"I''m not being aggressive. If you''re so eager, why don''t you step in and pay for the damages yourself?"


    The group of leering men fell silent.


    Thepensation for an entire building in Crestview Bay was no small amount. It was impossible for Wendy to cover the cost alone.


    Hearing their humiliating remarks, Wendy''s anger red even more. She was about to curse them out when she suddenly spotted Zach hurrying over.


    Her eyes lit up instantly.


    "Zach! You''re finally back! I was so scared..."


    She ran straight toward him.


    The onlookers perked up at the sight.


    "Well, well. Looks like the guy footing the bill is here."


    "My livestream penalty fees aren''t cheap, you know."


    "Don''t forget the elevator repairs. And my walls have beenpletely ckened from the smoke..."


    Voices ovepped as the crowd rattled off their demands, their greedy eyes locked onto Zach.


    However, Zach didn''t look at any of them. He didn''t even look at Wendy.


    Wendy lunged forward, only to grasp at empty air.


    "Zach..."


    Stunned, she turned back.


    Zach had rushed straight toward Serena.


    "Rena! Are you okay? I heard there was a fire, and you live on the top floor... I


    was worried that something had happened to you! Are you hurt?"


    Serena flinched in surprise. She had only gotten a little wet, and with Hugh shielding her so well, the worst that had happened was her inhaling


    a bit of smoke on her way out.


    So, why was Zach acting like she had barely escaped death?


    She instinctively took a step back, almost right into Hugh''s arms, and Zach saw it.


    The worry in his eyes hardened, sharpening into something cold and dangerous.


    "She''s so shaken that she can''t even speak! Is this how much you treasure her, Mr. Larson?"


    Hugh''s gaze darkened.


    Before Serena could say a word, Hugh''s arm was already around her waist.


    He said coldly, "Don''t call her that


    like you have the right. What happens between us isn''t your business. Maybe you should worry about the little firestarter you''ve been babysitting instead."


    He dragged out the word "firestarter" just enough to make it sting.


    Zach had once used those very words to humiliate Serena.


    Now, Hugh had thrown them right back in his face.


    Serena caught the hostility in Hugh''s eyes, and her heart pounded wildly.


    Was her so-called ally actually standing up for her?


    Zach felt the sting of those words. Just as he was about to exin that he and Wendy weren''t like that, a shrill, hysterical voice cut through the air behind him.


    Wendy shouted, "Zach, I''m the one who got hurt! I inhaled so much smoke! Serena is perfectly fine. Why do you only care about her? Why don''t you care about me?"


    Hearing her words, Zach was furious. He turned around and scolded her back.


    "Because you started the damn fire! What exactly am I supposed to feel sorry for? Wendy, I told you so many times to just let the maid handle the cooking! Why are you so stubborn?


    "We''re lucky no one got hurt today. If someone had gotten hurt, you''d be facing


    prison time. If that happened... I wouldn''t save you."