"No," Serena replied firmly.


    She stood up, ready to leave.


    Howard shot to his feet with both hands pressed against the table.


    "Nina, you''re my daughter. We can talk this through! I just need you to put in a good word for Jansen Group in front of Zach. If you''re willing to help, I promise your Mom''s name won''t be erased from our family''s history. I''ll even build her a separate memorial, exactly the way she would have wanted. Will that do?"


    He sounded almost desperate.


    The day of the bidding, he had watched with his own eyes as Zach chased after Serena''s car.


    Whether it was lingering affection or guilt driving Zach''s actions, it didn''t matter. As long as Zach still had feelings for her, this could work.


    If they could win him over, they would secure Foster Group''s partnership and investment, and that was the only thing keeping Jansen Group afloat.


    Serena halted mid-step and let out a sharpugh. "You only remember me when you need something. Do you think you can keep stringing me along with empty promises? I''m not falling for it."


    "Nina! Fine. I''m okay with you not wanting to build a memorial. Just tell me what you want! As long as you''re willing to meet Zach for a meal, I''ll agree to anything!"


    Howard almost lunged across the table to block her path, desperation written all over his face.


    Only then did Serena finally turn around. She asked, "Anything?"


    "A-As long as it''s within my power!" Howard replied, gritting his teeth.


    Silence hung between them. A bead of sweat traced down Howard''s temple as he waited for her response.


    "I want Amber Group."


    Amber Group was a subsidiary of Jansen Group, named after Serena''s mother as


    a tribute. It had once been Amber''s porcin studio before evolving into an industrialpany. As the business changed, the traces of Amber had slowly disappeared.


    However, Amber Group was currently struggling. Its profits were dwindling, and it was on the verge of shutting down.


    Howard''s eyes lit up. He had been looking for an excuse to close thepany for good, and now Serena wanted to im it?


    What a coincidence!


    "Fine. I''ll have the contract drafted right away and transfer Amber Group to your name."


    "Your word is final." Serena nodded and left without a second thought.


    Howard let out a mockingugh, murmuring to himself, "Like mother, like daughter, huh? Apany that just happens to share her name, and she''s already trapped herself in it."


    On the other side of the door, Serena smirked as she walked away.


    Did Howard really think she wanted thepany just because of its name?


    Like her porcin work, the business Amber had once built still held its true value, even in her absence. Amber Group''s potential would far exceed Howard''s imagination.


    Another long day passed.


    Exhausted, Serena returned home, washed up, and got ready to rest. She had


    just taken off her jacket when a knock sounded at the door.


    She opened the door and found herself face-to-face with Hugh.


    Hugh stood at the door, sweat dampening his hair at his temple, yet his expression remainedposed.


    He pretended to be calm as he said, "I have an urgent meeting overseas, and my flight leaves in an hour."


    Serena was taken aback. Her fingers tightened around the doorknob before she even realized it.


    With so little time, he had still gone out of his way toe here?


    She was worried that he wouldn''t make it to the airport in time.


    "You''re barely going to make it. You should''ve just called instead ofing all this way..."


    Hugh looked into her eyes with an intense gaze. "I''m just stopping by to grab something."


    Oh, so it wasn''t intentional. He was just stopping by to grab his things.