Chapter 3 Please Herself

At the mention of 'Beckett,' Serena's heart skipped a beat, and her face involuntarily darkened. "Just tell him I'm not here!"

Darcy nodded obediently and was about to turn away when Serena stopped her. "Wait!"

She pressed her lips together, stood up, and walked toward the landline in the living room. "I'll take it. He went to the trouble of calling the house. What if... he has an urgent matter?"

Avoidance isn't the answer! In her past life, that scumbag had used her, deceived her, and ruined her life. This time, she would keep her eyes wide open and see through his tricks!

"Serena!" Just two steps out the door, her father's steady voice called out from behind.

Serena froze, her heart swelling with emotion. "If you're upset, just come back home. Mom and Dad will always be your strongest support!"

Her eyes seemed to fill with tears again...

"I know, thank you, Dad!" Serena didn't turn back, continuing to walk forward.

Bram had never had a high opinion of Clint. He felt that Clint was too calculating and not suitable for his innocent daughter.

He had strongly opposed their marriage at the time, but Serena had been stubborn and insisted on marrying him. In the end, he reluctantly agreed, feeling sorry for his precious daughter.

Serena and Clint had both graduated from the A University. The first time they met was when she was in her senior year and he, as an outstanding graduate, returned to the university to attend a gratitude ceremony.

At the school's auditorium entrance, he accidentally bumped into her. He quickly helped her up, asked if she was okay, and insisted on getting her contact information. Later, he called to apologize, leaving a polite and gentlemanly impression on her.

After that, he relentlessly pursued her, being incredibly considerate, and she, having no prior experience with love, quickly fell for him.

She had thought she was marrying for love, but it turned out she had been diving into the abyss hidden beneath that love.

With his connection as the Mayor's son-in-law, Clint quickly rose through the ranks, going from a business manager at a listed company to a member of the leadership team.

Two years later, after gaining enough connections and resources, he struck out on his own and rapidly became a new business tycoon in Vernon.

Soon after Clint firmly established himself, Serena's parents were struck and killed by a runaway truck during their evening walk after dinner.

Looking back now, Serena felt foolish, as the timing of that truck's loss of control seemed too coincidental. Everything had been carefully orchestrated by Clint.

Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Serena found herself standing in front of the landline.

Grabbing the cold receiver, she mustered her courage and lifted it to her ear. "Hello! This is Serena!"

"Serena! It's me!" The deep, magnetic voice that had once made Serena's heart race sounded from the other end of the line.

She shuddered, her hand shaking, nearly dropping the receiver...

"Heh!" With a cold laugh, Serena tried to calm herself, "I know, what is it?!"

If it weren't for the suffering she had endured, the hardships she had faced, just hearing that magnetic and soft voice would have made Serena willingly follow Clint's every command, not to mention his enchanting face.

But unfortunately, Serena had long since undergone a transformation and was no longer the naive fool who could be easily deceived by him.

The person on the other end of the phone seemed a little unprepared for Serena's cold attitude, his tone clearly showing surprise, "Serena, stop messing around, come back quickly."

"Come back?!" Serena crooked her lips in silence, "Come back to do what? Watch you and your mistress have an affair right under my nose?!"

"You..."

She had never spoken to Clint in such a tone before, and it was clear that he was shocked.

Serena felt a secret satisfaction; this was the effect she wanted.

In the past, she had put up with him because she loved him-following him obediently, doing everything he asked. Even when he had a mistress, she convinced herself it was her fault. Maybe it was because she could never carry a baby to term. Maybe if she just tried harder, if she were more patient, he'd come back to her.

So she tried. Again and again.

But all her babies were gone.

He killed them.

Now, when she looked at him, she didn't see the man she once loved. He was nothing more than a pile of dog shit.

She would never sacrifice herself for him again.

"...It sounds like you're in a bad mood..."

"Bad mood?! What's wrong with my mood?! Is it a problem that I'm not obeying you anymore?!" Serena's tone became even colder.

Clint's gaze flickered, and he simply said, "Stop being so willful! It was hasty of me to mention divorce that day. I was drunk, speaking without thinking. Don't hold it against me. Come back home!"

Heh! What 'speaking without thinking'? He was clearly worried because she was still the daughter of the Mayor, and he was afraid her father might use his influence to suppress him!

Serena shook her head in disbelief. No wonder, after their argument, her parents had that car accident so soon.

Thinking of her parents' safety, Serena gathered some courage, "Fine, I'll come back!"

Seemingly not expecting her to agree so readily, the person on the other end paused, "Okay! I'll wait for you at home!"

After hanging up, Serena informed her father and then went upstairs to her bedroom.

Sitting in front of the vanity, looking at herself in the mirror-her skin as smooth as cream and her eyebrows like distant mountains-she gently curved her lips upward.

Yes, with such beauty, how could she have been so blind in her previous life to be seduced by Clint, that toad?

She opened her long-forgotten makeup bag, took out an eyebrow pencil, and lightly traced her already beautiful eyebrows.

Not long after they met, Clint had told her he liked her natural, unadorned look. Because of that, she had foolishly discarded her makeup bag at the most beautiful age, never using makeup again.

Looking back now, it was laughable!

She was already stunning, and with just a simple touch-up, Serena was beautiful enough to steal anyone's attention.

Standing up, she walked to the wardrobe, her gaze sweeping through the row of white dresses, and her brows involuntarily furrowed, "I actually used to tolerate Clint so much that I threw away all those beautiful clothes?!"

Reluctantly, she bent down and rummaged through the lower corner, finally pulling out a bright red strapless gown.

It was the one she had worn at the school's New Year's Eve party before meeting Clint.

After getting dressed, she looked at the full-length mirror, seeing her red lips, white teeth, and graceful figure. Serena smiled with satisfaction.

In the past, she had sacrificed so much for Clint. From now on, she would only please herself!

She stepped out of the house in six-centimeter heels. Since her father didn't like attention, she didn't use the family car but instead stood by the road, raising her hand to hail a taxi.

By coincidence, every single taxi that passed by was already occupied.

After several failed attempts, Serena sighed in frustration. But when she looked up, a black Maybach appeared in front of her.

As her gaze fell on it with confusion, the window slowly rolled down, revealing another face she didn't particularly want to see.

Crossing her arms, Serena sneered, "Well, well, what wind blew you in, Mr. Xavier Blaze?"

***