CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 24: CATCHING AN AFFAIR

The man she saved that year?

Serena Sterling recalled that year when she was twelve, saving a man who had already lost consciousness in the icy cold. She was sure that if she had arrived any later, he would have died in the snow.

The heavy snow had blocked the roads, and it was almost dark, the temperature was so cold it made her tremble all over. She struggled to bring the man to a nearby cave and lit some branches for warmth, but it was still so cold, his limbs were nearly frozen stiff.

Serena Sterling removed her own clothes and tightly embraced the man, using their body heat for warmth.

Just like that, the man survived.

Now, thinking back, Serena Sterling was only 12 years old at the time, solely focused on saving a life, but in others’ eyes, it had become a scandalous scene. Under Vanessa’s instigation and slander, Seth Sullivan had always regarded her as a tainted girl.

Leah Thorne was right in her scolding, these people are truly revolting.

As for the man...

Serena Sterling replied that almost eight years had passed, she could no longer remember the man, even if he stood in front of her, she probably wouldn’t recognize him. However, he did give her a jade pendant when he regained consciousness, saying he would come back to find her.

Leah Thorne asked, Where’s the jade pendant?

Serena Sterling lost it, couldn’t find it.

Leah Thorne sent a meme with little stones knocking her out - Have you read romance novels? By usual trope, the man you saved is certainly some rich Crown Prince, you saved him and he would offer his life in gratitude.

Serena Sterling...

She truly didn’t know where the jade pendant had gone, she clearly remembered locking it in her room’s drawer but when she opened it again, it was gone.

Thinking back on that snowstorm rescue, it wasn’t just her and the man, but also Seth Sullivan and Vanessa.

So many people came.

Just then Leah Thorne’s message arrived, Serena, here’s the location tracked from Seth Sullivan’s phone. The call was placed from a cottage on the outskirts of Bayside, Aunt Jacqueline is there.

Serena Sterling looked at the address Leah Thorne sent, she had already planned when she went to Room 8206 for the meeting, to use herself as bait to make Seth Sullivan call out, then Leah Thorne could locate Aunt Jacqueline.

Seth Sullivan hid Aunt Jacqueline in the cottage on the outskirts.

Great, she found her!

Serena Sterling sent a big kapan kiss emoji to end the chat. Now it was evening, convenient for action, she would immediately go find Aunt Jacqueline.

Regarding Vanessa’s slander against her, she would naturally find a good opportunity to give Vanessa a great gift.

The immediate priority was to rescue Aunt Jacqueline.

Serena Sterling was about to head out when suddenly her phone rang with an incoming call.

She lowered her gaze to see "Mr. Crawford" flashing across the phone screen.

It was a call from Hayden Crawford.

Her long lashes fluttered slightly, Serena Sterling did not answer, letting the phone ring over and over.

Soon, there was a "ding," a WeChat message had arrived.

Serena Sterling opened it to see it was from Hayden Crawford - Asleep?

Serena Sterling looked at these two words, it’s his usual concise and assertive style. Scrolling up, their chat last stood at - Daring to scold me? I’ll deal with you when I get back home.

Back then she was so sweet, like a young girl just discovering love, captivated by him, but now she had regained her calm.

She wanted to build a high wall in her heart to keep him out, no longer tempted by, nor giving him a chance to hurt her.

Only by closing her heart could she become more independent and strong.

Serena Sterling didn’t reply on WeChat, placing her phone in her bag and heading to the cottage in the outskirts.

...

Hayden Crawford had returned to Bayside, just off the plane, Justin Xavier and Seth Hawthorne were there to pick him up and they got into a stretched limousine.

Hayden Crawford stared at his phone, waiting for a reply to his "Asleep?" for a long time that hadn’t come, his brows knitted together.

Seth Hawthorne laughed from the front passenger seat, "Second brother, why did you return two days early than planned, even flying back during the night? What’s hidden in your phone, some beauty? You’ve been staring at it since we got off the plane."

Hayden Crawford pressed his thin lips together without saying anything.

Justin Xavier hid a smile behind his gold-rimmed spectacles, "Your second brother isn’t staring at a beauty, he’s likely trying to catch an affair."

Hayden Crawford lifted his long legs that the business car couldn’t contain, kicking Justin Xavier beside him, "Can you talk properly?"

After saying that, Hayden Crawford made a call to Orchid Court.

When Butler Felix connected, Hayden Crawford pressed his lips and asked, "Where’s Mrs. Crawford, is she asleep yet?"

Justin Xavier snorted, leisurely wiping the footprints from his pants, "Still won’t admit you’re catching an affair?"

On the other end, Butler Felix politely replied, "Young Master, Mrs. Crawford just went out."

"Got it." Hayden Crawford hung up the call.

Seth Hawthorne was excited, face full of gossip, "Wow, what’s the situation second brother? It’s already 8 PM, just back from a business trip, they always say absence makes the heart grow fonder in marriage, but this alternate bride isn’t soaking in a milk rose petal bath, or wearing a sexy nightgown waiting on bed for your favor, she ran off to play instead. Second brother, did you get a green hat?"

Hayden Crawford gave Seth Hawthorne a calm gaze meaning you should shut up, then looked at his personal secretary Ivan Yarrow in the driver’s seat, "Find out where Mrs. Crawford is."

Ivan Yarrow nodded respectfully, "Yes, President."

...

Serena Sterling arrived at the outskirts and found the cottage.

She gently pushed the door open and was promptly hit by a strong smell of Western medicine, Aunt Jacqueline’s health wasn’t good, it seemed Seth Sullivan had given her some treatment.

Serena Sterling soon saw Aunt Jacqueline, lying on the bed. Ten years had passed, Aunt Jacqueline had aged a lot, her complexion pale.

"Aunt Jacqueline," Serena Sterling swiftly walked over, gently shaking Aunt Jacqueline awake, "Aunt Jacqueline, open your eyes, it’s me."

Aunt Jacqueline weakly opened her eyes, when she saw Serena Sterling, her sickly eyes instantly shone with brightness, "Little Miss, is it really you, Little Miss!? It seems Mr. Sullivan didn’t lie to me, he said he would bring me to see Little Miss."

Aunt Jacqueline carefully looked over Serena Sterling, tears of relief streaming down, "Little Miss, you’ve grown up."

Aunt Jacqueline was too emotional, quickly starting a fierce coughing fit, even spitting up blood.

Serena Sterling swiftly checked Aunt Jacqueline’s pulse, Aunt Jacqueline’s whole body was exhausted, if it wasn’t for the belief of seeing her, she would have collapsed long ago.

"Aunt Jacqueline, you shouldn’t say anything now, you need to go to the hospital for treatment, I’ll take you away from here right now."

Serena Sterling supported Aunt Jacqueline, and together they left the cottage.

Outside the cottage, lights were bright, Seth Sullivan had arrived.