Chapter 10
Serena’s hands faltered, and her cheeks turned crimson.
She quickly pulled her hand back, instinctively covering her chest as she sat up straight. Tm wearing one,” she muttered, her voice flustered.
Gabriel’s gaze remained steady and intense, locking with Serena’s almond–shaped eyes,
“You’re not,” he said quietly, his voice low. “You brushed against me. I could feel
“L” Serena stammered, her pale checks flushing bright red.
It was a hot night, and she’d intentionally thrown on a jacket because she wasn’t wearing a bra.
She’d been so absorbed in the massage that she hadn’t even realized it.
“I was about to go to sleep, she muttered, avoiding his eyes. “Who sleeps with clothes on?”
Gabriel let out a soft chuckle, amusement flickering in his tone. I’m not a woman. How would I know?”
Serena froze, caught off guard. She’d never seen him smile like that
The smiles he gave before were always polite, distant.
Her heartbeat quickened, and she couldn’t quite understand why
The dim glow from the streetlights outside caught Gabriel’s profile, softening the sharpness of his features.
For a moment, he looked almost magnetic.
An unspoken tension thickened the air. Gabriel’s arm slid around her waist, pulling her toward him with surprising strength. lifting her onto his lap.
Before Serena could react, Gabriel cupped the back of her head and kissed her deeply.
His long, rough hand slid up her nightgown, sending an electric shiver through her body as he squeezed her waist.
A soft gasp escaped her lips, her mind consumed by the intensity of the kiss.
Gabriel’s breath quickened as his lips moved down her neck in a series of gentle, insistent kisses.
“Gabriel…” Serena breathed.
She pushed against him with both hands, but his grip was unyielding, holding her tightly.
In that moment, she felt like prey caught in a predator’s jaws, about to be devoured.
A car passed by, its headlights blinding her, and it snapped Serena back to reality. In surprise, she bit down hard on lip.
The car fell silent, and the tension between them hung heavily in the air.
“We… can’t…” Serena breathed, her mind a mess, unsure how to explain herself.
Cabriel’s dark, intense gaze didn’t waver. For the first time, she saw a flicker of something broken in lus eyes.
“You’re a buzzkill, Serena,” he said coldly, his voice sharp and icy sending a chill down her spine.
Gabriel’s
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Chapter 10
You came here…just to get laid?” Serena finally asked, the question that had been gnawing at her.
Gabriel scoffed, his lips curling into a cynical smile. “What else? You think I called you over to give me a massage?”
Serena fell silent, her heart heavy with the truth she’d been trying to avoid.
Her voice barely a whisper, she spoke again. “How did you know where I live?”
She had never sent him her address.
Gabriel closed his eyes briefly, trying to regain some control over his emotions.
He asked, clearly annoyed. “Are we doing it or not? If not, get out of the car.”
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Serena fought back the tears threatening to spill. I won’t do it. I told you before, Mr. Harrington, I won’t do that again. I told.
you not to come to me for that.
Gabriel’s patience seemed to snap. His expression darkened, anger flashing in his eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself.
Without another word, Serena opened the car door and stepped out,
She hurried back to her apartment, barely glancing back. By the time he reached her window and looked outside, the Rolls- Royce was already gone.
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She lay down on her bed, closing her eyes, trying to force herself to sleep. But all she could see was Gabriel’s smile, lingering in her mind.
To him, she was just a woman he turned to when he had needs.
She should have known better, should have been more aware.
The previous night at the Eternal Club, Gabriel had gone to meet Camron.
His actions spoke louder than words–just like his public persona, polished and controlled, he was someone entirely different behind closed doors.
A man of principles in the public eye, but ruthless and merciless in private.
Just like his role as the founder of Quasar, presenting himself as a legitimate businessman while secretly dealing with the underworld.
His meeting with Camron the night before had been the clearest proof.
Camron had already pushed Serena to the edge twice.
Serena couldn’t help wondering how many more dangerous people, like Camron, were connected to Gabriel.
A powerless, insignificant woman like her could only be a fragile kitten, at the mercy of someone like him.
Right now, Gabriel was still intrigued by her, but what would happen once that novelty wore off? No one knew.
