As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, Serena stepped into the Jansen residence,


    The manent she walked in, her eyesnded on the man sining alone on the couch.


    Zach was dressed in a crisp shirt and tailored cks, his sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal his strong forearms and a gold watch. He sat there in silence, watching her.


    Thest rays of sunlight filtered through the windows, casting, long shadows between them, as if drawing an invisible line that separated two people standing on opposite sides of a world That was no longer the same.


    Silence hang heavy in the air


    Howard stepped forward, ying the role of the peacemaker. With a seemingly gentle gesture, he took Serena''s coat and hung it up for her.


    Serena eyed bis untusual behavist and casually slipped one hand into her pocket.


    In reality, Howard used the moment to say in a hushed tone, "We''re about to coborate with Foster Group. You''ll have to cross paths anyway, so talk to him now and apologize to keep things smooth for the future."


    "I refuse. I already said I don''t want any unnecessary ties to him"


    Serena had no intention of giving Howard the satisfaction.


    Just as she was about to leave, Howard grabbed her arm to stop her.


    "Enough with the nonsense! If you''d just have dinner with Zach and apologize, you can secure this deal. After that, you can do whatever you want in Jansen Group!


    "Besides, isn''t he your ex? You spent over a decade with him. What''s wrong with having a meal with him again? just help me out for once!


    "Stop throwing a tantrum like a dd Aren''t you afraid of being judged by your ex if you keep acting like this? Use your rtionship with him, and get me that project!" The more Howard spoke, the angrier he became. Frustrated, he grabbed Serena and shoved her forward


    stumbled


    Zach shot up from the rouch and instinctively reached out to steady her, even though there was still some distance between them.


    After regaining her bnce, Serena gave Howard a sharp re. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that Rachel and Sarah were eagerly waiting for a show She let out a coldugh, then pulled out her phone from her pocket and tapped the scen


    A momentter, Howard''s own words echoed through the room, crystal clear. "The your rtionship with him


    As the recording yed, Howard''s expression turned grim. He couldn''t believe that she had recorded everything


    "That''s enough!" Howard stormed forward, reaching for Serena''s phone


    However, the sidestepped him with ease.


    Caught off guard, he missed the step by the entryway and stumbled. Then, his


    knee hit the floor hard, and he screamed in pain


    Kachel rushed to his side and helped him up. Seeing his legs trembling from the


    impact, she turned to Serena in anger.


    "Senate''s your father! How could you do this to him?"


    Serena goreder


    If Howard hadn''t panicked, he wouldn''t have tripped in the first ce.


    Seeing that Seema was unharmed, Zach slowly withdrew his hand. His gaze turned ice-cold as itnded on Howard


    "So, this is what ites down to Mr. Jansen, instead ofpeting with Foster Group on merit, you would rather bacter your own daughter for a deal. If this is how Jansen Group operates, then I might need to reconsider our partnership."


    The deal was on the verge of copsing.


    Howard grimed his teeth as cold weat buke out across his forehead


    "K-No. That''s not what I mean! Serena was just being mischievous. She spliced


    the audio together and is spewing monsonal Serena, apologize to Mr. Foster right now,"


    Serena remained unmoved "Dad, you really must be getting old. Have you already forgotten your own words?"


    "Y-You ungrateful woman!?


    Sering that there was no way to cover up what had just happened, Howard''s frustration bolled over into fury.


    "You''ve got some nerve for getting where youe from! How did we end up with such a disrespectful daughter? Sarah, being the ruler over here! It''s about time we make her learn who


    calls the shot around here!"


    "Alright"


    Soon, Sarah came back, holding a wooden ruler.


    The ruler was made of fine, solid wood and was about two fingers wide. It was fairly thick A single strike with it would leave a deep bruise. With three or four strikes, the skin would surely


    break


    Sarah hunded over the ruler, her eyes lined with satisfaction.


    "Serena, yoursilli have time to apologize to Dad Otherwise, once this ruleses down on you, the pain will be unbearable."