142Derek shot her a wary look, rubbing his sore jaw. “Look, Serena… Maybe it’s best if we just let it go. Allvar’s got his own life. We don’t have to make everything a competition.”Her head whipped around, a fiery glare fixed on him. “Let it go? Derek, he’s openly trying to humiliate me. If you think I’m just going to sit back and do nothing, you’re out of your mind.”Derek sighed, knowing better than to argue further. The tension hung between them, though neither said another word as they walked on, each stewing in their own thoughts.Meanwhile, on the other side of the store, Allvar gave a sheepish smile. “Thanks for stepping in back there,” he said, scratching the back of his neck. “Seems like I’m making you do that way too often.”Seraphina raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Oh, you definitely owe me now,” she teased, giving him a light nudge. “I’ll be adding it to the list.”He laughed softly, but his expression grew more serious as he glanced down. “You’r

144Allvar sighed, preparing himself for the inevitable. He knew Serena and Derek were the type to throw insults when they were feeling insecure, but this time, he wasn’t going to let it bother him. Not with Seraphina standing by his side.He glanced at her, seeing the way her expression shifted from calm to sharp. She stood tall beside him, her posture radiating quiet confidence, ready to defend him if need be. He couldn’t help but feel a small flicker of appreciation. Derek, who had been unusually quiet, couldn’t stay silent for long. His eyes glinted with mockery as he stepped forward, his lips curling into a smirk. “I just don’t get it, Allvar,” he began, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “How in the world did someone like you manage to land a post at Waterfall Corporation? I mean, I can’t even imagine.”Allvar kept his expression neutral, though his fists clenched at his sides. Derek’s mockery wasn’t new, but he had learned not to rise to the bait. He responded with a dry chuckle

146“She’s way out of your league,” Derek muttered under his breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear. “What’s a woman like that doing with a loser like you?”Allvar’s eyes narrowed as he shot Derek a pointed look. “You know, Derek, maybe you’re right. A woman like Seraphina deserves someone who actually knows how to appreciate her.” He leaned in slightly, his tone turning just a shade colder. “Someone who knows not to mess with her, or anyone she cares about.”Derek scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Appreciate her? You think you’re capable of that? Don’t kid yourself, Allvar. You’re just playing a role, and when the act is up, she’ll see you for what you really are.”Seraphina stepped closer to Allvar, a smirk playing on her lips. She glanced briefly at Derek before locking eyes with Allvar. “You’re just jealous, Derek,” she said, her voice cutting through the tension like a sharp knife. “Because despite everything you’ve tried, Allvar’s got something you’ll never have—