Game Over No Second Chances

"Ah!" Sarah screamed, staring in disbelief at Serena, who had just twisted her wrist. "You... How did you see-"

Serena glanced sideways at the decorative mirror in the corner. It reflected everything behind her with perfect clarity.

She let out a small laugh, then calmly took the champagne from Sarah's hand and poured it all over her.

"Who's dumb enough to try something like that right in front of everyone?"

Sarah shrieked uncontrollably. The pale liquid soaked her bare back, causing the surrounding guests to quickly step away.

Serena casually set the now-empty glass on a passing waiter's tray. Ignoring the stunned looks around her, she met Sarah's incredulous eyes with complete calm. "If you love champagne that much," she said coolly, "then drink your fill."

"Serena, you bitch!" Sarah's shrill insult cut off abruptly.

Her eyes froze, locked onto something-or someone-behind Serena.

Serena raised an eyebrow, then turned her head slightly-just in time to bump into a firm chest. She looked up to see Hugh, who had already reached out and was gently brushing stray champagne droplets from her fur shawl.

"It's stained. Have someone bring her a new one," he said evenly.

Holly rushed over at once. "Right away. Please prepare a fresh dress for Mrs. Larson."

But Serena smiled and stopped her.

"There's no need. You've already brushed it all off. Compared to my dear future niece-in-law over there, I'm practically spotless."

Her use of the title lit a fresh fire in Sarah's eyes.

Fuming, Sarah wiped the champagne from her face and snapped, "Don't try to pull rank on me! We're both-"

"This is the Larson family's event," Serena cut in coldly. "We agreed to keep everything in its place your promise to Grandpa and Melissa still stands. You're not even officially part of this family yet, and you're already going back on your word?"noveldrama

She glanced at Hugh's chest. His tie was in place, but the clip was missing.

How typical of him. He was always sharp but never flashy.

Without skipping a beat, she pulled a tie clip from her purse and stepped closer.

"At a Nebula Design event, it'd be a shame if you didn't wear at least one Nebula Design piece."

"I've never worn a tie clip before," Hugh said smoothly, opening his arms slightly.

It was hard to tell whether he was inviting her into his embrace or just making room for her to clip it on.

Chandler, standing nearby, quietly looked away.

His boss was clearly lying. There was no way someone from the Larson family didn't know how to use a tie clip.

And yet, Serena didn't seem to care about Sarah at all. She only had eyes for Hugh.

Sarah, now dripping wet, had been reduced to the background. She hadn't expected to be ignored, thoroughly. Her eyes turned red as tears welled up.

In a fit of frustration, she threw herself toward Cole. "Cole, look what she did to me!"

"Gross," Cole muttered, blocking her and stepping away in disgust.

Sarah froze mid-step. Her shoulders slumped, the light in her eyes dimming.

A sour

Why

swelled in her chest.

Sergh care so much aboo

Serena, while Cole couldn't spare her a kind word?

Hugh's icy voice cut through the tension as he said, "Control your fiancée."

Cole didn't reply. He only watched, silent and brooding, as Serena fastened the tie clip for Hugh.

Serena seemed oblivious to the

glances exchanged behind her. She adjusted the clip carefully, then nodded with satisfaction at her

work. She even gave the tie clip a light tap.

"It looks great," she said cheerfully. "Do you want to try it with the watch?"

"What else did you bring?" Hugh asked, the cold edge in his eyes softening with a trace of affection.