Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown novel Chapter 223

“Um… Serena, don’t be mad, okay?” Cynthia Lynwood opened the takeout bag, then cheerfully offered a box to Serena. “This is my all-time favorite dessert from The House of Sweet—you have to try it!”

Only then did everyone notice the logo on the box: House of Sweet.

House of Sweet was the hottest dessert shop in the whole country—so exclusive, it only had ten locations, all in the southern region, because the founder insisted on keeping everything local. If you wanted a taste, you’d have to catch a flight down south yourself.

So how on earth did Aaron get his hands on these desserts?

Sensing the unspoken question in everyone’s eyes, Cynthia gave a sweet smile and explained, “These were flown in this morning! Don’t just stand there—dig in before they lose their freshness.”

The mere mention of House of Sweet erased all memory of the earlier tension. Everyone crowded closer, gushing, “Thank you, Miss Lynwood!”

“No, no, it should be ‘Thank you, Mrs. Vance!’” someone teased.

The group quickly corrected themselves, all chiming in, “Thank you, Mrs. Vance!”

Cynthia basked in the attention, grinning like a flower in bloom.

Meanwhile, Serena found herself edged out to the margins.

She watched Cynthia, surrounded by the others, and her thoughts drifted back to a few years ago. When House of Sweet first became a sensation, Serena longed to try it too. But there wasn’t a single branch in Alderburg. She could only sigh and let it go.

Then, one morning, she woke up to find a small gift box on her bedside table. Inside was a House of Sweet dessert—her favorite, the mocha flavor. Thrilled, she barely bothered to change out of her pajamas before dashing downstairs to ask Aaron if it was from him.

He barely looked at her before replying coldly, “Supplier sent it. Do you really think I’d buy that kind of thing?”

It was like a bucket of ice water dumped over her head. In that instant, all her excitement vanished.

William’s sharpness softened as he slowly wheeled himself into the studio. Only then did people notice his assistant and two bodyguards following behind, each carrying an elegant box.

Someone with a sharp eye recognized the logo immediately: The Gilded Tart—legendary for its reimagined European pastries, and famous throughout Northspire. The name alone spoke of luxury, though almost no one dared step inside: it was strictly a haunt for the ultra-wealthy.

“These are just some treats I brought for everyone.” William nodded, signaling his staff to set the boxes on the table. He turned to Serena with a gentle smile. “It’s Serena’s first time filming, so I hope everyone will help her out today and show her the ropes.”

Everyone looked at each other in surprise.

Serena, too, was taken aback.

William’s meaning couldn’t have been clearer: he was here to support her.