A Love Buried by Secrets novel Chapter 10

Time ticked by minute by minute, and the scheduled moment arrived. Yet, neither Serena nor their parents had arrived. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd, with some guests wondering if something had happened.

"Eli, maybe give them a call?" suggested someone.

"Yeah! Serena loves you very much. There's no way that she'd be late. Something may have happened."

Displeasure clouded his expression as he pulled out his phone. It was only then that he noticed Serena's message from half an hour ago.

He opened the message and, instantly, his brows furrowed tightly. A chill settled over his face like a frost as he stared fixedly at the screen. His expression was unreadable.

Catching the shift in his demeanor, his buddies grew curious. "What's wrong, Eli? Did something really go wrong?"

He produced a cold chuckle. "Serena found out I was going to release her video today. She told me to open the gift first. What's the point of playing games? Did she think I wouldn't go through with the video if she didn't show up?"

The group was taken aback. Everyone immediately leaned in to read the message.

"I can't believe she actually found out! You've got to admit that she's got some skills."

"It doesn't matter. We've got the video. What's there to be afraid of?"

"Wait a minute, Eli. Your parents have just arrived. It looks like Serena really isn't coming. Are we still playing the clip?"

In the distance, Vincent and Karen strode through the doors together. Broad smiles were plastered on their faces as they took their seats at the head table. They appeared to be explaining their lateness to the surrounding guests.

Elliot's gaze turned murky as his eyes landed on their linked arms.