Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown novel Chapter 127

"What exactly does Mr. Vance mean by that? I'm a bit confused," Samuel said, clutching his bowl tightly. He took several deep breaths before meeting Aaron's intense gaze.

"Confused?" Aaron's lips curled into a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Hand over Serena, or there will be no place for you in Alderburg."

"Mr. Vance, I still don't understand what you're implying," Samuel replied nervously, setting his bowl down. "Are you saying Serena is missing?"

Aaron narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing every nuance of Samuel's expression. "You really don't know?"

"I don't know," Samuel said anxiously. "Since Serena went to Northspire, we've barely been in touch. Mr. Vance, what happened to Serena?"

Aaron's eyes darkened. "Search the place."

The guards at the door filed in. Samuel's apartment wasn't big, and it didn't take them long to comb through it.

"Mr. Vance, there's no trace of anyone else being here," one of the guards reported.

Aaron glanced at Samuel, his deep-set eyes unreadable, like an unfathomable abyss. Samuel stood by the table, his scalp tingling with anxiety.

Time ticked by, each second stretching into eternity. The room was so silent that the sound of every breath was audible.

After what felt like an eternity, Aaron finally moved. He walked out of the apartment. Samuel let out a sigh of relief, only to see Aaron suddenly turn back, his piercing black eyes locked onto him.

Samuel's expression froze. It was several long seconds before Aaron finally turned away and left.

The doorway fell silent, but Samuel remained rigid, standing as if rooted to the spot. Aaron was now thoroughly suspicious of him. He was frustrated but didn't dare to call Serena recklessly.

It was Shirley Clarke, Samuel's mother, a warm-hearted middle-aged woman. Though she didn't have much formal education, her spirit was welcoming.

Serena jogged over to Shirley. "Shirley, what's for dinner tonight?"

"We're having your favorite, tomato and egg stir-fry and braised ribs."

"Thank you, Shirley."

"No need to be so formal," Shirley said, her fondness for Serena evident. "Samuel told me how much we owe you. You're the reason he's been able to find his footing. You're practically family to us."

And it wasn't an exaggeration. After graduating from Alderburg University, Samuel had found a decent job, but his straightforward nature had ruffled many feathers. If Serena hadn't encouraged him to manage L.S. Entertainment, he might have ended up back in town, taking any job he could find just to make ends meet.