As the car merged onto the highway, James finally spoke.

“What’s with the date?”

“Your sister set me up on a blind date.”

“Don’t go again.”

Serena found it amusing, so she laughed. “Why shouldn’t I? Your parents told me to move on.”

The neon lights from the street cast a glow on James’s profile, but they couldn’t hide his sullen expression. “Because I said so.”

“What right do you have to say that? It’s been three years. Aren’t you tired of this?”

“No.”

He turned his head, his eyes filled with mockery. “You’re not leaving until I’m done playing.”

He could get engaged, have his world with another woman. But she had to stay behind, always waiting for his punishment.

James was never one for reasoning, even when he had liked her. His methods of showing love for someone were simple and brutal, with even his confession sounding like a threat. Back then, Serena would complain but couldn’t help falling for him.

She never thought that love would one day turn into hate.

“What about Miss Cole?” Serena asked.

James seemed to remember her only then, replying awkwardly, “What does she have to do with this? You two are different.”

Yes, different. Miss Cole was the openly favored fiancée, while Serena was the secret lover hidden in the shadows.

Serena’s hand clenched into a fist on her lap. She tried to stay calm as she said, “I might deserve your torment, but I won’t be a mistress.”

James laughed, “You, a mistress?”

Oh, she had used the wrong word. She wasn’t even a secret lover. In James’s eyes, she was nothing more than a sex partner.

Serena finally felt the sting of tears in her eyes. Not wanting to show weakness, she quickly turned her face away.

“If you insist on playing like this, then never get married.”

James raised an eyebrow. “Is my darling sister-in-law saying... you’ll play with me forever?”

Serena was speechless. After a moment, she sniffled and said, “No matter what, I won’t share a man with another woman.”

“Do you find it disgusting?”

James grabbed her chin as he spoke, roughly forcing her to face him. He smiled cruelly. Serena’s anger and tears erupted simultaneously.

“Yes, I find it disgusting!” she spat out each word.

James’s smile gradually faded, but his grip only tightened. Serena felt like her jaw was about to shatter, but this was a matter of principle—she couldn’t back down. She could only stare defiantly at the man.

Tears slid down her cheeks, spilling over James’s fingers, hot and lingering. The last bit of his restraint was quenched.

"Stop the car!"

The car screeched to a halt beside a small park on the outskirts of the city, where the streets were deserted at night. As soon as the car stopped, Henry, the assistant, and the driver stepped out, closing the doors behind them. They walked a few meters away, maintaining a professional distance.

Soon, sounds began to escape from the car, muffled by the woman inside.

For the past three years, Serena had always been compliant in situations like this—perhaps too compliant. She would act with a certain resolve, going along with whatever happened. But tonight, she didn’t.

She struggled and fought back almost wildly. The car’s confined space and the natural disparity in strength between a man and a woman worked against her. But she didn’t care—if it ended badly, so be it.

In the end, it was no use. Serena bit down on her lip, refusing to make a sound, whether James coaxed or threatened her.

"Who are you putting on this act for? Suddenly playing the innocent virgin now?"

With that, he moved abruptly, and Serena couldn’t suppress a soft moan.

It was too difficult—physical sensations couldn’t be entirely controlled by willpower. Blood seeped from Serena’s bitten lip as she closed her eyes in despair, finally ceasing her resistance.

But James stopped.

He looked at her bloodstained lips and leaned in to kiss her.

The kiss was gentle, carefully wiping away the blood, as if afraid of hurting her—just like the James from long, long ago.

She couldn’t help but open her eyes, reaching up to smooth the frown on James’s brow, only to see the hint of confusion in his eyes.

It had been a long time since she’d seen him like this. For a moment, Serena felt as if time had rewound five years. She couldn’t help but soften her tone, "James, please let me go, and let yourself go too."

James’s momentary confusion vanished as he gritted his teeth, "In your dreams!"

Serena couldn’t quite remember how she got home.

When she woke up, it was already daylight.

Of course, James wasn’t beside her; he had always been in and out quickly over the past three years.

Her body had been taken care of, and she felt refreshed. As she stepped out of the room, Nanny Helen immediately approached to assist her. As expected, James hadn’t taken her back to her own apartment but had brought her to this luxurious condo he insisted on giving her.

The apartment was in a prime location with a great layout, close to her workplace. Graphite Square was a well-known complex, which made the property expensive, highly secure, and extremely private—perfectly fitting for someone like James.

“Mr. Forrest was in a bad mood yesterday. After bringing you back, he smoked several cigarettes in the living room,” Helen prattled on. “I told him to smoke less because you don’t like it.”

Helen was related to Henry, but clearly, Henry hadn’t told her the true nature of Serena and James’ relationship. She still believed they were a loving couple.

“Mr. Forrest does listen to you. He put out the cigarettes not long after.”

Serena paused for a moment while drinking her porridge. He still listens to her? What a joke.

She took another spoonful of the porridge, thinking it was particularly well-cooked today.

With a shorter commute, Serena arrived at the office earlier than usual. Andy came in after her and immediately started complaining, “Serena, I waited for your backup until 2:30 a.m.!”

“Sorry, I was too busy last night and couldn’t send it on time, but I’ve got the documents ready now.”

Serena handed the documents to Andy and received a big hug in return. “I knew you were the best, Serena! I’m sure you’ll get promoted today!”

“Oh? Have you heard something?”

Serena pulled out her chair and sat down, while Andy quickly leaned in with a mysterious tone, “I heard the new president will be announcing Howard’s transfer today. He’s likely heading to the group headquarters. Among the secretaries, you’re the most qualified after him. If he leaves, you’re definitely up next!”

“You couldn’t even find out who the new president is, but you know about the promotion?” Serena smiled and shook her head. “Get back to work, Andy. We’ve got a lot to do.”

However, the arrival of the new president caused quite a stir in the entire Secretary Department. Andy and the colleagues kept a close eye on the company’s work chat, occasionally passing along messages that only heightened the tension. "Oh my, the new president has arrived. But this photo is taken from so far away—you can’t even see his face. These people are useless, all they do is comment on how handsome he is!"

Serena was working on three projects simultaneously, her keyboard clicking away furiously. But even that couldn’t drown out the lively atmosphere around her. It wasn’t until Howard came out of his office, clapping his hands to hurry them along, that she was pulled back to reality. "Come on, come on, the new president is about to come up. Let’s go out to greet him!"

They were lined up in two rows, standing in front of the spacious and bright presidential office, ready to welcome him. Serena kept her head slightly bowed, her mind preoccupied with the upcoming six months of medical expenses. The time had come again, and most of the money William had given her had been drained by several critical treatments. Saving alone clearly wasn’t enough—she needed to find a way to earn more money.

Before long, a group of footsteps echoed in the hallway, the sound of leather shoes on the marble tiles growing closer. Even before Serena could recognize the steps, the familiar scent of fir reached her nose.

Howard enthusiastically welcomed, "Mr. Forrest, the entire Secretary Department welcomes you!"

With that, he led the applause. Serena clapped mechanically, forcing herself to look at James.

James didn’t respond to Howard, nor did he acknowledge her. Instead, he turned his head to the side and asked, "Vera, what do you think?"

Only then did Serena notice the young girl standing beside him. Most of her figure was obscured by James, revealing only slender legs and long hair.

“It’s wonderful, James, I’ll do whatever you say,” the girl replied sweetly.