A cold glint shed in Zach''s eyes as he heard Sarah''s words.


    "You... know about Serena and Hugh''s rtionship?" he asked.


    If the Jansen family found out that Serena was Hugh''s mistress, then...


    "Serena is your half-sister, your dad''s biological daughter. Why aren''t you doing something to stop her?"


    Sarah was taken aback.


    Zach didn''t even seem to notice the insult in her words. Instead, he continued defending Serena.


    Why did she deserve the affection of so many aplished men?


    Anger surged within Sarah, and she spoke without thinking. "Stop her? Why would we? Ever since she "


    Before Sarah could finish, Rachel, who had arrived with lunch, quickly interrupted.


    "Ever since Serena entered Hugh''s circle, her status has skyrocketed. Sarah wouldn''t dare challenge her. Even I have to tread carefully around her."


    Sarah quickly covered her mouth, realizing she had nearly let slip that they were married.


    Rachel shot Sarah a furious re. How foolish could she be? If Zach found out about the marriage, he would undoubtedly give up on Serena.


    With Zach out of the picture, Serena would be fully devoted to Hugh. And with Hugh''s backing, they''d have to endure Serena''s dominance every single day from


    now on.


    As Serena''s ex, Zach still held some value.


    Zach''s expression immediately darkened upon hearing Rachel''s words.


    "Even you, her stepmother, know about Serena and Hugh?"


    Zach''s mind raced back to all the times Serena had been mistreated at home.


    A new thought struck him-could it be that Serena had be Hugh''s mistress because the Jansen family had forced her into it?


    After all, when she left him, she had nothing-no power, no status. She had returned to a family that didn''t care for her and was forced to endure their bullying.


    The thought made Zach''s eyes burn with anger. He hadpletely forgotten about how Serena had used him earlier.


    As Serena stepped out of the office, Zach quickly approached her before she could speak. His eyes were full of concern as he gently grabbed her wrist.


    "Serena, I misunderstood you."


    Misunderstood what?


    Serena nced at Rachel and Sarah standing next to Zach and instantly understood. They hadn''t spoken a kind word, yet here they were, waiting by the office door with him.


    She knew Zach must have realized she had used him earlier, but she made no effort to hide it.


    "You heard it yourself, didn''t you? That''s the truth. Now, can you let go of me?"


    Serena had used Zach''s feelings to get him to sign the contract and aplish her goal.


    But to Zach, it seemed like Serena was acknowledging that the Jansen family had pressured her into bing Hugh''s mistress. His heart ached even more for her.


    "Rena, I know I was wrong. I treated you badly before. Please, give me another chance. I''ll take you to a candlelit dinner, a concert, and even get you a custom violin..."


    Zach spoke with sincerity, hoping he could be better for her than Hugh had been. He wanted Serena to let go of her past with Hugh ande back to him.


    However, Serena furrowed her brow, still unable to break free from his grip.


    "I don''t need that! I have work to do. Let go of me..."


    "What do you want from me? Whatever it is, I''ll do it!" Zach insisted, still holding onto her wrist tightly.


    Serena felt a headacheing on.


    In the past, Zach had made simr promises, but they had never been followed through. He had never bothered to book that rooftop candlelit dinner he had promised.