Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 291

Everyone was startled when they saw who had spoken.

But the words "Young Master William" sent a fresh wave of shock through the crowd; faces paled in an instant.

Especially the man who'd been provoking William-his expression drained of all color, and he dropped to his knees right there on the floor.

"Oh, come on," the newcomer drawled in an exaggerated tone, "even for Young Master William, isn't that a bit much? Get up! Mr. William isn't that petty, right, Mr. William?"

William shot the man a sidelong glance.

The speaker stood out in a pastel-pink suit, his soft features and almost melodramatic tone making him look, at a glance, like a strikingly pretty woman. But despite the delicate air, he was unmistakably and unapologetically a man.

"This is nothing worth holding a grudge over," William said, his gaze finally landing on the man still cowering at his feet. When he saw the man sigh in visible relief, William spoke again, his voice cool and measured. "Still, if I just let you off, people might start thinking I'm a pushover. Here's a compromise: I'll have my friend here teach you a lesson. A fair trade, don't you think?"

He gestured toward Serena.

The man didn't dare protest. Noticing Serena was a woman, he scrambled to agree, practically tripping over his own words. "No problem-please, miss, do your worst! Really, go ahead!"

things would

still holding the feather duster William had shoved into her hands earlier. She'd frozen in confusion at the time, unsure

voice

catching the glimmer of mischief in William's eyes as he

Before she could process what was happening, the man leaned forward, practically thrusting his head toward her. "Please, miss, I'm begging you just get

laughed at the ridiculous sight-this

Her expression hardened. Without another word, she gripped the feather duster and brought it down on

the man barely

and soon pain cracked through his bravado. It felt less like a feather duster and

tried to squirm away, but the bodyguards already anticipating this-held him firmly

pained cries echoed through the bar, drawing curious onlookers from the upstairs lounges, all peering down

out of breath, finally let her arm

she calmed, and

closed her eyes, trying to steady

first, she'd only wanted to teach this

striking him, her thoughts

like that, she lost all sense