Chapter 591

Chapter 591 Serene Johnston

On our way back home, Diego and I tagged Emma and Ian on the group chat, asking them to come to

the villa for dinner after work in the evening.

Kevin appeared to be rather interested. 'Shawn's house?'

'Yes, let's all get together,' I replied.

'Too bad I'm not in Finland.'

Soon, I received Emma's reply. 'I have to work overtime tonight because I still have some unfinished

tasks! Heck! I'll disappear for a few hours later, and no one should notice. Renee, let’s do shots!'

Emma, who was a lightweight, actually wanted to do shots. I messaged her back. 'Okay, we'll wait for

you.'

Both Diego and I got busy as soon as we returned home. He did most of the work since he was the

only man around. Two hours later, when it was just starting to get dark, Emma and Ian arrived.

However, it wasn't just them, as a stranger was with them too. It was a woman dressed in a gorgeous

long gold dress, which made her look tall and slender. She was wearing high heels, and it seemed as if

she was dressed for a banquet.

"That's Mrs. Zeller," Diego whispered to me.

Ian's wife… She was indeed elegant and beautiful, like a noble lady who appeared in TV shows.

When they arrived, Ian remained silent with a poker face while Emma introduced, "Renee, this is

Serene Johnston, Ian's wife. When she came to pick Ian up from work..." Emma hesitated to say more.

She wanted to say they coincidentally met.

Seeing that Emma couldn't find an excuse, Serene proactively extended her slender arm and said,

"Hello, I'm Serene."

I thought she would introduce herself as Ian's wife, but her introduction was simple.

I politely shook her hand and replied, "Hello, I'm Renee."

"Ian, go fix the lights in the backyard and also decorate the room with some colorful lights," Diego

instructed Ian.

After Ian went to the backyard to fix the lights, Serene asked if we needed any help. I was worried

about making her feel uncomfortable, so I asked her to help me wash the cabbage. About twenty

minutes later, when all the preparations were done, everyone gathered in the backyard. I brought out a

bottle of expensive wine and announced, "I can't have any because my wound isn't fully healed yet.

You guys can help yourselves with this. Right, I can't have anything heavily seasoned too."

At that, Diego retorted, "Then why did you even have a barbecue party? Forget it, we'll drink, and you

can just chat with us."

As I sat on the side, I noticed that Serene was very quiet. After eating a little, she held a glass of red

wine and listened to their conversation. Her gaze was stunning and gentle, and she seemed to be

listening intently to the conversation. However, it always gave me a feeling that she was out of place

with these people as she seemed to be in a world beyond ours.

After the party ended, Emma had to leave in a hurry because of work, while Diego made Ian sign with

him in the living room. They didn't leave until 10.00PM that night. After I had sent them off from the

villa, I returned to the living room and saw that Diego had left his phone there. I took it and went out but

didn't see Diego. Instead, I saw Ian and Serene.

They were standing facing each other and seemed to be talking about something. When Ian saw me

walking out, he asked, "What's up? Are you looking for Diego?"

"Yeah, he forgot his phone," I said.

"Give it to me. I'll pass it to him."

With that, I handed him the phone and went back to the villa.

…

When Serene returned home and found Ian wasn't there, she drove to his company and coincidentally

met him and Emma leaving work together.

"Ian," she called out to him.

"Is everything done?" HE frowned when he saw her.

"Yeah, my grandfather had distributed the properties." Serene didn't tell him that her grandfather had

given her most of the property, which made her the official head of the Johnston Family.

The reason her grandfather handed the Johnston Family over to her was because of her grandmother.

As he held her hand and looked into the distance, he declared, "Your name, Serene, was given to you

by your grandmother, and she liked you the most. Since she likes you, then I shall hand the Johnston

Family over to you."

It was because her grandmother liked her very much that she benefited greatly from it. Her grandfather

then added, "You are the youngest of the Johnston Family's grandchildren, but you are the most

sensible child. You won't argue and make me sad like your brothers and sisters, nor fight for the

property of the Johnston Family. Although you have lived a low-key life and haven't achieved anything

to be proud of like your brothers and sisters, you are still a proud and pure young lady."

Serene was moved upon hearing that as she thought that no one in this world could understand her

and no one knew what she needed. However, the person in front of her, the backbone of the Johnston

Family—who had always made her feel inferior—turned out to be the one who understood her the

most.

