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

William had shoved into her hands earlier. She'd

voice

catching the glimmer of mischief in William's eyes

forward, practically thrusting his head toward

ridiculous sight-this grown man practically pleading to

hardened. Without another word, she gripped the feather duster and brought

the

it was nothing more than a tickle. But the blows kept coming, and soon pain cracked through his bravado.

but the bodyguards already

the bar, drawing curious onlookers from the upstairs lounges, all

half hour later that Serena exhausted and out of breath, finally let her arm fall. She looked down at the man, now

she calmed, and saw clearly-this wasn't

her eyes, trying

teach this guy a

thoughts had drifted, unbidden,

just like that, she