Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown novel Chapter 284

She allowed herself a small smile and followed the others into the courthouse.

Inside, Nestor Leighton and his daughter Penelope had already arrived.

When Nestor spotted Giles, his expression changed—clearly caught off guard.

Serena knit her brows together.

So her suspicions had been right: Nestor Leighton had no idea that Giles was her attorney. Which meant that Nestor couldn’t have been the one who’d tied Giles up all those years ago.

So who was it?

Suddenly, her eyes widened in shock.

That sweater!

Her face drained of color as her heart pounded wildly in her chest.

“What’s wrong?” William, standing beside her, seemed to pick up on her distress. He turned, concern etched on his face.

Serena shook her head. "I'm fine. Really."

But once the verdict was in, she knew she’d need to find Aaron.

“Serena, I’m so relieved you’re okay. After I saw you the other day, I just kept regretting what I said.” Penelope approached her, guilt written all over her face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things.”

Serena ignored her, instead pushing William’s wheelchair forward into the courtroom.

She knew Penelope had meant every word. She’d deliberately pushed Serena’s buttons, knowing full well how much her father meant to her—had always meant to her.

The judge entered, and the trial began in earnest.

At first, Nestor Leighton didn’t seem to think much of Giles as Serena’s counsel; but it didn’t take long for him to realize that the Giles standing before him was nothing like the man from three years ago. He was sharper, more formidable than ever.

Hadn’t everyone said Giles had become a recluse after losing that infamous case? That he’d barely left his house, let alone taken on clients?

Nestor pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at the sweat gathering on his forehead, his eyes betraying a flicker of panic.

The judge studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Fine. We’ll take a short break.”

During the recess, everyone waited in the hallway.

Penelope watched Serena, who was surrounded by friends and supporters. After a moment’s hesitation, she walked over. “Serena, I’d like to speak with you privately.”

Serena was in the middle of a conversation with Gabrielle. She turned, her voice icy. “There’s nothing for us to discuss.”

“It’s about your father,” Penelope replied, her eyes pleading.

Serena’s face remained blank. “Are you planning to say, once again, that I’m the one who killed him?”

The others overheard and immediately glanced at Penelope, their expressions a mix of shock and discomfort.

“Oh, come on! You and Bella really are two of a kind,” Gabrielle burst out, unable to hold back any longer. She pointed angrily at Penelope. “Last time, Bella already accused Serena of killing her own father, and now you’re saying it too? She’s your daughter, Penelope! Even if you can’t stand her, you can’t treat her like this. You know how much her father meant to her—how could you?”

“But he *was* killed because of her!” Penelope’s entire body trembled as she spoke, her eyes suddenly brimming with tears.