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."

Gabrielle pressed on. "Do you know why you keep

"Why?"

the same-they'll always let you down, no matter which one you

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

"Come on, pick someone."

before Serena could respond, the door

"Miss Chatham, there's trouble-the police are here for some reason. You'd better slip out the back,

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

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

driver's seat. She started the car with a frown. "Wasn't this place supposed to be safe? How did the police find it? Ugh,

the next place, they

as ever, insisted on

the police were

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

Serena offered, unbothered. Truthfully, she hadn't wanted to go out in the

a bar and get a

but Gabrielle found it dull. By ten o'clock, she