If only he hadn''t annoyed Calvin while he was recovering... Maybe Serena really could''ve smoothed things over with Hugh and Calvin.


    The thought hit Howard like a p to the face. And the next moment, he took it out on Sarah. With a sharp re, he raised his hand and delivered a ringing p across her cheek.


    "This is all your fault, you wretch! Throwing yourself at him like that and pissing off Mr. Larson Senior... Now look at what you''ve done. You''ve sealed the fate of Jansen Group!"


    Sarah clutched her face and wailed even harder. She never imagined her recklessness would have led to this.


    After realizing that the Larson family was no longer an option, Howard turned his attention to Serena.


    "Nina, I admit it. This whole mess started because I listened to Sarah, not once, but twice. But I''m still your father. And Jansen Group... Your mom poured her heart into it, too. You can''t just stand there and watch us fall, right?"


    What a drastic shift in attitude. Serena didn''t say a word. She wanted to see what he would try next.


    Howard strode down urgently toward her with a warm expression-almost unnervingly so. When he reached her, he gripped her shoulders with both hands.


    Howard''s eyes were filled with a tenderness she hadn''t seen in years. "Nina, Amber Group has been making a fortely, right?"


    "If you''re willing to use some of those funds to cover Jansen Group''s current losses, everything can be salvaged.


    "You''ll still be the rightful heiress of the Jansen family, and as Mrs. Larson, you''ll be able to stand tall without having to answer to anyone. That''s something good right?"


    As Howard spoke, he gave her shoulder a squeeze, putting on the act of a loving, thoughtful father.


    But Serena''s heart remained cold and still. He only ever wore this face when he needed something from her.


    Slowly, she lifted her gaze. "Amber Group is thriving while Jansen


    Group is crumbling. So why should I cling to the Jansen name when I can stand tall as the CEO of Amber Group?


    "Even in the Larson family, I don''t need anyone''s name to hold my head high. And you, Dad, you didn''t lift a finger to help Amber Group when it was struggling. So, what makes you think I should use Amber Group''s sess to fill Jansen Group''s bottomless pit?"


    Serena''s voice wasn''t loud, but every word hit like a dagger.


    Howard''s hand jerked back in shock. He hadn''t expected Serena to reject the


    Jansen name entirely, much less be this selfish.


    He snapped. "You ungrateful traitor! Don''t forget. Amber Group is still a subsidiary of Jansen Group! If I wanted to, I could..."


    Serena reached for a file beside Natalie and tossed it onto the table. It was the agreement that had transferred Amber Group into her hands.


    She flipped it open, revealing the fine print. "When you handed over Amber Group, you made thewyers include these uses to cut off all financial ties between us.


    "The only thing left is a symbolic dividend, just enough to call it a subsidiary on paper. You were so afraid that Amber Group''s failure would drag Jansen down with it, so you carved the boundary clean.


    "Now, tell me. What can you possibly do to rece me and get your hands on Amber Group''s money?"


    She ran her fingers across the ck-and-white text-sharp, undeniable proof.


    Then, she looked up at him again. "You showed no mercy to Amber Group. So now, Amber Group returns the favor. In business, that''s what we call fair."


    Howard wasn''t just heartless to Amber Group. He did the same to Amber, too. And now? He was just reaping what he''d sown.