The old maid lay on the ground, sobbing. At this moment, the door was opened again, and two guards dressed in black entered, dragging the old maid away. "The lord has finished the court assembly and will question you now." Soon, the old maid was brought before Titus Ashworth, who had just stepped down from the assembly and was worried about capturing Kaleb Newman and Rosalind Newman. He looked down at the old maid and asked coldly, "Speak, what is your relationship with Kaleb? Where is Kaleb hiding now?" The old maid looked at Titus Ashworth, trembling all over in fear. Then Titus Ashworth squinted slightly, walked to the old maid, and suspiciously asked, "Why do I feel like... you look familiar? Have I seen you before?" The old maid was filled with dread, her two aged hands feebly scratching at the floor, but she quickly lowered her head and slowly shook it, "I... don’t know you, cough cough." The old maid suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. Blood splattered on Titus Ashworth’s shoes, making him furious, and he kicked the old maid in the chest. "Old hag, how dare you dirty my shoes!" Servants quickly stepped forward and crouched down to wipe Titus Ashworth’s shoes with a clean handkerchief. "Lord, this old woman has lost her breath and is dead." The old maid was kicked two meters away by Titus Ashworth and now lay motionless on the ground, dead. Feeling irritated, Titus Ashworth waved his hand. He had felt the old maid looked familiar, but she hadn’t said anything before dying and even dirtied his shoes, dispelling any doubts he had. "Throw this old woman into the mass grave." The guards came and carried the old maid away. Serena was still in the palace when Cherie quietly reported, "Princess, that old woman is dead." Serena was not surprised; she had already known while checking her pulse that her time was near. "Did she say anything before she died?" Cherie shook her head, "No, originally Titus Ashworth felt the old woman looked familiar, but she clung firmly to her silence." Serena wondered if her earlier words had awakened the old woman’s last shred of conscience. Her mother-daughter bond with Aunt Yara ended with her protection of Aunt Yara. "I understand. Notify Aunt Yara and ask her to retrieve the body from the mass grave." "Yes." Cherie quickly retreated. Serena also wanted to leave, but then she heard footsteps approaching from afar, someone coming. Serena swiftly heard Melody Ashworth’s charming voice, "Mr. Crawford, this is my mother, Consort Willow. My mother has long wanted to meet you, so she invited you to the palace today for a chat." Soon, Consort Willow’s voice was heard, "Mr. Crawford, a pleasure to meet you." "Consort Willow, you’re too kind." Hayden Crawford’s distinctive deep and magnetic voice gradually came over. Serena’s long lashes trembled; she didn’t expect Hayden Crawford to enter the palace today and be directly invited by Consort Willow. Since arriving in The State of Westria, Consort Willow had not appeared before her, clearly not considering her worth her attention. But now, Consort Willow personally invited Hayden Crawford, showing how highly she regarded him. What does Consort Willow want? When did Consort Willow start focusing on Hayden Crawford? Does Consort Willow know something? "Mr. Crawford, let’s not talk here, let’s go inside to chat." Consort Willow suggested at this time. Serena quickly opened the door to a room and slipped inside, realizing the three people were also approaching, and in a hurry, she hid under a coffee table. This update is available on novel{f}ire.net Just as she hid, Hayden Crawford, Consort Willow, and Melody Ashworth entered. Consort Willow said, "Mr. Crawford, please sit. Melody, serve the tea." In front of Consort Willow, Melody Ashworth maintained her charming daughter’s demeanor, shyly and adoringly glanced at Hayden Crawford, then obediently went to make tea, personally brewing it. Today, Hayden Crawford wore a well-cut, exquisite black suit, the high-quality fabric pressed without a hint of wrinkle, handsome and noble. His every move was filled with elegance, his restrained yet powerful presence perfectly fitting the opulent royal environment. Hayden Crawford intended to sit down but noticed a small portion of a white chiffon dress under the coffee table — someone was hiding there! Hayden Crawford raised his long, narrow brow slightly, a few playful expressions flickering in his handsome eyes. He discreetly nudged the portion of the white chiffon dress underneath with the tip of his polished leather shoe. "Mr. Crawford, sit here," suggested Consort Willow. "No need, I’ll sit here." Hayden Crawford bent his legs and sat on the dark red sofa in front of the coffee table. Serena, hiding under the coffee table, didn’t want to be exposed, but Hayden Crawford actually sat down, lifting her clear eyes directly to see Hayden Crawford’s flawless handsome face. Now, Hayden Crawford also lowered his gaze, looking at her. Their eyes met, Serena crouched beside his legs, appearing like a cute, soft little darling, while Hayden Crawford looked down with interest, like her owner playfully teasing her. Serena’s little head exploded with a "boom." He had evidently noticed her already and deliberately sat down here now. She was now curled up in a cramped space, a bit embarrassed, while his two impressive long legs dangled before her, very close, and she felt her little face had brushed against his sharply tailored black trousers. Serena wanted to retreat, but she couldn’t move back any further. At this moment, Consort Willow’s voice reached her ears, "Mr. Crawford, inviting you over today is to discuss matters between you and my daughter Melody. Mr. Crawford should know Melody likes you very much and had love at first sight, eager to become your wife. What does Mr. Crawford mean, do you like Melody?" While making tea, Melody Ashworth heard the words, shyly glanced at Consort Willow, pouting and whining, "Mother~" Then Melody Ashworth expectantly looked at Hayden Crawford, waiting for his answer. Serena’s heart skipped a beat; she hadn’t expected Consort Willow to be so straightforward, impatiently wanting to marry off Melody Ashworth to Hayden Crawford. Serena raised her palm-sized, exquisite face, looking at Hayden Crawford. Everyone was waiting for Hayden Crawford’s answer, his gaze falling on Serena’s face. She was also waiting for his answer, their proximity causing her face to approach him a bit more. His long legs weren’t elegantly crossed but stretched forward; now her little face was close to the crotch of his trousers, her orchid-like breath brushing over it.