Under Cecilia Galloway’s arrangent, Serena Yardley and her mother-in-law began their stay at the Galloway Family’s estate.
The architecture here was different from the modern splendor of Alcrest. It was opulent, yet it exuded a uniquely ancient and stately feel.
Perhaps because of her pregnancy, Serena Yardley felt a bit tired.
She was shown to a large, exquisitely crafted room to rest. She didn’t know how long she had slept, only waking when she vaguely sensed soone beside her.
Opening her eyes, she saw a girl’s bright, endearingly childish face smiling at her.
Serena Yardley sat up, embarrassed, and patted the girl’s head. "It’s been a while, Little Aunt."
Raina’s voice was sweet and clear. "It has been a while! Get up, I’ll take you to eat."
"Okay."
Serena Yardley quickly got up and dressed.
The little girl led her out of the room and into a vast, resplendent dining hall.
In the dining hall stood a young man dressed in elaborate, luxurious formalwear.
Looking at his figure, Serena Yardley thought, ’Could that be Gabriel Galloway?’
"Little Uncle."
The little girl let go of Serena Yardley’s hand and ran toward the man.
The man turned gracefully to et Serena Yardley’s gaze. He smiled warmly, gave a slight bow, and gestured with one hand in front and the other behind his back.
"Our distinguished guest, please."
Serena Yardley felt a little awkward at being greeted so formally.
She walked forward and sat in the chair he pulled out for her. Glancing around the vast dining hall, she asked, "Where’s my mother-in-law?"
Raina sat down beside her and said, "Your mother-in-law went out with my mom."
Gabriel Galloway waved a hand, and a line of servants brought out exquisite dishes, placing them one by one in front of Serena Yardley.
’This was a level of pomp she had never even seen at Yardley Manor.’
Gabriel Galloway also sat down, opposite her.
"How have you been lately, Serena?"
When he smiled, his handso, radiant face seed capable of making anyone fall for him with just a single glance.
Serena Yardley rely glanced at him before nodding. "I’m doing well."
’Truth be told, she still harbored so resentnt toward this man.’
’After all, he had admitted himself that she had lost her previous baby because of him.’
’But her mother-in-law had invited her here. She had to be polite and couldn’t just ignore him.’
"I heard you’re expecting. Congratulations."
Gabriel Galloway smiled again and gestured to the food. "I’m not sure if you’ll like the cuisine here, but please try it. If you don’t like it, I’ll have them prepare sothing else."
"It’s delicious, thank you."
She lowered her head and ate quietly, not looking up at him again.
Gabriel Galloway, however, kept his eyes fixed on her.
’His Serena... in this life, she would never belong to him.’
’Her marriage must be a happy one now. She’s already pregnant with her second child, so Ethan Yardley must be treating her well.’
’Since she has found her own happiness, what is there for him to hold on to?’
’The Montgory Family was insistent on him marrying Zoe Montgory, weren’t they? Fine, he would marry her.’
’He had never forgotten that Quentin Montgory was the reason Serena had lost her last child. He would get revenge for Serena.’
"I heard you’re getting engaged?"
When she was nearly finished eating, Serena Yardley looked up and asked.
Gabriel Galloway imdiately put on a smile and replied, "That’s right. To soone... about the sa age as you, Serena."
Raina, sitting beside them, chid in with a smile, "Yes! She’s the Little Princess of the Montgory Family. Serena, have you heard of the Montgory Family?"
Hearing the na Montgory, Serena Yardley felt it sounded familiar again.
’Had she been watching too many TV dramas?’
She chuckled along. "I don’t think so. Is this Montgory Family a big deal?"
Raina nodded, launching into an enthusiastic explanation:
"The Montgory Family is even bigger than our family! Everyone in their family is incredibly powerful. Even the King respects them. Around here, they’re the top dogs. No one dares to cross them."
Serena Yardley was speechless.
’They sound like so kind of mafia.’
Having no real interest in learning about other families’ affairs, she stood up and said:
"Little Aunt, didn’t you say you were going to take out? Let’s go."
The little girl imdiately pouted. "WAHHH, I’m sorry, Serena! I still have to practice the piano. How about I have my uncle take you out instead?"
Serena Yardley was about to refuse, but Gabriel Galloway quickly stood up and said:
"Serena is our guest, so of course, I should do the honors of a host. She’s just a child and doesn’t know much. Let show you around and introduce you to our local culture and customs."
Serena Yardley thought, ’He’s about to be engaged. He probably doesn’t have those kinds of feelings for anymore.’
She nodded in agreent. "Alright, then."
"This way, Serena, please."
Gabriel Galloway was a true gentleman, bending slightly as he gestured for her to proceed.
The two of them left the magnificent palace and got into a supercar, with Gabriel Galloway driving.
To help Serena Yardley get to know the area, he drove slowly, explaining the history of the ancient buildings as they passed.
Serena Yardley truly felt like a tourist, periodically taking out her phone to snap photos as keepsakes.
The pair didn’t return ho until evening.
Just as they entered the main gate, a servant approached and bowed. "Young Master, the Third Master has arrived. He is waiting for you in the main hall."
Hearing this, Gabriel Galloway’s face darkened.
But rembering Serena was beside him, he forced a faint smile. "Serena, please head back to your room first. We’ll call you when dinner is ready."
He gestured to a nearby servant. "Escort Miss Serena back to her room."
"Yes, sir."
Only after watching Serena Yardley leave did Gabriel Galloway head toward the main hall.
In the seat of honor in the main hall sat a man in opulent clothes, possessing a refined and elegant air.
Seeing Gabriel Galloway approach, he spoke coldly:
"Your engagent is tomorrow. What were you doing running around outside for no reason?"
"Can’t I even go out for so fresh air?"
Without giving Quentin Montgory a pleasant look, he sat down nearby.
"Don’t bla for not warning you. If you try to pull any more tricks and betray my sister, I will not let you off the hook."
’He knew Gabriel Galloway’s character well enough to know he was thinking about escaping this marriage every single day.’
’The Montgory Family had the entire Galloway estate under surveillance. Let’s see where he could run this ti.’
Gabriel Galloway’s expression was blank. "Don’t worry. I will be at the engagent ceremony as scheduled."
’He would marry Zoe Montgory.’
’If he didn’t marry her, how could he avenge the child Serena had lost?’
"You’d better behave yourself."
Without wasting any more words on him, Quentin Montgory got up to leave.
As he walked out of the hall and passed through the garden, he suddenly heard a voice calling out from a short distance away.
"Serena, over there! The little cat ran that way!"
Following the direction Raina pointed, Serena Yardley searched all over the garden for her pet cat.
And as luck would have it, the cat ran right up to Quentin Montgory’s feet.
’It was white, and rather cute.’
Raina saw it from upstairs and quickly shouted to Serena Yardley again:
"Serena, quick! It ran over there! It’s with Uncle Quentin!"
Serena Yardley saw the cat too and hurried over, stopping about ten feet away from the man.
She looked at the unfamiliar man before her and asked timidly, "Um, could you help catch my cat?"
Quentin Montgory was stunned.
He was astonished to see the person standing before him.
’How could she be here?’
’Does she not recognize ?’
’He rembered the last ti he’d gone to Alcrest to capture Gabriel Galloway, an incident that had caused her miscarriage. For several days and nights after returning, he hadn’t been able to sleep, his heart heavy with guilt.’
But the mont he thought of her relationship with Gabriel Galloway, Quentin Montgory’s face instantly hardened. He asked in a cold voice:
"In what capacity are you here?"
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