Game Over No Second Chances

Serena glanced at Eric and Melissa.

When the couple heard it, they quickly nodded in agreement, eager to offer the projects without involving Cole's future.

Rachel was the first to object.

"I-I didn't bring up the past to ask for projects, nor to blackmail the Larson family. I just want justice for Sarah..."

"If you want justice for Sarah, then stick to the point. Don't drag irrelevant matters into this."

Serena easily shut down Rachel's intentions to stir trouble. She gently massaged Calvin's shoulders and said, "If Ms. Lloyd doesn't bring up the past, and Melissa isn't making a scene, everything is clear now. Grandpa, we're all just waiting for your decision."

Eric looked at Serena with deep admiration in his eyes. She was definitely no ordinary woman to bring such a chaotic situation back under control.

Calvin valued talent, and he liked Serena even more now. He warmly patted the back of her hand.

"You may be young, but you have remarkable composure and a clear understanding of things. Well done."

Serena smiled humbly. After seeing Calvin's face soften, she finally let out a breath of relief.

If Calvin hadn't gotten so worked up earlier, she wouldn't have bothered stepping in.

Now that it was time for him to take charge, Serena quickly retreated to Hugh's side and tugged his sleeve gently.

"Why have you been so quiet? Did I say something wrong earlier while handling the situation?"

"No." Hugh finally snapped out of his thoughts. He lowered his head and met Serena's confused eyes.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally said, "The wine in your room..."

It turned out he still hadn't forgotten about that.

Serena's face flushed slightly as she recalled what she had just admitted. She quickly grabbed Hugh's arm, stood on her tiptoes, and whispered in his ear.

"I know it wasn't you. Someone else must've set me up. Maybe Sarah staged the whole thing. I was just worried that one thing after

worried that o one thing after another

would upset Grandpa. If he got sick on this island, what should we do with no way to get proper treatment? That's why I admitted to it..."

Her breath brushed against Hugh's neck, her chin just barely resting on his shoulder because of their height difference. Her slightly reddened eyes locked onto him.

After a long pause, she finally managed to say, "I panicked at the time and

doubted you for a second. I even damaged your reputation a little. Please don't be mad."

Hugh wasn't angry at all.

Serena had only hesitated for a moment before showing full trust in him.

As for reputation, they were legally

married. Even if there had been a bottle of wine to spice things up, no

other man had been involved. It would have ended up with just the two of them drinking it.

Hugh's gaze deepened. Even so, that wasn't what he wanted.

He would rather there be no wine and no drugs. He just wanted Serena to

willingly throw herself into his arms like she was doing now.

Looking into her eyes, even the sharpest edges inside him softened.noveldrama

He lifted a hand, hovered behind her waist, and swallowed down the heat rising in his throat. His face darkened as he suppressed the urge to pull her into his arms.

His voice was steady as he replied, "I'm not mad."

Serena hesitated. Hugh's eyes were intense, as if he wanted to devour her. Was this what he called not being mad?

Unable to figure out what was going through this powerful ally's mind, Serena was about to offer to make it up to him somehow.

But Hugh had already supported her by the waist, helping her stand firmly back on the ground.

He raised his hand to gently tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm not angry. Don't overthink it."

The touch of the stray hair brushing her ear made her feel ticklish. How did he know exactly what she was thinking?