Serena didn''t get up. Instead, she pretended to be hurt, clutching her injured arm tightly and lightly biting her lip.


    "It hurts."


    Howard almost choked on his breath. He hadn''t even touched her.


    Before he could say anything, Hugh''s cold voice rang from the doorway. "You called Serena home early, and this is how you''re taking care of her?"


    Hugh quickly walked in. The rtives at the door, caught by his piercing gaze, felt as though they couldn''t breathe. They instinctively stepped aside to let him pass.


    Hugh bent down to help Serena up, but Serena clutched his sleeve and whispered, "My father said that I''ve harmed Ms. Lloyd and Sarah and that I need to be punished."


    "You harmed them?"


    Hugh''s voice was sharp, and he didn''t even stand up. Instead, he gripped Serena''s cold, slender wrist with a tight hold.


    He shot a furious look at Howard. "Sarah deliberately harmed someone, and we didn''t have her thrown in jail, which shows how generous we''ve been. Mr. Jansen, I never expected you to flip the truth today.


    "Even after taking our family''spensation, is it still not enough? Now, you want to also get revenge on Serena? You want her to suffer under your family''s punishment, with her skin torn and bloodied. Is that what will satisfy you?"


    As he spoke, Hugh tightened his grip and abruptly pulled Serena into his arms.


    His thumb gently brushed over the spot she had bandaged the day before, checking for any signs of bleeding or tearing. Though everything seemed fine, the coldness in his eyes only deepened.


    Howard felt a chill run down his spine as Hugh''s gaze pierced him.


    Howard couldn''t understand how his attempt to discipline his daughter had


    somehow turned into a form of revenge in Hugh''s words.


    He quickly stepped forward and tried to exin, "It''s a misunderstanding. It''s all a misunderstanding! Nina just got hurt. As her father, how could I bear to let her suffer like that?


    "They just had a falling out over Cole''s engagement party. She bullied Sarah, and that''s why I said I''d use family punishment to scare her."


    Leaning in Hugh''s arms, Serena turned her head away. "Was I the one who forced Sarah to ruin the engagement party? Was I the one who shoved her head into the cab? Dad, you really have a way with words. How did all the me end up on me?"


    "I..." Howard couldn''te up with a response, stammering and unable to exin.


    Hugh''s voice grew cold as he said, "If we''re talking about wrongs, Rachel suffered a miscarriage, and my grandfather gave you Larson Group''s project aspensation. Now, Sarah has ruined Cole''s engagement party and ndered Serena. Shouldn''t you just give her that project aspensation?"


    Howard''s eyes widened in shock. "That... Doesn''t that mean you''re taking it back?"


    The project had just been handed over, and the contract wasn''t even signed yet.


    The rtives around them suddenly grew anxious. That project was worth a lot, and they couldn''t just let it slip away.


    Hugh raised an eyebrow. "Am I supposed to let Serena suffer in silence today? The project can stay with you, but Serena kneeling here today is a disgrace to our family. How will you make up for that?"


    As he spoke, Hugh gently pressed his hand on Serena''s waist, signaling her to say what she wanted.


    Feeling the silent support, Serena responded smoothly, "My mother left behind a vi..."


    "I''ll immediately transfer the vi to Nina''s name," Howard said without hesitation.


    Though the vi was currently under Rachel''s name, it was nothingpared to the major Larson projects. Howard could tell the difference in value, even if he was reluctant.


    But even though it was just a vi, the thought of losing something worth millions made Howard grind his teeth in frustration.