Chapter 177

Serena and Bianca quickly stood up. Just as they reached the landing on the stairs to the first floor, Serena stopped and asked insistently, “You still haven’t told me—why are you helping me?” After a few seconds of silence, Oliver gave her a gentle smile. “Don’t overthink it. I just feel sorry for the trouble I caused you back on Iridesa Isle, Mrs. Quinn. I’m really just trying to make up for my mistakes.” Hearing that, Serena let it go and walked off with Bianca. She had said before—Oliver’s smile was contagious, like a warm breeze in spring. Even with the past misunderstandings, that impression hadn’t changed. Jack Brooks and Oliver stood side by side at the top of the stairs, staring at Serena’s retreating figure. “Call back to Veloria,” Oliver said, expression darkening. If Serena was going to have the surgery without any complications, Matthew had to be out of Westbridge by tomorrow morning. After talking on the phone with his father, William Thompson, Oliver looked even more gri