Holding onto her ripped clothes, Sarah attempted to slip away, but Serena immediately grabbed her. "Go and exin yourself to Dad."


    Howard had just learned that their client had been hit. Seeing Serena return, he erupted in anger. "I put in all this effort to secure this client, and this is how you humiliate him? If this deal falls apart, you can step down as assistant manager..."


    Before he could finish, he turned and spotted the disheveled Sarah. "Sarah, what happened to you?"


    Serena mmed the door shut with a bang and tossed Sarah onto the ground. "Dad, maybe you should question your dear daughter about why she showed up at the business dinner dressed like that. She didn''t even exin when someone took advantage of her, and she just pped Mr. Xanthos across the face. I tried to stop him, and she ended up putting him in the hospital!"


    "I..." Sarah clutched her chest and looked up, locking eyes with Howard''s enraged re.


    For a moment, she was at a loss for words. She couldn''t possibly tell him that she had attempted to seduce Cole but got caught by Regina. In her desperation, she had stumbled into Serena''s business dinner, where she ended up being humiliated and causing a huge mess.


    After much deliberation, she gripped her arm and broke down in hysterical tears. "Dad, I was only trying to help Serena with the business deal. But on the way, I ran into a pervert and had no choice but to run to her. I never thought she''d push me toward Mr. Xanthos and make him think I was some escort-"


    "Do you expect me to believe you were here for business dressed in nothing but scraps of fabric and ck stockings?" Serena interrupted her coldly.


    She then tossed the wine-stained contract at Sarah''s feet. "Since you''re so capable, why don''t you go secure the deal in that ragged outfit? I''ll dly let you have all the credit."


    With that, she didn''t waste another second and turned to walk away.


    What aplete waste of time! She might as well join Amber Group''s celebration instead.


    Howard nced at Sarah and immediately pieced everything together. However, business had toe first, so he stopped Serena. "Serena, you''ll take charge of this project for now. As for Sarah, I''ll make sure she learns her lesson."


    Serena stopped in her tracks and looked down at Sarah''s fierce re. She raised an eyebrow slightly. Without a word, she turned around and took a seat.


    "Alright, Dad. Go ahead and teach her a lesson. I''ll stay and watch. Once I''m in a better mood, I''ll apologize to Mr. Xanthos."


    "Serena, you..." Sarah was so furious that she nearly jumped up to hit her.


    Howard angrily pointed at her and scolded, "Shut up! If Serena hadn''t rushed him to the hospital in time and handed a hefty sum to Mr. Xanthos''s subordinates before leaving, this deal wouldn''t even be on the table."


    After a brief pause, he added, "All you do is make things worse! You can''t keep a man, and you can''t secure a business deal. How did I end up with a daughter like you? If you were even half as capable as Serena, I''d be thanking the heavens!"


    Listening to Howard''s relentless scolding, Serena finally felt satisfied. She couldn''t deny that the whole drama had turned out to be slightly more entertaining than the celebration banquet.


    Sarah red at her with even more hatred.


    When Howard was finally done with his reprimand, he instructed someone to get Sarah a change of clothes and send her home.


    Before Serena left, Howard reminded her, "The shareholders'' meeting is in a few days. Your uncles will all be present, and Mr. Foster will be attending as an observer to facilitate future coboration with us. You need to be there too. Make sure to be pleasant to Mr. Foster. Understand?"


    "Alright." Serena understood. She was merely a tool, meant to sit there and make an appearance.


    Sarah stepped out after changing and lurked in the shadows with a sinister re fixed on Serena.


    Her eyes brimmed with hatred as she muttered under her breath, "The uncles have always favored me. This shareholders'' meeting is perfect timing. Serena, since I had to suffer humiliation out there, you can forget about having a good time in Jansen Group."