The doorbell rang while Una Hutton was stir-frying at the stove. She turned her head toward the study and saw that flash of fear in Serena Sinclair’s eyes. There was a brief moment of awkwardness between the two. Besides Una Hutton and Wyatt Hawthorne, only Cora Rivera and Julian Rivera knew about this place. Without Wyatt Hawthorne’s consent, those two wouldn’t presumptuously come disturb Serena Sinclair. Who else could it be? The moment Una thought it might be David Sinclair at the door, she felt unwell. She immediately tossed down the spatula in her hand and grabbed the cleaver. She walked up to the door and saw Adrian Lockwood on the screen. Una Hutton breathed a sigh of relief and forcefully opened the door, "Do you need something?" Adrian Lockwood furrowed his brows, his gaze sweeping over the knife in Una’s hand and the apron she wore, his face filled with exasperation, "I’m looking for Serena Sinclair." "How did you get in?" Serena Sinclair appeared, her face full of irritation. Adrian Lockwood smirked, "Serena, did you think just instructing the management would keep me out? There’s a saying in this world that where there’s a will, there’s a way." He didn’t even need to pester about it. Just ordering his secretary to come and buy an apartment at The Serenity Apartments settled it. Without any intention of letting Adrian Lockwood inside, Serena Sinclair picked up the agitated 2S and pushed Adrian Lockwood into the hallway, "Do you have something to say?" "I’ve got our dad settled." Adrian Lockwood’s words slightly changed Serena Sinclair’s expression. Adrian Lockwood was unaware, "Serena, I know he was a bit of a mess in his youth. But now he’s turned over a new leaf, and soon enough, mom will be out too." "If mom sees you’re doing well when she gets out, and dad’s back, she’ll surely be happier than anyone else. It would be like... seeing the light at the end of the tunnel." Seeing Serena Sinclair’s face pale, he thought he had touched upon what was on her mind. Adrian took a step forward, gently saying, "Serena, let bygones be bygones. Isn’t it better for the family to be safe and sound, all together? Just as long as you..." Adrian was interrupted by Serena Sinclair before he could say more. He met Serena’s gaze directly. Adrian was taken aback. The usually calm and composed eyes now burned with fiery anger. Serena Sinclair’s face looked worse than ever. As if he had done something unforgivable. "Since you’re so filial, I’m giving him to you!" Serena said coldly, "Whether you want to change his surname to Sinclair or cooperate with him to change it to Lockwood, you do as you please!" Adrian Lockwood’s face suddenly changed. Serena looked at Adrian as if she had seen something filthy, "What right do you have to forgive him for me, to accept him? Adrian Lockwood, you make people sick!" The door slammed shut right in front of his nose. One could feel Serena Sinclair’s uncontrollable anger and deep-seated disappointment from her eyes. Adrian Lockwood’s heart sank. David Sinclair didn’t tell the truth! "Investigate what David Sinclair has been up to these years..." Turning away, Adrian Lockwood made a phone call, "And also, look into what happened back then." Adrian gradually realized that Serena’s refusal to mention it and Selene Summers’ straightforward statement about considering him dead probably meant she truly hoped David Sinclair would die. Adrian Lockwood seemed to have only realized at this moment that he had never truly understood Serena Sinclair. In high school when they first met, he awkwardly asked her about her father. She coldly said he was dead. Anyone with sense could see she didn’t want to delve into it, but he seemed blind, persistently asking her if she missed her father. During their first year together in college, he even asked if she wanted to go to the cemetery to pay respects on Father’s Day. It wasn’t until Serena flared up that he promised never to bring it up again. Even then, he never thought there was a problem, and for so many years truly believed David Sinclair was dead, never mentioning it again. Until the appearance of David Sinclair, intending to patch their broken father-daughter bond and win Serena back. Walking out of the apartment, gazing at the pitch-black night sky. Adrian Lockwood suddenly realized he might have made a monumental mistake. In the apartment’s living room, Una Hutton told several jokes, but Serena was absent-minded. Una couldn’t hold back, "What did that bastard come here for again?" "Probably... lacking in paternal support." Serena said casually, "I gave David Sinclair to him, hoping they can hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, disappear completely from my sight." She wanted to curse Adrian Lockwood for being dumb, but felt it affected her appetite. She also wished to curse David Sinclair to death, but feared it would upset passing deities and harm Serena. Una was so angry she couldn’t eat, and picked up her phone to furiously tap away. Adrian Lockwood received Una Hutton’s passionate tirade in essay form. [Adrian Lockwood, did a donkey kick your brain? Acting like a philanthropist, huh? When Serena was getting beaten every other day as a child, where were you to save her? Since old bastard isn’t taken by the heavens, you took him? If you have money to spare, it, feeling bored, huh?] [When he gambled and used Serena as collateral, where the hell were you? When her mom was almost beaten to death by that old bastard, where the hell were you then? Do you seriously think you’re some savior? I spit on that! Nine-year compulsory education shouldn’t be wasted on someone like you who uses your eyes as vent holes! What a waste!!!] [I keep you in my contacts just to see how clueless you can be, little did I know you’d push human limitations again and again, eye-opener!!! You and Young Master Hawthorne aren’t even close, keeping you both in my contacts is a disrespect to him! Blacklisted! Score a negative and get lost!!!] It’s hard to say whether Una’s comparison between him and Wyatt Hawthorne was more infuriating. Or if David Sinclair’s past actions were more contemptible. The car stopped in front of The Lockwood Villa, Adrian Lockwood had a throbbing sensation in his temples. In his mind was Serena’s look of disappointment and disgust. His ears resonated with David Sinclair’s shamelessly twisted words. Adrian gripping his phone felt like every word in the chat hitting him like a slap. "Take him to the docks." Adrian Lockwood didn’t even get out of the car, turned the Mercedes around, and roared off into the dark night. Serena Sinclair was busy till 11 PM before wrapping up. Looking up, she saw Una Hutton leaning in the corner of the wall, holding her foam roller and asleep. Serena dragged Una back to the bedroom. Took a glance at the four-legged 2S sleeping behind the curtains. Serena returned to the master bedroom, didn’t even turn on the light, and stopped at the door. The air filled with the strong scent of pine, steeped in Wyatt Hawthorne’s fragrance. The navy blue bedspread smooth without wrinkles, yet it seemed she could see Wyatt even in deep sleep wrapping her warmly. Her eyes stung badly, Serena stood frozen for a while before dragging herself forward. The quilt carried his scent. The pillow carried his scent still. Serena pulled up the quilt to cover her face. In the silent black night, sadness flowed unchecked. In Hillcrest Villa’s living room, Wyatt Hawthorne stood by the window for a while, then in front of the island counter, restless like a lion. He had lived here for over ten years. Merely a month away, his return felt like unfamiliar territory. Nothing seemed right. He sent a text to Serena. The next moment, he saw the red exclamation mark. His phone rang aloud. "Boss, the person has been found!" The voice on the other end was clear. Wyatt lifted his gaze, his eyes brimming with rage, "I’ll be there soon!" Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on NoveI★Fire.net