Chapter 6

People born into wealth could easily spot the lack of refinement in Wendy, no matter how hard she tried to please them. It was useless. Clara didn't like Serena, so she certainly wouldn't like Wendy either. The moment Serena walked in, Clara immediately redirected her frustration. "What a fool. Can't even keep your man in check, letting some vixen waltz right in." Zach instinctively shielded Wendy behind him, his voice cold and firm. "Wendy is not a vixen. She's my friend. Please mind your words." Serena recalled the first time she had come to the Foster residence. Before they had even stepped through the doors, Zach had repeatedly warned her to avoid conflict with his family and to think about the future. It made sense back then. He was just an illegitimate son who had been reluctantly acknowledged. But now, he was the undeniable heir of the Foster family. He had the power to protect whoever he wanted. Wendy's fingers clutched Zach's hand tightly, her eyes filled with admiration and awe—like she was looking at a god. "Zach, I'm sorry for causing trouble." Zach felt a deep sense of satisfaction at her words, but when he turned his gaze toward Serena, all he saw was her calm, unreadable expression. He had spoiled her too much, letting her grow willful and stubborn. She never backed down or compromised. Whenever she was upset, she would put on that cold, unreadable expression and shut him out completely. She wouldn't let it go until she got her way. But this wasn't the place for her to throw a tantrum. He couldn't just let her do as she pleased. "Rena, stay here with Wendy for a bit. I'll be right back." Pulling his hand from Wendy's grasp, Zach turned and headed upstairs to the study. Clara sat on the couch with an air of elegance, but her eyes were filled with scorn. "Serena, I really underestimated you. You must have remarkable patience to endure all this just to marry Zach and be a part of the Foster family." Serena had no interest in wasting her breath. "You must be joking, Mrs. Foster. I'll go make something for Mr. Foster Senior." She rolled up her sleeves and walked into the kitchen. This would be a small gesture of gratitude from her. After this, she and the Foster family would have nothing to do with each other. Wendy instinctively wanted to follow her but hesitated at the last moment. Something flashed in her eyes as she reconsidered her next move. She was going to be the future Mrs. Foster. A place like the kitchen, meant for maids, was beneath her. … By the time Serena was sautéing the third dish, a loud slap echoed through the living room, followed by Wendy's piercing scream. She ran out, still holding the spatula, to see what was happening. But someone else was faster. Zach had bolted down the stairs and was already holding Wendy in his arms. "Mrs. Foster, what are you doing?" Kendrick helped Neal down the stairs, both of them looking grim. Clara tossed a gift box onto the floor. "Zach, I may not be your biological mother, but I am still your elder. You brought a guest home for dinner, and I welcomed her. But tell me, what is the meaning of giving me a fake bracelet? Is she mocking me, implying I don't deserve my title as Mrs. Foster?" Kendrick and Clara's marriage was nothing more than a business arrangement. There had never been much love between them. To make matters worse, she had only given birth to a daughter, while the mistress he kept on the side had given him a son—Zach. And Zach had proven himself. He had taken over Foster Group and secured his position as its CEO. The women of high society often mocked Clara behind her back, saying it was only a matter of time before she lost her title as Mrs. Foster. And now, Wendy had dared to insult her by bringing her a replica as a gift. Of course, she was furious. Wendy, her face swollen from the slap, trembled in Zach's arms, her body racked with fear. "Zach, I swear, I didn't! That was the gift you gave me! I picked the most expensive one. How could it be fake?" She had been thrilled when Zach invited her to the Foster residence. Wanting to impress, she had chosen what she thought was the best piece from her jewelry box, hoping to win Clara's favor. Serena glanced at the broken emerald bracelet on the floor. She had seen the real one before. It had been in Zach's safe—a rare piece he had won at an auction. There had been a matching tiara, and back then, he had told her he was saving them for their wedding. Yet somehow, he had given it to Wendy. But the one on the ground was obviously fake. Zach suddenly turned to Serena, suspicion flashing in his eyes. "Did you touch Wendy's jewelry box?" Serena was taken aback. Before she could respond, Wendy had already burst into tears. "Serena, you paid for my college tuition. You introduced me to Zach. I've always been so grateful to you! I don't mind sharing everything I have with you. If you liked the bracelet, you could have just taken it… Why did you have to replace it with a fake?" Serena's anger flared. "Zach, do you believe I did this?" Zach ignored her, his expression unreadable as he gently patted Wendy's back. "Enough," he said to Serena. "Grandpa is hungry. Bring the food out." It was clear—he believed Wendy. Serena let out a bitter laugh. "Then call the police. This bracelet is expensive enough to open a case." Zach's expression darkened. "Serena, come sit with me." Neal's voice broke the tension in the room. Serena turned to look at the frail old man. Despite everything, she couldn't bring herself to go against him. Quietly, she walked over and helped him to the dining room. The maids quickly brought out the food. Every dish Serena had cooked was placed right in front of Neal. "You're always so thoughtful, Serena. You know exactly what I've been craving." The tense atmosphere eased slightly, but just as things seemed to calm down, Wendy suddenly picked up her wine glass and stood. "Mr. Foster Senior, Mrs. Foster, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. Please, let me apologize. She was about to drink when Zach grabbed her wrist. "Did you forget what the doctor said? You can't drink." Tears welled in Wendy's eyes as she looked at him. "But I still feel awful about it." Zach lifted his gaze toward Serena. "Rena, drink a glass for Wendy. Let's just put this matter to rest." He carried himself like a ruler standing high above everyone else, his presence commanding, perfectly embodying the authority of the future head of the Foster family. Serena scoffed inwardly. She set down the serving spoon she had been using to dish food for Neal. Her voice was calm. "I have a stomachache. I can't drink." Zach's expression stiffened. He suddenly recalled how she had mentioned her stomach hurting the night before. The doctor's warnings, once etched into his mind, resurfaced, stirring up an unsettling guilt. But before he could say anything, Wendy had already tilted her head back and downed the entire glass of red wine. Almost immediately, she slumped into Zach's arms, coughing violently, dragging his attention back to her once again. "Zach, I'm fine," she murmured. "As long as you're not upset, I don't care what happens to me." Zach immediately ordered someone to bring herbal soup for her, his brow furrowed in concern. "Serena, could you not just bear with it for once?" If she could just endure it, everything would pass. He couldn't understand why she insisted on making a scene at the Foster residence. He had already warned her. His father had been pressuring him to marry a wealthy heiress, but he had fought against it. He had stood his ground, shielding her from everything. She should be more understanding. Serena felt as if those words had torn her heart apart, leaving it battered and bleeding. Back then, she had given everything for Zach's future, throwing herself into it without hesitation. And now, all she got in return was him telling her to just bear with it. She thought to herself, "Why should I bear with it?" "Zach, I wasn't the one secretly giving out gifts and causing this mess," Serena retorted. "I wasn't the one who insisted on drinking to apologize and turning it into an even bigger spectacle. Are you blind or deaf?" Zach hadn't expected her to speak to him like this in front of his family. His handsome face darkened instantly. Clara let out a scoff, snapping the last fragile thread of Zach's composure. It struck the most fragile, shame-ridden part of him—the humiliation of being the illegitimate son.