Elliot's car slowly pulled up in front of the banquet hall. As soon as his door swung open, a large group of people swarmed him.

"Eli, you're finally here! We've been waiting forever. You promised to play the video today. I've already spoken to the manager about it."

"Yeah, we even got you the biggest screen available. It's guaranteed that everyone will see everything clearly!"

His buddies chattered excitedly, imagining the reactions from the guests once the video started playing. Their eyes sparkled with anticipation.

They had waited years for this day.

Naturally, Elliot walked right in the center of the horde. He hummed casually, fidgeting with the gift box in his hand.

"What's the rush? It's still early. People haven't even shown up yet. Also, Serena legitimately thinks I'm announcing our relationship today. She even gave me a birthday present."

Every pair of eyes landed on the

Time ticked by minute by minute, and the scheduled moment arrived. Yet, neither Serena nor their parents had arrived. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd, with some guests wondering if something had happened.

"Eli, maybe give them a call?" suggested someone.

"Yeah! Serena loves you very much. There's no way that she'd be late. Something may have happened."

Displeasure clouded his expression as he pulled out his phone. It was only then that he noticed Serena's message from half an hour ago.

He opened the message and, instantly, his brows furrowed tightly. A chill settled over his face like a frost as he stared fixedly at the screen. His expression was unreadable.

Catching the shift in his demeanor, his buddies grew curious. "What's wrong, Eli? Did something really go wrong?"

He produced a cold chuckle. "Serena found out I was going to release her video today. She told me to o

The Lowell family was one of the top elites, so Serena had heard her fair share of rumors when she moved in. She had even consulted Karen in private. As such, she knew for a fact that her mother had not come between Elliot's parents.

However, even if she told this to Elliot, he wouldn't believe her.

This was why she needed Vincent to confirm it personally. She was hoping to draw the truth out of him indirectly.

"People talk... And it seems that even Eli thinks that way."

Vincent let out a heavy sigh. Rubbing his temples, he recounted the story in detail. "Back then, your mother and I were in love and planned to get married. But the gap in our status was too great, and we were forced to separate. 

"When your mother got married, I intended to stay single for life. But my family pressured me into an arranged marriage. Eventually, I signed a contract with Eli's mom for a ten-year sham marriage, with plans for a divorce afterward. 

"After the wedding, however, she tore the contract up and tried to go back on her word. She even drugged me—that's how Eli came to be.

"When the ten years were up, I still chose to divorce Adeline. She used Eli as an excuse to refuse, so we never publicly announced the separation. It wasn't until two years later that I reunited with your mother and found out she'd been widowed for years. 

"I pursued her again, and that's how we built the family we have now. Adeline started causing all kinds of trouble after that. 

"Upon hearing about my marriage to your mom, she tragically took her life. To honor her memory, your mother and I decided not to clarify the rumors. I can't believe that they've reached your ears—how absurd!"

Seeing Vincent so fired up, Serena quietly ended the voice recording. She then requested to see the contract, which Vincent readily provided.

"This isn't something we can explain to Eli easily. All these years, he's held a grudge over his mother's death. Since you're his peer, take this and show it to him instead."

Serena accepted the paperwork and nodded solemnly.

Back in her room, she imported the recording to a USB drive and placed it in a gift box along with the contract. She picked up a ribbon and was just about to affix it to the box when Elliot knocked on the door and entered.

Catching sight of her mostly empty room, his eyes narrowed slightly. "Rena, why is your room so bare? Where are all the things I gave you?"

Serena calmly made up an excuse. "I didn't like them, so I threw them out."

Elliot didn't press further. Instead, he handed her another gift box. She opened it to find an extravagant evening gown.

"Rena, tomorrow's my birthday. I was thinking of announcing our relationship at the banquet. Will you wear this dress and go together with me?"

Serena gazed into his expectant eyes and nodded. "Alright."

His smile deepened. He bent down to kiss her, but she quickly handed over the gift box.

He looked at it with slight surprise, squinting at it momentarily. "Is this my birthday gift?"

Serena nodded. As he moved to open it, she stopped him in a calm and composed tone, saying, "Don't open it until tomorrow."

He raised an eyebrow, seemingly puzzled. "Then why give it to me today?"

She smiled faintly. "I'm just afraid that you'll be swamped with gifts tomorrow and won't get a chance to open mine."

Elliot ruffled her hair. "How could that happen? You'll always be number one in your big brother's heart."

Serena also smiled, but it never reached her eyes.

Indeed, she was the most important. But only because she was one of the people he hated the most.

Still, she hoped he would continue thinking so after opening the gift tomorrow.

"Then you had better remember, big bro, to open my gift at the start of the banquet."

Elliot thought it wouldn't hurt to spare a second or two opening her gift as it wouldn't delay the airing of the sex video significantly. A corner of his lips quirked upward into a smirk, and he promised, "Alright. I will open it in the first instance."

The next day, Serena had an early start to the day.

When she came downstairs, Elliot was about to depart.

When he saw that she hadn't changed into the dress, he flashed her a smile and reminded her, "The banquet starts at noon sharp. I'm heading over now, Rena. Don't be late! I'll be waiting for you."

Serena only silently replied in her heart, "I'm not showing up at your birthday banquet. Because... the spotlight will only be on you."

Shortly after his car left, Vincent and Karen came down with the suitcases.

She followed them obediently, wheeling herself to the car.

At the airport, the couple showered her with more advice. When it was time to board, Karen quickly handed her a contact number. "Rena, I won't be coming with you. This is Julian's number. Contact him when you arrive, okay?"

She nodded dutifully and tucked the slip of paper away. With the assistance of airline staff, she boarded the plane.

Before takeoff, she gazed out at the clouds above and sent Elliot one final message. It was one that would send shock traversing his body, but she didn't care.

Then, she blocked him on all social platforms and turned off her phone for good.

From now on, Serena Lorne's world would no longer include Elliot Lowell.

Elliot's car slowly pulled up in front of the banquet hall. As soon as his door swung open, a large group of people swarmed him.

"Eli, you're finally here! We've been waiting forever. You promised to play the video today. I've already spoken to the manager about it."

"Yeah, we even got you the biggest screen available. It's guaranteed that everyone will see everything clearly!"

His buddies chattered excitedly, imagining the reactions from the guests once the video started playing. Their eyes sparkled with anticipation.

They had waited years for this day.

Naturally, Elliot walked right in the center of the horde. He hummed casually, fidgeting with the gift box in his hand.

"What's the rush? It's still early. People haven't even shown up yet. Also, Serena legitimately thinks I'm announcing our relationship today. She even gave me a birthday present."

Every pair of eyes landed on the box, and they all burst into knowing laughter.

Every year on his birthday, Serena would carefully 

Chapter 9