"Ms. Jansen, pleasee with us to the station to give a statement."
An officer''s voice finally pulled Serena from her thoughts.
She followed them to the station.
It was only when Shania was taken into custody that she seemed to realize the gravity of her mistake.
In a panic, she blurted out, "Someone put me up to this! It was my cousin-inw, Rachel! She kept hinting that I should take revenge on Serena! I just got caught up in the moment. I was being used!
"Please, you have to investigate! I don''t want to go to prison!" Her wailing echoed through the station, heard by everyone.
But she had no proof that Rachel had incited her, so for now, she had no choice but to be detained along with the gangsters while the investigation continued.
Shania was on the verge of tears.
Just a wall away, Serena had heard everything clearly. A dark glint shed in her eyes.
Rachel was involved in this too? Was she just using Shania to suppress her? Or did she have some other agenda?
As she pondered, Alicia sent her a message.
"I just went through the remaining financial records. It turns out that there''s an ountant in the finance department named Bryan Lloyd who''s been cooking the books.
"Over the past three years, he''s funneled sixty million under the guise of ''business expenses.'' That''s no small amount."
At the mention of that name, a flicker of shock crossed Serena''s eyes.
Before she could reply to Alicia, Hugh was already walking toward her. "Everything''s settled. I''ll take you back to the office."
"Okay," she responded instinctively.
Hugh and Chandler drove her back to Amber Group. Before leaving, Hugh even reminded her about the cat food.
Serenaughed and waved at him from the elevator. "Got it. Drive safe."
"Mm."
The elevator doors closed, cutting off the sight of Hughpletely.
Serenaposed herself and was about to check the ounts when she turned and saw Alicia staring at the elevator doors, looking utterly dejected.
She was puzzled. "What''s wrong? Do you know Hugh?"
"Of course I do!" Alicia''s head snapped up, her eyes sparkling. "That''s Hugh Larson! Back in high school, he was practically a legend. He was top of his ss, good-looking, and admired by both students and teachers!
"I heard he''s really kind too. He helped a lot of students in private. One time, he even came back to give a speech, and I basically treated him as my idol all throughout high school!
"Too bad he came and went so fast. I didn''t even get to shake his hand."
She chattered excitedly, but Serena''s eyes widened slightly.
Kind? Secretly helped a lot of students? Idol? She couldn''t reconcile these words with the Hugh she knew.
In the business world, Hugh was ruthless.
One day, a person could be dining at the same table with him, and the next, they''d be discarded by the Larson family over a minor issue.
His moods were unpredictable, keeping every executive on edge. His name alone sent shivers down people''s spines. Most people in the industry avoided him like the gue.
The only ones who dared to interact with him were those he found useful. If it weren''t for his fairness and sharp judgment, no one would even dare to do business with him.
But in Alicia''s eyes, he was a warm and kind senior from high school?
It was as if she was seeing apletely different side of Hugh.
She coughed lightly, trying to shake off the thought.
"Maybe he was just young back then. So, you probably saw him through rose- colored sses. In the business world, he''s strict and decisive. Most people are terrified of him."
Alicia pouted.
"Really? If everyone in the industry is so scared of him, then why are you two so close?
"Just now, he didn''t even hesitate to put himself in danger for you. He kicked Shania away without a second thought. And he was so worried about you getting hurt."
Because they were allies.
As Hugh''s wife, she had to maintain a certain image in public. Of course, he wouldn''t want her face to be injured.