32nd floor, inside Christan's room.
Grandpa Bryan sat on the couch, studying him closely. "Alright, spill it. Why did you lie to bring me here?"
"Grandpa, I want you to meet someone." After a moment's thought, Christan looked up and answered.
"Someone? Interesting, because I also have someone I want you to meet," Grandpa Bryan replied with a sly smile.
"You want me to meet someone too? Here?"
"Yes. She happens to be staying in this hotel as well."
"In that case, how about tonight we both invite the people we want each other to meet and have dinner together?"
"Sure! It's a deal."
...
Back in room 3502, not long after they arrived, Xavier was called away for an urgent matter by one of his subordinates.
Before leaving, he reminded Serena that he might not be back for dinner and told her to call the restaurant to order food on her own.
Since her leg was injured, Serena could only stay curled up on the sofa reading.
Her phone beeped twice. She picked it up and saw the sender was an unfamiliar number.
She opened the message:
[Miss Knowles, this is Christan Ryder. Apologies-I got your number from your friend Vega. I was wondering if you're free tonight. I'd like to invite you to dinner.]
Serena didn't think much of it and started typing a refusal: [Sorry, I'm currently not very mobile, so I won't be...]
Before she could finish the message, a second text came in: [My grandfather is here too-you know him, don't you? It's a perfect chance to catch up!]
Serena's heart skipped a beat. She instantly understood what Christan was really up to.
"He's craftier than a fox. So that's why he tricked Grandpa Bryan into coming-he wants to find out how I know his grandfather. In the end, he still doesn't trust me. He wants to expose me..."
With a smirk, she deleted her drafted reply and typed a new message:
[Sure, I'm free tonight. I'll be there. See you then.]
...
A little after 6 p.m., in a private VIP room at the hotel restaurant.
Christan and Grandpa Bryan sat on opposite sides of the table in silence.
Glancing at his watch, Christan asked, "Grandpa, your friend is late. Think they're going to stand you up?"
Grandpa Bryan opened his eyes and smiled calmly. "Don't worry, she'll come. She already agreed this afternoon. Besides, your friend isn't here yet either, is she?"
"She'll come too. She's just a bit delayed."
Just then, the door to the room opened, and both men turned their heads at the same time.
"She's here!" they both said in unison.
Serena appeared at the door, being wheeled in by hotel staff.
Christan quickly stood up, walked over, and took the wheelchair from the staff with a satisfied grin. "Grandpa, my guest arrived first!"
Grandpa Bryan abruptly stood as well, staring at Serena in shock. "So, Miss Knowles is the person you wanted me to meet?"
"Yes!" Christan replied. "But wait-how did you know her last name is Knowles? I don't remember ever telling you."
The old man's smile turned a bit complicated. "What a coincidence... She's also the person I wanted you to meet."
"What?!"
After a brief moment of shock, Christan quickly regained his composure.
That's right! Serena had mentioned before that she knew Grandpa.
"Hello, Mr. Ryder, both of you," Serena greeted them gracefully. "It's truly an honor-I didn't expect to receive invitations from both of you at the same time."
Seeing their surprised expressions, she explained, "That was my mistake! I assumed, since you're grandfather and grandson, you already knew the person you were each inviting was me, so I didn't bother explaining it separately."
"No need to apologize, Miss Knowles," Bryan waved it off. "I invited you tonight because I wanted to introduce you to my grandson, Christan. Last time, at his villa, your first meeting wasn't exactly ideal. I just wanted to make up for that missed opportunity."
"My Villa?!" Christan's expression froze again. "Grandpa, you mean... the girl you wanted me to meet back then was... her?!"
"Yes," the old man replied honestly. "I think Miss Knowles is one of the most remarkable women I've met in recent years. She's not only talented but also humble and composed, without the arrogance and impulsiveness you often see in young women these days. That's why I was so eager to introduce her to you."
"Unfortunately, back then, you were late, and Miss Knowles had an allergic reaction. You didn't even get a good look at her face."
As he spoke, he looked at Serena with admiration. "You foolish boy, take a good look at her now! Miss Knowles is stunning-nothing like the 'ugly duckling' you imagined! If you call this face ugly, then I doubt any woman on earth would dare call herself beautiful."
Christan was momentarily stunned.
All along, he had doubted just how special this girl was-was she really as outstanding as his grandfather claimed?
And yet, she turned out to be Serena!
At that moment, his strongest feeling wasn't surprise-it was regret.
If he had known it was her, he never would've resisted or dismissed the idea. He should've reached out and held her hand long ago.
Serena, hearing Bryan's praise, smiled modestly. "You're giving me far too much credit, sir. I think my looks are average at best. But..." she glanced at Christan, "I'll never agree with Mr. Ryder calling me an 'ugly duckling'!"
For the first time in his life, Christan admitted defeat. "That was my fault! I was blind to the treasure in front of me. Miss Knowles... you're truly beautiful."
She didn't expect such a compliment from him and was momentarily dazed.
But her thoughts were soon interrupted by the wine glass Grandpa Bryan passed her.
***