Hayden Crawford’s eyes darkened a bit. Why wasn’t he speaking? Did he really plan to marry Melody Ashworth? Serena Sterling shifted slightly, and her innocent eyes accidentally landed on his trousers, only to see that part of him distinctly outlined, already... What was he thinking right now? Serena’s stunning little face, the size of a palm, immediately blushed as red as a boiled shrimp, ready to drip blood. She pulled back her tiny head, moving away from him, farther and farther. Hayden observed her retreating, fearful manner and immediately pressed his thin lips together, speaking with a hint of displeasure, "Consort Willow, Princess Melody, I currently don’t have any plans to marry." He rejected them directly. Serena’s previously tense heart swiftly relaxed. Melody Ashworth, who had been full of expectation, was now very disappointed being rejected by Hayden. Consort Willow, however, displayed no particular emotion, only smiled and said, "Mr. Crawford, Melody is deeply in love with you. Regarding your marriage with Melody, there’s no need to rush your response to me. As long as Mr. Crawford is unmarried, Melody will wait for you." Serena saw Consort Willow lowering her stance so much. Melody Ashworth is currently the most noble princess in The State of Westria. People who want to become her prince consort could probably line up from here to the Huangpu River. But Consort Willow specifically chose Hayden, striving to push Melody Ashworth towards him. Serena’s bright eyes revealed a hint of sharpness. Consort Willow comes from the Merfolk Clan, and she had been lurking in Westria for years, bewitching Titus Ashworth. So, does she know about Hayden Crawford’s lineage? It seems that the Merfolk Clan intervened in Westria and Alani earlier than she imagined. Truly, a centipede dies but never falls down. Hayden sat on the dark-red sofa, elegantly and lazily leaning his strong back against the sofa back, exuding an extraordinary aura, "Consort Willow, Princess Melody, whether you wait or not is your matter, you don’t need to tell me. Not wanting to get married is my matter." Hayden’s few words were simple and indifferent. Consort Willow looked at Hayden. Although rejected, her eyes were filled with a satisfied smile. As expected of someone with the blood of a noble, truly extraordinary. "Mr. Crawford, I still have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave. Melody, you go make some tea for Mr. Crawford." Consort Willow left, leaving the space to Hayden and Melody Ashworth. Melody Ashworth walked over and looked at Hayden, "Mr. Crawford, have you not forgotten Sister Serena yet? Do you still like her in your heart?" Serena’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this question. She lifted her small face and looked at Hayden. In his heart... is there still a place for her? Hayden’s gaze swept over Serena’s exquisite little face, and he spoke indifferently, "It’s all in the past, past matters and past people. Why bring it up now?" He didn’t want to talk about her. Serena’s bright eyes slowly dimmed. She already knew the answer; he and she were already in the past, and there was no going back. The happiest one was Melody Ashworth. Melody came over, sat beside Hayden, and in a bird-like, soft voice, she joked, "Actually, I really like Sister Serena, but feelings can’t be forced. Sister Serena doesn’t like you now either. I heard my father has already set the wedding date, and in a few days, Sister Serena and Brother Axel are about to get engaged." Serena felt anxious upon hearing Melody’s tricky words; seeing Melody sitting over, she was worried that she would be discovered at any moment. At this moment, the vision blacked out; Hayden moved, his two long legs pressing forward, directly trapping Serena in a small corner. This way, Melody couldn’t see her, but Serena had to curl up even more tightly, snug against his leg. The position was even more intimate. Serena didn’t know if Hayden was doing it on purpose; his trouser front was just beside her little face. Serena’s face flushed again, steaming with heat, and she practically held her breath, not daring to touch him even a little. Though talking to Melody Ashworth, Hayden’s entire attention was focused on the small bundle hidden by his leg, "The engagement date for the Princess of Alani and the King of Nine Peaks is so soon, it’s happening in a few days?" "Yes, I heard it was Sister Serena’s suggestion. Sister Serena is eager to marry Brother Axel, the sooner, the better." Melody said playfully and naively. Hayden’s narrow eyes suddenly narrowed. Was she really so eager to marry Axel Ashworth? Soon, Hayden curved his thin lips into an amused yet dangerous arc. He shifted, pressing his legs closer. Serena was deliberately avoiding him, but suddenly something poked her little face, hot and hard. Her bright pupils suddenly contracted, Serena’s long lashes trembling chaotically. What was he doing, was he crazy, with Melody just beside him, and yet he... acted so shamelessly. Serena quickly extended her small hand, pressed on his leg, trying to push him a bit away. But she couldn’t push him away. The man’s calf seemed to contain endless strength, all solid muscle, like a wall, no matter how hard she pushed, it did not budge an inch. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel-fire.net Serena bit her red lips lightly with her teeth. She stretched her hand, fiercely pinching his calf muscle. Hayden was teasing her on purpose. She was so eager to marry Axel Ashworth, his robust chest surged with rage, along with his evil playfulness towards her. However, he found that he himself was the one suffering in the end. She was now at his leg side, in an ambiguous position, making him wish he could make this troublesome Melody disappear right now and then pull Serena up to harshly deal with her once. He hadn’t expected Serena to pinch him hard, this really hurt. His little kitten, when angry, could really bite. Hayden took a breath, his heroic brows furrowing. Melody Ashworth quickly showed a puzzled expression, "Mr. Crawford, what’s wrong with you?" Hiding under the coffee table, Serena quickly stopped her actions. It’s over; she was about to be exposed. At this moment, Hayden’s deep magnetic voice resonated in her ear, with a hint of amusement, "I don’t know, seems like...a little kitten took a bite out of me." "Little kitten?" Melody looked around, "There’s no cat here." "I think there is, Princess Melody. Didn’t you hear the little kitten’s meow?" Serena, "..." She had every reason to suspect that Hayden was doing it on purpose, actually making her meow like a cat. But with Melody here, she couldn’t refuse.