12. Shadows of the past

Iril and Serena made their way to Ren's office without any obstacles. Perhaps the receptionist had already been informed of their arrival.

Knock... knock...

Iril knocked on Ren's office door.

Seeing Iril's behavior, Serena raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Even though Ren was Iril's cousin, Iril still didn't dare to enter without permission.

"Come in."

A deep, slightly husky, and charismatic baritone voice was heard.

Serena froze in surprise. Not because she was afraid, but because she really liked that voice.

Iril opened the door and stepped inside, followed by Serena.

When Serena laid eyes on Ren, she was once again taken aback. The man before her was incredibly handsome with jet-black hair, a sharp nose, thin yet sexy lips.

And those slightly brown eyes? They made Ren's attractiveness increase by 1000% in Serena's eyes.

"Ren this is Serena, my best friend. And S, this is Ren, my cousin."

Iril introduced Ren and Serena casually.

Hearing Iril's voice brought Serena back to reality. She had been too distracted by Ren's face.

She quickly composed herself, pretending as if nothing had happened.

Unbeknownst to Serena, Ren had already noticed her subtle gestures. A faint smile appeared on his lips—so faint that neither Iril nor Serena realized it.

Ren was completely satisfied with Serena's reaction upon seeing him.

"Mr. Shield," Serena greeted him, now composed.

"Serena," Ren responded briefly.

Serena blinked several times in surprise.

He called her by her first name, not her last.

Then, she remembered—

Iril had only introduced her first name earlier.

"My name is Serena Shine," Serena reintroduced herself.

"I know," Ren replied nonchalantly.

"Then why didn't you address me by my last name? Isn't that proper etiquette?" Serena grumbled inwardly.

"But whatever! I'll let it slide because of your handsome face… and because you're going to be my future boss."

Serena then sat beside Iril.

"Your job as my personal assistant means you have to follow me everywhere," Ren stated.

"Huh?"

Serena was shocked. It seemed like Ren had already made up his mind to hire her.

"What...? Weren't you here to work for me?" Ren asked seriously.

"Ah... yes, of course," Serena quickly answered.

"I was just confused. I thought today was just for an interview, so I was a bit surprised."

Hearing Serena's explanation, Ren didn't respond.

Instead, he stared at her intently.

"So, when do I start working?" Serena asked, trying to smooth over the situation.

"Tomorrow," Ren replied.

"Okay, Mr. Shield."

Suddenly, a knock was heard at the door, followed by a handsome man , Ren's secretary approaching him.

"The meeting is about to start, sir,"

the secretary informed him.

Ren turned back to Serena.

"Rendy will brief you on your tasks later," Ren said.

Serena nodded, and Ren left the office while Serena followed Rendy for further instructions.

After finishing, Serena and Iril bid farewell.

To thank Iril for helping her get the job, Serena decided to treat him to dinner.

They headed to a steak and shake restaurant.

At the same time, near the clinic where Elena worked…

Elena was glaring fiercely at David.

Judging by her expression, she was truly angry at him.

"No matter what you try to say, I will never be fooled. I know exactly what kind of person you are!" Elena said firmly.

David smirked and slowly stepped closer.

Elena tried to back away, but David was faster. He grabbed her arms tightly.

Elena winced in pain, but David didn't care.

He brought his face closer, smirking coldly as he spoke,

"If you don't want anything to happen to your daugher, do as I say!"

Hearing David's threat, Elena's fury peaked.

Without a second thought, she kicked him hard , right where it hurt the most.

David immediately released his grip, groaning in pain. He stared at Elena in disbelief, shocked that she had dared to kick him.

Elena quickly stepped back.

"You think I'm still the same weak woman I used to be? Don't be naive!"

Elena sneered.

"If you touch Serena, I will kill you with my own hands!"

David scoffed, spitting on the ground in disbelief.

"You don't believe me?" Elena smirked at his reaction.

She pulled out her phone and placed a call, putting it on speaker.

"Hey, ba—"

"If I wanted to kill someone, would you help me?" Elena interrupted the greeting.

"Of course!" the person on the other end answered without hesitation.

"But we should torture him first before killing him. After that, we'll bury him alive."

"Good idea," Elena agreed.

Hearing this, David was furious.

Without thinking, he slapped Elena hard across the face.

The impact was so strong that she fell to the ground.

"YOU WORTHLESS WOMAN!" David shouted as he kicked her again.

"BASTARD! LET GO OF ELENA!"

A loud voice came from Elena's phone.

Darian.

David ignored him and continued to kick Elena while spewing insults at her.

At the Hospital

Slowly, Elena opened her eyes.

"Ahh..."

She groaned in pain as she tried to move.

Hearing her voice, Darian, who had been on a call, immediately rushed to her side.

"Baby!" Darian called out, concerned.

"Don't move yet. You have fractured ribs."

No wonder the pain was unbearable when she tried to sit up.

"David?" Elena asked weakly.

Darian's expression darkened.

Instead of worrying about herself, she was asking about David?

"Is that really important right now?!" Darian snapped.

Realizing Darian was upset, Elena smiled sweetly at him, trying to calm him down.

"I'm sorry," she said gently, flashing her warmest smile.

"Don't smile if you don't mean it," Darian retorted firmly.

Seeing that her trick didn't work, Elena decided to act cute.

"Dariannn…" she called in a soft, pleading voice, giving him a sad look.

Anyone who saw her like this would surely melt.

Darian, who could never stay mad at Elena, let out a long sigh.

He took her hand in his, holding it tightly.

"Don't ever do anything dangerous again, please," he begged softly.

Elena didn't answer right away.

If the situation became critical and the people she loved were in danger, she wouldn't hesitate to put herself at risk again.

"You still have me," Darian said as if reading her thoughts.

"From the moment I fell for you, I also accepted the people you love as my own.

Maybe I don't love Serena as much as you do, but I will protect and care for her too.

You have me, baby.

So let me be the one to take the risks for you.

Understand?"

****