So Serena began her gof tough love, with her eyes brimming with tears as she confronted Martin. "What is so damn important
that you're always busy? If it wasn't for you, those people wouldn't have had the chance to do this to me. | wouldn't be in this
mess."
"I'm sorry, it's all my fault," Martin admitted, feeling a pang of guilt inside. He had explained the troubles at work to Serena in a
gentle drawl on their way home. After getting her back to her place, he had even carried her to bed and, with a sincere expression,
handed her a card. "The deposit for this project, including the future revenue, it's all yours."
"lI don't want it." Serena pretended to throw the card away, yet waiting for Martin to pick it up for her deep down.
Sure enough, Martin walked over, bent down, picked it up, and placed it back in her hand.
Serena couldn't help feeling smug about it.
"There are a few million in there, and there'll be more to come. | screwed up tonight." Martin lamented for a while before
continuing, "Get srest, and I'll ccheck on you tomorrow."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Before leaving, he didn't forget to add, "Sendthat person's name. I'll take care of it without leaving a trace."
Serena had been waiting for him to say just that, but she still played the victim. "You're my boyfriend, if someone finds it out.
Never mind, | don't want this to drag on."
"How can we let it go? Look at what they did to you?!" Martin was even more persistent than she was. "| won't let her get away
with this, don't worry, no one will find out."
Serena said nothing.
"Just send it tolater, get srest, goodnight." As Martin left, he pulled out his phone and ordered his people to start
investigating it, eager to expose whoever was behind this.
When Kenneth and Louisa hurried back, they immediately noticed Serena sitting on the bed, looking utterly disheveled.
"Dad, Mom." Serena cried, looking extremely wronged.
But Louisa didn't comfort her right away; instead, she seemed somewhat indifferent.
Although Serena found it strange, she didn't understand why.
"Serena, | heard you went to Mr. Eugene's birthday bash tonight?" Louisa asked.
Serena had begged them for an invitation earlier, but they hadn't received one. Instead, it was Serena's grandfather who had
received an invite, but he hadn't gone due to sreason.
Serena hadn't expected her mother to be more concerned about the party than her injuries.
Tears welling up in her eyes, she replied pitifully, "Martin insisted on taking me. What's wrong, Mom? Why are you suddenly asking
about this?"
"I heard from people at the party that before Bella's identity was blown, you bragged to your friends that you were her disciple.
And, you told them that Bella ruined your engagement to Romeo. Later, when Bella confronted you, you and your friends got into a
fight??"
If it was not for the friend she had known for ages who cback from the party and told her everything, Louisa would never have
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmimagined her daughter, whom she had doted on for years, could be so vain and would tarnish Bella's reputation, even harboring
inappropriate thoughts for Romeo??
This was unacceptable!
"Mom, who told you that." Serena began to defend herself.
But Louisa cut her off, "When we heard you were beaten and bitten by a snake, your father and | were worried sick, ready to
defend you. But to our dismay, we then learned about your behavior at the party. Serena, are you still the daughter | know??"
"Mom! You've got it all wrong!!" Serena cried as she tried to explain, "It's Lindsay, she's the one who loves my brother-in-law and
tries to usurp my sister's place. You can check if you don't believe me. Tonight, Lindsay was shamelessly cozying up to Grandpa
Phillip in front of everyone. It was so obvious as if she had written it on her forehead. And, these scratches on my face? They're her
doing."
"Serena, we were shocked to hear about your actions at the party. It's surprising and unbelievable. We'd be more at ease if you
hadn't done those things, but we're afraid you've changed into someone we don't recognize." Kenneth was also in disbelief when
he heard about his daughter's behavior that evening, "Louisa, she's badly hurt, let her rest for now."
It was well past midnight, and if they kept grilling her, outsiders might think they were mistreating their adopted daughter.
"I will get to the bottom of this, and I'll talk to Bella tomorrow."