She and Zane Crawford once again perfectly combined Chinese and Western medicine to complete a surgery that was originally impossible to succeed! Hayden Crawford felt a sense of pride, his Serena was amazing! Taking out his phone, Hayden Crawford dialed Serena Sterling’s number. The melodious ringtone on the other end sounded. At this moment, Hayden Crawford glanced sideways through the polished car window and saw a large group of people coming out of The Concordiat Research Institute. Director Vincent Terry and Zane Crawford walked together, discussing something unknown. Both were national-level academicians, exceptionally talented. Shania linked arms with Serena coming up behind, followed by a large group of colleagues from the institute, chatting and laughing, chasing and playing. Piper Pace, who was usually strict, just shook her head indulgently this time. Hayden Crawford watched from the car, seeing the spirited young people coming out of the institute, walking under the dim streetlights, in a very happy and lively atmosphere. Serena was pulled out by Shania, though she didn’t really want to attend this evening’s dinner gathering, "Shania, it’s very late now, you go ahead with everyone and have fun, I need to go home, Mr. Crawford will be looking for me soon." "No way," Shania held Serena tightly, "Serena, you’re the star tonight, okay? The director is treating, everyone’s so happy celebrating for you. How can you skip it?" "I..." Serena wanted to say something, but at this moment her phone rang inside the bag. She quickly took out the phone, and Mr. Crawford’s call had indeed come. Serena pressed the button to answer, "Hello, Mr. Crawford." Still watching the girl surrounded in the crowd on the street opposite, Hayden Crawford’s voice was low and magnetic as he spoke, "Mrs. Crawford, congratulations." Get full chapters from N0veI.Fiɾe.net Serena curved her lips, covering the phone with her small hand, and whispered to him, "Mr. Crawford, actually, I’m pretty awesome too." "Mr. Crawford, where are you now, I..." Serena’s words were not yet finished when Shania swiftly called out loudly, "Mr. Crawford, the Director is treating us tonight, we’re going for a gathering, can we borrow Serena for tonight and return her to you tomorrow!" "Shania!" Serena quickly moved to cover Shania’s mouth. Shania hid behind Director Vincent Terry, winking mischievously at Serena. Serena chased after her, but Zane Crawford’s tall, handsome figure suddenly blocked her way, causing Serena to bump right into his arms. Serena winced with pain, her eyes reddening. At this moment, Zane Crawford placed his hand gently on her forehead, rubbing softly, "Sorry, are you okay, does it hurt?" In the luxury car, Hayden Crawford watched this scene, his well-defined fingers quickly curling up, tightly gripping the phone, his thin lips pressed into a cold, displeased line. His eagle-like narrow eyes fell on Zane Crawford’s hand through the shiny car window, like ice laced with poison, wishing he could cripple Zane’s hand. On the other side, Serena quickly stepped back, avoiding Zane’s hand. She rubbed her reddened forehead, "I’m fine, it doesn’t hurt." Zane retracted his hand, looking down at her intently and gently, "This is a street, no horsing around." At this moment, Shania ran over, rubbing Serena’s forehead, acting coy, "Serena, I was wrong, but you’re the star tonight, you have to go. I know you and Mr. Crawford are deeply in love, but you should also have your own social circle. You can’t just revolve around Mr. Crawford, right?" "What, Serena, you’re not planning to attend the gathering?" Director Vincent Terry asked at this moment. Everyone gathered around, Serena was a bit embarrassed. She put her phone to her ear, asking softly, "Mr. Crawford, can I attend the gathering tonight? I promise to come back early." Hayden Crawford saw the girl’s furrowed graceful brows, her dilemma, now cautiously seeking his opinion. "It’s fine, go have fun. I just have some documents to handle at the company. Enjoy yourself," Hayden Crawford said softly. Serena quickly smiled, "Alright, okay, bye-bye Mr. Crawford!" The two hung up the phone, Hayden Crawford put down the phone, driving as they walked across the street, laughing and playing all the way, he slowly followed along. At this moment, two girls suddenly ran up from the roadside, looking at Serena and Zane with admiration, "Excuse me, are you Serena Sterling and Academician Crawford? We’re also medical students, admire you both. Can we take a picture with you?" Shania quickly pushed Serena forward, Serena readily nodded, "Sure." The two girls stood on either side, letting Serena and Zane stand in the middle, and Shania held the camera, "Serena, Academician Crawford, get closer, the frame can’t fit you both." The two girls squeezed into the middle, making Serena and Zane’s bodies press closely together, with a "click", the photo was taken. Hayden Crawford sat in the car watching this scene, his large hands suddenly tightening, clutching the steering wheel, veins popping on his hands. He didn’t , didn’t like it at all, he didn’t like Serena having any physical contact with Zane. Now, all he thought about was rushing over, pulling Serena into his arms, asserting ownership. Actually, he was unhappy, unwilling, even lending Serena for one night felt unbearable, let alone a minute. Admit it, her brilliance now made him feel unsafe, because Zane always stood by her side, while he could do nothing but watch from the car. He had turned into a greedy person, with obsessive, terrifying control and possessiveness over her. Hayden Crawford closed his handsome eyes, the corners tinged red, mustering all his strength to control himself, not wanting to become abnormal, not wanting to relapse. He pressed the accelerator, the Rolls-Royce Phantom speeding away. Soon, Serena and Zane’s figures disappeared in the rearview mirror. Maybe he’d feel better if he didn’t look at them. But Hayden Crawford didn’t feel better, his mind full of thoughts that he shouldn’t have left because he wouldn’t know what Serena and Zane would do behind his back. They might go drinking, drinking could lead to losing control, might she hug, kiss Zane, even... Hayden Crawford briefly closed his eyes, suddenly awakened from his world, my goodness, what was he thinking, such suspicion and mistrust of the woman who loved him deeply. But he couldn’t control himself! He was just a patient! Hayden Crawford had already pressed the pedal to the floor, the Rolls-Royce Phantom racing like an arrow on the road. Suddenly, a large truck turned ahead, and the two vehicles were about to collide.
Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband - Chapter 196
Updated: Oct 28, 2025 8:17 AM
