Chapter 33

Serena clasped a hand over her mouth. “Goodness. Do Mr. and Mrs. Turner know?”

“They will soon,” Sebastian replied coolly.

Serena was surprised. “They’re okay with this?”

“They will be,” he said with unwavering confidence.

Daphne was puzzled. Sebastian had openly acknowledged her as his fiancée in front of Serena, yet Serena didn’t seem upset. What exactly was Sebastian’s relationship with Serena?

Noticing Daphne’s confusion, Sebastian’s expression softened. “Well? Are you going to keep standing there?”

The group stepped into the apartment. Unlike that morning, Daphne felt far from at ease; a subtle awkwardness crept over her. Meanwhile, Serena was still studying the perfume bottle.

“So… our family actually makes perfume?” she mumbled to herself.

Sebastian took a hairdryer from the bathroom cabinet. “Are you going to dry your hair yourself, or should I help?” he asked Daphne.

Daphne wouldn’t let Sebastian dry her hair; they weren’t that intimate. She rushed over and took the hairdryer. “I’ll do it myself.”

After Daphne finished drying her hair, her curiosity overwhelmed her. “So… what’s your relationship with Serena, exactly?” she asked in a hushed voice.

The moment the words left her mouth, Sebastian’s gaze locked onto hers. That unwavering stare sent a chill down Daphne’s spine. Was he angry? But why? Just because she asked about his connection with Serena?

Daphne considered apologizing, feeling she might have overstepped.

But then Sebastian said in a neutral tone, “She’s the girl next door.”

His answer was straightforward, but Daphne blurted out, “So… childhood sweethearts?”

Sebastian’s eyes narrowed. “Daphne, I know exactly what you’re thinking. Serena and I grew up together. There’s nothing romantic between us. She just returned from studying abroad, and her father asked me to look after her. That’s all.”

“But are you looking for an excuse to back out of this engagement? Let me make this clear, Daphne. You were the one who came to me. If you think you can just walk away now, you’ll be sorry.”

It was the first time Daphne had heard Sebastian speak with such intensity. A flicker of unease washed over her. She shifted her gaze and pretended to be occupied.

“I was just asking. It’s not like I said I wanted to call off the engagement. Why are you so worked up?”

Sebastian eyed her coldly but didn’t press further. “Right. You’d better not. Don’t forget our agreement.” Daphne remembered the most important rule: only Sebastian could decide if they were to divorce. By that logic, breaking off the engagement could only be his call, too.

Daphne no longer wanted to face Sebastian’s piercing stare. She quickly said goodbye to Serena and turned to leave. However, Sebastian insisted on walking her to the car.

As they arrived at the parking lot, Daphne noticed her car tires had been punctured with nails. The brakes had also been tampered with.

Sebastian, an amateur car racer, had a habit of checking cars. If not for that, Daphne would have driven off in her usual rush, potentially causing a serious accident. The realization drained the color from her face.