Sarah''s face twisted with anger at Serena''s sharp retort. She stomped her foot, her frustration boiling over.


    "I knew it! You never considered us family to begin with! Not only do you refuse to


    put fanoven Giroup first, but now you''re looking down on me too? tad raised me! Are you saying.


    nd''s arm


    sobbing pitifully


    By the end, her voice trembled, thick with emotion. She all but threw herself into Howard''


    Howard''s expression darkened


    "I''m your father, Serenal" he shouted into the phone. "How dare you talk back to me like that? You''ve been away for a few years, and now you''ve forgotten to even respect your elders?!


    He added, “Sarah didn''t say anything wrong! You''re a jansen, and this family rises and falls together. If you''re using the Larson family''s money to cover our family''s losses, then in the end, isn''t our family still the one benefitinghoma)


    "Ithink the elders were right - you''ve been away for too long and tumedpletely unruly. Looks like I''ll have to linda way to discipline you".


    she scotted inwardly.


    Family? Serena had never


    ver once considered these people her family.


    Hugh told me he agreed to the partnership with Jansen tiroup/


    Being on the receiving end of Howard''s scolding, Serena smiled faintly. "Actually, High te


    Howard fell silent instantly.


    Serena raised an eyebrow. "Oh, right... What was that you were saying about disciplining me?!


    "That...how could bear to discipline you?" Howard quickly changed his tune. "Lonly want you to understand proper etiquette and have a good life in the Larson family"


    There was a long pause before he smiled and said, “Nina, if this deal goes through, you''ll be Jansen Group''s biggest contributor."


    Serena couldn''t help but find it amusing otributor? That was nothing more than.


    She leaned backzily against the couch, her gaze falling on the delicate porcin pieces around her.


    Her expression turned cold. "I don''t care about being your so-called contributor. What I do care about is getting Mom''s memorial into the family chapel."


    That can wait until the project is finalized," Howard said quickly.


    He wasn''t stupid. For all he knew, Serena was just blufting-he had no proof Hugh had really agreed:


    Serena had lived away from the Jansen family for many years and thrived alongside that illegitimate son, Zach Sh ust have picked up some real skills,


    Il be agreed to ce Amber''s memorial so easily and fulfilled Serena''s wish, she would have no reason to continue working for him.


    Howard had his own ns. He brushed her off with a few vague words before ending flincall.


    The dial toner hoed in the silence.


    Serena set her phone down, her poor drifting over the porcin pieces once more. She could still remember the wayher mother used to sinile while crafting them.


    Her grip on the phone tightened. She would take back everything that rightfully belonged to her.


    After finishing the call, she didn''t linger. Star got up and left, heading straight to the city center


    The other property Hugh had given hier was in a high-end neighborhood called Crestview Bay, just ten minutes from Jansen Group


    With only two units per floor, the penthouse offered a panoramic view, capturing nearly the entire city Compared to a secluded vi, this was a much more convenient ce for


    She called a movingpany and.


    terior design firm to fumili the ce with essential furniture and daily necessitles.


    she didn''t need much—just practic items. The workers moved efficiently, handling everything in an orderly manner.


    As she stood by the door waiting, the elevator doors operand Anuthier mondingpany arthed, just as organized, unlocking the unit across from hers.


    Crestview Bay Wen''t a new developement, so the chances of two people moving in at the saurne wete slim.


    Whatarcaucadence.


    before, bet neighbor had been Zach. Thrit two vis had been under renovation furnished simultaneously.


    same time. Now, her new tielzlibor was a stratiger, but their penthouses were being


    She no longer felt the same unease as before. She was simply curious, With this kind of coincidence, perhaps they would cross paths. Maybe they would even get along


    Serena smiled slightly.


    A future without Zach felt man lighter