Chapter 11
Seren was momentarily stunned; she’d never heard of someone sending a substitute to a blind date before.
But the name Lennon Crestwell was familiar.
As the eldest son of the Crestwell family, he was Seaside City’s most celebrated prodigy-a name known to practically everyone.
Barely out of his twenties, he’d started from nothing and built NE Group, now ranked among the world’s top corporations. Not even thirty, and already worth billions, he was the city’s youngest self-made tycoon. In Seaside City, if he so much as snapped his fingers, the whole city would feel the tremor.
Seren had only ever heard stories about him-never expected to meet the man in person. Let alone meet him like this, across a table, on a date arranged by their families. It all felt surreal, like she was drifting through a dream.
Lennon, on the other hand, was perfectly composed. His pale, elegant fingers held a carved porcelain teapot as he poured her a cup of tea. His features were striking, and even the simple act of pouring tea was mesmerizing to watch.
“Miss Bradley, I must say, I find you quite charming,” he said, his voice even and pleasant. “May I ask what you look for in a partner p>
Seren had just gotten out of a relationship and wasn’t about to jump into anything
new.
She was just trying to think of how to answer when her phone buzzed in her pocket. Sheridan’s name popped up on the screen.
Without a second thought, Seren declined the call.
There was nothing left to say to Sheridan.
She’d devoted three years to caring for him, and still, he’d managed to send her away without a hint of warmth. Seren realized that a heart left cold for three years wouldn’t warm no matter how much longer she waited. She wasn’t about to waste another second.
Her greatest strength was a clear-sighted capacity to let go. She viewed love as a two-way street; able to accept delayed returns but never a one-sided investment. When no return was forthcoming, she would walk away in time.
But the phone wouldn’t stop. Moments after she hung up, it rang again, relentless. Sheridan was not about to give up so easily.
“Do you need some privacy?” Lennon asked, glancing at her phone with a gentleman’s composure.
“It’s fine. Just a quick call,” Seren replied lightly.
Lennon nodded, a subtle smile on his lips as he settled back and sipped his tea, saying nothing more.
The faint steam curled between them as Seren answered the call. Sheridan’s angry voice erupted on the other end.
“Seren, you storm out and turn my house upside down, and I said nothing! Now you ignore my calls too p>
Her reply was cold and steady. “I didn’t storm out-I broke up with you p>
That shut him up for a moment. When he spoke again, his tone was sharp and cutting. “Are you out of your mind? I just picked Willa up from the airport, and you’re breaking up over that p>
“To me, it’s not a
small thing,” Seren
said, voice firm. “It speaks volumes. There’s no need to wait until you
bring. Wilfa back to The Golden Age. I have de interest in love triangles and refuse to fight another woman for a man. That’s beneath me. I’m still young. I have options-and you’re not the only one p>
“So, we’re done p>
Sheridan was livid, his voice losing all pretense of charm. “Fine, break up! If your parents never taught you not to be so spoiled do it for them you really think, after this any man would want you? You’re damaged goods, Seren p>
His words grew more and more hysterical, nothing like the gentle man he pretended to be.
“That’s none of your concern,” Seren shot back, and hung up.
For three years, she had mistaken Sheridan’s temper as a symptom of his disability. It took until now for her to recognize it as a constant, independent of his condition. What she had aken for politeness was. merely a mask.
Seren took a deep breath to steady herself, then turned to Lennon.
“Mr. Crestwell, I assume you’ve heard enough to know my situation. Do you still want to ask what I want in a partner p>
Lennon’s voice was calm and measured. “Since you’ve ended things with your ex, Miss Bradley, that means I have a chance. Of course I want to know what you’re looking for p>
She met his gaze and said, “If we’re both here to find a partner, then the goal is marriage. So my only real question is, are you ready to marry me p>
She said it intending to scare him off.
Eligible bachelors like Lennon rarely wanted serious relationships. He was probably just here for fun.
After hearing about her “baggage,” there was no way he’d actually want to marry
her.