CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: HE BROUGHT A WOMAN BACK

Serena Sterling opened the room door, and outside stood Vanessa, clenching her fists, her eyes red with anger, glaring at her.

Today’s engagement party was ruined. Gregory Sterling and Lillian Sterling were already downstairs sending off guests and cleaning up the mess. Vanessa, who had one foot in the door of the Sullivan family, was instantly knocked back to her original state and even became a laughingstock in the gossips. She now wished she could strangle Serena Sterling.

"Serena Sterling, what did you do to enchant Seth? Was it you who sent that message? What did you say?"

Serena curled her lips, "You can go ask your Seth yourself these questions."

"Serena Sterling, are you happy now, proud?"

Vanessa felt a sense of defeat. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t defeat Serena Sterling; this feeling of defeat made her shed tears of resentment.

Serena looked at Vanessa, "You invited me to the engagement party. Is this engagement gift satisfying for you? Don’t shed the tears of a loser for a winner like me because I am indeed very happy and proud now. You kept causing trouble, even delivering your face to me, inviting a slap. If I didn’t give you a harsh slap, wouldn’t I be letting down your good intentions?"

"You!" Vanessa felt trampled under Serena’s feet, repeatedly crushed.

At this, Serena stepped forward, stopping beside Vanessa, and said softly, "Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you, I won’t let you play with what’s left to me."

Having said that, Serena went downstairs.

Vanessa felt her blood rushing to her head, her eyes closed, and she really fainted.

"Vanessa!" Lillian Sterling rushed over, holding Vanessa in her arms, "Vanessa, what’s wrong, wake up! Serena Sterling, do you think ruining someone else’s engagement and being the other woman is something honorable?"

At this moment, Gregory Sterling also came over. Like Lillian, he deeply hoped Vanessa could marry into the Sullivan family. Now that the engagement was in such a mess, Gregory felt his dream shattered and his face lost.

"Serena Sterling, I always thought you grew up in the countryside, and maybe your upbringing was lacking, but I didn’t expect your heart to be so vicious. Vanessa is your own sister!"

Gregory raised his hand, intending to slap Serena Sterling.

Serena Sterling didn’t avoid it. She looked coldly at Gregory, sending her face up to his palm, "Dad, hit me, hit me hard. If you dislike me so much, you should have beaten me to death the day my mother died!"

Gregory’s hand suddenly froze in midair, unable to fall.

Serena turned her head, glanced at Lillian, "Speaking of being the other woman, Auntie, you are certainly my predecessor. Unfortunately, your daughter didn’t inherit your true teachings. She has the heart to allure men but lacks the skill."

After saying that, Serena left.

Lillian was so furious her chest ached, "Gregory, call an ambulance, quickly call an ambulance!"

...

Serena Sterling left the villa and went straight back to Orchid Court.

What she didn’t know was that by the roadside parked a stretch luxury car, and Hayden Crawford had rolled down the window, watching her elegant figure.

Justin Xavier watched as the ambulance arrived, carrying stretchers in and out. He couldn’t help but smile, "Hayden, this substitute bride of yours is quite something. She turned a perfectly good engagement party into such chaos, facing everyone alone. It might be a bit difficult for you to tame her."

Justin began to understand why Hayden Crawford would fall for Serena Sterling. This girl was calm, smart, brave, dazzling, yet not without the delicate beauty of a 20-year-old girl. Such a girl easily incites a man’s primal instincts and desire to conquer.

Once Serena’s figure faded from view, Hayden finally withdrew his gaze. He wouldn’t tell Justin Xavier that there’s a kind of person in this world, whose harder the armor, the softer the heart. She’s exactly that.

"Alright, I’m done talking to you. I’m heading back." Hayden said.

"Going where, back to Orchid Court?"

"Back to the company."

Justin found Hayden becoming mysterious too. Clearly worried Serena would be "ganged up on" at the engagement party, he rushed over. But seeing Serena safely get out, he decided to head back to the company himself.

...

Serena first went to the hospital to see Aunt Jacqueline, who hadn’t woken up, then returned to Orchid Court and dove into sleep.

Although she’d won a battle today, her heart was not at ease, for she had lost much, much love.

Serena felt a twinge of sorrow and thought of sending a voice message to Leah Thorne, but feared disturbing her on set, so she lay on the bed, eyes closed.

But she couldn’t fall asleep.

At this moment, she suddenly missed Hayden Crawford’s warm and strong embrace. If he were there, he would surely hold her in his arms, with her resting against his powerful bicep, listening to the beating of his heart, like a drifting boat finding a resting harbor.

His embrace indeed could shelter any woman from the world’s storms.

Wait, what was she thinking?

Serena quickly erased the handsome face from her mind. He was just a scoundrel, probably at the company having a late-night discussion over files with Director Wallace.

How did she suddenly start craving his embrace?

Serena forced herself into a dreamless sleep.

...

Early the next morning, when Serena walked out of the room, she saw Butler Felix directing the servants to clean meticulously.

"Make sure to clean thoroughly, don’t leave any dust."

"Is everything prepared in the kitchen, including the juice?"

Serena came downstairs, "Butler Felix, why the big cleanup today? Is it a special day, or do we have a distinguished guest?"

Butler Felix’s eyes evaded hers a bit, "Young... young madam, the young master just called, saying he’d be bringing a distinguished guest here later for us to prepare for."

"Distinguished guest?"

"Yes, young madam."

Serena didn’t know who the distinguished guest would be, and Hayden hadn’t informed her beforehand.

Just then, a stretch luxury car slowly pulled up on the lawn, and Hayden Crawford returned.

Butler Felix and the maids hurried to greet him, "The young master is back!"

Serena stood at the door watching as the rear car door opened and Hayden’s tall and handsome frame appeared.

Today, he wore a hand-tailored white shirt and black trousers, the fine materials accentuating his exceptional elegance and noble demeanor.

Then, another figure came into view—it was Rhonda Wallace.

Rhonda wore a red dress, her curvaceous silhouette fully outlined. She had exquisite makeup and fiery red lips, exuding extraordinary allure.

Hayden led Rhonda towards her.

Serena froze where she stood, not expecting Hayden to bring a woman back.