As thest word fell, a sharp pain shot through Zach''s chest.


    Serena pulled herself from her thoughts and stepped to Hugh''s side. "Since you''ve both had your say, it''s time to go home."


    She had deliberately waited until Hugh was finished before stepping in. Having an ally to do the talking for her was undeniably satisfying.


    More importantly, she didn''t want anyone wasting their time on Zach. She was ready to leave with Hugh.


    Just as they turned to leave, Zach''s voice rang out. "Maybe I didn''t treat you well before, but is he really your best choice? Serena, I hope youe to your senses before it''s toote.


    "To him, you''re nothing but a secret lover. A man like Mr. Larson... He''ll toss you aside one day when he''s tired of you."


    His words dripped with resentment, his re seething as he shot Hugh onest look before turning away.


    Serena watched his retreating figure, wanting to say something.


    Just then, the elevator chimed.


    Hugh''s voice cut through her hesitation. "Let''s go up."


    "Alright."


    The timing was too perfect. It was as if fate itself didn''t want her wasting another word on Zach.


    She followed Hugh into the elevator.


    A momentter, he asked, "Since he keeps chasing after you like this, why don''t you just tell him the truth about us? That way, he''ll finally give up."


    "And stop being an eyesore in front of you..." He left the second half of his thoughts unsaid.


    Serena answered without hesitation, "I made a deal with you. Our rtionship stays private for a while. During this time, I''ll keep my word and won''t tell anyone. He''s just an outsider. He''s not worth making an exception for."


    Thatst sentence instantly put Hugh in a good mood.


    Zach was an outsider. On the other hand, he was Serena''s legally wedded husband.


    And that distinction made all the difference.


    With everythingid out in the open, the tension between them eased.


    Just as they reached the top floor, Hugh was about to use the excuse of checking


    on the calico cat to spend more time with Serena.


    But before he could, Serena''s phone rang. It was a call from Calvin.


    "Grandpa?"


    "Grandpa, why are you calling Serena?" Hugh and Serena exchanged a concerned look, thinking something might have happened.


    However, Calvin was amused to find them together. "It looks like I''m interrupting something. You two are still glued together at this hour? You young people... all that passion is great, but don''t forget to care for your health."


    Serena''s face instantly flushed. Calvin had misunderstood their situation.


    This was all Howard''s fault for calling her home so early.


    Before she could exin, Hugh cleared his throat, his ears turning slightly red. He didn''t even dare look at Serena. "Grandpa, get to the point."


    "Melissa has to take ast-minute trip abroad for work, and she''s worried there won''t be anyone to oversee Cole''s engagement party. She asked if anyone in the family could step in and help out.


    "Since you''re not in a rush to make your rtionship with Serena public, why don''t you use this event as an opportunity? You can make an appearance among family and friends while keeping an eye on the engagement arrangements," Calvin exined, emphasizing that most of the nning was already taken care of.


    Serena would only need to check in from time to time to make sure things run smoothly.