Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Aaron's expression darkened.

Upstairs.

Serena had just closed the door when she received a video call request from Director Thomas.

She quickly accepted the call.

"Serena, all your father's antiques have been moved in. Take a look-" Director Thomas turned the phone to give her a view. "What do you think? The villa's nice, right? Plus, it's equipped with a climate control system. See for yourself."

Seeing her father's antiques safely stored, Serena felt a wave of gratitude. "Thank you, Director Thomas."

"No need to thank me, it's the least I can do," Director Thomas replied, then looked back at Serena through the screen. "By the way, Serena, when are you coming back? The restoration center can't do without you."

Director Thomas wasn't just flattering her.

Even though Serena had only spent a few days at the restoration center's mural department, everyone there, from the top manager to the regular restorers, couldn't stop singing her praises, constantly asking when she'd return.

Serena replied, "I'll be back as soon as I wrap things up here."

"Hurry back, then." Director Thomas urged, and they chatted about the research

center for another half an hour before finally ending the call.

Serena held her phone, gazing out the window, silently hoping Rock would quickly find the whistleblower.

That way, she could leave Alderburg sooner.

Evening came.

Aaron was at home, which was a rare sight in the past.

Though Serena was surprised, she didn't show it, quietly eating her dinner.

However, halfway through the meal, Aaron's phone rang, its tone unmistakably set for Cynthia Lynwood.

Serena looked down, sipping her soup with a faint, mocking smile.noveldrama

This must have been Cynthia Lynwood's longest stretch without calling.

In the past, whenever Serena and Aaron were together, Cynthia's calls would follow like clockwork.

Aaron frowned, picked up the phone, and answered it right in front of Serena. "Cynthia."

"Aaron, I feel awful!" Cynthia Lynwood's voice came through the phone, shaky and on the verge of tears.

Pressing his fingers to his forehead, Aaron said, "If you're not well, call Matthew. He's the doctor."

"Aaron, it's not my body that's hurting, it's...I dreamt of Evelyn... She told me my illness was incurable, that she was sorry and shouldn't have accepted my donation back then."

Aaron shot up from his seat.

Feeling Serena's curious gaze, he lowered his voice, "Don't say that, you're going to get better!"

But his clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil.

Serena observed the tension in Aaron's hand, noting the veins pulsating beneath the skin.

Her eyebrows lifted slightly.

Every call from Cynthia Lynwood put Aaron on edge.

But tonight, she noticed a hint of panic.

"But... but..." Cynthia Lynwood sniffled, "Evelyn told me she's coming to take me away.

Aaron, I don't want to die! I don't want to die... Evelyn, please... don't take me..."

Cynthia's desperate cries became a haunting backdrop, replaced by Matthew's urgent voice, "Aaron, you need to come over. Cynthia's been having nightmares all afternoon.

You know she's physically fragile and can't handle any stress."

Aaron tightened his grip on the phone and looked up at Serena.