Hugh covered his mouth and gave a light cough. His usually cold gaze shifted away a little awkwardly from the person in front of him.


    "Is your birthdaying up soon?"


    Hm? Serena paused, a little surprised.


    Hugh must have taken note of her birthday back when they registered their marriage. But her birthday had never really been a big deal.


    In the past, there had been no family around, and her friends were all back in Javerton.


    Sometimes she''d have dinner at a high ss restaurant booked by Zach, sometimes a banquet in the penthouse of a luxury hotel. Before Zarena Group became sessful, she and her colleagues would just share cake at home.


    She nodded. "Yeah, my birthday''s in a few days. But usually birthdays are when people give me gifts. Now, I''m trying to thank you. Isn''t that kind of reversed?"


    "It''s not." Hugh paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "I n to host a banquet under the guise of your birthday party. It''ll be in the name of the Larson family."


    He wanted to throw her a birthday party, but was worried she might feel burdened or pressured—so using the Larson family name would serve as a convenient


    excuse.


    Serena immediately understood.


    Their wedding was already being nned and her birthday was around the corner. As her "devoted husband," it made sense for Hugh to show care and affection.


    That way, no one outside would question whether their marriage was a cold, emotionless arrangement. It would fulfill Calvin''s expectations too-that they be a truly loving couple.


    So, she nodded her agreement.


    "Alright, my birthday will be fully nned by you and the Larson family. I''ll gather


    my friends a bit earlier for a small get-together."


    Hugh opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. It seemed Serena had misunderstood.


    He had no problem sending out invitations to her friends-actually, the more people who knew, the better.


    But in Serena''s eyes, he was throwing this party simply to fulfill the old man''s wishes.


    His expression darkened slightly.


    "But the banquet is more about meeting Grandpa''s expectations AS for thanking you, why don''t I cook you dinner instead? It''ll be a chance to warm up the new ce. What do you like to eat?"


    Serena scooped up Snuggle, who had wandered over with a plush toy in its mouth and started kneading her foot.


    She tucked it into her arms, ready to explore the rest of the house.


    Hugh watched the kitten kneading happily in her arms, then, after a pause,


    grabbed Snuggle by the scruff with one hand.


    "Anything is fine sans the cat fur."


    "True, it''s all Snuggie''s fault for shedding so much. You stay here and keep Mr. Larsonpany, okay?"


    Serena gave silent approval of Hugh lifting the


    abcat in one hand and turned


    to find the maid, nning to ask about ingredients and kitchen tools.


    Only Snuggle was left behind, pawing the air and meowing in protest as she walked away.


    Hugh gave the little fluff ball a deadpan look and stuffed it under his arm like a furry pancake.


    "Off-limits means off-limits. Got it?"


    Snuggle meowed in response.


    ...


    While some were having candlelight dinners. Others were starving.


    Wendy, unfamiliar with everything in Javerton, had been kicked out by Zach. She still had credit cards with her, but thinking about her now-bleak future, she didn''t even have the appetite to eat.


    ve


    She wandered aimlessly in the drizzling rain. Then, she heard some mocking<pughter.