Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown novel Chapter 167

Samuel's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise. "Hold on a moment, I'll go take a look."

He opened the door.

"Why were you so slow..." Joy's voice trailed off abruptly the moment she saw Serena. She stood frozen at the threshold, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. "Serena..."

Perhaps because of Samuel's presence, Serena didn't harbor as much resentment towards Joy as she might have expected.

Yet, there was still a trace of unease between them.

Thus, when she responded, her tone was noticeably cooler. "Yeah."

Joy glanced nervously at Serena before averting her eyes.

That day, she'd received a call from her roommate, informing her that Rock had come by their dorm to see her. Joy had been thrilled and rushed back, only to find that Rock had already left.

When she went to look for him, Rock's only words were, "Let's just delete each other."

It felt like a bolt from the blue.

She demanded an explanation from Rock.

But he was impatient. "I don't like you. I added you as a friend because of Moonhaven. So, to avoid unnecessary trouble, I think it's better for both of us if we just delete each other."

With that, he walked away without a second thought.

Joy stood there for a long time before she finally came to her senses, only to realize her face was wet with tears.

She didn't hesitate any longer and took a cab to Rosewood Gardens.

Perhaps fate was on her side.

Within two minutes of getting out of the cab, she saw Aaron's car driving out.

Aaron's Rolls-Royce was unique in Alderburg.

That's why she recognized it instantly.

"What are you doing standing there like a statue?" Samuel didn't notice anything amiss with his sister and spoke to her gently. "Come on in, we're just having pie."

"Pie? But you don't even like pie," Joy blurted out.

As soon as the words left her mouth, she noticed both Samuel and Serena's expressions change.

"Samuel, you don't like pie?" Serena asked, puzzled.

Judging by the looks of things...

A foreboding feeling made her wedge herself between the two. "Serena, my brother doesn't like pie at all. You've known him for so many years, and you didn't even know that?"

Serena felt awkward.

Even though she’d known Samuel for seven years, the times they'd eaten together could be counted on one hand.

"Joy!" Samuel's face took on a rare sternness. "Did you come over for something specific?"

"Can't I just come over without a reason?" Sensing Samuel's annoyance, Joy shrank back a little.

"Then sit down and join us," Samuel said, softening his tone.

Joy took a seat across from Serena.

Neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere became somewhat tense.

Samuel wasn't much for conversation either.

Gradually, the only sound at the table was the clinking of cutlery against the dishes.