Chapter 12
When Serena was seven, Robert held a birthday party with several guests. She wasn’t comfortable in crowded spaces, so she wandered off to the garden to watch the fish.
She was getting bored when suddenly, a teasing voice interrupted her. “You’ve been staring for so long. Are you planning to catch
one as your food?”
Serena turned around to see a fair–skinned boy standing behind her. He looked to be a year or two older than her. He was dressed
casually but still wearing a shirt that clearly wasn’t cheap.
little bo
Serena blinked. “No, Iwas just a little bared.”
After a pause, she asked, “Are you a guest here today?”
“Kind of. But honestly, they don’t really welcome me, and I don’t like them much either.” The boy stared off into the distance. His
expression was unusually mature and carefree for his age.
When he saw Serena’s confused face, he suddenly reached over and pinched her cheek.
Serena quickly covered her face. “What are you doing?”
“Let me introduce myself. My name is Wilson Quade. What’s yours?”
Serena’s voice was soft as she replied, “Serena Judd.”
“Speak up. Am I that scary?”
Serena flushed, embarrassed.
Just then, a shrill shout cut through the air. “Serena, why are you hiding back here with this bastard?” It was Joseph, yelling
loudly.
Wilson’s smile faded as he turned to face him. “Who are you calling a bastard?”
“Mrs. Farrow said you’re a bastard and told us not to play with you!” Joseph sneered.
Serena gathered her courage and said, “That’s kind of rude, Joseph”
Joseph rolled his eyes “You’re teaching me now? You’re just a country bumpkin, Serena. Don’t you know that Justin hates this
bastard more than anyone? I’m going to tell him about this. Once he knows, he won’t want to talk to you anymore!”
As he started to run off, Serena panicked and grabbed his sleeve. “Don’t-”
“Don’t pull my clothes!” Joseph shoved her away in disgust, and she tumbled to the ground.
As her eyes welled up with tears, Wilson helped her to her feet.
Seeing this, Josephi couldn’t help but laugh. He circled around them while yelling loudly, “Bumpkin and bastard–what a match!
Chote 12
Bumpkin, bastard, bumpkin, bastard…”
Serena’s tears, which had been swirling
her eyes, finally fell.
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Wilson’s expression darkened.
He stormed over to Joseph and kicked him to the ground. He then pinned him down and rained fists onto his face.
Serena froze at once.
Wilson didn’t seem like the typical child throwing wild punches. His blows were controlled and vicious, each strike aimed at Joseph’s face with an intensity that made it clear he wanted to hurt him badly.
When Serena snapped back to reality, Joseph was howling with blood pouring from his face.
Wilson yanked him up by the collar. “Apologize to her.”
“Sorry! Sorry! I’m sorry. Please stop!” Joseph cried his heart out.
His screams drew the attention of the guests, who had been enjoying their meal inside. Wilson, however, stayed calm.
“He insulted me first,” he said coldly.
Everyone present was either wealthy or influential. While the Quade family was not to be trifled with, it was still difficult to simply brush off the fact that Joseph had been beaten to such a state,
Robert’s gaze
shifted to Serena. “Serena, you were the only one here. What happened?”
Justin also asked, “Wilson bullied Joseph, did he?”
He grabbed Serena’s hand. His hint was unmistakably clear.
Under the intense scrutiny of the crowd, Serena felt an overwhelming sense of unease.
Justin whispered in her ear, “Today’s Grandpa’s birthday. You know what’s appropriate to say and what isn’t. If you ruin the
party…”
Serena lowered her head and mumbled, “Yes… H–He bullied Joseph.”
This sentence sealed the matter.
She couldn’t bring herself to look into Wilson’s eyes. She only remembered that he didn’t say a word, not even a single defense.
In the midst of the guests‘ disapproving looks, the Quades took Wilson away.
