Wendy choked on Serena''s words.


    Zach quickly regained hisposure. Taking a closer look, he realized that aside from Wendy''s tear-swollen eyes, there wasn''t a single scratch on her. His brow furrowed deeply as he withdrew his hand.


    Wendy grabbed his arm, disbelief shing across her face. "Zach, do you only believe Serena? I—I had an asthma attack yesterday! I still feel weak today, that''s why I-"


    "You seem to have plenty of strength when making excuses. Doesn''t look like you got hit at all."


    Zach brushed her hand away and stood up, his expression remaining indifferent.


    Tears welled up in Wendy''s eyes, but he didn''t spare her a nce. Without an audience, they meant nothing.


    She pressed her lips into a tight line, not daring to push her luck any further. Meanwhile, Zach walked straight toward Serena.


    "Serena, I know you wouldn''t really hurt Wendy. About yesterday—"


    "Stop right there." From a distance, Serena observed him before signaling for the parking lot security guard toe over. "I have nothing to say to you. I''m in a hurry for work and don''t have time to waste on this nonsense."


    "But, Serena-"


    "Mr. Foster! Ms. Jansen has made it clear she doesn''t want you near her. Please keep your distance."


    The security guard arrived just in time, quickly stepping in to block Zach''s path.


    "Mr. Foster, you and Ms. Smith have already caused enough trouble in this neighborhood. Others have every right to keep their distance from you. If you cause any more trouble, we''ll have no choice but to call the police on Ms. Jansen''s behalf!"


    The residents on the top floor of Crestview Bay were far more valuable than the troublesome ones.


    With security guards standing between them, Serena didn''t hesitate for a moment she got into her car and drove off.


    Zach stood rooted in ce, his nails digging into his palms.


    Serena was slipping further and further away, along with thest of her patience.


    He slowly turned his head, his cold gaze fixing on Wendy, a silent threat gleaming in his eyes.


    "What really happened when Rena left?"


    At Amber Group, Alicia stood by the conference room door, watching as Serena arrivedter than expected.


    "I pushed the meeting back by 10 minutes for you. Did something happen on the way?" she asked.


    "Just some stubborn pests I couldn''t shake off. Thanks for the extra time. Let''s go."


    Serena took a deep breath, pushing aside all thoughts of Zach and Wendy before stepping inside.


    As she entered, pairs of hopeful eyes turned to her, brimming with anticipation for the future.


    Right now, nothing mattered more than her career.


    An hourter, the morning meeting wrapped up.


    Her team was fully prepared. All that remained was tounch the projects and leave their mark.


    Alicia and Chris were particrly enthusiastic.


    After wrapping up a few tasks, Serena realized she had left her phone on her


    desk. She wasn''t sure if she had missed any messages.


    Just as she reached for it, her phone buzzed with an iing call. It was Hugh.


    "Did you make it to the office


    safely?" he asked. "I just heard from


    the property management team that Zach and Wendy were harassing you again. Do you have a securitypany you trust?"


    His voice remained steady, but he


    spoke quickly. In the background


    the rhythmic tter of a keyboard and the soft scratch of a percagainst paper filled the silence.


    Serena frowned. "I don''t need a


    bodyguard. Unless it''s absolutely


    necessary, I don''t like having someone following me around. But


    you sound busy over there. Have you eaten breakfast?"


    She was about to take a break and order breakfast, but hearing how busy Hugh sounded...


    "Not yet," he replied.