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."

but Gabrielle pressed on. "Do you know why you

"Why?"

you down, no matter which one you choose. So, why shouldn't we get

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

"Come on, pick someone."

respond, the

are here

Serena's hand, and they hurried out

alone; several other women-including more than a few wives from Northspire's most prominent families were making a discreet escape as well. Serena spotted them

muttered as she slid into the driver's seat. She started the car with a frown. "Wasn't this place supposed to be safe? How

at the next place, they ran

stubborn as ever, insisted on trying

were waiting right

a tracking device on

a citywide crackdown tonight," Serena offered, unbothered. Truthfully, she hadn't wanted to go out in the first

it. Let's just hit a bar and get

but Gabrielle found it dull. By