Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown novel Chapter 220

Beneath their feet, expensive velvet carpets covered the marble floor.

Oil paintings—each one rare and valuable—adorned the walls, every piece set in a finely crafted frame. Ornate gold trim caught the light, glittering like stardust scattered across the room.

“Miss Chatham,” greeted a woman in her thirties as she approached. She wore a striking red dress that hugged her figure, and her face was both elegant and beautiful. “It’s been too long.”

Gabrielle didn’t bother with pleasantries. “So, any new faces lately?”

“Oh, absolutely.” The woman smiled, but there was nothing flirtatious or sycophantic about it. “This way, please.”

She led them into a private lounge, handed Gabrielle a roster, and quietly slipped away.

Gabrielle slid the roster across the table to Serena. “Go ahead, pick anyone you like! Don’t be shy.”

Serena grimaced. “I really don’t need this.”

“Trust me,” Gabrielle replied, dead serious. “Serena, you absolutely need this.”

Serena started to protest, but Gabrielle pressed on. “Do you know why you keep falling for jerks?”

“Why?”

“Because men are all the same—they’ll always let you down, no matter which one you choose. So, why shouldn’t we get the upper hand for once?”

Serena stared, bewildered. “What…?”

“Come on, pick someone.”

But before Serena could respond, the door swung open.

A staff member rushed in. “Miss Chatham, there’s trouble—the police are here for some reason. You’d better slip out the back, quickly!”

Gabrielle’s expression changed in an instant. She grabbed Serena’s hand, and they hurried out through the rear exit.

Maybe I really was just unlucky tonight, she thought.

The next day, Gabrielle called Serena to relay the whole misadventure.

Serena barely gave it a second thought.

She had bigger things on her mind—she was about to film her first episode on Abby’s show, Antiquities Gambit. It was her on-camera debut, and Director Thomas had high hopes for her, so nerves were inevitable.

Every day, she reviewed the schedule and rehearsed her lines, getting ready.

Time flew by, and at last, filming day arrived.

Serena showed up at the studio entrance right on time.

Abby greeted her with a warm smile. “Come on, I’ll take you up. Today’s the perfect day to introduce you to the other guests. Oh, and by the way, there’s another guest from Alderburg—same as you. Who knows, maybe you two already know each other.”