Zane Crawford’s expression was unpredictable, and Serena Sterling quickly asked, "What’s wrong?" "Serena, I’ve heard of your mommy’s name," Zane confessed truthfully. "What? Really?" Serena was overjoyed. "It’s true, but I just heard about it. Give me some time; there are things I need to find out, and I’ll tell you then." Zane couldn’t tell her now, fearing she wouldn’t be able to take it all at once. He didn’t want to scare her, and he needed to investigate further. Logically, Seraphina Linden had interactions with the Crawford family, so it shouldn’t be difficult to trace her path in Aethelgard. Serena trusted Zane, nodding firmly, "Okay." "Serena, it’s getting late. Let me drive you home. Where are you staying now?" "I’m staying at... Westerley Estate..." Upon hearing the name "Westerley Estate," Zane quickly froze. He knew, of course, that Westerley Estate was Hayden Crawford’s property. He had been staying there ever since he returned from Bayside. "Serena, have you gotten back together with Hayden Crawford?" Zane asked. Serena shook her small head, "No, we only met again not long ago, and our interaction hasn’t been pleasant. I’m just temporarily staying at Westerley Estate because my grandmother was gravely ill at first. I’m still taking care of her, and now that I’m the little daughter of the Sterling family, I live with them." "Got it, then get in the car. I’ll drive you back to Westerley Estate." Zane chivalrously opened the car door for the passenger seat. Serena looked at his handsome features, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke, "Zane Crawford, I know your intentions toward me, and I’m moved. Even though Hayden and I are a thing of the past, I don’t want to discuss feelings right now. I can’t give you hope, nor can I comfortably enjoy the care you show me. It’s unfair to you, so..." Her mind was always so clear, unwilling to give others a chance. Zane thought he was ultimately late, unable to find her before Hayden. "Serena, I understand, but you can’t deny me even a chance at friendship. Caring for you is my own business, liking you is my own affair. Don’t be so cruel to me, and don’t keep pushing me so far away." Serena’s heart slowly softened, "Alright then," she said, lowering her head and entering the passenger seat of the Maybach, letting him drive her home. Serena returned to Westerley Estate, as it was already late, past ten o’clock. The old lady and Beryl had gone to bed. She tried to walk lightly, making no sound. But soon she stopped at the study’s doorway. The study door wasn’t closed but left ajar. Through the gap, she saw the room brightly lit, Hayden Crawford seated in his office chair. In one hand, he held a pen, swiftly reviewing documents, while in the other, his long fingers held a cigarette, smoking with furrowed brows. Original content can be found at novel(ꜰ)ire.net The swirling smoke obscured his handsome face, but she could faintly see his brows knitted into a "川" shape. He occasionally tapped the cigarette in the ashtray, the ashes falling onto the scarlet flame, adding a sinister chill. His ashtray was already full of cigarette butts; he had smoked a lot. What’s wrong with him? Serena already felt the oppressive aura surrounding him. Thinking about how they parted on bad terms in the car again, she planned to ignore him and head straight to her room. But she still turned around and went downstairs to brew him a cup of coffee. Returning to the study door, she raised her hand and knocked lightly on the door. After a moment, his deep, magnetic voice came from inside, "Come in." Serena pushed the door open, walked over, and placed the coffee on his desk. Hayden’s large hand paused on the pen, his sharp eyes glanced at the coffee, then looked up at her, "What’s this?" "Coffee. If your work is indeed busy and you need to stay up late, have a cup of coffee instead of smoking. Smoking is harmful to your health. You’ve already smoked a lot," Serena said. Hayden dropped the pen in his hand and lazily leaned his back against the chair, "Heh," he chuckled lowly, curving his thin lips, "I’m asking what you intend to do now. You spend each day with different men, pleasing different men. Are you not tired? Does this satisfy your vanity?" Serena’s long lashes quivered slightly. She had brewed him a cup of coffee out of goodwill. Why did he lash out at her again, as if he had consumed gunpowder? "You’re in a bad mood now; I won’t argue with you. Work, and I’m going out," Serena turned to leave. Hayden reached out, sweeping the coffee off the desk. The scalding coffee splashed onto Serena’s delicate white hand, immediately scalding it red. Hayden naturally saw it. It wasn’t intentional; he just couldn’t stand her coming to seduce him again. Just now, he had been standing on the balcony watching; she had just gotten out of Zane Crawford’s car and entered his study. Seeing her hand scalded red, his heart tightened, as if gripped by a large hand, painfully, unbearably so, every breath hurt. The man’s pride prevented him from rising to check her burn. Hayden extended his hand, grabbing her slender wrist and pulling her fiercely closer. Serena fell directly onto his strong lap. Hayden grasped her delicate chin. Probably due to the pain, her white nose turned red, looking pitiful. He pressed his thin lips, sternly reprimanded her, "Put those tears away; I don’t fall for that trick. If it hurts, bear it!" Serena’s bright eyes were misty, hiding her scalded hand behind her back. She looked up at him, her perfect little face defiant, "Do you really dislike me so much?" Hayden froze. Did she think that, believing he disliked her? He also didn’t know why, but every time he saw her, he got angry, as if she had done something bad to him before. Probably something like... abandoning him. He always felt conflicted about her — clearly attracted, yet part of him resented her, thinking she wasn’t a good girl. So he always got easily provoked, whenever she got close to other boys, he felt the urge to hurt her. Yet seeing the mist in her eyes now, he felt intense heartache, regretting his words the moment they left his mouth. This feeling was driving him nearly insane. His silence appeared as an admission to Serena, who bit her red lip, speaking softly, "Although I don’t know why you dislike me so much, I’m sorry. I’ll stay far away from you in the future. You don’t need to humiliate me every time you see me. Even if I don’t say it, my heart is hurt too." With that, Serena moved to rise from his embrace, "Let me go; I want to rest in my room." Hayden suddenly pulled out a document, threw it on the desk, "Sign it."