Game Over No Second Chances

The first light of dawn slowly crept over the horizon. As guests began boarding the cruise, their chatter filled the air.

Serena hadn't slept a wink all night. She had meant to change and go out to greet the guests, but her tired eyes and heavy steps nearly caused her to twist her ankle on the stairs.

Fortunately, Hugh caught her just in time. His warm palm gently encircled her slender wrist.

"Go rest," he said firmly.

"But the guests-"

"It's your birthday party. It'll go on for a while. They'll see the guest of honor eventually."

With that, Hugh guided her down the last two steps, waved off the approaching attendant, and personally escorted Serena to her room.

The suite was decorated entirely in Serena's style. Every piece, every detail-it was all exactly to her taste.

She paused at the threshold, and the sleepiness ebbed from her body. "Did... you arrange all this, Mr. Larson?"

"Yes. If there's anything you don't like, I'll have it changed."

He gently let go of her wrist, then told the staff to bring her some light snacks and warm milk to help her settle down. Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.

Serena didn't get a chance to say a word. She simply stared at his retreating figure and muttered to herself, "I like it all... but why'd you run off like that?"

As if she were some kind of monster.

And even if the suite hadn't been perfectly to her taste, the fact that someone had arranged all of this in just a few days-on a cruise, no less-was more than enough to move her.

It seemed that the famously sharp and distant Mr. Larson had a surprisingly meticulous side. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she stepped into the room.

But just then, a familiar, shrill voice rang out from the hallway.

"Hmph! We're the ones who've carried on the Larson bloodline, and we haven't gotten a damn thing.

"And now some new woman shows up and steals all the attention! Do you have any idea how much it? costs to rent this cruise for a day, not to mention entertaining all these elites? And for what?

"What makes Serena so special, anyway?" Melissa's voice dripped with jealousy.

Her fury grew sharper the more lavish the cruise appeared to her.

Eric's expression darkened. He ignored her tirade as he stormed forward and kicked the door open.

Melissa's anger flared even hotter. She shot Cole a look full of resentment.

"Cole! The next time your

grandfather sets you up with a

socialite, you

better throw her a ĕ

birthday party like this too! It's all the

Larson family's money-might as well use it. You're just as good as High!"

"Mom, can you not?" Cole muttered, feeling utterly humiliated. With his head

down, he turned to go into his room next door.

He still hadn't managed to win Serena over before her birthday party. The thought made his stomach churn with frustration.

Just then, a staff member arrived outside Serena's door. "Mrs. Larson, Mr. Larson asked us to bring you some light refreshments and warm milk. Would you prefer them by the bed or in the living room?" noveldrama

Cole instinctively glanced over.

Serena stepped out of her room with a soft smile and took the tray herself. "I'll bring it in myself. Thank you."

"Happy birthday, Mrs. Larson." The attendant nodded with a polite smile.

Serena returned the gesture with a grateful smile and slipped her a generous tip before turning to head back inside.

Then came Cole's voice from behind her. "Happy birthday."

Serena froze.

Even Melissa, who had been mid-rant, paused in shock. Had her precious son not heard a word of her complaints just now?

She was practically foaming at the mouth with jealousy, yet Cole had just... wished her a happy birthday?

Serena turned around. Across the long hallway, she met Cole's eyes—there was something urgent in his gaze.

It wasn't the look of a nephew toward his aunt. He was looking at her like a predator would size up its prey.