Chapter 131
A Bunch Of Fakes.
“So, who is the new neighbor?” Serena asked her family.
Sterling frowned and heaved dramatically.
Alice coughed.
The Hartleys looked in no particular direction.
“Dad?” Serena repeated.
“He’s okay,” Sterling said with little enthusiasm.
Silas scoffed, glancing around. “The neighbors seem to love him p>
Celine smiled, especially as she glanced at the kids. “You’ll meet them. Our neighborhood association president insisted on giving them a grand tour of the community, and they couldn’t say no p>
Serena found their responses peculiar, but before she could question them, she suddenly felt the need to relieve her bladder.
“Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom,” Serena said.
“The guest’s restroom is the one in front of the library,” Celine replied.
It wasn’t Serena’s first time entering the premises. She had visited the property a couple of times when the Calderons lived there. She knew where it was.
Serena made her way in the direction of the mansion. At the same time, the group of women who had been gossiping about the new neighbor drifted in the same path, returning to their table.
“Hi, Serena. How are you doing p>
She turned to find Gwen Porter, the new project manager of HelixPoint.
“Hi, Gwen,” Serena greeted politely. “When did you return p>
Gwen was always traveling. The last time Serena had seen her was almost a year ago.
“Three weeks ago. I’m back for good,” Gwen said with a smile. “In fact, I’ll be working with your Al service provider, HelixPoint. My office sent you a proposal. Have you read it p>
Serena smiled. “I received it, but I prefer discussing business in the office, Gwen p>
Gwen returned an amiable smile. “I understand. I’ll see you and Silas at VanderMed Technologies next week p>
“Sure thing. I need to use the restroom. Excuse me, Gwen,” Serena said. Then, smiling at the other ladies, she added, “Ladies, excuse me p>
“See you later, Serena!” Lucy said.
Meanwhile, Daisy waved at her. “Chat with you later p>
“You look beautiful as always, Serena,” Mary complimented.
These were the socialites within their community. Serena had become friendly with some, not close, but acquainted.
For Serena, it had been difficult to connect with the younger ladies in the neighborhood, especially since she was caring for twins. Most women her age were still unmarried or had no children.
Serena finished up and headed back, but a crowd blocked the direct path. She took
a detour, slipping past the tables set along the edge of the lawn.
That was when she overheard the ladies’ real thoughts about her. And… they weren’t nice.
“From what I’ve heard, the real reason is that Stefan refused to be engaged to Serena,” Daisy said.
“Really?” Lucy reacted, rolling her eyes. “So they removed the Montgomerys because he refused to marry her p>
“Guys, maybe it’s the other way around,” Mary suggested. “Maybe Serena didn’t want to marry Stefan p>
The women paused, then laughed.
“Haha p>
“Please,” Daisy snorted.
“Sure, Serena is beautiful,” Lucy
admitted. “But how could she say no to Stefan? He’s one of the hottest bachelors in town. Plus, they’re well off. Maybe not as rich as them but Rexams standing, the Montgomerys are the third richest family in town p>
“And Serena already has kids,” Daisy added. “She’d be lucky for someone like Stefan to even offer a marriage alliance p>
“Honestly,” Gwen said, “I envied Serena when I heard she and Stefan might get married. That would’ve made her so lucky. I mean, that’s Stefan, guys p>
“Gwen, how could you be jealous of Serena? You have Brian Kingsley, the CEO of HelixPoint!” Daisy pointed out. “Brian’s family is the second richest in the city p>
Gwen chuckled awkwardly. She shrugged, “I was just saying p>
“You’re still the city’s golden girl, come on!” Lucy remarked. “Serena can’t beat you p>
“I don’t know,” Mary said. “I think there’s more to the story p>
Hearing them, Serena raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t realized these women harbored so much envy toward her. And Gwen? She seemed determined to win a rivalry Serena didn’t even know existed.
Clearly, they were a bunch of fakes.
Serena decided to end their
entertainment. She stepped forward
and said, didn’t agree to marry Stefan because he has a secret family a lover, and a four-year-old
child one that he and
his family kept
from us. Despite that, they still dared to propose a marriage alliance p>
The women paled.
“I hope that answers your curiosity.” Serena held their gaze. “You’re free to talk about me behind my back, but before you do at least get the facts straight. Otherwise, it’s pure slander p>
“Have you forgotten who I am?” Serena resumed, her voice strengthened a little. “I’m a Vander. Offenses against my family aren’t taken lightly, and Stefan’s family is learning that now p>
Serena didn’t know why, but she ended up telling a white lie. “Besides, I’m still in love with my ex-husband. He’s far better than Stefan Montgomery p>
Folding her arms, she added, “Even better than Brian Kingsley. Additionally, my ex- husband and I are in the process of patching things up p>
Petty? Maybe. But she wanted them to know she had never cared about Stefan, and that Gwen was never on her level.
Besides, there was… some truth to it.
The women fell silent. Only Mary spoke. “Serena, we’re sorry. We didn’t mean to talk about you p>
Mary shot the others a sharp look. “I told you, guys p>
The rest were too stunned to respond; their earlier boldness had vanished.
Where was their courage now?
Gwen’s mouth opened, as if she wanted to say something more, when voices erupted from the back tables.
“It’s him. It’s him. He’s back p>
“He’s so gorgeous p>
Serena wasn’t looking. She kept staring at Gwen… until she heard her children
scream.
“Daddy p>
“Daddy p>
“Nathan?” Serena looked up.
Her heart skipped a beat. “What is he doing here p>