As they left, Serena caught bits and pieces of words like “illegitimate child“, “bastard“, and “unfit for society”
She kept her head down, feeling an overwhelming guilt settle in her chest
As the party neared its end, she found Wilson in a quiet corner of the garden. His cheek was bruised and swollen
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Serena hesitated, then quietly asked, “Did they hit you?”
Wilson turned and flashed a smirk. “Do you care, ingrate?”
Serena’s eyes dropped to the ground. “I’m sorry. I lied earlier. Maybe… Maybe you should hit me back.”
Wilson raised his hand, as though he might actually do it.
Serena squeezed her eyes shut. Her pretty face trembled, and a tear slipped down her cheek. She actually cried from fear.
But then, she heard a laugh.
Confused, she opened her eyes to find Wilson standing there with his hand casually in his pocket. He was the one laughing. “You’re so timid and still asked me to hit you?”
wou won’t make my pain fo
He pointed to his bruised cheek “Hitting away. How about this? Kiss me, and I’ll forgive you.”
Serena stared at him in disbelief.
After a moment of hesitation, she leaned in and softly kissed his swollen cheek. She even blew gently on it. “There, now it won’t hurt.”
After that day, she never saw Wilson again.
As she grew older, the memory faded from her mind.
“No wonder Wilson called me an ingrate. I guess he was right. Don’t you think so, Laurie?”
Serena turned to find Lauren sprawled across her bed, already fast asleep.
Serena smiled softly. She covered Lauren with a blanket, then went to wash up and turned off the lights, ready to sleep herself.
“Justin, you promised to take me to
know how hurt I was?
your friends today, but instead you caused all this trouble because of Serena. Do you
“I’m your girlfriend. Do you know how embarrassing it was for me?” Candice cried in the back seat of the Maybach.
Sitting beside her, Justin stared into the deep night and was lost in thought.
When the image of Wilson and Serena standing together flashed in his mind, an inexplicable tightness pressed down on his chest.
How could she have dared to leave hun? Serena truly had some nervel
“Justin, do you really care about me?” Candice looked at Justin with swollen eyes.
justin’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t say a word He irritably pulled out a cigarette.
He had always been spoiled, rarely needing to console anyone. Even when he knew he was in the wrong this time, he didn’t want
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to apologize.
Noticing his silence, Candice grew anxious. She immediately leaned in. “I’m not blaming you. I just love you so much. I don’t want you to be kind to other women.”
Her vulnerable, pitiful look made Justin’s expression soften a little.
“Don’t worry. You’re my girlfriend. I don’t have feelings for Serena. I just can’t stand how she doesn’t listen to me anymore.”
Yes, that was it.
Serena had always listened to him, but now she had distanced herself and even gone to work for his competitor. He was just frustrated by how much she had changed.
“She’s left and joined Quade Group now. She has nothing to do with you anymore, so don’t bother with her, okay?” Candice requested coquettishly with her arms wrapped around his waist.
When Justin didn’t respond, she tilted her head and tried to kiss him.
But Justin tumed his face, and her kiss landed on his cheek instead.
Candice paused but then quickly recovered. “This is my stop. See you, Jusţin.”
When the car stopped, Candice was about to get out, but Justin called after her. “Wait.”
Candice turned. “What is it?”
“Take this.” Justin pulled out a black card from his wallet and handed it to her. “Buy something you like.”
It was his way of making up for tonight.
s that you care about me.”
Candice carefully took the card from him. “You don’t need to give me money. All that matters is that you
“You’re my girlfriend. Spending this money on you is nothing,” Justin said.
“You’re so good to me, Justin!” Candice kissed his handsome face. When she looked at him, her eyes were filled with affection.
Her admiration lifted Justin’s spirits. “Go on in. Goodnight.”
After the Maybach disappeared into the night, Candice’s sweet smile faded. Holding the black card, she snapped a picture of it and
sent it to her family group chat.
Messages flooded in instantly, all urging her to keep hold of this wealthy man
Candice sent a voice message, her tone full of confidence. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ve tried so hard to catch his eye. I won’t let go, no
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