How ridiculous it was!
Serene's mother had died because there was no special medication and her condition had worsened.
Yet the man she loved was still accusing her of being ungrateful.
Ivan always kept his word. The Force suspended her for reflection, citing insubordination toward a superior.
That same night, the Force held an award ceremony. Serene's name was on the attendance list.
She glanced calmly at Ivan. His face was dark, and he turned away coldly.
Serene found a seat at random. Along the way, many people congratulated her.
Yes. She had been undercover for three years. She had passed on plenty of intelligence. Even if not called merit, it was still hard work.
"Serene, do you think the Outstanding Contribution Award today will be yours?"
Wendy smiled lightly as she sat beside her.
Serene ignored her and stared straight at the screen.
At the end of the ceremony was the Outstanding Contribution Award. Ivan's gaze swept across Serene and landed on Wendy.
He cleared his throat.
"Ms. Stone performed excellently in her undercover mission. She is awarded the Outstanding Contribution Award."
Wendy stood up and glanced at Serene with open provocation.
She leaned down and spoke in a voice only Serene could hear.
"Serene, how pitiful you are.
"In the end, all you did went to someone else.
"Your mother died in so much pain. She kept calling your name.
"It is a pity you were out of town."
Serene's eyes turned red instantly. She stared at her and slapped her hard.
"Ah!"
"You did it on purpose!"
Serene's blood rushed to her head. She trembled with rage.
She had missed her mother's final moments because she was looking for Ivan. It had all been fake.
"Serene, you still refuse to repent."
Ivan looked at her coldly and shielded Wendy behind him.
Serene froze slightly. Her eyes slowly fell on the medal in his hand.
She suddenly laughed like a madwoman. That was the honor she had earned with her life.
"Take Serene to solitary confinement. Let her reflect."
Ivan frowned and gave the order coldly.
Serene curled her lips into a mocking smile and looked at Wendy's triumphant face.
She was locked inside the confinement room. The space was small and sealed. She curled herself up in a corner.
After a long time, she moved her stiff knees and calculated the remaining time.
One week left before her transfer order became official.
The old iron door creaked open. She lifted her eyes. It was Wendy.
"Serene, you will not blame me, right?"
Wendy crouched down and showed her a photo on her phone. It was her mother, sick and in pain.
Serene suddenly lunged forward to grab the phone. Wendy dodged with a step back.
"Ivan was there too," Wendy said softly with a laugh.
"She even saw me and Ivan being intimate."
Serene's last thread of restraint snapped. Her voice turned low and hoarse.
"Wendy, I never crossed you. Why are you targeting me?"
"Because Ivan can only be mine."
Wendy narrowed her eyes, full of cruelty.
"But I have something you will definitely care about."
She opened her palm. A pendant lay there.
It was her mother's necklace.
"Wendy, give it back."
Serene stood up and grabbed it tightly. Wendy stepped back and let it fall. It shattered on the ground.
Serene dropped to her knees and searched for the pieces. Even when her palm was cut and bleeding, she did not care.
Wendy clapped her hands and left, satisfied.
The confinement room was quiet and remote. No one disturbed her.
Serene knelt on the floor and searched every corner.
She pieced it together bit by bit until the pendant was complete.
She cried and laughed at the same time, holding the broken fragments like they were precious.
She curled up in the corner and counted the time.
She would not let this go.
The next day, her transfer order finally arrived. Serene tightened her coat and felt a strange sense of relief.
The door opened. It felt like a new life waiting.
She came to the Force early and submitted all mission records and intelligence evidence from the past three years. Her new appointment had also been issued. She was now taking over Ivan's team.
"Congratulations, Captain Hale."
Flattery echoed throughout the room.
Serene curled her lips into a cold smile and walked straight toward the office.
She was no longer Ivan's subordinate.
And Wendy was now under her command.
Old and new debts would all be settled. One by one.
Aksara