Chapter 10

"As long as you don't do anything illegal or commit any serious crimes, how could I be disappointed?" Serenity said. After putting on her shoes and socks, she got up and walked toward the small square table. Jackson watched the back of her figure with a smile, and an inexplicable light flashed in his eyes. He whispered softly, "I hope you won't be disappointed in the future." *** Aria had been anxious ever since the night at the club. After all, Heiden had acted so strange that night, and he had not appeared on the set the next day. Two days later, even the director had been changed. The production team had no idea about the reason for the change, however, Aria somehow felt that the director had been replaced because of Heiden's actions. She thought about it further and became afraid that it might be related to Serenity. A few days later, she heard that Heiden had been injured and hospitalized, and she was stunned to learn that his right hand had been crippled. If she remembered correctly, Heiden had slapped Serenity with his right hand that night. Aria panicked immensely. What was going on?! Heiden's change of attitude toward Serenity right after answering the phone that night and his fate after that seemed strange. Was it just a coincidence? Or could Serenity really have someone powerful behind her? If Serenity really had such powerful support, why would she be sweeping the roads in misery? Aria could not keep it to herself anymore, and she told her parents about what had happened in the club that day. Grayson listened to Aria's story about what had happened at the club, and when he learned that Aria had tricked her elder sister into drinking with another man, he immediately gave Aria a stern look. "How could you let your sister do something like that? Our family is..." "She's just accompanying the man for a drink. Besides, Aria is doing it for the family. Our family's future depends on Aria's success. We can't rely on your oldest daughter, an ex-convict, right?" Catherine interrupted Grayson. Grayson's face sank upon hearing that, and he said nothing further. "Dad, did Sis find herself a powerful man again?" Aria asked. "Otherwise, why would Heiden let her go? He's still in the hospital now!" How would Grayson know?! Catherine chimed in, "You're her father, so you should ask her. If she really does have powerful support, she should at least tell the family! I'm afraid she's into some cult and may drag the family into trouble. She’s been in prison before, after all, and there are all sorts of people in prison. Who knows who she's actually acquainted with?!" The more Catherin spoke, the more she felt that it was possible. How could Serenity hook up with the rich and powerful in her current state? She was most likely acquainted with some gangsters or lawbreakers who used prison as a vacation home. Grayson scowled and flared up at the conversation. "How dare she?! If she causes trouble for the family again, I will break her legs!" Meanwhile, Serenity had cooked a meal and was waiting for Jack to come home to eat. While waiting, the doorbell rang, and she opened the door only to see her father, stepmother, and half-sister. The three of them stormed straight into her home as Grayson questioned her aggressively, "Did you befriend any terrible people while you were in prison? Let me warn you! If you dare to do anything that'll hurt the family, I'll teach you a lesson!" "What have I done to deserve such a lecture?" Serenity looked coldly at her father. "Did you have someone break Heiden's hand? He only asked you to drink with him and didn't do anything else. How can you be so cruel?! You've been in prison yet you’ve never learned your lesson! Did you become lawless after getting to know all the terrible people in prison?!" Grayson cursed. Serenity sneered, "He probably deserved it. Also, if you think that what happened was fine, why don't you let your precious daughter Aria be an escort instead? She can drink with the men herself instead of trying to trick me into doing it!" "You owe it to her! If it weren't for you, she would've..." "Do you really think she would've gotten the lead role without me?!" Serenity snapped, "Stop saying I owe her! I have never owed her anything!" "Sis, I’ve never blamed you for anything. You don't have to talk to Dad like this," Aria said with a pitiful and aggrieved look. Catherine quickly comforted her daughter and looked at Serenity with displeasure. "Don't take it out on your sister, Serenity. Your dad just doesn't want you to go astray. If you end up in jail again, we'll lose our reputation and be embarrassed!" "What's the point of talking to her? Anyway, go and meet Heiden immediately. No matter what you do, get him to forgive you. Don't get Aria involved because of this, okay? Try ruining Aria's future again and I'll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget!" Grayson ordered harshly. Serenity found Grayson's demands ridiculous. Did her father really think he could control her at will? Or was he so out of mind because of his favoritism toward Aria? "I won't apologize. You may leave. None of you are welcome here," Serenity retorted. Grayson was furious to hear that. "How dare you?!" He then raised his hand with a face full of anger and tried to hit Serenity. Serenity instinctively wanted to step back, but she immediately felt a sharp pain in her ankle as soon as she moved her foot. Her swollen ankle from the collision with the electric bike earlier was not completely healed! Serenity prepared herself for the pain as she saw Grayson's hand coming at her. However, a hand suddenly intercepted Grayson's hand in mid-air. "Jack!" Serenity yelped helplessly. She did not expect Jack to come back at this time. Jackson looked coldly at the three uninvited guests in Serenity's rented place. He had gone through Serenity's information before and naturally recognized that they were her father, stepmother, and half-sister. "Get out!" Jack roared. "I'm teaching my own daughter a lesson. Who are you to mind our business?! Let go of me!"Grayson yelled. He thought his hand would break under such force. Grayson finally got what he wanted, and Jackson let go of him, throwing him out of the house immediately. Catherine and Aria rushed outside and helped Grayson up. "Serenity! How could you let someone do that to your dad?!" Catherine accused. "Who is this man?" Grayson roared bitterly. "This is just great, Serenity. You sure are something. You immediately hooked up with a random man right after getting out of jail..." Grayson began to curse but stopped abruptly. Somehow, Grayson suddenly felt terrified because of the man in front of him. It was as if a ferocious beast had targetted him, and if Grayson continued, he might very well be killed. Bang! Right then, Serenity slammed the door closed.