yourself into it?" Serena asked coldly, not even bothering to look up at him.


    A flicker of pain shed across Zach''s face.


    Back then, as long as he swallowed his pride and yed the victim, she would always give in. Why wasn''t it worlding now?


    At that moment, a sharp pain shot through his chest. He reached out to stop Serena from calling a cab, trying to buy himself a little more time.


    "Rena, it''s my fault. Yesterday, Wendy told me it was her own fault. She didn''t notice the pollen in the hallway. Then, she lost her bnce and fell down the stairs. I misunderstood you, and


    Serena''s hand froze mid-air


    Zach''s fare lit up with begy


    So, she was still softhearted after all. She was really going to forgive him that easily.


    Serena turned back and let out a coldugh


    "So, whatever Wendy says is the absolute truth? And you''ll just take her word for it? You''re a grown man with no sense of judgement. What''s the point of having those big eyes if you''re just gonna let people y you like a fool?


    Zach''s smile frone. "Rena, you never used to be this harsh with me!


    "If you can''t even sell what is right and what is wrong, don''t expect me to go easy on you. The world doesn''t work that way."


    Serena brushed his hand side and kept booking a ride. She didn''t even need to look up to know that, just


    It was too bad. She wasn''t going to give him this time.


    Zach stood by her side for a long time, but she didn''t even spare him a nce "See you''ve changed."


    Serena''s fingers paused for a moment before she suddenly let out a softugh. before, Zach was staring at her with that same wounded, miserable expression


    "I never changed. You just new really paid attention to me I''ve always been this cold and distant. The


    The only difference was that you used to be special to me, but now, you''re no different


    "If you''re looking for sweet-talk and edges, then go back to the hospital and find Wendy Whatever emotional validation you need... it''s not my job to give it to you anymore.


    As the ride-hailing app kept searching, the radar blinked on her screen


    However, Zach felt his heart clench.


    So, was he no longer specialita Serena?


    He was heartbroken.


    then, a car sped toward them from a distance and came to a smooth stop in front of them


    The wind cousled Seven''s hair. She raised a hand to smooth it down while ncing at her phone, confused.


    Hadn''t she just been waiting for a ride? The app was still loading


    The car window rolled down


    In the back


    of the ck SUV, Hugh looked straight at her and said, "det in."


    Without hesitation, Serena closed the ride-hailing app and got into Hugh''s car. When Zach snapped out of his daze, he instinctively stepped forward, trying to stop bei.


    stat he was about to say something to make her stay, Hugh shot him a cold stare


    "If it''s about business, then handle it professionally. Don''te looking for her in private. With that, the window rolledup.


    Zach''s anxiau gaze was cut off entir


    The cas smoothly pulled away from the vi''s district and headed toward the bustling city center.


    lence filled the ran


    Then, Serena turned her head, realizing it a moment toote. "Mr. Larsen, was it a coincidence that you passed by the Jansen residence?)


    Hugh''s expression remained end. Hall at his fare was swallowed by the car''s shadows. Only his deep, piercing eyes reflected Serena''s image -


    "Me? Did something happen?" Selena asked, raising an eyebrow


    ache continued, "I came here specifically for


    Had word already gotten to High that Cole had helped Zachndthe project and that the fansen family was nning to work with him? Did Hugh, as her ally, deliberately take a detour to


    Serena''s eyes widened at the thought


    High responded, "It was your stepmother who called us. She said that ever since you became my wife, you''ve been acting atopantly, with no regard for anyone,


    "she even used you of driving Howard into the hospital and being disrespectful to your own father. Since they couldn''t handle you, they actually wanted my grandfather to step in and


    Serena''s gaze darkened


    Rachel and Howard never failed to stir up trouble. They couldn''t even control themselves, yet they expected the Larion family to keep het in check? How ridiculous


    But Hugh really didrome


    Serena lifted her gaze, het eyes unreadable. She asked, "So, M. Larson, are you here to demand an exnation?"


    Hech met het distant starf, his lips barely moving as he replied, "Grandpa asked me to check on you. He also wants me to bring you back


    Even Hugh couldn''t else when the head of the Lacson family gave an order. Serena, as his wife, was exception.


    The Jansen Lamily way old-fashioned by Javerton City''s standards, and the Larsons had plenty of rules of their own


    li silent. Then, she felt a weight on her


    She had no idea what kind of punishment awaited her for disrespecting her elders. That thought made Serena lower her head slowly, and she fell


    shoulder