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."

"Do you know why

"Why?"

the same-they'll always let you down, no matter which one you choose. So, why shouldn't we get the upper

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

"Come on, pick someone."

before Serena could respond,

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

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

a few wives from Northspire's most prominent families were making a discreet escape as well.

the car with a frown. "Wasn't this place supposed to be safe? How did the police find it?

next place, they ran into the

as ever, insisted

the police were waiting right at the

a tracking device on

tonight," Serena offered, unbothered. Truthfully, she

just hit a bar and get

found it dull. By ten o'clock,