Chapter 237: Home away from home
THIRD PERSON’S POV
After her release from the hospital, Serena had refused to go home or even talk about her family, and Steven had taken her into his own home without any questions or judgment. That was exactly why Serena felt safe with him.
Until the day Steven came back from his evening walk with a newspaper in hand and a worried expression on his face.
“What’s wrong?” Serena asked, fear already consuming her mind.
“I’m not sure how to tell you this,” Steven started. “But not only have you been declared dead, your funeral was even held yesterday.”
Serena stared at him in pure confusion. “What are you talking about?” she asked.
Steven handed her the newspaper.
Serena took it, her eyes immediately scanning through the pages.
“Death of the Heiress,” she read aloud.
“When I saw the name, I refused to believe it was you. I thought it was just a coincidence, but then I opened the page and your picture was right there,” Steven rambled on. “Your family thinks you’re dead.”
Serena exhaled, reading every word in the newspaper slowly, as though she were digesting each sentence one word at a time.
“According to the report, I was declared dead after my ring was discovered on my dismembered arm,” she read aloud. “The body had been too badly burned to run a DNA test, but my husband identified the ring as mine.”
“So how did your ring end up on another person’s arm?”
“Because that silly girl snatched it from me while I was tied up. She was so envious of my marriage that she figured wearing my ring would make her the next Mrs. Crowne,” Serena laughed. “After I shot her, I didn’t have enough time to retrieve it because the building was about to explode.”
Her eyes drifted back to the newspaper in her hands once more.
“My husband wasn’t at my funeral,” she muttered to herself before looking up at Steven.
“He couldn’t even pretend he still loved me and attend my funeral?” she asked, though the question wasn’t really directed at anyone.
“I mean… it wasn’t a real funeral, so maybe he was right not to attend. Right?” Steven shrugged.
“No. It just goes to show how badly he wanted to get rid of me,” Serena replied. “And as for my family… maybe it’s best if they continue thinking I’m dead.”
“Why?” Steven asked.
“Because they’re the ones who tried to kill me,” she answered flatly.
“So you’re just going to let them get away with it?”
“Of course not. But I refuse to go back without proper preparation.”
“And how are you going to do that?”
“By first calling my lawyer,” Serena replied with a smile.
~ ~ ~
When Bill first received the call, he thought it was a prank. It wasn’t until they switched to a video call and he saw Serena clearly on the screen that he finally believed it was really her.
“This still feels like a dream. I can’t believe you’re alive,” Bill gasped into the phone.
“The way my life keeps getting spared, I might start considering myself a cat with nine lives soon,” Serena joked, earning a smile from Bill.
“So what’s the plan?”
“My father tried to kill me, but I don’t have any proof.”
“Well, you have to find it fast because Sarah’s term as CEO will be running out soon, and if she’s unable to convince the board members to elect her for a second term, then Horace is going to become Gregory Enterprise’s new CEO.”
“We can’t let that happen,” Serena seethed. “Horace cannot sit in that chair.”
Bill ran a distressed hand over his face.
“I’m rooting for you. In the meantime, I’ll talk to the other lawyers and see if I can get them to sign off on releasing a package without revealing that you’re still alive.”
“What package?” Serena asked, her curiosity piqued.
“A package that holds the truth to everything.”
~ ~ ~
PRESENT DAY
After the board meeting that morning, the three attorneys had gathered Bill in a private room and insisted he tell them why he had been so determined not to move forward with the election.
It took a lot of convincing, but after making them swear on written affidavits that they would keep whatever they heard confidential, Bill finally revealed the truth about Serena’s supposed death.
“If she’s truly alive, then why hasn’t she come back to Monterra and reclaimed what belongs to her?” Joseph asked.
“Because she’s scared,” Spencer replied before Bill could answer. “Just like Sarah became scared and resigned. Horace has proven that he’s willing to kill for this position, and anyone wise enough would stay away from him… at least until they have the proper ammunition to face him in battle.”
“Exactly,” Bill nodded. “And that’s why I think it’s time for us to retrieve the original will. Serena needs to see everything Charles left behind for her.”
“Charles’ instructions were clear. Serena has to have produced an heir before she can see that envelope, or at the very least, she has to be pregnant,” Joseph argued.
“Charles only made those rules because he never expected Horace to try to kill his own daughter,” Bill countered. “And there’s no better time to break that rule than now, when it has become a matter of life and death.”
“Fine,” Joseph finally agreed. “But you can’t hand the folder over to her alone. We all have to accompany you.”
“That’s fine,” Bill replied. “I’ll call her and ask for an address.”