Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Serena froze, stunned. "What... what did you just say?"

"You really didn't know?" William studied the confusion written all over Serena's face and sighed, unable to tell if he should be relieved or worried. Still, he explained, “Last time, the only reason Penelope agreed to return the stolen antique was because Aaron went to Northspire himself and warned her."

It felt like someone had punched Serena right in the chest.

So it really was Aaron helping her all along?

But almost immediately, a bitter, mocking smile curled on her lips.

"Doesn't that just prove it? Penelope only dared to sue me this time because Aaron told her to."

William narrowed his eyes. "What makes you think Aaron's behind this?"

It didn't make sense to him-why would Aaron do such a thing?

"Do you know who Penelope hired as her lawyer?"

William shook his head.

"Nestor Leighton." Serena lifted her chin and tried to smile, letting the wind toss her hair around a perfect match for the turmoil churning inside her.

William's brow furrowed.

Nestor Leighton was a legal shark-anyone could hire him if they had the cash, but his rates had soared over the years. These days, only a handful of people could afford him.

And of those people, the only one with any link to Serena was Aaron.

"But why would he do this to you?"

“Because.....” Serena drew a shaky breath, fighting to steady herself. "He wants to prove to me that without his protection, I'm nothing."

William's frown deepened. He glanced toward the entrance. "So, you want to ask Giles to represent you in court?"

Serena nodded, though her eyes were dull and defeated.

“But..... that's impossible now."

She'd burned that bridge with Giles-though, in truth, he was the one who'd been in the wrong.

"Not necessarily." A sly smile tugged at William's lips, his eyes narrowing in a way that almost hid the mischief there.

Serena looked at him, puzzled. "What are you planning?"

William met her gaze. "You want Giles to defend you, right?"

"Yes."

"All right. Leave it to me."

Serena blinked, completely at a loss.

A faint pit of anxiety opened in her stomach. "William..."

"I'll drive you home first," William cut her off, his smile gentle, his tone warm- giving nothing away.

Serena couldn't help feeling uneasy. "William...”

"Come on," he said, still calm, but with a firmness that brooked no argument.

She had no choice but to get in William's car.noveldrama

All the way back, Serena tried to speak several times, but William brushed her off each time.

When they arrived at her building, she hesitated before getting out. "William, please—promise me you won't do anything reckless."

William's lips curled into a faint smile.

"Do I look like the kind of man who does reckless things?"

Serena looked at him-so composed, so steady, so unruffled and shook her head.

No, William was definitely not the reckless type.

"Then don't worry. Go on, get inside. I should get home too."

Serena nodded, casting one last worried glance his way before finally stepping out of the car.

The door shut with a soft click, and in that instant, all the warmth seemed to drain from William. In its place was a cold, steely resolve.

"Turn around," he instructed the driver. "We're going back."