Chapter 40
Leon shook his head vigorously at Liza’s words and protested, “It wasn’t my fault. Call took my boy first the stomped on it, the bullied me first”
“Leon“Victor’s voice came down like a whip, low and sharp. His brow was furrowed, rage barely restrained He crouched down, meeting leon’s eyes with a stein gate.
“Vic, he’s just a child. He probably doesn’t understand you, Eliza said gently, brushing a hand over Leon’s soft hair
Her voice was tender, but her expression remained unreadable, “But habits are built ratly. You’re too soft with him. He really needs to learn some
Leon’s shoulders trembled as he staminered, “” I didn’t
Without another word, Victor took Leon’s hand and led him out of the classroom
Leon glanced up at Victor, trying to read his father’s mood. His lips pressed lightly together, and he dared not cry aloud.
When they arrived home, Victor took Leon straight to the living room and said, “Lean, ask you one more time is getting into a fight a mistake?
Leon bit his lip and shook his head stubbornly.
Victor said, “Well, I won’t force you to admit your mistake. But tonight, you’re not allowed to have dinner. When you’re ready to face your mistake, you can sit at the table again.”
Leon stood there alone. Tears welled in his eyes and slid silently down his cheeks.
Serena arrived at the door of the break room as whispers drifted to her ears.
Awoman said, “Did you hear that? Serena slept her way to the top. How shameless she is.”
Another voice replied, “No way. She looks so sweet and innocent
Another woman chimed in, “I heard she had powerful connection Totally pulled strings to get in.”
Someone else added, “No wonder she landed such a high position upon joining the company, it all makes sense now”
She drew her foot back and stood still, one hand resting on the doorframe, quietly listening to their conversation, Her breathing slowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line.
Just then, Max walked by and saw her. He patted her gently on the shoulder and said. “Seri, don’t bother with per ip. We will hold a small party tonight. Why don’t you join us and have some fun?”
—–
Later that evening, they came to a bar. The lounge was lit with neon and pulsing with noise. Music pounded in every direction, making conversation nearly impossible.
Serena sat quietly in the comer, her figure half jost in shadow
Erika Sy
swayed over toward Serena, her smile showing feigned warmth, “Serena was out of line that day, I shouldn’t have said those things. Don’t take personally, alright!”
Serena looked at Enka, calm and poised. “Just forget it. I didn’t take it to heart.”
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Chapter 40
The smile on Erika’s face froze for a split second, hot she quickly covered, liking a glass toward Serena “Cheers. Til the oper
Serena glanced down at the glass and reached out to take it. A faint smile fugged at i lips as she replied, “t’s affinitha pad”
With t
that, she downed the drink in one po. She didn’t want to escalate the situation, didn’t want to be the center of attention, and didn’t want to g
trouble for Max.
Another colleague came up and said, “Seri, I propose a toast. This project’s success was all thanks to you
“Yeah. Come on, Seri, cheers, someone else added.
Erika stood a short distance away, her fingers wrapped around her own glass. She narrowed her eyes slightly as together perfectly.
She moved closer and said, “You guys are so enthusiastic tonight. Seri, don’t drink too much”
It sounded like concern, but her words were laced with implication.
Sure enough, the crowd cheered louder. A few people swapped out their cocktails for stronger whiskey and raised their glasses high.
One drink after another, they kept pouring for Serena. As the night wore on, the voices around her blurred, her vision swam, and her thoughts began to dissolve into log
