Serena stared at the man’s captivatingly handsome profile and his look of utter confidence.
She said nothing, simply withdrawing her gaze and turning back to the data in her hands.
It was as if that brief flicker of emotion had been nothing but an illusion.
Nicholas knew when to stop.
He didn't press the issue, smoothly changing the subject. “By the way, Brianna is awake.”
Brianna?
It took Serena a moment to place the name.
He was talking about his sister, the poor girl Alfred had accidentally grazed with his car, who ended up in the hospital and was later provoked into having a heart attack.
She glanced at him. “How is she recovering?”
“With you on the case, I wasn’t worried,” Nicholas said, a small smile playing on his lips. “But after she woke up and learned you’d saved her again, she’s very eager to thank you in person.”
“In the Blackwood family, we take life-saving debts very seriously.”
Serena remembered the cheerful, innocent girl with the clear eyes and nodded. “Alright.”
“Then I’ll pick you up from the Lancaster estate tomorrow morning,” Nicholas immediately added.
Serena shot him a look that seemed to say, *Your intentions couldn’t be more obvious.*
But in the end, she just gave a quiet “Mm.”
A grin spread across the man's face, and his eyes were brimming with an amusement that nearly overflowed.
He was like a devilishly charming man.
“He said these are to celebrate you receiving the nation’s highest honor, and some are thoughtful gifts for the older family members.”
“He’s being far too kind.”
Serena’s gaze swept over the piles of exquisite gift boxes.
Edward was holding an antique wooden box containing a priceless set of rare manuscripts. His appreciation was evident in his eyes. “That young man… he certainly knows his audience. He really put a lot of thought into this.”
Old Mr. Lancaster was stroking a handcrafted humidor, clearly very fond of it, but he just snorted. “All this flattery can’t be for nothing! Do you think I can’t see what he’s up to? Trying to win over our girl? Not a chance!”
Julian held a gift-wrapped proposal for a new energy initiative. He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and looked at Serena. “Serena, when did you get to know Nicholas? This display… it’s clear he’s serious.”
That question immediately made everyone else turn to look at her.
They all started talking at once, bombarding her with questions about the details of how they met.

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