Filed to story: Second Chance Mafia Bride Drama Novel
Serena shot him a plaintive look.
“…No one.”
He watched her walk away, hesitating for a long moment before turning to Logan at his side. “Why is she upset?”
Logan was a little surprised-Mr. Salerno, actually showing concern for someone?
But how would he know? He wasn’t the lady’s husband, after all!
He kept those thoughts to himself and answered carefully, “Sometimes you don’t need to know why she’s upset. You just need to cheer her up.”
Nicholas considered this, nodding slightly. “How?”
Logan racked his brain, and suddenly remembered something.
“Mrs. Salerno’s a student at Kingsbridge University, isn’t she? Didn’t they say they’d be sending you flowers soon? Maybe you could give them to her!”
Kingsbridge University-renowned for over a century-had a famous garden of hybrid roses that bloomed every summer, drawing crowds from all over. Every year, a few rare, homegrown varieties were carefully cut and gifted to a select few. These bouquets weren’t for just anyone; they were reserved for distinguished alumni or outstanding students, and receiving them was a point of pride.
The university had been reaching out to Mr. Salerno, hoping he’d attend an event. Nicholas hadn’t been interested, so Logan had handled it all-just yesterday, someone from Kingsbridge had called, humbly asking which variety Mr. Salerno preferred. For others, it was a surprise package; for him, he could simply choose.
But what was a great honor to others meant nothing to Nicholas, and Logan hadn’t thought much of it, casually telling them Mr. Salerno wasn’t interested.
“Mrs. Salerno’s a student there too. I bet she’d love to get those flowers. If you gave them to her quietly, she’d be thrilled.”
Nicholas thought it over and nodded. “Take care of it.”
Logan responded immediately, picking up the phone and calling Kingsbridge University.
The staff on the other end were both stunned and delighted to get the call. “Of course! If Mr. Salerno wants them, it’s our honor-we’ll deliver them right away!”
Meanwhile, Serena had no idea that Nicholas was secretly planning a surprise to lift her spirits. She was on the phone with Nora.
Nora’s birthday was coming up next week, and there would be a party. She’d called Serena to invite her, and then, fishing a little, asked, “Do you think Mr. Salerno will be able to make it?”
Serena nearly laughed.
Nicholas’s status? There were plenty of powerful people in Fairhaven who couldn’t get him to show up for their birthdays-what made Nora think she could?
“I’m afraid Mr. Salerno won’t be attending,” she said bluntly.
“Why? Didn’t you ask him?” Nora pressed. “I know our family isn’t exactly on Mr. Salerno’s level, but things are different now…”
“Oh, I asked,” Serena replied smoothly. “Mr. Salerno said if it were my own mother’s birthday, he’d definitely be there. But the problem is-you’re not my mother, are you?”
On the other end, Nora’s smile froze.
She hung up, her expression darkening, feeling as if she’d been punched in the gut. She couldn’t even tell if Serena had said it on purpose.
The old Serena, the one she’d molded into a docile fool, would never have spoken like that. But ever since the girl had moved into Rosewood Manor, she’d changed-and Nora couldn’t decide if it was just her imagination.
Rosewood Manor.
Serena glanced at her phone’s call log, a mocking smile tugging at her lips.
Meanwhile, in a guest room down the hall, Alice was thriving in the Kingsbridge University freshman chat group, already fitting in like she’d been there forever.
She hurried over to the window, snapped a photo of the sunlit garden outside, and posted it in the group chat.
[Alice: The sun is blazing out there-I don’t even want to go outside.]
The picture was filled with rare, meticulously tended flowers and shrubs. One glance at the garden’s size, design, and amenities, and it was obvious to anyone with eyes that Alice’s “home” was anything but ordinary.
The group chat immediately lit up with exclamations.
[Grace: Wow, Alice, your garden is gorgeous! Where is this? Can we come over sometime?]
Reading the envious, flattering messages, Alice felt a surge of satisfaction.
It took a while for the wave of admiration to subside before someone finally changed the topic.
[Wendy: The school’s annual flower-giving event has started again. Some upperclasswoman I know already got a bouquet-I’m so jealous! Honestly, with my grades, I’ll be lucky if I ever get one in my life!]
[Sophie: It’s not just about grades, you know. If your family’s got connections, you can always pull some strings. I heard a freshman already got one this year.]
[Grace: Wait, really? @AAAlice did you get one? If you did, can I have a stem? Pretty please~]
Alice didn’t reply. She tossed her phone aside, but picked it up again, ready to type something snarky about how a bouquet was no big deal-she had everything she wanted anyway. Right then, the housekeeper, May, hurried over and knocked on her door.
“Alice, there’s a delivery from Kingsbridge University! It’s flowers-are they for you?”
Alice’s heart skipped a beat and her eyes lit up. She jumped to her feet. “Where is it?”
She ran downstairs. Sure enough, someone was waiting with an enormous bouquet. But instead of her name, the card read: “For Mr. Salerno.”
“These are for Mr. Salerno?” Alice asked, a little breathless.
The delivery person nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”
May could hardly contain her excitement. She nudged Alice with her elbow and whispered, “Mr. Salerno definitely ordered these for you! You’re the only one in the family with ties to Kingsbridge University!”
Alice’s pulse raced.
May went on, “Remember when you got into Kingsbridge? Mr. Salerno said he’d reward you, but then that woman snatched your room. This must be his way of making it up to you!”
A sweet, giddy feeling bloomed in Alice’s chest. She reached out her hands. “Mr. Salerno’s out right now-just give them to me!”
The delivery person left, and the maids nearby all chimed in with knowing smiles.
“See, Alice? Mr. Salerno still cares about you. He’s just finding ways to cheer you up!”
“Exactly he didn’t send them to the lady of the house, only to you. Isn’t it obvious what he means?”
One of them was even more straightforward. “Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if you became the lady of the house yourself someday, Alice!”
Alice blushed, equal parts pleased and embarrassed. Chin held high, she declared, “Alright, that’s enough. Back to work, everyone!”
She hugged the bouquet to her chest and skipped upstairs, barely able to contain her excitement.
Back in her room, she snapped photos of the bouquet from every angle and sent them all to the group chat.
[Alice: Flowers have arrived~]
[Wendy: Holy crap, that’s huge! It’s like three times the size of the upperclasswoman’s bouquet! And if I’m not mistaken, those are all the rarest kind, right?!]
[Grace: Ahhh Alice I want one! Can you please give me a stem? Please, please!]
Alice didn’t know much about flowers, but seeing everyone so excited and envious made her beam with pride.
[Alice: Wait, mine’s different from everyone else’s? I had no idea.]