Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown novel Chapter 160

After she finished speaking, she glanced again in Serena's direction before continuing slowly, "But this ring, it really was a gift from Aaron."

Cynthia Lynwood's voice wasn't loud, yet each word pierced Serena's ears with absolute clarity.

Serena took a sip of her drink, unfazed.

Cynthia Lynwood had boasted so many times that Serena had grown immune to it.

"Serena, would you switch seats with me?" Samuel nudged her shoulder, "I have something to discuss with Mr. Vance."

Serena understood his intentions all too well.

With a grateful smile, she replied, "Sure."

Her smile, under the warm golden light, was like fireworks lighting up the sky.

However, just as she began to move, a strong hand suddenly grasped hers.

Her expression shifted slightly as she turned to look at Aaron.

Aaron, ever so gracefully, lifted his glass and took a sip before speaking slowly, "I prefer not to discuss business at social gatherings."

Serena tried several times to free her hand but couldn't. Not wanting to cause a scene, she pretended nothing was amiss.

"Samuel, since Mr. Vance doesn't like discussing business over dinner, let's leave it at that."

Samuel looked at Serena with concern.

Unbeknownst to him, under the table, Aaron's grip on Serena's hand tightened even more.

He even entwined his fingers with hers in a mocking display.

Serena took a deep breath and turned to Aaron with a smile, "Mr. Vance, please behave."

"Aaron, what are you and Serena up to?" Cynthia Lynwood's voice suddenly cut in.

Serena's face changed, and she quickly freed her hand from Aaron’s grasp, straightening up and replacing the cutlery on the table. "I just dropped my fork."

Cynthia Lynwood glanced at Aaron, noticing his unusual demeanor but dared not comment. She forced a smile and said, "I see. Aaron, I overheard someone saying that VP Lewis has had a crush on Serena for seven years. Isn't that touching?"

Serena, VP Lewis is so fond of you. Will you be with him?"

Samuel frowned disapprovingly, about to speak, but the others started chiming in, "Yes, Miss Sullivan, will you accept VP Lewis?"

"The person VP Lewis has been secretly in love with is you, and he even had those sculptures made to look like you, Miss Sullivan. Considering VP Lewis’s deep affection, why not say yes?"

"Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!"

Amidst the rising clamor, no one noticed the storm brewing in Aaron's dark eyes, his face a mask of cold intensity.