Chapter 719: Chapter 719: In Name Only
Serena sat quietly on the chair, with an intelligent and composed demeanor tinged with a sense of superiority, just watching Caroline, without speaking.
Caroline curled her fingers, feeling as if Serena’s bright almond-shaped eyes had already seen through her, making her unable to meet their gaze.
"Serena... sister Serena, don’t get me wrong, I and big brother..." Caroline timidly began.
Serena quickly raised an exquisite willow leaf eyebrow, interrupting her amusingly, "Hmm? Big brother?"
Caroline paused.
Serena curled her red lips, "Miss Sloan, you keep saying not to misunderstand, but can you call him big brother just like that? You shouldn’t be pretending to be deaf and mute, right? Did you not hear what I said to Mr. Crawford just now? Mr. Crawford clearly stated, he doesn’t have a sister like you!"
As she spoke, Serena looked up at Hayden beside her for confirmation, "Isn’t that right, Mr. Crawford?"
Hayden stood tall beside Serena, his deep narrow eyes fixed on her, and he raised a hand to gently ruffle her innocent long hair, nodding indulgently, "Hmm."
Caroline’s face turned paler, and it was clear Serena was giving her a warning and humiliation, but Hayden pampered Serena, indulging her in this act of humiliation.
Now, Corvus stood respectfully behind Serena. Although Serena and Hayden were not yet married, everyone in the Crawford family considered Serena as the mistress, the next matriarch of the family.
Caroline’s feathered eyelashes trembled, and tears welled in her watery big eyes, making her appear pitiful as she softly corrected herself, "Sister Serena, my relationship with Mr. Crawford isn’t what you think. I have a troubled life, coming from a poor mountainous region, with several brothers at home. To support them in their studies, my parents sold me to a local thug, Hugo Woods, forcing us to marry, but, but..."
Caroline quickly glanced at Hayden, embodying the shyness of a young girl poised between speaking and silence, "I and Hugo haven’t... consummated, we’re married in name only, I’m still pure to this day."
Behind, Corvus felt rather disgusted, as really no one here cared whether Caroline was pure or not, but she deliberately brought it up for Hayden to hear.
Any man would be moved by this story, a self-sacrificing sister saving her brothers, so loyal, stirring men’s protective instincts, making them want to protect her for life.
Hayden’s handsome face showed no sign of emotion, and he didn’t even look up at Caroline, acting as if he didn’t hear her story.
At this point, "Clap, clap, clap," Serena extended her hand, quite graciously applauding Caroline’s story.
Serena’s bright almond eyes were filled with amusement, "Miss Sloan, do continue with your monologue, I’m still listening."
"..." Caroline could already hear the casual tone in Serena’s words, and with curled fingers, she had no choice but to continue, "Hugo, seeing my defiance, resorted to violence against me. He’s particularly fond of domestic abuse, not only punching and kicking me but also whipping me, leaving me with scars and wounds."
Caroline was a perfect storyteller; when speaking emotionally, she swiftly drew her reddened nostrils, shedding a few tears for her pitiable situation.
At this point, if Hayden or Corvus had passed her a few tissues, it would be perfect, but unfortunately, Hayden stood expressionless by Serena’s side, while Corvus looked at Caroline with disgust, Ew, so filthy!
Caroline waited for a moment, but could only silently raise her hand to wipe away the tears off her face, continuing, "A few days ago, it rained heavily, and I was hit by Mr. Crawford’s car, so he brought me here. I stayed here for a night, and when I left the next morning, Mr. Crawford left me his phone number, telling me to contact him if I face any difficulties."
"When I returned, I ran into Hugo. Hugo, finding me gone overnight, took me to a budget hotel and began to abuse me again. In desperation, I called Mr. Crawford, and he saved me."
"What happened next, sister Serena, you also know. So sister Serena, don’t misunderstand, please don’t argue with Mr. Crawford because of me."
Caroline perfectly ended her story, looking pitifully at Serena, her eyes filled with pleading.
Serena quietly listened to the story, then tilted her small head, "You finished? Since you’re done, I’ve a few questions I’m curious about and want to ask you."
Caroline didn’t expect Serena to suddenly question her, she nodded, "Alright, sister Serena, ask away."
"Miss Sloan, besides Mr. Crawford’s phone number, do you know there’s also a phone number called 110?"
Pfft~
Behind them, Corvus couldn’t hold back, let out a laugh, and quickly covered his mouth, Damn it, hold it in!
Caroline completely froze.
Serena laughed, "Miss Sloan, even coming from a mountainous area, legal education should have taught you to contact the police when in trouble, especially to report domestic abuse and such criminal behavior. You only have a passing acquaintance with Mr. Crawford, so what made you, when facing domestic threat, abandon the police and resolutely choose to call Mr. Crawford?"
As she spoke, Serena playfully and cunningly blinked her feathery lashes, "Strangely, I even feel that this domestic abuse gave you the chance to call Mr. Crawford."
Caroline indeed froze, totally unprepared for Serena’s words.
But Serena’s words were far from over, as she looked at Caroline, continuing to laugh, "Miss Sloan, you just shared your tragic life story, I truly sympathize with you. However, knowing Hugo is a thug, you chose to marry him, took his money, but then act chaste, flaunting your purity. Miss Sloan, one shouldn’t act so shameless; it’s quite annoying."
Caroline’s head buzzed as she quickly responded, "Sister Serena, it’s not like that, I didn’t willingly marry him, it’s my parents..."
"So, they tied you up and took you to the civil administration?" Serena directly interrupted her.
"This..."
"Since not, it means you chose to yield to fate, everyone must face the consequences of their choices. Since you married Hugo, and if marriage is just a legal transaction, then Hugo paid the fee, why suddenly refuse to sell, flaung your cheap chastity seal? Don’t blame Hugo for whipping you, you’ve chosen this path, being beaten is your own doing!"