"Grandpa..."

"Serene, I know you're going through a divorce with Ian. It was unfair for me to marry you off to him

back then, and if it weren't because your sister had deceived me, I wouldn't have married you to him... I

don't expect you to bring glory to the Johnston Family, so consider this my compensation to you."

Her eyes flickered, and as she tried to hold her tears back, she replied with poise, "I never regretted

marrying him, and I never regretted being a part of the Johnston Family."

After leaving the hospital, she returned and immediately looked for Ian.

"Where are you going?" Serene asked him.

Hearing that, Emma answered, "We're going to Mrs. Xenos' house for dinner. Do you want to come?

Let's go. The more, the merrier." Emma was an insightful person and could sense Serene's innermost

desires. Thus, she naturally believed that Serene wasn't a woman who would cheat on her husband.

Before Ian could say anything, Serene smiled and replied, "Okay, thank you for the invitation, Miss

Turner. Should I bring a gift over?"

"Don't sweat it. It’s nothing grand." Upon hearing that, Serene smiled and remained quiet.

Since Serene wasn't talkative, she had always been quiet and obedient while staying by Ian's side and

listening quietly to him and his friends chat. It may seem that this way, she could enter his world, but

she had forgotten that she had never been part of his world.

After the party ended, Renee came out of the house and passed Diego's phone to Ian. After Ian took

the phone from Renee, he waited until Renee had entered the house before telling Serene, "I'm going

to Diego's house and won't be going home tonight."

Hearing that, Serene smiled and said, "Okay." She always had this expression on, as if nothing could

break her.

Following that, Ian frowned and asked, "About the divorce..."

Serene quickly jumped in and replied politely, "My parents had been unrealistic. About the 20% stake in

the Zeller Family... I know they are making things difficult for you. Earlier on, when I went to the

Johnston Residence, I had taken the opportunity to solve this matter. If you are in a hurry, I have the

divorce papers with me. I have brought it along."

With that, she took out the divorce papers from her bag. Seeing that, Ian took it from her and saw her

name signed on it—Serene Johnston. He knew that the Johnston Family loved her very much for giving

her that name, as they hoped that she would live a serene life filled with happiness. Alas, she was

forced to marry him. He thought he could live harmoniously with her, but he didn't expect her to... He

didn't believe that she would cheat on him, but the evidence was conclusive.

He accepted it and replied calmly, "I'll leave the villa, along with the cars in the garage, for you.

Tomorrow, I'll get someone to transfer you 30 million in cash. Consider it compensation for your time

with me. If you have any other requests, feel free to let me know."

"You can keep the villa since it's your only home in Finland, and the cash is unnecessary. I didn't marry

you for your money anyway. Let's end things peacefully. You can seek the girl of your dreams, and I

won't stand in your way anymore." Serene shook her head. She was very understanding, and

throughout their two years of marriage, she never made things difficult for him, pleasing Ian greatly.

"I'll drive you home." Ian nodded gently.

Hearing that, she politely declined, saying, "You don't have to. All good things must come to an end.

Our fate ends here. Goodbye!" After saying that, she blinked and added, "I wish you nothing but the

best."

As she turned to leave, she suddenly stopped after walking a few feet away and turned back to look at

him before calling out, "Ian."

"What is it?" Ian looked up and asked.

He noticed the smile on her face and heard her speak sweetly yet clearly, "I'm not trying to defend

myself or lie to you, but I want to say that I have fulfilled my duties as a wife in this marriage. Whether

you believe it or not, I have never done anything to betray you." With that, she turned around, and tears

started streaming down her cheeks.

She felt bitter, but some things didn't need to be said as it would only make things more complicated.

She truly loved Ian, but she also had her pride. Thus, she could accept failure, but she couldn't bear

being falsely accused.

After hearing her words, Ian's heart sank. He quickly called Diego and said, "Help me investigate

Serene."

Diego was confused and asked, "What do you want to investigate her for?"

"I want to know if she cheated on me."

"Weren't you the one who stopped me from investigating it before this? You said that seeing is

believing, and the evidence is conclusive." Diego was puzzled by his request.

