Chapter 68
Hugh’s living room was immaculate, with the only sign of disturbance being a few scattered documents on the coffee table.
Since the moment Serena stepped inside, he hadn’t said a single word.
A heavy silence settled over the living room.
Outside, there were faint rustling voices. Then, just as quickly, it all faded into nothing. Zach and Wendy had to have left.
Serena let out a sigh of relief.
Then, Hugh’s voice cut through the silence as he asked, “Do you care a lot about them?”
“No.” The response slipped out before she could even think about it.
Serena turned her head and met his gaze. His gaze was dark and unreadable, like the depths of a still lake. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Another beat of silence stretched between them. Something about the atmosphere felt strange.
Hugh didn’t say anything else, and Serena had no intention of letting her situation with Zach become common knowledge. Without waiting any longer, she found an excuse to leave. Back in her own apartment, Serena leaned against the closed door. Her mind was still spinning.
Why was Hugh staying here? And if he’d been home the entire time, didn’t that mean he had heard everything?
If the noise, had bothered him, he could’ve come out and told Zach to leave. But if it was curiosity about her and Zach that kept him listening, then why had he stepped in to help her? Serena couldn’t wrap her head around it.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from Natalie.
“Foster Group has confirmed that the collaboration will resume tomorrow. How do you want to handle it, Ms. Jansen?”
How persistent.
Serena glanced down at the faint red marks on her arm where Zach had grabbed her, and she frowned slightly.
“It’s a big deal. Pass it to Sarah and Howard.”
Sarah had lost a project to her and was left empty–handed. She would jump at the chance to take this one.
As for herself, she wanted nothing more to do with Zach.
Natalie got the message instantly. A few documents popped up in Serena’s inbox before Natalie went to handle the rest.
The following day, Serena went through her usual routine and went to Jansen Group on time.
Just as she stepped into the hallway, the door across from hers swung open.
Hugh stood in a charcoal–gray suit with a deep blue tie. His hair was neatly styled, and his sharp features were softened by the morning light.
His deep gaze flickered over to her. “Since it’s on the way, I’ll drive you to Jansen Group.”
Serena hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. “Alright. Thanks.”
Hugh didn’t say anything else. He simply turned and walked toward the elevator to wait for her.
Neither of them mentioned last night’s strange silence in the living room.
1
She followed him inside, and they descended to the underground garage before heading off to work.
The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of Jansen Group. Hugh wasn’t rushing to leave, so he stayed in the driver’s seat to see her off.
“Thanks,” Serena said, flashing him a smile as she stepped out.
The door hadn’t even shut when a familiar voice cut through the air.
“Serena, good morning.”
Her smile vanished instantly.
Before she could shut the car door, Zach had already spotted Hugh inside. His expression shifted, and he immediately strode forward,
“Mr. Larson, !—”
Serena slammed the door shut.
Hugh’s driver, quick or the uptake, stepped on the accelerator without hesitation. The car slid smoothly into traffic and disappeared from sight.
Zach was left standing there, engulfed in exhaust fumes. From last night until now, he had been shut down again and again, and his face was growing darker by the second
“Serena, you’re doing this on purpose.”
“Mr. Larson doesn’t want to see you.”
