Just over twenty minutes later, Zion Hawthorne returned.
He was wearing a clean white shirt, his exceptionally handsome face as coolly striking as ever.
One had to admit, a man with his wealth, power, and looks could certainly tempt anyone into wanting something more with him.
“Zion.” Serena Sterling’s hands tightened at her sides.
She stood up, looking at him with eyes full of hurt.
“I’m sorry.”
Zion Hawthorne walked over and gently pinched her cheek.
“It’s okay.
What are you apologizing for?”
“I shouldn’t have offered Rowan Keller money to leave.” Serena Sterling was a bit afraid of him, not even daring to meet his eyes as she confessed.
“She’s your wife, and Summer’s mother.
I’m sorry.”
“I’m the one who should be sorry.” Zion Hawthorne pulled her into an embrace, his voice softer than it had ever been.
Serena Sterling was baffled.
So was Rowan Keller.
They had the exact same, bewildered reaction.
“It’s my fault for not making you feel secure enough, which is why you did this.” Zion Hawthorne released her, his voice low and soothing.
“Don’t cheapen yourself by doing this kind of thing again.
From now on, just come to me if you need anything.”
Serena Sterling was stunned.
She hadn’t expected this.
“You’re really not mad at me?”
Two words escaped Zion Hawthorne’s thin lips: “I’m not.”
“Thank you, Zion.
I’ll never do it again.” Serena Sterling finally relaxed.
But I also know he only said that for Rowan Keller to hear.
That last part was a veiled warning for me.’
“Butler.” Zion Hawthorne didn’t spare Rowan Keller a single glance.
The butler immediately stepped forward.
“Sir.”
“Revoke all of Rowan Keller’s access privileges in this house,” Zion Hawthorne commanded.
“Including, but not limited to, room key codes and surveillance feeds.”
“Yes, sir.” The butler left at once to see to it.
A moment later, Rowan Keller’s privileges in the house were completely and utterly revoked.
The key codes were changed, the surveillance feeds cut.
From now on, she would need Zion Hawthorne’s permission just to set foot inside.
“I’m sorry Serena caused you so much trouble.” Zion Hawthorne pulled two hundred dollars from his pocket.
“This is for your emotional distress.
She didn’t cause you any actual physical harm, after all.
This should be more than enough.”
Rowan Keller was too stunned to even feel angry.
She had expected Zion Hawthorne to make things difficult for her, but she’d never imagined he would humiliate her like this.
“There’s no need.” Her voice was calm, but she looked at the two of them as if they were morons.
“You need this money more than I do.
Take it to a hospital, get a CT scan, and have yourselves checked for any serious brain disorders.”
Without another word or a glance at their expressions, she turned and went upstairs to get her bag.
Serena Sterling’s expression soured at the insult.
She was about to complain about Rowan Keller to Zion Hawthorne, but when she looked up at him, she found his gaze fixed on Rowan’s retreating back as she went up the stairs.
There was an emotion in his eyes she had never seen before.
It was the kind of look one might give a well-behaved child who had suddenly grown up and learned to stand on their own two feet.
“Zion,” Serena Sterling called his name softly.
Zion Hawthorne pulled his gaze away and looked down at her, the strange emotion in his eyes completely gone.
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing.” Serena Sterling was tactful.
‘Now isn’t the time to say certain things,’ she thought.
A few moments later, Rowan Keller came back downstairs, bag in hand.
She stopped deliberately beside Zion Hawthorne, her voice dripping with undisguised sarcasm.
“Do you need to search me today?
Can’t have you accusing me of theft the moment I step outside.”
“No need.
I trust your integrity, Ms.
Keller.” For once, Zion Hawthorne didn’t try to make things difficult.
Without giving him another look, Rowan Keller walked straight out of the villa.
The moment she was gone, Zion Hawthorne received a text message: “Mr.
Hawthorne, something has happened to Miss Keller’s mother.”
At that same moment, Rowan Keller’s phone rang.
It was the hospital.
“Miss Keller, your mother’s condition has suddenly worsened.
She needs surgery.
We need you to come to the hospital as soon as possible to sign the consent forms.”