Wilson’s secretaries at lunchtime. The secretary’s name was Elena Sadler, and she had
striking looks and a straightforward personality.
“Ms. Judd, one thing’s for sure our company has excellent food. The cafeteria is amazing, and the restaurants downstairs are top–notch. Do you prefer bold flavors or something lighter?”
“I’m fine with either.”
Then let me take you to the diner downstairs.”
“Sure.” The two chatted as they walked
When Serena worked with Justin, her world had revolved around him. She never had this kind of relaxed, natural camaraderie
with colleagues. This new experience felt refreshing for her
Midway through the meal, her phone buzzed with a message from Wilson. “Where are you?”
Serena quickly replied, “Having lunch downstairs/”
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“Bring me a portion too.” Then, after a pause, another message followed. “Just the same as what you’re having‘
Serena asked the waiter to prepare another serving of chicken florentine and pack an extra portion of chili. Then, by the end of
the meal, Serena and Elena had gotten much more familiar with each other.
Elena couldn’t help but comment, “Ms. Judd, I really admire you. You were with Mr. Quade all morning, and yet you stayed so
calm. Your stress tolerance is incredible!”
“Mr. Quade’s personality isn’t so bad. Though, I admit, his words can be… sharp.”
“Mr. Quade has a good personality?” Elena looked visibly shaken but refrained from openly criticizing her boss. She awkwardly
shut her mouth.
Serena glanced at her. She recognized that look. Sebastian had the same expression when she once told him Wilson was a nice
person.
Did they perhaps have some kind of misunderstanding with Wilson?
Suddenly, Serena’s phone buzzed with an incoming call. She glanced at the caller ID and immediately declined it, but the phone. rang again shortly after. Serena frowned slightly and answered it.
Justin’s cold voice came through the line, “I’m across the street. If you don’t want to cause a scene, come over.
With that, he hung up.
Elena asked, “What’s wrong, Serena?”
“Just something I need to deal with. You go on ahead,” Serena replied with a small smile..
After Elena left, Serena turned around and spotted a familiar Maybach parked across the street. She slowly walked over.
The car window lowered, revealing Justin’s handsome yet stormy face. A mocking smirk tugged at his lips as he said, “Looks like you’re doing well at your new company. Already cozying up to the people at Quade Group?”
“What are you doing here?” Serena asked.
Justin’s expression darkened. Frankly, even he didn’t know why he was there.
After leaving Farrow Corporation, frustration had simmered within him, with no outlet. By the time he came to his senses, his car had already driven him here.
“I’m hungry,” he said while resting a hand on his stomach and locking eyes with her. “Serena, I’m hungry.”
He had chronic gastritis, and Serena used to feel sorry for him because of it. He simply didn’t believe she could truly be this cold-
hearted
However, Serena responded flatly, “if you’re hungry, get something to eat. I’m not your nanny”
Justin swallowed his anger, his gaze falling on the food she was carrying “Who’s that for?”
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“None of your business.”
“Ha. The Farrows raised you, and this is how you repay Farrow Corporation? Serena Judd, you’re nothing but an ingrate!” he
sneered.
Again with the ingrate. But this time, Serena found it laughably ironic.
“I never used a single cent of the Farrows‘ money. Everything I used came from my parents‘ inheritance and compensation. The
Farrows never give me love or care.”
“No love or care? What about all the good I did for you?” He gritted his teeth. “If it weren’t for me, who knows what kind of life you’d be living now?”
Serena’s calm gaze rested on his face. “Justin Farrow, it’s precisely because of what little kindness you showed me that I spent 19.
years chasing after you.
“But you were the one who didn’t want it. Whatever debt I owed you, I’ve repaid it long ago.”
“You were the one who didn’t want it…” The words hit Justin like a heavy blow, leaving his chest with a slow, suffocating ache.
“If you don’t have anything else to say, stop bothering me. You have a girlfriend now–don’t give people something to laugh
about.”
With that, she turned and walked away without looking back
Justin watched her figure disappear completely from view. He clenched his fist and slammed it hard against the steering wheel.
How perfect. The pet he had kept at his side for so long had grown a temper and dared to bite its master!
Consumed by frustration, Justin didn’t notice the cab trailing his car at a distance.
Candice sat in the back seat inside the cab, having witnessed the entire scene. Her fingers tightened slightly on her lap, and a sense of unprecedented crisis washed over her. Why on earth was Serena Judd still haunting them even after leaving Farrow
Corporation?
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