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."

to protest, but Gabrielle pressed on. "Do you

"Why?"

which one you choose. So, why shouldn't we get the

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

"Come on, pick someone."

respond, the door

police are

an instant. She grabbed Serena's hand, and they hurried out through

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

with a frown. "Wasn't this place supposed to be safe?

the next place, they ran

ever, insisted

the police were waiting right

kidding me?" Gabrielle groaned. "Do I have a tracking device on me or

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

just hit a bar and get a

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