“I knew Elder Cole’s granddaughter couldn’t possibly not recognize me,” Serena said with a smile. “Since Miss Cole is aware that this is James’s company and that we are merely employees, then please focus on doing what an employee should. As for anything else, this so-called ‘sister-in-law’ has no interest.”

With that, she returned to her desk, taking a long moment before finally sitting down.

So, James had taken on the role of president at Stellar Delight to protect his future fiancée.

Stellar Delight Ventures was the most active subsidiary of Golden Sincerity Group in recent years, with numerous projects that made it ideal for gaining experience. As the future hostess of Golden Sincerity Group, it made sense for Vera to familiarize herself with the company.

Logic told Serena that the best course of action was to accommodate Vera, flatter her, and step back when necessary. Whether Vera was acting spoiled or willful, it wasn’t Serena’s place to reprimand her. Yet, Vera’s hostility towards her was evident from the start.

From the moment Vera appeared, everything about her behavior signaled one thing: James was hers. It wasn’t unusual for a naive young woman to flaunt her affection, but Vera’s blatant disregard for context and audience was perplexing.

At twenty-six, Vera should have understood basic social decorum, unless this was intentional.

But why would Vera feel the need to compete with her? If Vera wanted to contend with anyone, it should be with James’s rumored flings, not with her.

As Serena rubbed her temples, a thought suddenly crossed her mind. Could it be... that Vera had discovered something?

Impossible. Even five years ago, when she and James were in a relationship, no one knew. Thanks to the longstanding feud between the Forrest family and Winter family, their relationship had been secret from the start.

After everything that had happened, their relationship was buried even deeper, so much so that not even Derek knew. How could Vera possibly know?

Unless James told her himself.

A chill ran down Serena’s spine. Had their past become something James could casually share with another woman?

No, it couldn’t be!

Even if James no longer cared about her, he still cared about William and Golden Sincerity Group’s stock price. There was no way he would disclose this, especially not to someone he was planning to marry.

Perhaps Vera was simply the type to view every woman as a rival.

Anyway, Serena had made her point clear and could only hope Vera understood it.

Serena sighed softly, just as a cup of coffee appeared before her. The fragrant, hand-brewed latte—she didn’t even need to look to know who it was from.

“This coffee isn’t from the break room, is it?”

Elliot grinned, “Serena, the stuff in the break room is third-rate. It’s nowhere near as good as the beans I grind myself.”

Serena took a sip and praised, “I think you’re really wasting your talent in the Secretary Department. You should open a café, Mr. Sterling! I’d definitely get a VIP membership and visit every day!”

Mr. Sterling dramatically flipped his hair, “That’s a great idea. But I haven’t saved up enough money yet. Once I do, I’m definitely opening one!”

Before he could continue daydreaming, Howard’s voice boomed across the office, “Elliot Sterling! Deputy Manager Scott’s been asking for you. Why are you still chatting?”

Elliot pulled a face and quickly scurried off. Howard, still catching his breath, turned to Serena, his expression softening slightly, “Winter, come in for a moment.”

Howard was a veteran of the Secretary Department, having joined Stellar Delight the year it was founded. He’d worked diligently for seven years, earning both recognition and hardship. Despite this, he’d spent all those years in the Secretary Department, and his ambition had nearly worn out. He sighed, “Winter, I know it’s tough on you.”

“You’re too kind, it’s my duty.”

“What do you think of Vera?”

“She’s quite good.”

Howard recalled the information he’d just gathered and knew that girl wasn’t all good, but he felt no sympathy.

“Let me update you on something. That Miss Cole is the granddaughter of a city leader from the neighboring city. There’s also talk—though not confirmed yet—of a potential marriage alliance between the Forrest and Cole families. You understand, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve heard that this young lady is spoiled by her grandfather so that she doesn’t have the best temper. I feel guilty entrusting her to you.”

Serena mentally scoffed but outwardly responded, “You don’t need to worry.”

“The main reason I let you mentor her is that out of everyone in the Secretary Department, you’re the smartest and most composed. I wouldn’t trust anyone else. Besides, Miss Cole is likely just here for some experience, and she’ll probably leave in a few days. Just bear with it for a little while.”

“I understand.”

Howard was reassured by Serena’s compliant demeanor, “Good. I won’t keep you from your work any longer. Oh, by the way, you mentioned wanting to take on another project. I approved it. You can contact Manager Carter directly. But I should warn you, Manager Carter is a bit unconventional in his approach. Being his secretary might not be easy—are you sure you want to take this on?”

Serena nodded, “Yes.”

Howard could guess her reasons and felt a bit sentimental, “You already have three projects on your plate. When the bonuses are distributed in a couple of months, it’ll be a good amount. There’s no need to push yourself so hard. If you collapse, what will happen to your mother?”

Serena quickly displayed a grateful expression, knowing that her leader was trying to act warmly, “Thank you for your concern. I can handle it.”

Howard knew he couldn’t convince her otherwise, so he waved her off to continue with her work.

Manager Carter was thrilled to have secured Serena’s help and showered her with praise over the phone. Serena listened politely but didn’t take it to heart.

“Secretary Winter, you’re just in time. There’s a dinner party tonight, and I want you to come with me,” Manager Carter said, pausing briefly. “Don’t worry, we’ll only be drinking tea, no alcohol.”

His words only revealed his own intentions. Serena simply replied, “Okay.”

Before heading out with Manager Carter, Serena received a call from Shirley. Unlike Serena, Miss Shirley Forrest was her own boss and had plenty of free time.

“This time, the event is full of accomplished young men—no kids. Don’t think of it as a blind date, just a chance to meet new people and make friends. I’m telling you, the first step to starting a new relationship is expanding your social circle.”

As Serena waited for the elevator, she responded, “Alright, I’ll go.”

“Hey? You agreed so quickly!” Shirley exclaimed in surprise. “What made you change your mind?”

In fact, Serena had always been clear that she wouldn’t have any new relationships in her life.

But now, she was keen on ending her entanglement with James as soon as possible. Their twisted relationship had dragged on for six or seven years, binding them tightly. Serena could be ensnared by it, but James should not be.

He had escaped death and deserved a future, a life with a suitable wife, living a bright and promising life—not sinking into hatred.

“Is it bad that I’ve changed my mind? Fine, I won’t go then.”

“Hey, I won’t ask anymore! You’re definitely going, right?”

The elevator chimed as it arrived, and the doors opened. Serena stepped inside, saying, “Yes, yes, I’m going.”

As the doors closed, she heard a cheer from the other end of the line. “I’m telling you, the guys I found this time have amazing bodies!”

Shirley’s excitement was evident, and her voice was loud, echoing awkwardly in the enclosed elevator space. Serena glanced around nervously and felt a sudden chill from head to toe.

She hadn’t noticed earlier, but now she realized—what a coincidence. The president wasn’t using his exclusive elevator; instead, he had taken the regular one.

James stood at the back of the elevator, hands in his pockets, looking relaxed. His gaze was fixed on the scrolling floor numbers on the electronic display, his face expressionless, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

Serena quickly adjusted her posture, trying to shrink into herself as much as possible.

“Shirley, I still have work to finish, so I’ll hang up now.”

She quietly ended the call, not waiting for Shirley’s response. Soon, they reached the first floor, and James stepped out of the elevator, flanked by others, without a glance in her direction.

It seemed he hadn’t noticed her, or perhaps he had, but outside, Mr. Forrest had no reason to acknowledge Secretary Winter.

Serena’s destination was the underground parking lot in the basement level 2. She watched James’s back until the elevator doors closed again.