Zane Crawford stopped in his tracks, standing on the stairs looking down at Yasmine Sterling, "What did you say?" Yasmine Sterling smiled, "Academician Crawford, don’t you like Serena Sterling? Don’t you want Serena Sterling and Hayden Crawford to divorce? We have the same goal and can completely cooperate, so don’t pretend to be high and mighty. This is an opportunity not to be missed. Actually, we are the same kind of people." This was the second time Yasmine Sterling proposed cooperation. Zane Crawford’s handsome face showed no change in expression, nor did he say anything. He just glanced at Yasmine Sterling lightly, then went upstairs. Zane Crawford pushed open the room door and walked inside. Serena was now lying on the soft bed, her pure black hair spread out on the white sheets, her sleeping face soft and harmless. Seeing her safe, Zane Crawford relaxed. He moved forward, one knee on the bed, quietly looking at her small face. Because she was wearing a veil, he couldn’t see her stunning beauty, but on the day he lifted her veil, he clearly remembered every line and feature of her face, as though carved from jade. Zane Crawford slowly raised his hand, using the pad of his fingers to brush across her small face, feeling its smoothness. Her skin was delicate and soft, like that of a newborn baby. At this moment, the girl beneath his hand fluttered her long eyelashes and opened her eyes. Serena Sterling woke up. When the man in black attacked her, she held her breath and avoided the vital parts, but now her neck was sore and aching, and her bright eyes carried a tinge of drowsiness. "Serena, you’re awake?" Serena Sterling looked up at Zane Crawford without showing any sign of surprise, "You’ve come? Did Yasmine Sterling notify you?" "You seemed to know I would come." Serena sat up, reaching out to rub her sore neck, "I just wanted to see what Yasmine Sterling’s final bargaining chip was and also to see what kind of relationship Academician Crawford has with Yasmine Sterling." Zane Crawford looked at her, "You’ve suspected me for a while?" Serena Sterling nodded her head, "I just find it a coincidence that every time I’m with you, Yasmine Sterling always arrives in time, and then Mr. Crawford shows up. It’s certain you and Yasmine have contact privately, but I don’t know if you two are collaborating." A trace of humor spilled from Zane Crawford’s cool black eyes. Actually, he wasn’t surprised at all. He knew she would wake up; the girl in his memory would never willingly offer herself up to be beaten. "And now, do you think we are collaborating?" Serena Sterling’s bright eyes landed on his handsome face, "Academician Crawford, I trust you. You and Yasmine Sterling are not the same kind of people." Saying this, Serena Sterling lifted her foot to leave. "Serena." Zane Crawford suddenly moved forward, reaching out to grab her slender wrist, "Yasmine Sterling was right. Today’s a golden opportunity. You’ve already landed on my bed; don’t think a few sweet words will dismiss me. What I want is not your trust, but you." Serena Sterling stiffened, turning back to look at him, "Academician Crawford, I’m your sister-in-law." "Oh," Zane Crawford laughed softly, "The kind that’s just in name?" Googlᴇ search NoveIＦire.net Serena Sterling’s pupils contracted. She and Hayden Crawford still hadn’t consummated their marriage, and she hadn’t told anyone. How did he know? "Serena, I still say this: get a divorce, come to Aethelgard with me. I like you. When I first saw you on the streets of City of Aethelgard two years ago, I felt... you’re the one I’ve been searching for all this time. It feels like I’ve been looking for you for many years." Serena Sterling lowered her long eyelashes, then looked at Zane Crawford. "I also still say this: don’t waste time on me, I’m not worth it. I will go to Aethelgard, but not with you; I’ll go on my own. I’m not unfamiliar with City of Aethelgard, and I don’t need your protection." Zane Crawford looked at the girl in front of him. Her clear brows and eyes still carried the crystal transparency and intelligence of ice and snow, always radiant like a star, making one’s heart flutter. She said she would go to City of Aethelgard alone and didn’t need his protection. "If Hayden Crawford were here, would you not need his protection either?" Zane Crawford suddenly asked. Mentioning Hayden Crawford’s name caused Serena Sterling’s heart to ache fiercely. She had spent so many years learning independence and bravery, but ever since meeting him, she always wanted to rely on his side, to seek refuge under his wings. "If it’s Mr. Crawford, I would want him to go to City of Aethelgard with me." Zane Crawford’s fingers clenched slightly. She gave a straightforward answer. It wasn’t that she didn’t need protection; she just needed protection from that one person. "Academician Crawford, I’ve always considered you a friend. Go back, go to Aethelgard, or we won’t even be able to be friends. Mr. Crawford and I aren’t merely in name, because... aside from the last step, we’ve done everything. We’ve pleased each other." Zane Crawford’s handsome, tall body stiffened. Only then did he realize how decisive and merciless the girl in front of him was. She never gives anyone she doesn’t like any chance. At this moment, Serena Sterling forcefully withdrew her wrist and turned to leave. "If you go out now, it would be too late. Hayden Crawford has arrived." Serena Sterling halted her steps, quickly realizing what was going on. The final bargaining chip Yasmine Sterling had was Hayden Crawford, huh. Zane Crawford watched her figure, "No one can force Hayden Crawford. If he doesn’t give the chance, Yasmine Sterling can’t climb into his bed. But if he does... I’ve heard that Yasmine Sterling has done favors for Hayden Crawford. One wonders if there’s a special place for Yasmine Sterling in Hayden Crawford’s heart." Serena Sterling didn’t finish listening. She opened the door and ran out. She had just rushed out and bumped into Gregory, who was back because of Grandpa’s will. Gregory’s face turned ashen. Seeing Serena Sterling, he forced an awkward smile, "Ser... Serena, you’re here?" Serena Sterling, her eyes red, looked at Gregory. "Where’s Yasmine Sterling?" "Yasmine went in the room..." At this moment, the maid beside him nodded, "Yes, sir, the young lady entered the room. Not long ago, Mr. Crawford arrived, and they went into the room together. It’s been quite a while, and they haven’t come out." "Hayden Crawford is here?" Gregory wasn’t aware as he had just returned. Serena Sterling quickly pushed him aside and rushed straight to Yasmine Sterling’s room. The door was tightly closed. "Bang, bang, bang," Serena Sterling lifted her hand and pounded on the door hard. The door wouldn’t open, so she kicked it, "Yasmine Sterling, come out! Mr. Crawford, are you in there? Open the door now!" Gregory was dumbfounded. Serena Sterling had such an aggressive stance. He had only seen Lillian Sterling acting this way when catching a cheater. Serena Sterling’s imposing manner was very much like catching a cheater, virtually identical to Lillian Sterling’s formidable aura. Gregory finally understood—women can be incredibly terrifying.