Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 220

Beneath their feet, expensive velvet carpets covered the marble floor.

Oil paintings-each one rare and valuable-adorned the walls, every piece set in a finely crafted frame. Ornate gold trim caught the light, glittering like stardust scattered across the room.

"Miss Chatham," greeted a woman in her thirties as she approached. She wore a striking red dress that hugged her figure, and her face was both elegant and beautiful. "It's been too long."

Gabrielle didn't bother with pleasantries. "So, any new faces lately?"

"Oh, absolutely." The woman smiled, but there was nothing flirtatious or sycophantic about it. "This way, please."

She led them into a private lounge, handed Gabrielle a roster, and quietly slipped away.

Gabrielle slid the roster across the table to Serena. "Go ahead, pick anyone you like! Don't be shy."

Serena grimaced. "I really don't need this."

"Trust me," Gabrielle replied, dead serious. "Serena, you absolutely need this."

started to protest, but Gabrielle pressed on. "Do you know why you keep

"Why?"

down, no matter which one

Serena stared, bewildered. "What...?"

"Come on, pick someone."

Serena could respond,

police are

instant. She grabbed Serena's hand, and they

other women-including more than a few wives from Northspire's most prominent families were making a discreet escape as well.

Gabrielle muttered as she slid into the driver's seat. She started the car with a frown. "Wasn't this

at the next place, they ran into

as ever, insisted on trying a third

were waiting

a tracking device

crackdown tonight," Serena offered, unbothered. Truthfully, she hadn't wanted to go

it. Let's just hit a bar and

police-free, but Gabrielle found it dull. By ten o'clock,