Secena temained unfazed. She had the sting of this so–called punishment more times than she could count
I hadn’t scared her back then, and it sure as hell didn’t scare her now.
Seeing her stubborn defiance, Howard raised his hand high, preparing to hit her.
Sarah watched the scene excitedly as she thought to herself, “Yes” Just hit her!”
“You ungrateful woman!” Howard yelled.
See’s expression remained cold. Just as she was about to snatch the ruler and leave, a figure suddenly moved in front of her
Zach stepped forward taking the full force of the blom.
TH
Aflicker of vurpine crossed Serena’s me.
Pain shot through him, and sweat beaded at his temples
“Are you alright?” Zach asked.
It was as if those words had overlapped with Zach’s voice from the past.
Back then, when Serena had led to averton City from Yellowbrook City, countless obstacles had stood in her way. Yet, all Zach did was pull her into his aims and ask those same three word
When Zarena Group was just starting, she had drunk so much that she nearly got a stomach ulces, enduring banquet after banquet for him. She ended up in the hospital, and only then did he belatedly ask those three word. But back then, he had never stopped her from going to the next hanquet.
“Are you alright?” he had asked, as if those words alone could erase all the pain she had endured.
However, she no longer needed anyone to shield ber nur because she could fight back on her own
But Zach had shown up again And once more, he had taken the hit for her.
Did he really think that was enough to erase all the pain of the past?
Serena suddenly laughed, but there was no warmth in it. She didn’t thank Zach for stepping in.
Instead, her voice was ice–cold as the said. “Goahead, Howard Beat me to death if you have the guts. Isn’t this what you wanted?
“You saw that Zach still has feelings for me, so now you’re lying to sell me off. Well, you can make your offer, and I can reject you. Let’s see who will wint Howard’s que motives were laid bare. His knees throbbed with pain, but his rage burned hotter.
He wasn’t thinking about the deal anymore. All he cared about now was proving his authority as a father. “Serenal How dare you speak to me like that? I swear, I’ll beat some sense into you today!”
With that he swung the wooden ruler wildly.
Zach’s eyes narrowed as he rushed forward to intervene.
this game”
stop the blow On the other hand, Sarah feared the scene wasn’t dramatic enough, so she
Rachel and Sarah intervened as well. Worried that Zach might get hurt, Rachel raised her hand to st eagerly added fuel to the fire.
The room descended into chaos
Zach clenched his teeth as several strikes landed on him, the sharp pain sending cold wear running down his back.
Meanwhile, Serena sat down at the table, completely unbothered.
took a few bites of a new dish, but the taste didn’t meat her expectations. Desappointed, she pa down her cutlery and stood up.
He remark brought the chaotle struggle to an abrupt halt.
botining the sadden allence belliad her, Scena wiped the corner of her lips and tossed the napkin onto the table.
“You all can go on. I’m not nested in the show. I’ll get going first.”
Cluiching his aching aim, Zach took two steps forward
Rachel hadn’t expected Serena to walk away unscathed. She then quickly held Zach buck
*Mi. Foster, it’s obvious that she doesn’t care about you at all. Are you okay? I apologize on Howard’s behall.”
“Exactly! What unfinished business? Please, she never cared about you in the first place! She’s nothing but a cruel and coldhearted mor However, Serena ipsored her. She rode out and slammed the door shut, leaving all the mockery behind.
pulled her coat Lichter around þerself as she stepped into the night, muttering to herself. “It’s so damn noirý.“
Sarah kept fanning the flames.
aber bearing the Jansen residence, een stood by the code, ready to call a cab
Abe heard the sound of footsteps. She turned to look
Each was striding toward her with his coat shung over his arm Clad in only a thin shirt, he moved through the glow of the streetlights and came to a stop in front of her.
“Let me cake you back.”
Zach casually ran a hand through the strands of hair by his face, his eyes filled with nothing but her
Back then, he used to chase after her the same wan
call Serena felt was the chill in the night air. She tapped her moat tighter around herself and kept her focus on her phone, tapping to book a ride without hesitation.
The Jansen residence was in a demote area. The app kept searching, but no cars were available.
Zach took it all in and stepped closer without hesitation, letting his bruised arm show as he pressed his lips into a thin line. He said, “Rena, your family’s punishments hurt like hell.”
“You had it coming. It wasn’t even your punishment, so why were you so eager to throw
