Unloved Unwanted Unstoppable (Seraphina and Dominic) novel Chapter 97

Seraphina clicked her seatbelt into place and forced a weak smile. "It's nothing. Let's go."

Chelsea didn't push it, turning back to start the car.

The little boy held up a piece of candy and offered it to her, his voice sickeningly sweet. "Godmother, eat candy."

His eyes were sparkling, seemingly having already forgotten the rough treatment from earlier.

Seraphina took it, peeled the wrapper, and popped it into her mouth. The sweetness bloomed on her tongue.

Toby reached his chubby little arms around her neck and nuzzled his face against her cheek.

Tears immediately welled up in Seraphina's eyes.

She pulled the soft little body close, burying her face into his tiny shoulder as silent tears slipped down her cheeks.

How many years had she raised Lily? Her daughter's heart was entirely occupied by others, and not once had she ever handed her a piece of candy.

"Don't cry," Toby murmured, patting her back with his chubby hand. "I give you candy."

Seraphina sniffled, hugging him even tighter. "Okay, I won't cry anymore. Thank you, Toby."

She sat up straight, pulled out a tissue to wipe her face, and took a deep breath.

She couldn't stop for too long.

Stopping meant thinking, thinking meant hurting, and hurting meant she wouldn't be able to keep moving forward. She had to keep going.

The next day, Seraphina arrived punctually at the bidding conference.

Her knee was still throbbing, but her limp was barely noticeable.

She wore a sharply tailored, dark gray blazer, looking completely immaculate and professional.

When she arrived, Julian was already there. Seeing her, he looked slightly concerned. "Are you up for this? If not, I can cover it, and you can go back and rest."

Seraphina smiled. "I'm fine, Julian."

Julian didn't argue further, leading her into Zenith Energy's private lounge.

"The key is that she holds absolute decision-making power over this project. Whoever secures the partnership today has to get past her."

"Forget the partnership, I just came to see what she looks like. Anyone who can push a project of this magnitude forward this quickly must be a total powerhouse."

Seraphina lowered her eyes, bringing her coffee cup to her lips without making a sound.

When her gaze swept over the entrance again, she paused.

Dominic and Cynthia were just walking in from the corridor.

Dressed in a dark, tailored suit, his features sharp and intimidating, Dominic carried an aura that screamed 'do not approach.'

Cynthia walked right beside him, her makeup flawless, her posture elegant.

Their arrival drew quite a few stares.

Several people recognized Dominic, murmuring low to their companions.

Cynthia remained composed, her gaze scanning the room as if assessing the weight of their competition.