A few days later, Stella Learning paid out wages.
This month, Serena received over three thousand dollars.
Without hesitation, she transferred two thousand to Jonathan’s hospital account and kept the rest for living expenses
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Chapter 10
But she knew it wasn’t nearly enough. Jonathan’s treatment costs at the hospital were unpredictable.
Even on the lowest end, they would amount to at least six thousand dollars.
So Serena needed to find another job. Queenie had recommended a position as a caddy at a golf club.
Serena was the right height, attractive, and had an air of elegance. Adding to that, she had learned golf before.
She as sure that, if she went for the interview, there shouldn’t be any problem getting hired.
However, the work schedule clashed with her training center hours.
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“I’ll adjust your training schedule, Queenie said, already having a plan. “I’ll arrange your classes in the morning, and you can work from 3 PM to 9 PM in the afternoon. That way, there won’t be any conflict.
She had come up with the plan before she gave the job information
DI
Serena.
In return, Serena bought Queenie lunch.
The interview went smoothly. The golf club was a bit far from the city center, so Serena had to take a cab there each time.
The pay was commission–based–there was no fixed salary, but it incl
ppearance fees, hole fees, and tips.
At the city’s Starcrest Golf Club, even the lowest–paid caddies eamed at leas0 dollars a month.
There were three shifts each day, and Serena worked the evening shift, from 3 PM to 9 PM.
After about half a month, Serena had settled into the rhythm of the job.
With her golf background and striking looks, Serena stood out at Starcrest Golf Club Golf Course.
The patrons were all high–profile figures from the city’s elite circles, and they were generous with their tips.
One morning, Serena’s phone rang. It was Amiya.
“Serena!” Amiya’s voice was filled with mock surprise. “I thought you were really going to drop out of school. You have paid for this semester’s tuition and didn’t even tell me? Hmph!”
Serena, however, was just as confused as Amiya.
Serena furrowed her brows, feeling confused. I haven’t paid it. Who told you that? Are they sure about that?”
“No way!” Amiya shot back. “I saw your payment receipt with my own eyes–ten thousand dollars. Was it your family? Or some friend of yours? You should ask around.”
After the call ended, Serena dialed the school, and they confirmed that someone had paid for this tuition fee.
The office assistant’s voice was calm but matter–of–fact, “A man came to pay. He was in his early thirties, wearing glasses, dressed in a gray suit. He said you were family”
Serena’s heart skipped a beat. “I don’t have any family who wear glasses and are in their thirties.”
She thought for a moment, trying to make sense of it. The only person who might fit the description was. Darren.
But she hadn’t talked to him since that night with Gabriel.
And Serena couldn’t see any motivation for Darren to pay her tuition.
The office assistant later sent her a text message.
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Chapter 10
Serena’s eyes widened as slug read it.
E
Office Assistant: [He came in a Bentley, and several of the teaching staff were gossiping about it. Serena, is he really your family?
Her breath hitched. It was Darren. It had to be.
Serena sat on the edge of her bed, feeling uneasy.
She wanted to call the school and have the tuition refunded, but once it was paid, there was no going back.
The assistant had insisted she continue her studies.
But Serena knew she couldn’t go back now, Even if the tuition was covered, attending classes was out of the question.
Feeling the weight of everything pressing down on her, Serena grabbed her phone and dialed Gabriel’s number, bracing herself for what might come.
She didn’t expect him to answer, but just as the call was about to end, his cold voice finally came through the phone.
He replied flatly, “Make it short. I’m busy right now”
“Did you pay my tuition? Serena asked, her voice tinged with frustration
“Yes,” Gabriel replied shortly.
Actually–Serena started, but Gabriel cut her off with a sharp, dismissive tone.
He said, “That morning, you agreed to two thousand, but to be honest, giving you that little would be a humiliation to me. You’re a college student, so act like one.
“Now you’re just out working all the time, causing trouble for yourself, but you have no way to handle it.”
His voice dropped lower, mocking. “If you really get STDS, THAT would throw you in real desperation.”
Serena’s grip on her phone tightened. His words stung, but his tone was even colder. “Don’t think that just because you’re pretty, you can survive in this messy world without getting hurt
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