The crowd erupted instantly, voices ovepping in excitement.


    "As expected of Mr. Larson-ten million in one go!"


    "This is the first time I''ve seen Mr. Larson being so generous because of a woman. What kind of charm does Ms. Jansen have?"


    "Why so bitter? I think they''re a perfect match-handsome and beautiful. Mr. Larson clearly has good taste."


    Countless socialites and wealthydies fixed their eyes on Serena, eager to see what kind of woman could tame the cold-faced tyrant of the business world.


    ...


    In the shadows of the hall, Wendy clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms until crescent-shaped wounds bled freely.


    She listened as everyone around her sang praises for Serena and Hugh, her eyes burning with jealousy.


    So, she was the real Mrs. Larson all along the thought hit her like a p.


    She had actually gone toin to Mrs. Larson about her own husband.


    Had Serena been mocking her all along? Had she always seen Wendy as nothing more than a ridiculous clown?


    Not far away, Zach walked over, his steps heavy with defeat. The waves of well- wishes for Serena felt like knives slicing into his heart.


    He just wanted to get out of there.


    "Wendy, let''s go."


    "Mm." Lacking her usual enthusiasm, Wendy followed him, both of them silently retreating from thevish ballroom.


    Just before the grand doors shut behind them, Wendy caught a final glimpse— Serena, dressed in an exquisite gown, standing beside Hugh as he led her onto the stage to announce their donation.


    Under the spotlight, she was dazzling. Was she only ever meant to look up at her from below?


    ...


    Inside the car, Wendy flung herself into the leather seat, rolling down the window as the rushing wind whipped her hair into disarray.


    From the corner of her eye, she noticed Zach''s silent rage-his foot pressing harder and harder against the elerator.


    The car sped through the city, as if mirroring the jealousy surging in his chest. His grip on the steering wheel tightened, fingers pressing deep into the leather.


    Then, her voice broke through the tension.


    "So, all along, Serena has been treating us like clowns, ying us for fools!


    "We were so worried she''d ruin herself by bing Hugh''s mistress. But in reality? She had already climbed into his bed-became his wife!


    "Who knows—maybe she was already fooling around with Hugh back when she was still with you, Zach!


    "Otherwise, why would a man like Hugh suddenly marry her? Even I, living in Yellowbrook City, have heard how he doesn''t care for women!"


    Her voice rose higher and higher, even the cold wind rushing through the window couldn''t drown it out.


    Zach''s hands trembled with anger. Had she really been drifting away from him all along?


    Back when he was still calling her Rena in that soft, affectionate voice, had her heart already belonged to Hugh then?


    A man like Hugh—so rigid in business, so untouchable in his personal life-had actually given Serena the one thing Zach couldn''t.


    A title.


    Hugh didn''t care about the Larson family''s reputation or that he was marrying a woman from a smaller family.


    Why? Why was it Serena and Hugh in the end? Not Serena and him.


    The questions swarmed his mind, pressing down like a heavy tide, swelling,


    expanding until his head was on the verge of bursting.


    Through it all, Wendy''s voice droned on beside him.


    "I don''t know if she wanted his


    vishe


    money, his power, or if she just always dreamed of being Mrs. Larson. Maybe she only ran to Hugh because you never gave her a proper title. Some women are just gold diggers like that-"


    The car skidded to a violent stop.


    Wendy nearly flew forward, barely catching the seatbelt in time. Her heart hammered as she turned to look at Zach''s face. His eyes were cold.


    "So, you think this is my fault too?" His voice was low, dangerous.


    "You think it''s because I didn''t give Rena a title that she went running into another man''s arms? So all these years-everything between us was worth less than Hugh''s money and power?"


    Wendy''s breath hitched.


    For a moment, she was startled by the fury in his eyes. She wanted to exin, but


    her own resentment was boiling over.