Leap OF Fate novel Chapter 80

Justin learned Serene recently enrolled the twins in a play school in a mall the Lewis’s owned in Hyacinth Bay. This was also where they met Kenny, Chester’s son. He also learned that since Serene’s return two years ago, she had been leading Ellis Inc. Under her leadership, she’s able to expand their network. A proud smile left his lips. Serene’s always been sharp and hard working. Her work ethics were admirable, and it’s almost no surprise that she’s doing well in the business world.

He looked at the list of establishments she’s doing business with. He sneered as his eyes went over the list. None of the establishments she dealt with had anything to do with Rain International. Apart from the businesses the Lewis’s operated, the businesses she dealt with were mostly small independent restaurants. Even the hotels she supplied their seafood for were mostly three-star hotels or bed and breakfasts.

She evaded him and stuck with the market that he ignored. Clever move, Serene. He could not help but comment. She dealt business within Hyacinth Bay under the Lewis’s protection, which was no surprise to him. He witnessed how tightly knit the two families were. Serene hid from him in plain sight for the past two years.

He tapped his finger on his desk in contemplation. Now that Serene knew he wanted to play a part in their children’s lives, given the panic he saw in her face when he saw them the first time, he needed no guesswork to know that Serene’s next move was to hide her children from him. Of course, he would not let it happen.

This only meant he needed to work faster than she is if he wanted to keep them.

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Serene busied herself with painting the dress. A week had already passed, and she’d already completed half of the dress. Crystal picked the design closest to the sunset dress that she saw in the exhibit.

For this dress, it looked as if it’s made from a million flower petals. And she’s not wrong. She had painstakingly painted individual flower petals. The shadows around the flowers give it depth and a 3-D illusion. She looked like a flower sprite and the flowers followed her every move.

When Crystal saw the partially painted dress, she’s in awe. She admired Serene for her realistic painting style, and she had used the same technique for this dress. The thought of wearing a Felicity Pax masterpiece tickled her.

Seeing the painstaking effort, she put on the dress, Crystal insisted on taking Serene for lunch. Serene reluctantly agreed.

Serene felt nostalgic when she entered the famous Japanese restaurant in Hotel Le Grande. She and Justin ate in this restaurant countless times.

Her eyes scanned the place. Nothing had changed. It’s still the minimalist yet homey restaurant she knew.

Just as when she and Crystal were about to enter a private room, she heard a familiar flamboyant voice,

“Shen, Baby!” Dylan called; his smile reached his eyes.

“Dylan,” she said, smiling back at him. Her eyes darted to the person behind him. Justin looked immaculate. His long hair carefully combed and gathered on his back, his face clean.

“Honey, you’re here!” Crystal said, and walked towards Justin, then gave him a peck at the corner of his lips. Her red lipstick smearing on his face. “Ms. Pax and I were about to have lunch, do you want to join us?” she invited, her hands wrapped around Justin’s arms as she looked up to him through her fluttering fake eyelashes.

“OK,” Justin replied, which made Crystal’s jaw drop. She had expected him to decline after all, he declined all his invitations for a meal in the past. She couldn’t hide her happiness from his acceptance and let out a small shriek.

The two stepped into the private room first with Dylan and Serene tailing them.

“Ms. Pax, please just order what you want,” Crystal said smilingly at Serene.