Game Over No Second Chances

"Grandpa woke up once earlier. I've already had the doctor come to check on him. He should be fine," Serena replied.

She hadn't driven to the hospital, so she hailed a cab while talking to Hugh on the phone.

The driver, a kind older woman, noticed how pale Serena looked as she got in. She couldn't help but offer a few words of comfort.

"You look so pale after coming out of the hospital. You must be feeling unwell. I'I drive a little more steadily, okay?"noveldrama

Hugh heard that loud and clear. Serena told him that Calvin was doing fine. Then why was her face so pale?

He sensed something was off.

"Did something happen?" he asked.

Serena couldn't exactly tell him that Cole had tried to force himself on her. But she had just stabbed his leg in self-defense. There was no way she could keep that from him for long.

After thinking for a moment, she settled on a middle ground. "Cole did something dangerous. I had to defend myself, and I accidentally injured his leg."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. Serena's heart raced as she wasn't sure how Hugh would react to this. After all, this was a fight between his ally and his blood-related nephew.

Just as she was about to explain further, his voice cut through. "Are you hurt?"

"No visible injuries," she answered, glancing at her wrist. There was just a faint mark, nothing compared to Cole's serious wound.

"But you were scared," Hugh replied, honing in on the key issue. "I'll handle this. Send me your location, and I'll have someone take you home to rest."

"I'm already in the car," Serena protested weakly.

"Location," Hugh cut her off firmly.

Serena had no choice but to share her location. Soon after, she was transferred to Chandler's car, which drove her straight to her building. He even escorted her to her door.

Chandler waited outside until Serena had closed the door. Inside, Snuggle meowed and ran up to her, rubbing against her.

The tension in Serena's body finally eased. She sank to the floor, pulling the little cat into her arms and rubbing it. She was finally safe.

Snuggle curled up on her shoulder, as if showing affection and offering protection.

Meanwhile, outside the door, Chandler was giving Hugh an update.

"I've taken Mrs. Larson home. She was tense the whole ride. I suspect it's related to whatever happened at the hospital. I've already arranged to pull the security footage. It will be sent to your computer shortly."

"I've already received it."

Hugh's voice was low, and there was the sound of something dropping. "Destroy the backup footage, and bring Cole to the villa with the basement. Don't let Serena know."

The last part of his command made Chandler freeze, eyes wide with fear.

The basement was a place for punishment. What exactly had Cole done?

At the hospital, Cole had his wound treated but didn't dare tell anyone what had happened.

Calvin woke up briefly. Believing Serena's words, he assumed Cole had truly repented and relented. So, he softened and told Cole to stop kneeling and return to the Larson

residence to reflect.

"I understand," Cole responded obediently, slowly retreating.

The moment he left, Calvin's trusted security company sent a group of

bodyguards to seal off the entire hospital room.

Cole entered the elevator and turned back, watching the black-suited men stand guard. His gaze darkened.

"No one in this family trusts me."

If Calvin really believed he had changed, why send him away while tightening security?