Serena arrived at the hospital in the afternoon, surprised to find Phoenix still there, attending to her mother with unexpected tenderness.
"Mrs. Nightingale, Serena is here," Phoenix said softly, prompting a slight movement from the figure on the bed.
"Mom…" Serena approached and took her mother's hand.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Nightingale. I'll assist Serena with the company. You just focus on getting better," Phoenix said, his hand covering Serena's in a warmth that made her flinch. But being trapped under his firm grip,she can't.
"Serena, you're here," a voice chimed in from behind, and the hand on her back swiftly withdrew, her face reverting to its customary aloofness.
"Amelia," Serena greeted tersely before continuing to tend to her mother.
Phoenix cleared his throat, shot a glance at Serena, and then exited.
"Serena, why are you only arriving now? Didn't you know how much Mrs. Nightingale has been thinking of you? I heard you were back in the country ages ago, why didn't you visit her? Last night, I couldn't reach you on the phone. No matter how busy, you shouldn't neglect Mrs. Nightingale. And after last night's event, you should have gone home. Why did you disappear?" Amelia's words painted Serena as utterly ungrateful.
Serena pressed her lips tightly and held her mother's hand. "Mom, I'm sorry, it's my fault. Don't worry, I'll handle the company issues. You... please take good care of yourself."
Amelia was about to speak further when Serena turned around abruptly. "Shall we talk outside?"
Amelia followed, halting at the staircase. "Serena, just tell me what's on your mind. If there's anything I can help with, I'll do my best."
Serena was straightforward. "I know you and Phoenix have feelings for each other. It was wrong of me to stand in your way. I'll step back from now on. I beg you, please spare Nightingale Corporation."
Amelia feigned surprise, concealing a triumphant smirk behind Serena's back. "Serena, what are you talking about? There's nothing between Phoenix and me. And regarding Nightingale Corporation... I had no idea..."
"You didn't know? Didn't you know what you said in front of my mother?" Serena, already on edge, lashed out with a hint of urgency in her tone. "Aren't you deliberately making her uncomfortable?!"
Amelia reached out as if to soothe Serena, but before her hand could touch her, Serena slapped it away.
Amelia pretended to stumble in shock, tumbling down the stairs.
Serena was stunned.
Weak from her illness and having not eaten since morning, she couldn't have possibly pushed Amelia. However, upon seeing Phoenix suddenly appear from the corner, Serena instantly understood everything.
"Serena, how could you become like this?" Phoenix's eyes glinted with hatred and disappointment, glaringly obvious.
Serena froze, then glanced at the fallen Amelia and scoffed. "Mr. Lee, aren't you supposed to console your beauty first before reproaching me?"
She forced a faint smile, her pride unwavering. "Yes, this is who I am. Has Mr. Lee just met me today?"
"Slap!"
A stinging slap landed on her face, yet Serena maintained her smile.
