CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 76: SERENA STERLING BOWED AND SAID, "HELLO, I’M IRENE

The warmth on her lips was felt, but Serena only felt humiliation.

She struggled fiercely, but Julian brutally restrained her, rendering her immobile.

Filled with shame and anger, Serena opened her mouth and bit his lip hard; she tasted the blood.

Only then did Julian let her go.

He straightened up, using his knuckles to wipe the blood from his lip.

Serena raised her hand, but Julian wouldn’t give her the chance to strike; instead, he pinned her wrist against the tree with force.

Serena was furious. What is he doing?

After spending time with Vera, he came early in the morning to kiss her.

To humiliate her?

He made her feel disgusted!

Hatred rose in her heart, she lifted her leg to kick.

The next moment, he restrained her.

"Serena, do you think I’d let the same thing happen again?" Julian said coldly.

Last night he was momentarily careless; otherwise, how could she have hit him!

Earlier, he thought Serena had finally learned to be sensible, but she deceived him once again.

Saying no verbally, but whether it was having the child call her mom or returning to the old house, wasn’t it all to control him through his grandparents?

Embroiled in his own logic, Julian’s anger grew stronger.

How did she become like this?

Once she was so gentle and understanding.

The pity he felt for her last night now became an insult.

The grip on her wrist intensified, causing Serena’s hand pain.

Unable to break free once more, Serena hated herself for not being physically strong enough to overpower him.

If it weren’t for the drunkenness last night, if it weren’t to clarify things with the two elders, she wouldn’t have stayed here at all!

"What exactly do you want!" Serena shouted angrily.

"Later, when you meet Grandpa and Grandma, don’t say anything you shouldn’t," Julian warned, "Serena, don’t make me hate you."

Serena almost laughed out of anger.

"What identity are you using to tell me this now?" She replied coldly, "Future ex-husband?"

"Serena!"

"Let go of me," Serena said without mercy, "Don’t make me think you’re just a brute with no intelligence!"

...

Butler Wyatt watched the argument between the two in the woods.

From initially wanting to intervene, he now sighed helplessly.

"Madam, you intended for them to stay overnight to talk things out and reconcile."

Butler Wyatt shook his head, taking a deep breath and muttering to himself, "But I see the misunderstanding between them seems deeper than before."

"What should we do..."

Watching the two head into the villa arguing, Butler Wyatt followed from a distance.

Silently, Serena and Old Master Lawson finished breakfast, omitting mentions of Tanzanite, and explained the adoption of Seraphina following Jasper Ford’s invitation.

The two elders had no objections to Serena’s approach of adopting Seraphina under her mother’s name.

After all, in the elders’ eyes, Julian and Serena were still married despite the arguments; once misunderstandings were cleared, they’d have many years ahead and might have children.

See, weren’t Julian’s lips still marked by them?

Besides, neither of them had reached the age for legal adoption, and at under 30 years old, this was the best approach.

As for raising another child, it really was no trouble—Serena liked it, so care for her well and nurture her well.

"Serena, bring Seraphina around when you have time later," finally, Old Master Lawson advised warmly.

Serena initially didn’t want to agree, but thought it better to avoid trouble; considering The Lawson Corporation’s power in Aeston, if Old Master Lawson truly wanted to see Seraphina, it would be easy.

Better that she agreed, so she could control when, where, and how they’d meet, and besides, Old Master Lawson wasn’t that type of person.

Thus, she nodded in agreement.

Julian, at the side, saw Serena nod and became more certain internally.

But he wouldn’t show anything in Caleb’s presence, simply lowering his eyes slightly without speaking.

After a few more pleasantries, this visit to the old house was considered over.

Upon leaving Moonlight Manor, Serena got out of the car and approached her own vehicle.

She opened the door, fastened her seatbelt, started the engine, and drove off—all in one seamless motion.

Not once looking back at Julian.

Julian watched as Serena skillfully drove away, remaining silent without following, until at the next intersection, he made a turn, and their cars headed in different directions.

Serena first went to pick up Seraphina, dropping her off at school, when she received a call from Bianca Lynch.

"Serena, can you come over? We’re restoring data from Sasha’s phone!" Bianca’s voice was filled with excitement.

After the second live broadcast of "Heavenly Sound," Bianca mentioned meeting an audience member who had secretly recorded and wanted to expose but lacked evidence.

Later, Bianca managed to build trust and compare information.

The data expert Ethan introduced to Bianca was abroad, needing phone mail which was inconvenient.

Bianca’s meeting with Quinn was yesterday afternoon; Quinn was thrilled Bianca had the phone.

The two agreed to meet today to restore data with Quinn’s brother.

"I can handle this myself, but Serena, I’m nervous. Come over for support, and we can plan out our actions together," Bianca’s voice came through.

"Ugh—" Serena slammed the brakes.

"Alright, I’m on my way. Send me the address," Serena replied.

As soon as the call ended, Serena’s phone buzzed, sending the address promptly.

Serena promptly made a U-turn towards Bianca’s provided address.

In just a moment, the car was parked downstairs.

7th floor, 716, Serena rang the doorbell.

Soon, someone opened the door—it was Bianca.

"Serena, you’re here!" Bianca was clearly excited.

She’d awaited this day for a long time.

Since Serena fell down the stairs, she’d felt guilt; restoring the data successfully would make her feel better by doing something for Serena.

Not to mention the potential to expose the audio, heavily impacting Vera!

"Do you need a mask?" Bianca rummaged around her pocket, "I haven’t told Quinn your real identity."

Serena shook her head, indicating she didn’t need it.

These people helped her genuinely; to have people assist effectively, the team needed trust.

It was her sincerity.

Thus, Serena entered the house and closed the door, greeted by Quinn, to whom Serena bowed slightly and extended her right hand.

"Hello, I’m Irene," she said.

Quinn’s eyes widened, seemingly ready to scream but quickly covering his mouth.

After about three seconds of stunned silence, Quinn said, "You... you’re Serena!"