CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 26: YOU REALLY NEED TO BE TAUGHT A LESSON

As their eyes met, Hayden Crawford’s gaze was icy and quiet, making anyone feel uneasy.

Serena Sterling avoided his gaze, "Thank you for tonight."

Seeing her evasive manner, Hayden’s lips curled into a smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes, "Nothing else to say to me, besides thank you?"

Serena lightly bit her red lips.

At this time, Hayden raised his hand, and his long fingers suddenly landed on the button of her collar.

Serena’s pupils contracted, and she quickly pressed his large hand, alert, "What are you trying to do?"

Hayden looked at her, a hint of derisive laughter in his voice, then fastened the two buttons that had come undone at her collar, "What do you think I’m going to do? Have car sex with you?"

Serena could never win in arguments with him. It was clear that he was in a bad mood now, and his demeanor had become aggressive. He wasn’t above humiliating someone, and when he did, it was utterly ruthless.

Serena was forced to retreat step by step, feeling embarrassed, with her snowy white earlobes turning a faint shade of red, "I want to go to the hospital to see Aunt Jacqueline."

"Yeah, we’ll get there in a while."

Serena wanted to get up and leave his embrace.

But the arm encircling her slim waist was as strong as an iron clamp, not allowing her to leave. She moved uneasily, which drew a frown of displeasure from him, and his hand squeezed her waist.

Serena winced in pain and didn’t dare move recklessly again.

At this moment, the luxury business car was driving onto the highway, and outside, the brilliant neon lights streamed through the gleaming car windows, casting a dazzling glow over Hayden’s handsome and refined features, making him exceedingly attractive.

He felt stifled in his chest, unable to breathe, so he reached to loosen the tie around his neck, "Remember what I told you?"

What?

Did he say to call him if there was a problem she couldn’t solve?

Serena grasped the clothes on her body, wrinkling them into a mess. Some words had to be made clear; she didn’t want to play ambiguous games any more, "Mr. Crawford, I remember what you said. I admit I was a bit reckless tonight, if you hadn’t come in time, what happened next would have been unpredictable. But I don’t want to bother you with everything, after all, we’re just in a peaceful agreement relationship."

Just a relationship under a peaceful agreement...

Hayden’s gaze darkened, "Is that really how you think?"

Serena nodded, "Yes."

Hayden withdrew his arm, "Heartless thing, roll off my leg now!"

Serena had never seen him angry before, but he was indeed terrifying now. She scrabbled off, sitting quietly to the side, trying not to take up much space.

Hayden was almost amused by her obedient behavior, did she really go along just because he told her to roll off? Since when did she become so compliant?

...

Neither of them spoke again, and half an hour later, they reached the hospital.

Aunt Jacqueline had already been moved to a VIP ward, given an IV drip, a heartbeat monitor, and was under the care of professional caregivers.

Serena knew all of this was arranged by Hayden. He was a thoughtful and mature man, making people feel at ease, coaxing them into wanting to rely on him.

Aunt Jacqueline was still unconscious, not having woken up yet, her condition wasn’t very good.

Serena sat by the bedside, holding Aunt Jacqueline’s cold and elderly hand, feeling deeply saddened.

Then a deep, magnetic voice sounded above her head, "Eat something first."

Serena looked up and saw Hayden; he hadn’t left yet.

Justin Xavier and Seth Hawthorne had also arrived, standing by the door.

Seth chuckled and greeted, "Hello, Second Sister-in-law."

Faced as "Second Sister-in-law," Serena could only force a faint smile.

Butler Felix arrived, bringing a thermos cup, "Young Madam, earlier the Young Master asked to prepare a little millet porridge for you and two refreshing dishes. Please eat them while hot, taking care of a patient starts with maintaining your own health."

Serena really hadn’t eaten anything tonight; she hadn’t expected him to be so thoughtful and considerate, already preparing millet porridge.

Serena looked towards Hayden, who was standing tall by the window, having already taken off his black coat.

Over the years, besides Leah Thorne, he was the first person to make her feel such warmth, but she didn’t want to let her heart go again.

He was truly dangerous, luring her in, step by step.

She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to escape ever again.

Serena came to stand behind Hayden, "Mr. Crawford, I’ll stay here tonight to accompany Aunt Jacqueline, you should go rest first."

Hayden turned his body to face Serena, "Why didn’t you answer my calls?"

Serena was momentarily stunned, quickly replying, "I didn’t hear them."

"What about WeChat, are you going to say you didn’t see them either?"

Before Serena could reply, Seth by the door was already exclaiming, "Wow, Second Brother, you actually have WeChat now! When we asked you to use it before you acted like you didn’t hear us. Let me check if your WeChat only has Second Sister-in-law, Second Brother, you’re really ditching friends for romance!"

Hayden shot a sharp glance at Seth, "Get out!"

Realising the awkward atmosphere, Butler Felix swiftly went out, closing the door behind him.

...

In the hospital room, Serena was still absorbed in Seth’s words. Did his WeChat really only have her?

At this moment, Hayden’s fingers reached over and directly took the phone out of her pocket.

"What are you doing with my phone? Give it back!" Serena rose onto her tiptoes to try and grab her phone back.

Hayden opened her WeChat and glanced at it—sure enough, the messages he sent to her were read. She saw them but just didn’t reply.

"Give me an explanation," Hayden demanded.

Serena tried to take back her phone, "What explanation do you want? There’s no explanation. It’s just as you saw: I read them but didn’t reply."

Hayden’s handsome brows were clouded, did he rush back overnight just to hear her say this?

Currently, her slender body was almost pressed against him, her sweet scent filled his nostrils, lingering.

This familiar fragrance quickly stirred his throat, tempting him to pick her up and forcefully throw her into the bed.

"Serena, are you rubbing against me again?" he forced a hoarse and harsh voice from his throat.

Serena’s pupils contracted, suddenly feeling his warm, burning body heat. She swiftly backed away, wanting to keep distance.

But Hayden pinned her glowing shoulders and pushed her against the wall, not letting her escape, "You seduced me with one picture, I rushed back and you give me the silent treatment? Clearly, you put yourself in danger and did the wrong thing, yet you dare to give me attitude first. I see, you really need some discipline!"