"Thanks for today; we'll meet again on another occasion." A few men rose from their seats and shook hands with Serena, one by one. As she was about to leave, a man suddenly stopped her.
"Miss Serena, can we talk for a moment?" he said, causing Serena to pause with a surprised expression. Her eyes widened as she saw Romeo standing there. She truly didn't expect him to appear.
"Romeo Rhys, how did you manage to be here?"
"You don't need to worry because I just want to talk briefly with you. Can you spare a moment? I promise it won't take long." Romeo smiled while looking at her. Meanwhile, Serena remained silent, trying to stay calm. Somehow, she felt that her encounter with Romeo here wasn't without reason. Serena was confident that Romeo appeared with the intention of taking her to meet Rhys. He must be the one who ordered him.
Serena thought so because Romeo would never have any business with her, especially since they weren't close.
"How about it? I promise it'll be quick. I just want to discuss a few things with you. But if you don't want to, I won't force you." Romeo stared at her intently, as if trying to convince Serena that he only wanted a brief conversation.
After a brief moment of silence and contemplation, Serena finally accepted Romeo's invitation to talk. "Just a moment. I don't have much time as my husband is waiting outside."
"I promise," Romeo said, asking Serena to sit back in one of the chairs. Both of them took a seat. Before starting the conversation, Romeo ordered two drinks for them. Serena tried to decline, but he insisted, leaving Serena with no choice but to comply with his every request.
"What do you want to talk about? Please get straight to the point," Serena said. For some reason, she felt uneasy. Serena couldn't be calm after meeting Romeo like this.
"I just want to chat about a few things with you. How have you been? But looking at your condition, it seems you're doing well," Romeo said. Serena looked at him with a puzzled expression. She truly didn't understand why he was making small talk like this.
"You came here because Rhys ordered you, right? How did he find me here? Did he send someone to tail me?"
"Not at all. It's just a coincidence. I had just finished meeting a friend here and happened to run into you. To confirm, I approached. Turns out my suspicion was correct; it was you," Romeo appeared calm. He didn't seem entirely convincing, leaving Serena unable to determine whether he was telling the truth or lying. Nonetheless, Serena couldn't shake off her suspicions. After all, she knew Romeo was Rhys's trusted person. She was confident Rhys would instruct Romeo to find her.
"I heard you mention a husband earlier. Does that mean you're married?"
"Cut the small talk and just say what you really want to convey. No need to beat around the bush; it's just wasting my time," Serena said. Romeo chuckled upon hearing her words.
Shortly after, a waiter arrived with the drinks they had ordered, then placed them on the table. "You seem quite busy, asking me to hurry. How about you calm yourself for a moment? Have a drink, and after that, I'll explain," Romeo suggested.
Serena remained silent, staring at the drinks Romeo had just ordered. For some reason, her suspicions grew stronger, and not only that, she felt that something was amiss. Serena sensed that Romeo might be planning something to trap her, but she wasn't sure what it was.
"Don't you like your drink? Should I order a different one?" Romeo asked, breaking her reverie.
"You're not trying to trap me, are you?"
"Trap you? It seems you've changed a lot since we last met. But if you think I put something in your drink, how about we swap?" Romeo suddenly exchanged their untouched drinks. "Now you can feel at ease, right?"
Romeo promptly took a sip of the drink they had just swapped. Seeing him perfectly fine, Serena felt a bit more at ease. Her suspicion lessened slightly. Serena then reached for her drink and took a sip.
"So, I invited you to talk because I wanted to explain the situation with Mr. Rhys after your departure. You have no idea how devastated he is, do you?" Romeo said.
Serena suddenly fell silent, unable to speak. Her vision seemed to blur, and Romeo's voice became faint. Serena felt a headache coming on just after finishing her ordered drink.
My head suddenly feels dizzy. Damn! I know, I shouldn't to trust him. Serena vigorously shook her head, attempting resistance. She fought hard to regain control of her body and consciousness. Unfortunately, the sedative's effects in her drink were too potent, rendering Serena completely helpless.
Her vision blurred further, and eventually, Serena slumped unconscious.
Romeo fell silent, observing Serena now unconscious beside him. "Forgive me, but this is the only way I could ensure you'd come with me to meet Mr. Rhys..."
Romeo shifted his attention to some of his associates sitting at another table not far from him. With a gesture, he signaled to them that their plan had succeeded. Romeo quickly instructed his associates to prepare the car while keeping an eye on the situation, ensuring that Hugh, who was waiting outside, wouldn't discover they were taking Serena away. Once it was safe, they left the restaurant with unconscious Serena in their company.
*
"Listen! Whoever sent you, and whatever their motive, you won't be able to carry out your plan to harm Serena as long as I'm around!" Hugh stared intensely at the man, delivering a threat before finally leaving.
Ollie remained silent, trying to digest what Hugh had just said. The man still couldn't comprehend how Hugh knew so much about their actions, as if Hugh had been secretly watching them.
Arriving at the parking lot, Hugh's attention immediately shifted to the entrance. He glanced at his wristwatch briefly to check. It had been quite a while since Serena went in, and she hadn't come out yet. For some reason, I've had a bad feeling since encountering that guy.
Hugh didn't want to wait any longer. He didn't want to stand there like a fool while something might be happening to Serena, who was causing her not to come out until now. Trying to remain calm, Hugh entered the restaurant and quickly scanned the entire room. He looked around to find where Serena might be sitting. However, Hugh couldn't find the woman he was looking for, and that made him even more anxious.
Hurriedly, Hugh approached one of the waiters working there to inquire about the table used for the business meeting. They informed him that the customers there had left a few minutes ago. Damn it! I knew something was wrong!
The man fell silent for a moment, contemplating a way to find Serena, until he remembered his wedding ring, which functioned similarly to Shawn's necklace. Hugh could track Serena using their wedding rings. Quickly, Hugh entered his car. He pressed a button on the car's dashboard, and a holographic screen appeared. Hugh began working to trace Serena's whereabouts.
I underestimated this! Turns out, the man didn't come alone, but with his other associates. It seems he had planned this in advance. Hugh gritted his teeth, his hands clenched tightly, hitting the steering wheel with all his might. Hugh didn't expect to be caught off guard like this, and Serena to be captured.
They better watch out; if they dare to harm Serena, I won't hesitate to strike back! Hugh started the car's engine, gripping the steering wheel tightly, before speeding away from there. He had to catch up with Romeo, who now brought Serena with him.
*
Romeo: I've successfully located Miss Serena, sir. She's with us now.
Rhys immediately rose from his chair upon receiving Romeo's message. In haste, he grabbed the jacket he had taken off earlier and his car keys. Then, he rushed out of his office.
"Sir, where are you going?" Jasper, whom he encountered at the door, tried to stop him, looking puzzled.
"I have urgent matters. I need to leave now. While I'm gone, please take care of everything." Rhys patted Jasper's shoulder before continuing his journey, leaving the man standing there in bewilderment.
Jasper remained silent, watching Rhys with a confused expression, not understanding why Rhys was in such a hurry. He observed Rhys walking away until he disappeared at the corridor intersection leading to the elevator.
"What's going on with him?" Jasper murmured quietly.
Rhys stepped into the elevator. Once there, he immediately pressed the button for the basement where his car was parked. He was eager to go and meet Serena, who was now with Romeo. Finally, they had managed to bring Serena. I can't wait to talk to her. There are so many things I want to ask her once I meet her...
***