Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown novel Chapter 237

The first episode was edited and ready just two days later.

Since the producers were waiting to see the audience’s reaction before deciding whether to keep filming, Serena didn’t need to go to the studio for now. Instead, she slipped right back into her usual routine at the antique restoration center.

After work, she and William headed over to Giles’s place to discuss the lawsuit.

Giles still wore the same stone-faced expression he’d had when they first met—prickly and hard to approach—but when it came to analyzing the case, he took things seriously.

Neither Serena nor William knew the first thing about legal matters.

So, to avoid getting in Giles’s way, they wandered out to the backyard to admire the flowers.

Out there, Serena leaned over and whispered, “So what did you actually do to change his mind?”

“I told you,” William replied with a small smile, his gaze drifting toward the flowerbeds, “I reasoned with him, appealed to his emotions.” He paused, surveying the withered garden. “This time of year, everything’s dead.”

“Yeah,” Serena said, following his eyes.

Giles’s backyard had a few flowers thrown in without much thought, and since no one bothered to tend them, the beds were wild and overgrown. Winter was coming, and the green leaves had long since fallen away, leaving only dry, tangled stems behind.

Suddenly, Serena had an idea. “I’m going to grab some shears and tidy up these branches a bit.”

She headed inside and immediately spotted a pair of scissors on the table.

Just as she reached for them, a sharp voice snapped, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Startled, Serena nearly jumped out of her skin.

She turned to see Giles glowering at her. Serena gestured toward the backyard. “I just thought I’d help tidy up your garden a little.”

Giles snatched the scissors from her hand with a scowl. “That won’t be necessary.”

By now, Serena had spent a few days around Giles and realized that for all his frosty demeanor, he was warmer underneath. So she didn’t take it personally.

But before she could retreat, the quiet was broken by the rolling sound of wheels and a cold, commanding voice from behind: “Giles. Apologize.”

William’s voice was polite, but there was no mistaking the authority behind it.

Giles frowned. “Fine.”

With that, he stomped back inside, grumbling all the way, and returned to his paperwork.

Serena watched him go, concern written all over her face. “William, was it really necessary to insist?”

William just smiled. “Because it’s what you wanted to do.”

Serena felt her heart skip. She quickly looked away. “But… what if pushing him like that makes him—”

“You’re worried he’ll get fed up and drop your case?” William cut in, grinning.

Serena nodded.

William’s laughter was soft and bright. “You’re too much of a worrier. If he was really upset, would he have gone straight back to work?”