Devoted Love:The Billionaire's Precious Wife-Chapter 512

"Serena," Hunter’s warm voice echoed from the other end of the phone.

Serena gripped her phone, her subconscious nerves kicking in.

For some reason, whenever she called Hunter, she felt anxious and pressured.

"Hunter, I heard you’re attending a charity gala next Monday and need a plus one. My friend happens to be free. Why don’t you take her?"

"No need," Hunter detected the underlying meaning in her words and declined nonchalantly. "I already have someone in mind."

Could it be Molly? Serena thought. Taking such a girl to such a high-profile event would be a disgrace to the Collins family and to Hunter, wouldn’t it?

Seeing her short-haired friend pleadingly clasping her hands together, Serena had no choice but to say, "Do you have any free time in the next couple of days? I’d like to have dinner with you."

Hunter, catching onto her intentions, replied lightly, "You’re pretty free lately? Your studies aren’t too taxing?"

Was she really that concerned about his personal affairs?

"Hunter, I just want to have dinner with you." Serena guessed that Hunter knew her intentions and quickly added, "I haven’t seen you in a long time."

"Don’t harbor unnecessary thoughts. If you’re too idle, I can hire a few more tutors for you."

"Hunter—"

"I have a meeting."

Hunter’s meeting time had arrived. He was always punctual. At this moment, he hung up the call and sat at the conference table, his gaze icy cold.

Serena could hardly believe that she was hung up on by two of her brothers today!

Seeing her short-haired friend’s hopeful gaze, Serena had to grit her teeth and lie, "Hunter said he would ask his assistant to check his schedule, and I’ll bring you along to have dinner with him when he’s free."

"Really??" Her friend was overjoyed, jumping up and hugging Serena. "I knew you would find a way!"

Serena smiled, but inside, she was wondering how she could trick Hunter into having dinner with her.

Meanwhile...

Alma finally recovered from her shock when her phone rang.

She checked and saw it was her mother, Beverly, calling.

"Alma, I heard Mr. Eugene is in Summerfield. Your grandpa can arrange a meeting for us tonight. Come back home now. I’ll send the driver to pick you up. Dress up and meet him at the coffee shop tonight. Try to get him to play a game of chess with you. Remember, don’t make him lose face, but don’t appear too foolish, either. You need just the right balance."

She had to catch Mr. Eugene’s attention while also showing him she had potential. Only then would she have a chance to gain his favor and advice.

"Mom, I don’t want to go."

Alma was already upset about this matter, and now, her mother’s call was like another blow.

Beverly sat in their home garden, sipping her tea elegantly, her tone casual. "What’s wrong?"

Chess had always been her daughter’s pride and joy, but now, it seemed like she had taken a hit.

"Mr. Eugene came to Summerfield College today. I lost to Rosemary in front of him."

"What did you say?" Beverly paused mid-sip, her gaze somewhat incredulous.

"Rosemary’s chess skills are incredible. Mr. Eugene personally said that he has known Rosemary for over ten years, and he taught her chess. Also, he publicly asked Rosemary to reconsider taking up his mantle."

Alma recounted the day’s events in a nutshell, not forgetting to add a few sarcastic remarks.

"Mom, do you think Rosemary’s lost her marbles? She’s got such a great opportunity in front of her, and she doesn’t know how to appreciate it. Either she’s really sick in the head, or she’s just putting on airs, dangling Mr. Eugene like a carrot, thinking she’s something special."

Maybe she really thought she was a gem. That’s why she liked to put on that aloof, disdainful demeanor.

"Bloody fool." Beverly poured herself another cup of coffee and took a slow sip before asking, "With so many people present, why do you think Mr. Eugene deliberately brought up the subject of succession?"

"What else could it be? He just wants everyone to know that Rosemary has him as a strong backing, so they can’t offend her easily!" Alma was even more exasperated at that point. She couldn’t understand why Mr. Eugene had set his sights on Rosemary.

Beverly spoke with a refined air, "No, his real goal is only one, and that is to put indirect pressure on Rosemary. He was certain Rosemary wouldn’t embarrass him by refusing in front of everyone, so he deliberately brought it up."

But what he didn’t expect was that Rosemary didn’t talk about succession or refusal. She just sidetracked the conversation.

Beverly thought, that girl was quite interesting, facing such an olive branch and dealing with it in such a manner.

"She’s not stupid. Either she has too many olive branches to handle, or she doesn’t need anyone else’s help."

In Beverly’s opinion, Rosemary was a person who kept her cards close to her chest. She had previously warned her daughter not to mess with Rosemary unnecessarily.

With her daughter’s level of sophistication, she was no match for Rosemary.

Like today’s situation, her other strong backing, Mr. Eugene, was revealed in front of everyone.

How many more were there that haven’t come out?

No one knew.

"But Mom, I don’t understand. Why did Mr. Eugene choose her?"

Alma thought she had some talent for playing chess. Her previous teachers all praised her as intelligent and capable, a person with great potential. They said that she could definitely make a name for herself in the chess world in the future.

If she had received guidance from Mr. Eugene when she was younger, she might not be any worse than Rosemary now!

"Sometimes, timing, location, and people are all important factors." Beverly still insisted, "Come back, let’s try again tonight."

Such a good opportunity was in front of them, and they couldn’t just give up knowing the difficulties.

Rosemary hasn’t given Mr. Eugene a definite answer yet. Mr. Eugene could still be looking for better candidates.

Nothing was set in stone yet.

Alma didn’t necessarily have to be better than Rosemary, but if she was indeed talented and diligent, why would Mr. Eugene refuse her?

Even if she couldn’t become his favorite student, having guidance from Mr. Eugene would still be much better than guidance from anyone else.

After hearing her mother’s words, Alma also thought it made sense. "I’ll go back right away."

When she passed the backstage, she happened to see Serena, surrounded by a group of friends, being the center of attention.

Serena was in a great mood initially, but when she received a WhatsApp message from Martha, learning that David had given the concert tickets to Rosemary, she almost dropped her phone.

[I just found out too. The lady wanted a ticket for her best friend’s daughter. She called David, and David said he had given them away. When she asked who to, it turns out it was Rosemary.]

"Serena, you look so pale. Do you want to go to the infirmary?"

"Are you okay? Your smile looks forced. If you’re not feeling well, don’t push yourself."

"Shall I take you to the infirmary?"