Their precious girl had just come back. Anyone who wanted to take her from them was an enemy!
The family was in perfect sync, speaking one after another in a seamless performance.
A childhood engagement?
It was a non-issue!
They wouldn't let anyone use that to trap their precious granddaughter/daughter/sister!
She should be free to choose who she loves. A forced arrangement was out of the question!
Nicholas seemed to have anticipated their reaction. Listening to them, the smile on his face grew even more captivating, his cool demeanor tinged with an ethereal charm.
"The elders are right."
He smiled, his intense gaze fixed on Serena. "That's why I'm not here today to force Serena into anything based on an old agreement. I just want to ask... what Serena herself thinks."
As he spoke, he leaned slightly in Serena's direction, his focus sharp and unwavering.
The elegant scent of pine once again drifted past Serena's nose.
Serena was at a loss for words.
So, when he had called out her name in that lingering, intimate tone outside the private room, it was all in preparation for this moment.
Just as she expected, the moment the Lancaster family heard Nicholas use her first name so familiarly, their expressions soured. They glared at him, their eyes practically shooting daggers.
Serena?
When did they get to know each other? Were they that close? Close enough for first names? Who gave him permission?
The Lancasters all turned to Serena in unison, their eyes wide, as if waiting for her to reject Nicholas Blackwood on the spot.
The entire room fell silent. All eyes were on Serena.
Panicked, she quickly stepped aside and pulled out her phone to call Agnes.
Agnes was the maid who had looked after her since she was a child, practically her nanny, and they were very close.
For years, whenever she had a problem, her first instinct was to ask Agnes for help and advice.
As soon as the call connected, Isabella told Agnes her suspicion, her voice cracking by the end. "Agnes, what do I do? What if... what if Mom and Dad think I'm the one who hurt Brianna? If they're angry with me, will they kick me out of the Lancaster family to appease Nicholas?"
Agnes's voice was soothing. "Don't let your imagination run wild. Mr. Blackwood isn't that kind of person. Why would he go to your parents over such a small matter? He was probably just at Le Céleste by chance."
"But... but what if Nicholas is really here because of Brianna? I'm... I'm scared..." She didn't even dare to enter the room now.
"Isabella!" Agnes's voice sharpened, becoming serious. "The most important thing for you to do right now is to stay calm. You absolutely cannot panic! If you panic, you'll fall right into that wretched Serena's trap!"
She reminded her, "Isabella, Mr. Blackwood and that conniving Serena are both in that room right now. That girl is incredibly scheming. Once she sees how outstanding Mr. Blackwood is and finds out who he is, she'll definitely try to seduce him and latch onto him!"

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