The words struck Serena like a hammer blow. She bit her lip, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Mrs. Vaughn,st time you told me yourself that I was the perfect fit to be your daughter-inw-and that you''d never ept a divorcée marrying into the Vaughn family!"


    Henrietta''s expression hardened. "Serena, I never said anything of the sort. You must be remembering it wrong."


    Serena''sposure began to crack. "Is it just me, or do you all think Eleanor is so wonderful? She wed her way into marrying my brother back then, and now she''s trying to seduce Xavier-"


    "Serena." Gina''s voice snapped like a whip, silencing her. "That''s enough. Haven''t you embarrassed yourself enough already?"


    Serena looked up, suddenly aware that everyone in the room was staring at her. Xavier''s face had darkened as well. Tears welled in her eyes and, unable to bear it any longer, she turned and fled from the living room.


    "Serena, wait!" Mrs. Vaughn called after her, worry in her voice.


    Gina let out a heavy sigh. "I''ll head out first, then." She crouched down, speaking gently to her granddaughter. "Evelyn, Grandma has to leave early. Will you stay with your mom?"


    "Okay, Grandma," Evelyn replied obediently.


    Out in the parking lot, Gina saw their car already running. Serena was in the back seat, dabbing furiously at her eyes.


    Gina climbed in and told the driver, "Take us home."


    The driver had just started the engine when headlights swept across the driveway. He squinted through the windshield and recognized the vehicle immediately.


    "That''s the young master''s car," he announced.


    Serena wiped her tears and looked up. Sure enough, it was her eldest brother''s


    car.


    Gina felt a jolt of surprise. Why was her son here? Wasn''t he supposed to skip the party?


    A blue Bentley pulled up behindn''s car, both vehiclesing to a stop side by side. Under the glow of the porch lights,n stepped out-tall,posed, and striking as ever.


    The doors of the other car opened, and Henry and Vanessa emerged.


    The moment Serena saw Vanessa, she pushed open the car door and hurried toward her.


    Vanessa''s face softened as Serena approached. "Serena," she called gently. Without warning, Serena threw herself into Vanessa''s arms. "Vanessa."


    Vanessa wrapped aforting arm around her, rubbing her back. "Serena, who upset you?"


    Gina sighed, lowering her voice. "The Vaughns just called off the engagement. She''s taking it hard."


    "I know,”n replied, voice low and steady.


    Gina''s eyes filled with regret. "It''s obvious Serena truly cares for Xavier."


    Serena''s head shot up, her tear-stained face brimming with resentment. "Why are you sending me away,n?"


    "Don''t argue,"n said quietly, his tone brooking no dissent. "Or I''ll cancel all your credit cards."


    Serena''s jaw dropped in outrage, her sense of injustice only deepening.


    Gina agreed it wasn''t wise for her daughter to stay and risk another outburst. She spoke up, "Serena,e home with me. Your brother can stay here with Evelyn."


    Vanessa gave Gina a gentle nod. "Good night, Mrs. Goodwin," she said softly. Then, to Serena, "You should go home for now. If you have more to say, talk to your brother tomorrow-he''ll understand."


    Serena ignored her mother andn, but she listened to Vanessa. She nodded, shot her brother an using re, and slid back into the car.


    Gina looked atn as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she just climbed in and told the driver to go.


    Once the Goodwin family''s car pulled away, Henry coughed awkwardly. "So, uh- should we go in? We weren''t exactly invited to this birthday party."


    Vanessa''s lips curled into a small smile. The only reason they''d shown up tonight was because she''d toldn about Serena''s meltdown. Ian hadn''t hesitated for a second; he simply grabbed his keys, and she''d made Henrye along.


    Tonight, because of Eleanor, the unbreakable bond between the three families was about to snap.