High had reached out and gently patted her.


    "You did nothing wrong. Howard has to me but himself. He''s greedy and ruthless, and he''s willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants. He''s ended up in the hospital, but that''s just the pace of his own failure and frustration


    "Serena, I know you''ve not someone who simply disregards right and wrong or disrespects the elders. This was on him."


    Thebusting pat on her shouldersted only a moment.


    Serena nced at him sideways and said, "Rachel probably didn''t tell you the whole story, so why do you trust me so unconditionally? Serena clenched her fists, feeling a bit confused.


    Hugh withchew his hand and answered casually, as if it were nothing. "I don''t know what happened, but I believe you


    He didn''t know the details, but he knew Serena.


    Senate as if the temperature in the car had risen, wapping her in aforting warmth. So, this was what it felt like to be trusted uncondelonally,


    She lowered her voice and matmated, "Thanks"


    Hugh runed his head slightly and stole a nce at her.


    The rest of the tide passed in silence.


    deloce long, the cat pulled up at the Larson residence. The Larson residence was brightly lit, with several maids standing at the entrance and waiting respectfully. Sereva walked alongside Hugh toward the doct. Just before he pushed it open, he noticed the tension in her posture.


    "Are you afraid?


    "My punishment won''t adl you, will it?" she asked


    Serena wasn''t afraid of being punished. She was only worried about dragging down such a valuable ally


    Hugh held back a smile and pushed the door open for her.


    His voicealed no emotion, yet it carried a teassuring sense of security.


    pcht on the couch, his eves half-closed, making it impossible to read his emoti


    that he was resting, Serena istintively lightened beciept


    she approached, cahi


    emed to ernie hen presence and slowly opened his eyes. Those aged, weathered eyes turned to her with deliberate slowness.


    "secera, are you hurt? Calvin asked."


    1


    serena was stunned, she had expected him to old her for disrespecting her elders. She hadn''t expected his first question to be of concern for her.


    sering het surprise. Calvin''s gaze softened