Chapter 97

Serena remained unfazed. She had felt the sting of this so-called punishment more times than she could count. It hadn't scared her back then, and it sure as hell didn't scare her now. Seeing her stubborn defiance, Howard raised his hand high, preparing to hit her. Sarah watched the scene excitedly as she thought to herself, "Yes! Just hit her!" "You ungrateful woman!" Howard yelled. Serena's expression remained cold. Just as she was about to snatch the ruler and leave, a figure suddenly moved in front of her. Zach stepped forward, taking the full force of the blow. "You—" A flicker of surprise crossed Serena's eyes. Pain shot through him, and sweat beaded at his temples. "Are you alright?" Zach asked. It was as if those words had overlapped with Zach's voice from the past. Back then, when Serena had fled to Javerton City from Yellowbrook City, countless obstacles had stood in her way. Yet, all Zach did was pull her into his arms and ask those same three words. When Zarena