Chapter 59
Serena’s voice was chilling as she asked, “How many times do I have to reject you before you get the message? Let me repeat myself. I want nothing to do with you, and my life is none of your business. If you try convincing me again, I swear I’ll kick you again! Go ahead. Test me.”
Zach doubled over in pain and stared at Serena like he didn’t recognize her. Was this really his sweet, obedient Serena?
She used to listen to everything he said without question. She’d never raised a hand against him before. He refused to believe she had changed this much.
“I’m just looking out for you–ah!”
Serena landed another ruthless kick “One more word, and you’ll get one more kick. Try me!”
“Serena! After everything we’ve–mmph!”
He was asking for it.
Serena wasn’t going to waste another breath on Zach. The moment he opened his mouth, her foot flew up again.
Zach stumbled across the room, clutching his side. His face twisted in frustration as he realized Serena was actually being serious.
He braced himself against the wall and straightened up before shouting, “Serena! That’s enough!”
Just then, the door swung open with a loud bang.
Lenny flinched
Hugh strode in, and his presence commanded the entire room. His sharp gaze landed on Serena, who was still breathless from exertion.
The moment he saw the way her chest heaved with barely contained fury, he closed the distance between them and rested a firm hand on her shoulder. “Don’t be mad.”
Serena took a slow breath before tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Then, in a perfectly calm yoice, she replied, “I’m not mad. I just think that some people won’t wake up unless you knock some sense into them.” With that, she took a step forward, ready to go another round.
Zach’s expression darkened. He’d never seen this violent side of her before. And there was no way Hugh would like this version of Serena.
A sinister thought crept into his mind. “Just wait, Serena. Hugh will show his true colors soon enough. He’s just playing with you!”
And yet, Hugh effortlessly scooped Serena up into his arms.
Her feet left the ground, and before she could even process what was happening, he had already carried her over to the reception area and set her down on a chair. Then, crouching in front of her, High lightly touched her leg with his face filled with concern.
“Did you hurt yourself from kicking too hard?”
Zach stood frozen in utter disbelief.
Serena was equally stunned. She hadn’t expected Hugh to react like this, but his question snapped her back to reality. She shifted her sore ankle slightly and muttered, “A little.” Hugh’s expression fell immediately.
“What happened?”
Zach finally snapped out of his daze. He hadn’t expected Hugh to be this protective of Serena.
But remembering that he still had a business discussion to attend to, he hurriedly explained, “She was the one who started it—”
“i wasn’t asking you.” Hugh turned to Lenny instead.
Lenny repeated Zach’s words verbatim.
Hugh’s face grew even darker. He got up, and his cold gaze cut straight through Zach.
“So, what you’re saying is–you knew she’s mine, yet you still dared to speak to her that way? Were you trying to embarrass the Larson family?”
Cold sweat formed at Zach’s temples. “I didn’t mean—”
“Do you need some ice?” Hugh ignored Zach completely.
He lowered himself again and focused on Serena’s ankle as if her potentially sprained foot was the bigger issue here.
Zach choked on his words.
Even Serena couldn’t help but chuckde. She glanced up at Hugh, her eyes glinting with amusement. “It’s just a little sore from kicking. There’s no swelling or bruising. Does that really warrant an ice pack?”
It was an innocent remark, said with a teasing smile. But to the people watching, it carried a hint of affection.
“You’re the one who said it hurts, but now you don’t want an ice pack?” Hugh’s deep eyes held a trace of exasperation, but his voice was laced with indulgence.
Serena bent down and pressed her ankle while listening to the subtle fondness in his words. She let out a soft laugh.
This man really knew how to play along when it counted. His acting skills were impeccable, almost as if they had been honed to perfection.