Yes, he believed what he saw and even believed in the conclusive evidence. However, he had

overlooked one thing. He overlooked the fact that someone as proud as Serene would never do such a

thing. He never believed in her from the get-go. When it happened, he even felt a tad delighted. Yes,

delighted. He thought he had an excuse for divorce, but he never thought about giving her a chance to

clear her name. The husband she trusted and relied on, who was also the man she loved, never gave

her a shred of warmth since the beginning.

"I'll do it tomorrow. I'm tired."

"Do it now."

Half an hour later, Ian received a message. He had indeed wronged her.

Ian closed his eyes and murmured, "What should I do?"

Now, what? What should I do? He looked at the divorce papers in his hand and suddenly felt that he

was in a sticky situation. He silently asked himself, Eve, what do you want me to do? Is Troy the man

you choose for yourself?

He felt immense sadness in his heart. He suddenly remembered the scene when he first arrived at the

Zeller Residence and met Amy, a beautiful and lively girl. His mother told him that she was his sister.

So, he had been protecting her for many years to come.

In the long years of companionship, he had already lost his heart. But given his status... Whether it was

leaving Amy or marrying Serene, he never had the right to choose. He was just a puppet, so how could

he choose? And Amy? In her eyes, she only saw love and betrayal.

She was a girl who could be blinded by love, but she couldn't empathize with his situation. People, after

all, feared rules and their own helplessness the most. And so what if he got divorced? Could he have

Amy? No, because the Zeller Family and his mother were in the way. Not to mention Amy's heart…

She had given her heart to Troy.

He thought that he didn't need to hurt another woman's heart. After standing there and hesitating for a

long time, he eventually drove back home. However, he couldn't find Serene there. He remembered

that he used to be able to see her at home all the time. He waited there for a long time, but she still

didn't show up, even until it started raining outside. He then contacted Diego with his phone.

Fortunately, Diego had a good temper and helped him out. There was something Serene wasn't aware

of. In fact, a global positioning system was installed on her phone. At first, it was installed to ensure her

safety because she was Mrs. Zeller.

He noticed that Serene was sitting on a bench by the riverbank near her home as he walked over with

an umbrella. Fortunately, she wasn't getting wet from the rain as she was holding an umbrella for

herself. From Ian's direction, she seemed to be lost in thought, and he didn't know what she was

thinking.

He approached her and called out, "Serene."

Hearing that, she turned around and stared at him puzzledly. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I carefully thought about what you said earlier and then had Diego investigate the events that

happened that day. It turned out that I wrongly accused you," he paused and apologized sincerely. "I'm

sorry, Serene."

Upon hearing this, she simply replied, "Oh."

Ian hesitated and then sat down next to her. His bottom was instantly soaked, but he didn't mind at all.

He simply said, "I do love Amy." Serene had known about this all along, but he had never given her an

exact answer.

"Why are you suddenly telling me all this?" she asked calmly.

"Our marriage was arranged because the Zeller Family wanted Amy to give up on me. I married you

reluctantly, but I have never regretted it. Life just naturally progressed to this stage, and there is no

need to regret it," he explained. "You married me just to avoid being confined at your house. When we

got married, we clearly stated that our marriage was just a contractual one."

They had made their intentions clear on the day they got married, so there was no reason for anyone to

blame anyone.

Hearing that, Serene gritted her teeth and replied, "That's right."

"Serene, do you want a divorce?"

"What do you mean?" Serene asked in surprise.

Ian sighed and said, "I do have Amy on my mind, but I have come to realize that letting go will probably

make both parties happy. If you don't want a divorce, can you wait for me for a while? After I have

sorted out things with Amy, I will come back to you..."

He paused for a long time before saying, "Let's live our lives in peace. After all, our marriage has been

real for the past two years."

Serene pondered for a long time before asking cautiously, "Ian, did you come after me because you

couldn't bear to leave me?"

Couldn't he bear to let her go? Ian didn't think so, as he merely pitied her because he could sense her

dependence on him. Saying these things were meaningless. He did feel a little reluctant in his heart

since they had been married for two years. One would even get close to a dog after raising it for that

long, let alone a wife.

He didn't answer but asked, "Serene, are you willing to wait for me?"

"Sorry, Ian. I have never turned you down before, but I can't agree with this because you have never

spoken to me from a fair perspective from the beginning until now. You always think that I am the

weaker one, and you think I will agree with you, but sorry, I want a divorce."

Hearing that, he replied decisively, "Okay, you have my word."