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 search teams returned empty–handed. Serenity had vanished.
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 hard.
“Mom?” Chloe clutched her swollen cheek, staring 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 sorrow, not anger, that fueled her outburst. Liam’s affair with Chloe was public knowledge, reaching even her father. He’d rushed home from a rendezvous to confront his wife.
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.
“When you proposed to Serenity, you swore you’d never betray her! And look at what you’ve done!*
The uncle and aunt had retired to the countryside. This was their second encounter with Liant, 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 a cheater, a father to an illegitimate child. The uncle had to vent his anger.
He would have continued if Serenity’s aunt hadn’t stopped him.
Let’s go,” she said. Finding Serenity was more important. They would pretend Liam never existed.
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.
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