Chapter 6
On the way, she got a call from Lauren, who asked where she was. Serena casually mentioned where she was going.
Lauren immediately insisted on coming over, claiming that as her best friend, she couldn’t let her go through this alone. She’d come to help Serena deal with Justin.
Serena tried to talk her out of it, but in the end, she couldn’t stop her.
An hour later, the cab pulled up to the entrance of Farrow Corporation’s towering building.
The sun blazed off the glass and steel, making her squint as she stepped out.
The headquarters of Farrow Corporation wasn’t located here before. This was the new building.
Five years ago, when it had just been completed, Justin had been in a great mood. He had drunk heavily to celebrate and ended up passing out in the CEO’s office.
Serena had stayed by his side the whole time.
She stood in front of the massive windows to enjoy the night view. Suddenly, she felt someone lean in behind her.
Two arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her into a warm embrace.
Justin’s soft voice reached her ear. “What are you looking at?”
“The night view is beautiful from here.”
“Only you deserve to see such a nice view with me,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Rina, I want you to always be by my side.”
Serena’s long lashes fluttered. She tore her gaze away and strode into Farrow Corporation.
As soon as she stepped into the elevator, her phone buzzed.
It was an email from Quade Group’s HR department. They were inviting her to an interview.
Serena tucked her phone into her bag and headed straight for the CEO’s office on the 26th floor.
Inside, Justin sat with his legs crossed on the leather couch. His handsome face showed an impatient expression. It looked like he had been waiting for her.
Serena walked straight to his desk and placed a paper in front of him. “I’ve printed my resignation letter. Just sign it, and I’ll go handle the formalities with HR.”
Justin didn’t move. “Still throwing a tantrum?”
“Tantrum? Where do you see me throwing a tantrum?” Serena asked.
“If you don’t like Candice sticking her nose in your business, I’ll have her focus on lighter tasks. You can keep doing your job as my assistant. She won’t interfere with you.” Justin thought he was being generous.
This was unprecedented.
In the past, it was always Serena coming to appease him. Perhaps she had gone too far this time.
Her decision to quit and pursue another job left him with a disconcerting sense of power slipping away. And so, for the first time, he chose to yield.
But Serena didn’t budge.
Justin frowned. “Don’t tell me you want me to fire Candice. Don’t push it, Serena!”
“Justin.” Serena looked him straight in the eye. “What exactly am I to you?”
Justin scoffed. He was about to say, “Just an assistant.” But the words refused to leave his mouth.
Was she just an assistant?
Of course not.
But what was Serena to him? The question stunned him for a moment.
Serena had been with him since she was five. Over the years, she had been like his shadow.
He had comfortably enjoyed her devotion. He would glance back at her when he was in a good mood and do whatever he wanted when he wasn’t.
She would never leave him anyway.
“Why are you asking that? You want me to give you a title?” Justin’s tone was mocking.
Serena had gathered the courage to ask that question, only to get such a response. She suddenly felt it wasn’t worth it.
“Just sign it. Why are you dragging this out? Don’t tell me you can’t bear to see me go. Does your girlfriend know about this?”
“Don’t use that kind of reverse psychology on me. If you want to leave, just leave.” Justin grabbed a pen and signed the letter.
He then ordered, “Go meet with Zane and sort out the important tasks. Don’t screw up my company’s business.”
“Okay.” Serena took the resignation letter and turned to leave.
Her businesslike manner only made Justin more irritated. His voice dropped low as he said, “You’d better think this through, Serena. Once you walk out that door, never think about returning!”
The only answer he got was the sound of the door slamming shut behind her.
Farrow Corporation no longer had a place for her.
“Serena…” Just as Serena was walking out, Candice suddenly stepped in front of her.
With a look of panic on her face, she pleaded, “You can’t leave. The company needs you. We ran into problems yesterday because you weren’t here. Please stay!”
“I’ve already quit.”
“Did you fall out with Mr. Farrow because of me? If that’s the case, I can resign. Please don’t leave.”
Serena’s expression was cold. “Move.”
“I’m begging you, Serena. Don’t let things between you and Mr. Farrow get worse because of me. I’d feel really guilty about it.” Candice grabbed her arm, pulling at her desperately.
Outside, several employees had gathered and were watching.
Serena wasn’t used to being the center of attention like this. She struggled to free herself, but Candice held on tight.
“Let go.” With a forceful jerk, Serena flung Candice away. With her petite frame, the latter stumbled to the side, crashing into the printer with a loud thud.
Candice let out a scream at once. Clutching her arm, she sat on the floor. There was a deep cut across her arm oozing blood.
“Candice!”
The door behind them opened. Justin strode over and pulled Candice up from the floor. His piercing gaze locked onto Serena. “Is it not enough to take your anger out on me? Why must you lash out at Candice?”
“I didn’t. She grabbed me.” Serena fixed her gaze on him. “We’ve known each other for years, Justin. Is this how you see me? A petty, small-minded person?”
“I only believe what I see!”
Candice clung to Justin’s arm. “It’s not like that, Justin. Serena didn’t mean it. I just wanted her to stay.”
“Don’t bother trying to keep her. Let her go!” Justin frowned.
“But she has been your assistant for so many years.”
Justin said coldly, “She’s just an assistant. Anyone can replace her.”
So that was it. She was just a replaceable, disposable person.
Suddenly, an angry shout rang out from the elevator. “Fuck you, Justin Farrow!”
Lauren, in her Chanel-style outfit, rushed over without caring about her image. She pulled Serena behind her and pointed a finger at Justin.
“Say that again! Aren’t you scared that karma will find you? Justin, have you forgotten who stuck by your side when you first took over Farrow Corporation?
“Who stayed up all night, taking care of you, making soup, and tending to you while you’re all weak with your chronic gastritis?
“Your idiot friends are always calling Rina ‘Mrs. Farrow,’ and you didn’t say shit. Now you’re distancing yourself from her for this scheming bitch?
“It’s been 19 years! Rina has been revolving around you for 19 years! 19 years, not 19 months, not 19 days! You’ve shamelessly enjoyed Rina’s love and devotion for 19 years, and now you treat her like this? Are you even human?”
After Lauren’s outburst, the office fell silent.
Justin glanced at Serena.
She was looking at him too, with tears glistening in her eyes.
Lauren’s words struck a deep chord within her. Those were the very questions she had been wanting to ask but couldn’t bring herself to.
Justin’s hand clenched slightly. He pulled Candice closer to his side. “Did I beg her to revolve around me? I never said she’d be my wife!”
