A little while later, Serena called Vanessa to share her news-she'd just bought another place at Cloudcrest Manor.
"Wait, what? Serena, doesn't your brother already have a house there?" Vanessa sounded surprised.
"He does, but I'm not about to live in his place. I can afford my own, you know." There was a hint of defiance in Serena's tone.
Vanessa's concern was immediate. "Did I cause trouble between you and your brother again?"
"This isn't about you. Seriously, don't worry. Now that I'm living in the same complex, there's no way Eleanor will be able to get close to my brother." Serena's words brimmed with determination.
"Serena, thank you for being on my side."
"You're going to be my sister-in-law someday-who else would I stick up for?" Serena's voice turned playful, then, with a stubborn edge, she added, "I'm living in Xavier's building now. Don't tell me I won't run into him. I'm going to make sure he finally sees the real me."
"Xavier will definitely notice, especially with how much you care," Vanessa
encouraged her. "Go for it! But if anything gets too tough or you feel upset, just let me know."
Serena felt a warmth in her chest. "You're the only one who cares about me, Vanessa. Not like my brother-he always sides with other people."
"What did he do this time?"
Serena thought about the way her brother had praised Eleanor, and the bitterness rose up again. But she held it back, not wanting to upset Vanessa. With a small laugh, she said, "It's nothing. You should come over to my new place whenever you have time."
“Will do,” Vanessa replied, her smile clear even through the phone.
Serena returned to Cloudcrest Manor to pack her things. She'd made up her mind -not coming back to her brother's house anymore. Just the thought of Eleanor living upstairs made her feel unlucky.
At that moment, Gavin Young arrived with lan's freshly dry-cleaned shirts. Spotting Serena, he jumped in surprise.
"Miss Goodwin, you're here!"
Serena was just wheeling her suitcase out the door.
"Miss Goodwin, would you like me to drive you?" Gavin offered quickly.
“No need. Oh, but could you do me a favor and tell my brother I've bought my own place here at Cloudcrest Manor? Don't need to stay at his house anymore." Serena, still bristling, hauled her suitcase away.
Gavin stood there, a little stunned. He finished hanging lan's suits in the closet, tidied up the room, and then left.
Back at Goodwin & Co., while delivering documents, Gavin remembered what Serena had said. Seizing the moment, he reported, "Mr. Goodwin, Miss Goodwin has packed up and left your place at Cloudcrest Manor."
lan didn't even look up, his pen moving across the page as he signed his name with practiced precision. "Alright."
"She also mentioned she's bought her own house in Cloudcrest Manor-"
lan's pen paused. He finally looked up.
Gavin hurried to clarify, "Miss Goodwin asked me to pass that message on to you."
"Which building did she buy?" lan's voice turned cold, each word clipped with tightly reined anger.
Taken aback by the sudden intensity, Gavin stammered, "She didn't say exactly, but I can find out right away."
lan nodded.
Gavin hurried off to his office and contacted the property management at Cloudcrest Manor. He got the answer within minutes and returned to report.
"Mr. Goodwin, I've found out-Miss Goodwin bought an apartment on the twentieth floor of building eight." He hesitated, then added, "That's the same building as Mr. Vaughn."
"She really—” lan bit back the rest of his words, exhaling sharply.
He pressed his fingers to his brow, eyes closing as he leaned back in his chair, his jaw clenched tight.
He was clearly furious.
In his mind, his father's last words, spoken before he passed away, echoed:
"Ian, Serena's still young and headstrong. As her brother, you have to look out for her."
lan swallowed hard, opened his eyes, and the anger in them faded, if only a little.
Once Gavin left, lan picked up his phone and dialed Serena's number.
She answered, her voice already wary. "What do you want, lan?"
"Return the Cloudcrest Manor apartment. Immediately." Ian's tone left no room for negotiation.
"And why should I?" Serena snapped, instantly defensive. "I bought it with my own money. It's none of your business."
"I'll give you three days," lan's voice dropped, cold and steely. "Otherwise, I'll freeze all your accounts."
Serena's outrage was palpable even through the phone. "You-you can't control me like this!"
"I'm your brother, that's why. I'll find you a better place in the city center."
lan stood and crossed to the floor-to-ceiling window. "Xavier isn't right for you. When will you face reality?"
"Why can Eleanor do things I can't? Back when you were in a coma, Eleanor took care of you and you were so moved you married her. Why can't I have a chance to move Xavier?"
lan stiffened, his grip on the phone so tight his knuckles went white. "Serena, you're degrading yourself."
"I don't care!" Serena shot back, all stubborn rebellion.
“Three days.” Ian's voice was dangerously calm. “I'll buy you a place at No. 8,
Emerald Bay. Either move there, or come home."
lan dialed another number, calling his private financial manager.
"Mr. Goodwin, are you sure you want to-"
"Freeze all her accounts." lan's voice was calm and resolute.
Half an hour later, while Serena was having afternoon tea with a friend, still
seething from her brother's words, her phone buzzed with several new messages.