CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22: HIS PHONE WAS ANSWERED BY A WOMAN

Speaking of this topic, Seth Sullivan suddenly paused the red wine glass in his hand, his handsome brow casting a shadow of cold gloom.

As one of the four major families in Bayside, Seth was naturally aware of the Crawford family, but unfortunately, he didn’t know much more than outsiders.

The Crawford family’s young master, Hayden Crawford, is too low-key and mysterious, never appearing in the public eye. Seth once sent people to inquire and only learned that Hayden arrived in Bayside a few years ago, his real roots are in... City of Aethelgard.

City of Aethelgard is the most prosperous financial metropolis; anyone on the street might be a second-generation wealthy. Ordinary families can’t touch the financial center.

Of course, City of Aethelgard also has its own top-notch families, those top-notch families are true magnates in the business world, holding Astoria’s economic lifeline.

Seth had heard that City of Aethelgard’s first noble family in business also bore the surname Crawford.

It’s all quite coincidence, isn’t it?

Actually, the deeply-rooted influential family in Bayside is the Xavier family; their young master, Justin Xavier, grew up wearing open-crotch pants with Hayden Crawford.

Bella Sterling already felt the change in Seth’s mood, and she continued to strive, "Seth, have you forgotten the time Serena Sterling was in the countryside with a man, the two spent a night in a cave? How young was Serena back then, fooling around with wild men."

Seth emptied the glass of red wine in one gulp, then reached out and pushed, directly knocking Bella onto the bed.

Seth’s actions were very rough, Bella’s head directly "thumped" against the bedside cabinet, making her almost cry from the pain.

At this moment, Seth pressed down, staring at Bella with bloodshot eyes.

Bella was frightened by Seth’s appearance. Every time she mentioned Serena being with other men, he would lose control like this, becoming quite terrifying.

But Bella truly liked Seth, so she reached out and hugged Seth’s neck, "Seth, I love you, you are my only man, my first time was given to you."

Seth’s handsome face contorted, indeed, Serena had betrayed him; she was a promiscuous woman, not worth it at all.

He must forget Serena!

Seth reached out to tear Bella’s nightgown, and Bella happily embraced him, "Seth, I want to be with you forever."

Seth closed his eyes, but the image of Serena’s face persisted in his mind. That year, she was still small; Serena’s mother brought her over to visit the Sullivan family, her mom asked him, "Seth, would you like Serena to be your wife in the future?"

He was already a big boy at that time, his face turned red, he said nothing out of shyness, and directly went into the room.

On that day, the two children were betrothed.

He still remembers Serena as a soft, intelligent child, looking up at him with bright black eyes, smiling at him, calling him Seth.

Seth buried his handsome face in Bella’s hair, muffling a name hoarsely: Serena...

Bella heard the word "Serena", as if a basin of cold water poured down her head, extinguishing all her fantasies about love and happiness.

...

Bella had fallen asleep; in the dark, Seth leaned against the bedhead, lit a cigarette, and smoked it hauntingly.

As the cigarette was close to being extinguished, Seth pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

Soon, Serena’s clear voice came through, "Hello."

"It’s me." Seth exhaled a puff of smoke.

Serena paused for a few seconds, "Looking for me?"

"Come to room 8206 tomorrow night, I’ll be waiting for you."

"Seth, are you out of your mind?"

Seth curled his lips, "Well, aren’t you quite free with other men; others can play with you, why can’t I?"

Serena immediately wanted to hang up the phone and even considered blocking his number.

But Seth had already realized her intention to hang up, so he cut her off, "Serena, haven’t you been investigating the cause of your mother’s death?"

Serena’s heart fluttered; indeed, she returned this time to cure her grandfather and find out the real cause of her mother’s death.

Back then, it was said that her mother died of illness, but her mother was perfectly healthy; how could she suddenly die? Serena suspects foul play.

However, Serena found nothing; everything about her mother’s life had been wiped clean, leaving no trace.

Serena always felt there was a huge conspiracy behind her, started with her mother’s death and grandfather’s coma ten years ago, overnight everyone she loved, those who loved her, seemed bent on destroying her. They all changed.

Serena tightened her grip on the phone, "What’s your bargaining chip?"

"You probably can’t find anything now, no clues at all. I have someone you’re definitely interested in; it’s Aunt Jacqueline."

Serena’s pupils constricted; Aunt Jacqueline was the maid who served by her mother’s side, watched her grow up.

Aunt Jacqueline wasn’t from the Sterling family, but was someone her mother always kept by her side.

Only after her mother passed away, Aunt Jacqueline vanished from the world; Serena searched for a long time but couldn’t find her.

Aunt Jacqueline was in Seth’s hands.

"Serena, tomorrow night in room 8206, I will be waiting for you." After saying that, Seth directly hung up the phone.

Listening to the busy tone on the other end, Serena put down her phone; she absolutely had to see Aunt Jacqueline, but was she really going to keep the appointment?

Seth was up to no good; he wasn’t like Cox; her little tricks could not deceive him.

Suddenly, Serena heard Hayden Crawford’s deep and magnetic voice in her ear, "If there’s something you can’t solve, call me."

This was the last thing he said when he left.

Should she call him?

Serena picked up the phone, found Hayden Crawford’s number, and dialed it.

A melodious ringtone sounded on the other end, but it hadn’t been answered yet. The waiting time wasn’t long, but for Serena, it was already torturous.

She suddenly realized she might have acted recklessly; what if he was at work?

Once it’s answered, how should she speak to him? He has his work and things to do, yet to help her, is she just a burden?

Serena’s mind was in chaos, then the phone suddenly connected, and Serena quickly spoke, "Hello."

But instead of Hayden Crawford’s voice, a sweet female voice replied, "Hello, who is this?"

A woman answered the call.

Hayden Crawford’s phone had been answered by a woman.

Serena’s mind exploded with a "bang", all chaos retreating like a tide, and she broke out in cold sweat.

Serena didn’t speak; the woman on the other side found it quite strange, "Hello, are you looking for Mr. Crawford? Mr. Crawford is in the shower, and it’s inconvenient for him to answer the phone..."

Two beeps, and Serena immediately disconnected the call.