12
Liam left Chloe, returning to the empty house. Looking at their wedding photo, a sharp pang of regret pierced him. He held it for a long time, then began calling Serenity’s family and friends.
Ninety–nine calls yielded the same answer: no one knew where she was. In desperation, he even contacted his business rivals, only to be met with mocking laughter and negative results. His
returned empty–handed. Serenity had vanished.
search teams
He slumped into a chair, spending the night in numb despair.
Meanwhile, Chloe fought for life in the operating room, finally delivering a premature baby boy. She woke to her mother’s presence. Tears welled up.
“Mom…”
Before she could finish, her mother slapped her
“Mom?” Chloe clutched her swollen cheek,
stari rd.
at her mother in disbelief.
But her mother wasn’t finished, delivering another harsh slap.
“You were a mistress!”
Her mother trembled with rage, but it was sorro
anger, that fueled her outburst. Liam’s affair with Chloe was public knowledge, a rendezvous to confront his wife.
reaching even her father. He’d rushed home nor
The elite were known for their scandalous affairs, but they were kept discreet. The older generation had become stricter about such matters, especially with the shift in public opinion. Chloe had violated all unspoken rules. And she’d done it with Liam Sterling. Everyone knew how much he adored Serenity.
Chloe’s father didn’t care why Liam cheated. He only cared about the damage to the Chu family’s reputation – plummeting stock prices, the jeopardized engagement of his eldest son. He disowned Chloe, announcing to the world that she was no longer part of the Chu family. Despair filled her mother’s heart. She’d planned Chloe’s life, including her marriage. Now, everything was ruined. She tossed a credit card onto Chloe’s bed.
“Do what you must,” she said, leaving Chloe in heartbroken tears.
At the Sterling Estate, Serenity’s uncle stormed in, punching Liam. “Liam, how could you do this to my niece?!”
The blow sent Liam reeling. But the uncle wasn’t finished, unleashing another punch. People gasped, but no one dared intervene This was the first time the uncle had ever lost his temper. His voice shook with fury.
swore
you’d never
And look at what you’ve done! betray her! to Serenity, you “When you
proposed The uncle and aunt had retired to the countryside. This was their second encounter with Liam, having only met him at Serenity’s wedding. Despite their limited interactions, Liam’s respectful calls and gifts had impressed them.
Now, their beloved nephew was He would have continued if Serenity’s aunt hadn’t stopped him
said. she
a
cheater,
a
an father to
illegitimate child. The uncle had
to vent
his anger.
was
more
important.
They
pretend would
Liam
never
existed.
“Let’s
Finding Serenity go,” The uncle finally stopped, glaring at Liam.
“We’re done with you. Consider Serenity never married you.”
Liam had been in a daze since discovering Serenity’s disappearance and divorce. The punches and accusations jolted him awake. He tried to apologize, to plead with them not to leave him, desperate to find Serenity.
But before he could fully stand, darkness swallowed him. He lost consciousness.
