Serena felt as if she had touched something filtry when he grabbed her am. She jerked her am forcefully, pulling away from Zach. The disgust in her eyes deepened.


    ch, stop pretending. You''ve trampled my sincerity over and over. Now, do you think this ring can fix everything? Not a chance!!


    Her words hit him the a punch, and be stumbled,


    regeling to regain hisposure. He opened his mouth, but his throat tightened up, as though something was blocking his


    words


    He wanted to say something to make things right but realized that, in the face of Serena''s anger, everything he wanted to say felt utterly powerless


    Around them, the stati and extras stood frozen, shocked by the sudden turn of events. The once vibrant and romantic proposal scene had fallen into stunned silence.


    Serena took a deep breath, her gaze cold and resolute. "It you had any sense, you wouldn''t be here disturbing me


    With that, she tumed and walked away, her back straight and resolute. Each step she took seemed to tell Zach that there was no possibility for them to be together anymore.


    He stood motionless, his heart gripped in pain as if someone had clenched it tight. The agonyfel almost suffocating


    Until just moments ago, he had believed serena would never love him.


    [now, be death felt it-the woman who once loved him with all her heart, the one who would have done anything for him, had been pushed away by him.


    She would nevere back to him


    He couldn''t let this happen. Serma was meant to be his, and his alone,


    It wasn''t until Serena stepped out of the hotel and the cold air filled her lungs that she felt a sense of life return. Yet, her fingertips still trembled uncontrobly


    She noticed a nearby convenience store and decided she should go inside and grab a bottle of ked water. Drinking it would calm her nerves.


    She still had to meet Hugh for the uing meeting with his grandfather. She couldn''t let herself look this disheveled.


    Now that she thought about it, after agreeing to help her colleague with the business negotiation, Serena sent the hotel address to Hugh. He had said he would pick her up on his way, so he should be here soon.


    Serena had barely stepped into the convenience store when Zach rushed out after her


    "Where is she?" He stood frozen, helplessly clutching the ring.


    In the few days they had been apart, Serena seemed like apletely different person. He couldn''t understand where things had gone wrong.


    Just as he was lost in thought, a car pulled up in front of the hotel. Hugh stepped out, dressed in his signature sharp suit. He might sight of Zach''s confused expression and raised


    an eyebrow.


    Serena had mentioned she was here to discuss a project, so he wondered why Zach was here as well. His expression turned cold. As he was about to look away, Zach had already


    walked over to him


    "Mr. Larson


    This was an unexpected turn of events. Zach hadn''t expected to an into someone from the Larson family here


    He quickly tucked away his concerns for Serena and greeted Hugh warmly, exchanging business cards with him.


    Hugh''s demeanor remained distant. After listening to him talk for a moment, he nced at his watch. "I''m sorry, I have another appointment," he said.


    "My apologies for the interruption. If you ever have any projects in Yellowbrook City, feel free to contact me anytime," Zach said, taking a step back


    Hugh''s expression turned even colder. "I just got married recently. I have no time to take on new projects," he said.


    "Ah, I see. Congrattions on your marriage, Mr. Larson. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!"


    Bralizing it wasn''t the right time to continue the conversation, Zach turned and walked away


    At that moment, Serenacame out of the convenience store and crossed paths with Zach


    Of all the ces, she had to run into him here again.


    "Rena...." Zach said, his face lighting up as he stepped closer.