chapter is


    We''ve registered the manage the the marriage certificate" Serena said as she carefully ced the porcin back into its proper position


    Howard true was an exceptional father. He couldn''t wait to sell of his daughter.


    Fortunately, she had no interest in wasting time either, Besides, High treated her with


    ough respect.


    instead of following the usual steps, getting married right away made more sense for a marriage of convenience like theirs. Still, she hadn''t expected it to happen this quickly


    Howard''s Laughter echoed over the phone Now that he had gotten the answer he wanted, his agency had eased.


    "That''s girl!" he exmed "When you promise something, you get it donest and well. That Hugh Larson- to marry you after just a few hours of meeting, you must mean something to him


    He added, "Whether he''s impotent or not, he''s still a man. Nava, just speak to him sweetly and persuade him. The sooner he agrees to the Jansen Group project, the better."


    With just a few words, the conversation shifted back to business.


    So much for fatherly love.


    Serena cassadly responded with a few words, but Sarah''s voice came through before she could end the call. "She probably rushed to get married and didn''t even mention the project! She''s been away from Javerton City and our family for so long when has she ever truly considered herselt part of the family.""


    Howard''s voice immediately turned cold. "Did you bring it up?" he asked.


    "I did." Serena paused before continuing, "But I brought it up too soon and med uppsetting him. So I''ll need to take a more gradual approach it I want him to sit down and seriously discuss business with me


    That was only hall true, but Howard seemed to belleve her. "That''s fine. I''ve heard Mr. Larson has an unpredictable temper. If taking it slow gets us what we want, waiting a bit longer is fine"


    Serma''s tone remained calm. "I brought up the Jansen Group project to him. Now, can Mom''s clenorial finally be ced in the family chapel?"


    Amber had worked tirelessly her whole life, all to help Howard and the Jansen family rise agah. She and her mother deserved their share of the Jansen Group and everything that came with it


    Amber''s memorial belonged in the family chapel what her mother never received in life, Serena was determined to reim for her now


    “The memorial is a matter concerning the entire Jansen family. It''s not something that can be derided so quickly," Howard said, clearly dragging out.


    Serena refused to hack down. "Is cing a single memorial in the family chupel really that difficult for you, Dad? or have you forgotten?


    "When the Jansen family was at its lowest, if it weren''t for Mom using her skills to bring in business and raise money, we wouldn''t even be able to build the family chapel."


    Howard de silent.


    On the other end, Sarah suddenly spoke up. "We''re all family, Serena Why do you keep bringing up the past? Now that you''ve marned into the Larson family and be High Larson''s wife, you don''t even remember yourst name, huh?


    "Instead of constantly going against us, maybe you should focus on how to use the Larson family''s wealth to support your real family. And remember this, Serena If your husband ever throws you aside, without the Jansen family as your safety, what will you do then?


    Everyone knew how deeply Serena had loved Zach. The fact that she had rushed back to averton City overnight to agree to this mamage was more than likely because things hat Fallen apart between them.


    Sarah obviously wanted to hit her where it hurt.


    Serena might have been hurt by the wrong person, but she would never let love defineher again.


    There were more important things now-her career, her future, and making sure her mother''s memorial was honored in the family chapel.


    "Sarah, you should save those words for yourself," the shot back without hesitation. "My mother used her talent in pottery to bring the Jansen Group back from the brink, Andi helped Zach secure his inheritance, with or without your so- called satety, I''ll carve out my own futur,"


    She continued, "Bat tell me, if Jansen Group fails to secure this deal with the Larson Group, can you cover the massive financial gap, Sarah?"


    As soon as she said those words, silence fell on the other end of the line.


    The Jansen Group might have made aeback, but in recent years, the Jansen tamily had been spending recklessly, On top of that. Howard still clung to outdated business strategies, pushing thepany deeper into financial trouble.


    Saral had been raised as the Jansen family''s heiress, yet shecked the ability to restore their former glory.


    That was why Serena was arranged to marry Hugh