Two years later. Inside the Blaze family estate.
Henry lounged on a recliner in the garden, lazily sipping tea with a folding fan in hand.
Beside him, Xavier sat upright with a stern expression. He asked in displeasure, "Dad, didn't you say a year ago that once your health recovered, you'd come back and take over X Group?!"
"You brat, what's the rush?! X Group will be yours eventually. Isn't it good for you to get familiar with the business ahead of time?!"
Xavier's face darkened. "Back then, when your health was poor and I had to take over in an emergency, we agreed I was only managing it temporarily! Now that you've long since recovered, you keep making excuses not to return to the company. What exactly are you up to?!"
Henry smiled slightly. "After surviving a serious illness, I suddenly had a revelation. Before, all I cared about was X Group, the rise and fall of the family. But after walking through the gates of death, I realized-nothing matters more than enjoying life!"
"You're enjoying life alright, but I've become miserable! Do you know what your behavior is called?!"
"What?"
"It's called screwing over your own son! Most people get betrayed by their kids-you're the dad betraying your son! And it's awful!"
"Nonsense!" Henry sipped his tea and said slowly, "People are breaking their backs just to get into X Group. Even just being a regular employee would make them ecstatic. And you-treating the position of CEO like it's a hot potato!"
"I've said it before-I'm not interested in being CEO of X Group! I've built my own tech company from the ground up. That's where my passion lies! And I'm so busy with work every day, I don't even have time for Sere..."
He suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
"Hmph!" Henry snorted, "That little business of yours-what future could it possibly have?!"
"Dad, don't belittle my career!" Xavier said confidently. "Not long ago, my top guy Falcon led our team to win several international cybersecurity awards. My company is now one of the hottest in the industry!"
"So what?! Your main job still has to be X Group!"
"And if I refuse?!"
Henry opened his eyes and saw his son's determined face. He wasn't angry. Instead, he smiled and asked, "How are things with Serena lately?"
At the mention of 'Serena,' a flicker passed through Xavier's eyes. "What's she got to do with this?"
"Hmph! Since I can't control you, I might as well turn to someone who can!" Seeing his son's momentum clearly weaken, he smiled with satisfaction and said, "To be honest, I already spoke to Serena. I told her I want you to take over X Group-and she agreed."
"Impossible!" Xavier waved his hand, looking certain. "Serena knows me best-she's always supported my career!"
"Yes, at first she did stand on your side! But she couldn't resist my heartfelt pleas-me, an old man, with tears and all!" Henry said smugly. "You're the only son of the Blaze family. No matter what, X Group must be passed to you. I can't just hand over generations of legacy to an outsider!"
"Dad! You...!" Clenching his fists, he gritted his teeth. "How could you?! You knew Serena is kind and soft-hearted, and you used that against her...?!"
"So what?!" Henry shrugged nonchalantly. "She's my daughter-in-law-why can't I make use of that?!"
"What?!" Xavier's eyes froze, his voice uncertain. "You said... daughter-in-law?!"
"Mm-hmm!" Henry smiled. "You brat-it's been long enough. Time you gave her a proper title!"
"So you're saying... you agree to our marriage?!"
"Of course! Hurry up and get ready-next month on the 8th is a great day!"
Xavier suddenly jumped up and grinned like a kid. "Dad, thank you!"
"Thank me for what? I should be thanking you-for bringing such a great daughter-in-law into the family!" Henry said earnestly. "I was blinded before, holding a grudge just because Serena was once divorced. This illness made me reflect-Serena is an exceptional woman. Marrying her is a blessing for our family!"
One month later.
On Bora=Bora Island, known as the 'Pearl of the Pacific,' flowers bloomed in brilliant colors.
By a seaside castle beneath the blue sky and turquoise waters, Serena stood in a white wedding gown, tightly embraced by the man she loved.
Xavier buried his face in her neck and choked out, "Serena, do you know? I waited twenty-seven years for this day!"
Serena's eyes glistened with tears as she nodded. "Thank goodness, after everything we went through, we finally didn't miss out on each other."
Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd.
Vega, teary-eyed with emotion, nudged Falcon beside her with her elbow. "Hey! Stop typing those dumb lines of code already! Look at Serena and Xavier-finally together! Aren't you touched?!"
"I am touched! I'm coding a wedding gift for the boss!"
"Your gift involves clickety-clack coding?!"
"Come on, it's a guy thing-you wouldn't get it!"
"What did you say?!"
The next moment, Falcon covered his now-twisted ear, begging for mercy. "Okay okay, Vega, I was wrong!"
"Say it! Do I get it or not?!"
"Yes! You get everything! You're completely right!"
"And are you moved?!"
"I-I'm deeply moved! I wouldn't dare not be!"
Nearby, Christan and Celia looked at the bickering pair and burst into laughter.
"Bro, look at Vega bullying Falcon again. Are all your fans this feisty?!"
Christan smiled lightly. "When someone hits you, it means they care. If they don't hit or scold you, that's when you're really in trouble."
"Yeah." Celia nodded thoughtfully. "So, back then, when I confessed to Xavier and he didn't respond at all, it was because he felt nothing for me, right?"
"What?! It's been two years. He's married now-you still haven't let it go?!"
Christan looked at her with concern.
"Of course I have!" The girl smiled. "I was just young and naïve back then. I've moved on. To Xavier, I was just a little sister. He gave me no false hope-and that was for the best."
"Celia's grown up!"
"What about you?" Celia suddenly asked seriously. "Have you let go?"
Looking at the stunning woman on stage, Christan smiled. "Whether I have or haven't-I truly wish them happiness. I believe, the one meant for me... is waiting just around the corner."
***