Chapter 13
Serena must have prepared in advance, as she arrived in just half an hour. She had clearly dressed
up for the occasion–her makeup was perfectly done, and she was wearing an eye- catching dress.
With a practiced smile, she immediately attached herself to Hunter upon seeing him. “Is it true Nadine died? I brought flowers to pay my respects.”
Serena then produced a bouquet of vibrant, blooming roses. They were as radiant as she appeared at this moment.
Hunter wondered why he hadn’t noticed Serena’s malicious intentions sooner. Why had he kept believing this woman?
Hunter’s icy stare remained fixed on the perfectly made–up face, making Serena blush slightly
in confusion.
“Hunter, why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?”
She was keeping up the act even now. Hunter sneered. “Wouldn’t you know best whether Nadine’s dead or not?”
Serena’s expression faltered momentarily before she forced a look of innocent confusion.” How would I know? Hunter, what are you talking about?”
But Hunter’s gaze stayed cold, looking at her as if she were some ridiculous joke. Grabbing her chin, Hunter stared at that face mere inches from his own. Then, just as Serena’s eyes filled with anticipation, he slapped her with full force.
The sharp crack echoed as Serena was sent sprawling to the floor, the roses scattering everywhere. Her fair skin turned crimson, swelling visibly. Tears welled in her shocked eyes as
she looked up at him.
“Hunter, why’d you hit me?” she croaked.
Suddenly, she clutched her cheek as she seemed to have realized something, and her expression twisted with venom. “I get it now… It’s Nadine, isn’t it? What lies did she tell you?”
“Whatever she said; it’s all fake! She’s just jealous of me! Don’t you remember, Hunter? That bitch Nadine tried to hurt me multiple times! Are you really going to believe her over me?”
Her tearful protests and exaggerated victim act only fueled Hunter’s rage further.
“Serena, you’re digging your own grave!”
He kicked the fallen woman brutally, sending her head slamming into a pillar. Blood
Chapter 13
immediately trickled from her forehead. Still, she couldn’t comprehend why Hunter would treat her this way.
2/2
It had to be Nadine’s doing! Even in death, that woman was still haunting her! Tears streamed down Serena’s face as she crawled across the floor to Hunter’s feet, shaking her head pitifully.
“Hunter, tell me what I did wrong. I’ll change anything! Please don’t believe Nadine’s lies! She’s dead now. It’s just the two of us from now on.”
Nonetheless, all tenderness had vanished from the man’s eyes. He threw the documents in her face as he loomed over her, each page detailing her crimes.
Serena turned deathly pale. Clutching at Hunter’s pant leg with trembling hands, her tear- filled eyes darted wildly as she stammered excuses.
“It’s not what you think… I had my reasons, Hunter… Nadine provoked me first—”
Her words earned only colder disdain. Hunter gripped her chin, his eyes dark with gathering
fury.
“You dare blame Nadine even now? After all the trust I gave you, you kept lying to my face? Serena Hogan, you’ve got some nerve!”
The barely contained rage in his voice terrified her. Sobbing uncontrollably, she begged for forgiveness at his feet. But she’d forgotten that Hunter had never been a merciful person.
His voice remained glacial. “I trusted you too much. That’s why Nadine ended up like this. Do. you know where she is now? Apologize to her properly, and I might forgive you.”
Serena’s tears stopped abruptly as hope flashed in her eyes. She knew it! There was still a
chance!
After all this time together, Hunter couldn’t possibly discard her so easily. He’d never been able to bear seeing her cry. She then nodded eagerly, and a smile broke through.
“I’ll go to Nadine’s grave right now! I’ll apologize sincerely!”
Hunter looked down at her, his lips curling into an inscrutable smile. When he spoke, his voice seemed to rise from hell itself. “No need. She’s right here.”
