Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Outside the courthouse.

Gabrielle hopped out of the car and spotted Serena and William waiting by the steps. She hurried over, calling out, "I'm not late, am I?"

"No, you're right on time," Serena replied softly. She noticed the sweat still clinging to Gabrielle's forehead and couldn't help but say, "I told you, you didn't need to come all the way here."

"How could I not? I'm your witness!" Gabrielle planted her hands on her hips, her tone fierce with loyalty. "Honestly, you should've brought me last time. I could've told the judge exactly how your mother treated you back in middle school. Any judge with a shred of conscience would've ruled against Penelope."

Gabrielle knew about Serena's lawsuit with Penelope, but hadn't known the exact date of the hearing until yesterday, when Serena finally mentioned the second trial was today. No matter what, Gabrielle had insisted on being there.

Serena was warmed by Gabrielle's big-heartedness and, not wanting to disappoint her friend, had agreed.

"Court is about evidence, not stories," Serena reminded her with a gentle smile. "The judge won't care about any of that. Just promise me you'll stick to the facts if you're called to testify."

Gabrielle pouted. "Fine, but if the judge makes an unfair ruling, I swear I'll protest!"

Serena and William exchanged a glance, both wearing the same resigned, affectionate smile.

"Oh, by the way..." Gabrielle suddenly remembered something. "This morning, my dad mentioned your show-'Antiquities Gambit,' right? He said it's a national educational program, and the winner gets a chance to participate in an artifact exchange with Eldoria. Is that true?"

Serena nodded. "Yes."

Gabrielle's eyes lit up. "Serena, that means you-you might actually go down in history! This is the first time Eldoria's returning artifacts to us. It's huge-a symbol that we're not that bullied country from a hundred years ago anymore. Oh my god, Serena, you're so lucky to witness this moment in person!"

Serena smiled. It really was a historic occasion. But for her, the artifacts themselves mattered more than the publicity.

Just then, a sleek black car pulled up in front of them.

When Giles Weatherly stepped out, Serena finally relaxed.

"That's... your lawyer?" Gabrielle's eyes sparkled the moment she saw Giles.

Dressed in a sharp black suit, Giles seemed to have shed his usual gloom; he looked completely

moreel

renewed. He was handsome to begin with, but now, with a little polish, he had an even more magnetic appeal. noveldrama

Like Aaron, he carried a certain coolness about him-but unlike Aaron, his demeanor wasn't cold enough to push people away. Seren@thought it must be his eyes. There was a kind of compassion in Giles's gaze, a quiet sorrow for the world.

"Hi!" Gabrielle didn't wait for an introduction. She marched right up to Giles and flashed him a bright smile. "I'm Gabrielle, Serena's good friend. Can I add you on WhatsApp?"

Serena: "

Subtlety was definitely not Gabrielle's strong suit.

A flicker of surprise crossed Giles's face, but it vanished quickly. He replied coolly, "No, you may not."

Without another word, he turned to William and Serena. "Shall we go in?"

"Let's," Serena answered, though she couldn't help glancing back at Gabrielle, a little worried.

But Gabrielle looked entirely unfazed, even giving her a cheeky grin as if nothing had happened.

For some reason, Serena suddenly remembered the first time she'd met Aaron. She'd also blurted out a

request to add him on WhatsApp,

direct and unfiltered. The answer, of

course, had been a firm no

"Serena?"

Serena snapped out of her thoughts to find William watching her, a gentle smile in

his eyes-eyes that sparkled like stars in the night.