Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

At that moment.

Victor had just entered the hotel and caught a glimpse of a familiar figure

disappearing by the elevator. He paused, a bit dazed.

A colleague walking behind him noticed his distraction and asked, "Victor, what's up?"

Victor snapped back to reality. "Oh, nothing."

Could it be... he thought he saw Serena?

Impossible!

Mr. Vance was in Alderburg, and Serena should be there too.

He must be imagining things due to the stress of this collaboration with Grayson Group.

Severely sleep-deprived, he was clearly seeing things.

Victor shook his head quickly and headed to the front desk to check in.

The next day.

Serena received a call from an unknown number.

The caller introduced themselves as the secretary to her arranged marriage

partner.

She was instructed to meet William at Grayson Group by 3 PM, or else they would have to reschedule.

It was just like Aaron's style.

Surprisingly, Serena didn't mind.

Perhaps it was because this was merely a transaction, devoid of any emotions.

At three o'clock sharp.

Serena arrived at Grayson Group.

In a lavishly decorated office, she met her intended partner.

A man in a wheelchair, yet with striking and refined features.

If Aaron was the harshest winter chill, then William was the refreshing breeze of

summer.

"I remember the arrangement was with Bella. Why did your mom send you instead?" he asked, his voice smooth, lacking the pressure of authority, like a conversation between acquaintances.

"I like you, so I volunteered to take Bella's place."

William chuckled, his eyes warm like a spring breeze. "Serena, everyone in

Alderburg knows you like Aaron, even in Northspire."

"That was before. Now, I've had a change of heart."

William looked at Serena, who didn't even blink, and suddenly found himself

intrigued by this potential partner.

"Are you really over Aaron?"

Serena was about to respond when there was a knock on the door.

"Mr. Grayson, the partners have arrived early."

William raised an eyebrow, giving Serena a meaningful look. "Wait here for me. I'l be back shortly."

His "shortly" turned into over an hour of waiting.

When he returned, William's attitude had noticeably shifted.

"About the marriage arrangement, I have no objections. Let me know when it's convenient for you to get a marriage license."

Serena was puzzled by William's complete turnaround but replied, "The sooner, the better."

"Alright then, after I sign the deal on Friday, we'll get the license. You may leave now."

Serena frowned.noveldrama

Something had changed about William after his meeting, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. With no other choice, she exited the office under the secretary's guidance.

As soon as the office door closed, the man who had been dignified in his wheelchair let out an enigmatic smile.

The team he had just met with was led by Aaron's assistant, Victor.

It turned out Aaron had no idea Serena was back in Northspire.

Nor did he know she was planning to marry someone else. Interesting.

Very interesting indeed.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Victor's eyes widened in disbelief as he saw Serena leaving Grayson Group. He rubbed his eyes vigorously before finally accepting the truth-it was indeed Serena!

Serena had returned to Northspire!

For the past seven years, she had been in Alderburg, never setting foot outside of

it!

Victor hurriedly sent a message to Aaron.

"Mr. Vance! I just saw Miss Sullivan in Northspire!"