Serena moved so quickly that Chandler didn''t even have a chance to catch up.


    He stood in the doorway, his gaze shifting between her retreating figure and Hugh, who still seemed unwilling to let her go.


    "Should I go after her?" he asked.


    "Let her be."


    Hugh chuckled. The breakfast she''d brought had warmed more than just his stomach-it warmed his heart too.


    Besides, with dinner ns already set, there was no need to hurry.


    Serena, on the other hand, rushed into the elevator. If she wanted to keep her evening free for dinner, she had to wrap up the rest of her tasks as quickly as possible.


    Time flew, and soon, evening arrived.


    She had just finished packing up and was ready to leave when her phone suddenly rang.


    It was Natalie.


    "Mr. Jansen wants you back at Jansen Group immediately. It''s about apany project. He said it''s urgent."


    Natalie wouldn''t sound this anxious unless Howard was breathing down her neck.


    Serena nced at the time. If this was just another one of Howard''s usual tantrums, it probably wouldn''t take long to deal with.


    She sent Hugh a quick message before heading straight to Jansen Group.


    ...


    Serena stepped into the office. "Dad, what''s going on?"


    "Larson Group is blocking every project we''ve submitted!"


    Howard spun around in frustration, mming the documents on his desk. "Did you say something to Hugh?"


    Serena didn''t flinch.


    "Do you really think a few words from me could change Larson Group''s decisions? Instead of pointing fingers, maybe you should consider whether Jansen Group is up to standard."


    Her calm defiance only made Howard angrier.


    "Do you think you know Jansen Group better than I do? If we weren''t capable, why would I even submit these projects?


    "Fine. Let''s assume this wasn''t your doing. But as a member of the Jansen family, shouldn''t you at least talk to Hugh and figure out what''s goingon? Or are you just collecting a paycheck as Jansen Group''s assistant general manager without doing any work?"


    Now Howard was really testing her patience.


    Serena''s brow furrowed as her patience finally reached its breaking point.


    "If it''s my project, I''ll handle it. If it''s not, find someone else. Now, if you''ll excuse


    me."


    "You dare walk out on me?" Howard''s fury erupted as he mmed his hand on the desk.


    Serena tried to leave, but at Howard''smand, his assistants quickly closed in, blocking her path.


    Their words made it clear-they expected her to go to the Larson residence today and resolve everything.


    The tense standoff stretched on until Natalie pushed her way through.


    "Step aside! Silence! Mr. Larson is downstairs, waiting for Ms. Jansen to join him for dinner."


    The moment Hugh''s name was mentioned, no one dared block Serena''s path.


    Serena let out a quiet breath of relief, smoothing the creases in her clothe


    But just as she


    leave, Howard lunged fordel nex


    and


    grabbed her arm.


    "Call Hugh up here! If you won''t ask him, I will!"


    With that, a few assistants hurried downstairs to deliver the message.


    Serena stared at Howard''s firm grip on her wrist, the chill in her heart sinking even deeper. So this was the man who called himself her father-one who saw her as nothing more than a bargaining chip.


    Momentster, Hugh appeared at the door. The instant he spotted Serena''s pale face, his strides quickened instinctively.


    But before he could reach her, Howard stepped into his path, rubbing his hands together.


    "Mr. Larson, I''d like to know why the Jansen Group''s project applications—"


    "A deal with no potential and nopetitive value-Larson Group doesn''t waste


    its time on investments like that."


    Hugh brushed past him and took Serena''s hand. "I''m taking her with me," he said. Howard stood frozen in ce.


    When had the Jansen Group fallen so far as to be dismissed as a failing investment?