Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown novel Chapter 289

But almost immediately, William looked away, as if he couldn't bear to meet her eyes.

A cold ache settled in Serena’s chest.

Then William’s voice cut through the tension.

“Yes, we never managed to make our engagement official in the end, but she was once my fiancée. That makes her family—at least, in part. Her problems are my problems. So if any of you still want to come after her, you’d better think twice about whether you’re up for it.”

Penelope and Bella from Alderburg University froze in shock.

William’s meaning couldn’t have been clearer.

If anyone wanted to mess with Serena again, they’d have to deal with the Grayson family first.

And in Northspire, the Graysons were a mountain no one could move. Just a flick of their finger would be enough to crush people like Penelope and Bella.

Penelope didn’t dare utter another word. She quickly grabbed Bella’s arm and all but dragged her away.

With his employers gone, Nestor Leighton had no reason—or dignity—left to stay. But before he left, he turned back for a moment, shooting a glare at Giles. The look in his eyes was pure defiance.

Gabrielle saw it and glared right back, her stare cold as steel.

Nestor hesitated, then quickly turned away and hurried off.

“Hmph,” Gabrielle scoffed, hands on her hips as she watched the three of them retreat. “Well, they finally left. I’ve seen shameless people before, but never anyone quite like them. If we weren’t in a courthouse right now, I swear I’d give those three a piece of my mind.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Gabrielle suddenly remembered: Penelope was Serena’s mother. Maybe saying all that would upset her friend.

She quickly turned. “Serena, I—”

Gabrielle instinctively glanced at William.

But William’s eyes were full of approval. He’d clearly known all along what Serena planned to do.

Gabrielle’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t help but wonder what William had said to Serena to give her the strength to stand up again so quickly. Before, she’d pushed for William and Serena to be together just to spite Aaron, but seeing William by Serena’s side—even in his wheelchair—like a steadfast guardian, she realized maybe they truly were a good match.

Giles asked, “What grounds do you want to sue her on?”

“For failing her duties as a mother—and for cheating during her marriage. She has no right to my father’s estate. I want to take back every penny and the house my father left her!”

Giles frowned slightly. “Infidelity is a serious matter in the eyes of the public, but the law doesn’t actually bar someone from inheriting on those grounds.”

“I don’t care about ‘trying my best,’” Serena said, her eyes red but burning with conviction. “I want everything back. The house and the money—everything. I won’t settle for less.”