Zane Crawford held her delicate wrist against the wall, his low, hoarse voice lingering by her ear with a hint of youthful urgency, "Serena, don’t move."
He told her not to move, but Serena Sterling moved even more vigorously, "Zane Crawford, you’re really despicable and shaless, let go! Don’t touch with your hands!"
A hint of passionate crimson flickered in Zane Crawford’s cold black eyes. Nothing in this world could make him lose his way, except for the girl in his arms, who could easily make him lose control.
He adjusted his breathing, but it wasn’t working; his blood was boiling, every cell was clamoring to have her! Why not have her!
Zane Crawford wrapped his arms around her slender waist, pressing her tightly against him, his thin lips moving up to kiss her small face.
Soon, he tasted sothing wet—tears.
Zane Crawford’s cold, bright body instantly stiffened. He looked up to see a few crystal-clear tears hanging on Serena Sterling’s delicate face, her bright eyes blurred with tears.
She was crying.
Zane Crawford’s lost mind instantly cleared, like being doused with cold water. What was he doing?
He had let his greed and desires run rampant, bullying her into tears.
This version of himself, he found deeply shaful.
Serena Sterling’s eyes were red, her small nose was also red, both hands pushing him away, "Zane Crawford, go away, I don’t want to see you anymore, I hate you!"
She said she hated him!
Zane Crawford felt a bit flustered; this was the girl he loved most. He raised a clean finger, wanting to wipe her tears, "Serena, I’m sorry, I... I..."
Their bodies were still close, and Serena Sterling suddenly felt sothing hot and hard against her. Her pupils shrank, and she looked up at him with shocked and angry eyes.
She was no longer an innocent girl; having given birth to three children, she obviously knew what it was.
He actually!
Zane Crawford quickly realized too, a light blush spread over his fair, handso face, and he released her as if shocked, putting distance between them.
With his right hand in his pocket, he turned and left.
Serena Sterling watched his back, seeing the 27-year-old Zane Crawford shed his aloof image, now looking sowhat naive.
It was like... fleeing in panic.
"Zane Crawford, I’ll agree to marry you tomorrow, but you must give Mr. Crawford back to ." Serena Sterling called loudly.
Zane Crawford paused in his steps; a few seconds later, "Okay."
He left.
...
Zane Crawford walked out of the room, the cold wind outside brushing his handso face, dissipating his restlessness.
At this mont, soone approached from the front—Seraphina Shea.
Seraphina Shea looked at Zane Crawford and greeted him, "Dr. Crawford."
Zane Crawford had no emotional fluctuations; he just nodded slightly and walked away.
The maid whispered, "Miss, this Dr. Crawford actually walked out from the Princess of Alani’s room. Her brother just died, and Dr. Crawford can’t wait to take over his brother’s woman. I think he’s just a beast in human clothing, Miss, you’d better stay away from soone like him!"
Seraphina Shea watched the direction Zane Crawford disappeared, "What are you afraid of?"
"Miss, of course, I’m afraid Dr. Crawford will bully you!"
Seraphina Shea’s red lips curved into a faint, mocking smile, "Don’t worry, Dr. Crawford has no interest in . In this world of abundant waters, he only draws from one cup in his entire life."
...
The wedding day arrived, Serena Sterling donned the custom-made phoenix coronet and robes, with a red veil covering her head, allowing others to arrange her.
The happy bride attendant joyfully entered, "Bride, the auspicious ti has co, we must go pay respects."
Serena Sterling did not resist as the bride attendant took the red string, leading her out.
"Wait, the bride’s dress needs to be tidied." At this mont, a young maid ran over to straighten Serena Sterling’s dress hem.
Soon, a note was secretly slipped into Serena Sterling’s hand.
This young maid...
Serena Sterling’s heart quivered; she knew her people had arrived.
The people of Alani had arrived to take her back.
These past days, Serena Sterling had stayed put because she was in the imperial city, her freedom restricted. If she acted rashly, innocents would surely be sacrificed.
She feigned agreent to this grand wedding because the wedding’s commotion would surely reach the people of Alani’s ears. Plus, the wedding guests were nurous, it was a great chance to leave amidst the chaos, tonight was the perfect opportunity.
She wanted to take Mr. Crawford and leave, return to Alani!
So Serena Sterling had been waiting, and now, she was at last waiting for it.
Serena Sterling discreetly hid the note in her sleeve, then followed the bride attendant out.
Outside, the sound of gongs was deafening, red filled the eyes, Zane Crawford stood there, elegant and poised.
At this mont, confidant Wade Wyatt ca over, leaning in to whisper, "Master, the people of Alani have arrived, they just handed a note to Miss Sterling, it seems Miss Sterling will leave tonight."
Zane Crawford heard but his handso face remained calm, showing no surprise. He had guessed it.
How clever she was, how could she let him manipulate her?
She didn’t want to stay by his side; she was sure to leave.
This grand wedding, for her, was a sham.
"Groom, the bride is here!"
Zane Crawford looked up and imdiately saw Serena Sterling being led out by the bride attendant.
She was wearing the phoenix coronet and robes, standing in the shimring beads, her grace captivating.
The coldness in Zane Crawford’s black eyes slowly ward with tenderness; this grand wedding, for her, was a sham, but for him, it was reality.
"The auspicious ti has co, pay respects!"
Zane Crawford and Serena Sterling stood together as soone shouted, "First bow to heaven and earth!"
Zane Crawford and Serena Sterling bowed together.
"Second bow to parents!"
Titus Ashworth happily drank tea.
"Spouse bow to each other!"
Zane Crawford and Serena Sterling faced each other and bowed.
"Ceremony completed, to the bridal chamber!"
Serena Sterling was once again led away by the bride attendant, into the bridal chamber.
...
In the bridal chamber, Serena Sterling sat by the bed, and the bride attendant said, "Bride, the groom has to entertain the guests outside, wait a while, when he cos, he will lift your red veil."
Serena Sterling didn’t hear clearly what the bride attendant was saying. She quietly opened the note, which had a line of small words saying, ’By the Luoshui Riverside, welcoming the queen ho.’
Her people were by the Luoshui Riverside.
At this mont, with a creak, the bridal chamber door was pushed open, the bride attendant laughed, "Why is the groom here so quickly, this is absolutely the fastest groom I’ve seen, the groom must be eager to lift the bride’s red veil."
Zane Crawford had arrived.
Amidst the bride attendant’s teasing, Zane Crawford walked up to stand in front of Serena Sterling.
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