Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown novel Chapter 104

"Is it you?!"

A spark of recognition lit up in William's eyes. "So, you're the restorer my grandfather mentioned."

"Your grandfather?!"

So, the person who had asked Director Thomas to restore the vase was none other than Patriarch Grayson? That explained the extravagance.

Serena glanced beyond William. Standing behind him were Finn and a bodyguard. The bodyguard was holding a box, presumably containing the vase.

Serena's eyes lit up. "Is the vase inside that box?"

"Yes."

"May I take a look now?"

"Of course."

At William's nod, the bodyguard placed the box on the table and opened it. Inside was a vase, broken into several pieces.

Patriarch Grayson hadn't lied; this antique wasn't worth much. It could be bought for a few hundred dollars.

"Spending half a million to restore it—isn't that a bit excessive?" Serena asked.

William's lips curved slightly. "This was my grandmother's. Though it may not be valuable in monetary terms, to her it's priceless. No matter the cost, it's worth it. Otherwise, my grandfather wouldn't have searched so diligently for a restorer."

"Who would have thought..."

"Thought what?"

Serena shook her head, choosing silence. She hadn't expected the Grayson family, the most prominent family in Northspire, to be so full of love. She thought such affluent households were devoid of affection.

After all, she'd never seen love in the years she'd been around Aaron—not from his parents, nor from his friends.

Except there was one instance.

Aaron and Cynthia Lynwood.

The thought brought a self-deprecating smile to Serena's lips.

"Downtown?" William's voice turned a little colder.

"Yes."

She wanted to consult a lawyer. She needed to know if someone like Cynthia Lynwood, who pressured others into donating organs without evidence, could be legally challenged.

"I'll take you there. It's not convenient with the vase."

Serena hesitated. "This..."

"Miss Sullivan," Finn interjected, "you should let Mr. Grayson drive you. The vase is a treasured possession of our family matriarch and we can't risk anything happening to it."

Serena considered for a moment. "Alright."

Together, they left the café. A car was parked just outside.

Seeing the car, Serena's eyelid twitched with an uneasy premonition.