The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 167

Serena checked the time. It was already past twelve, and it was more than an hour’s drive back to Rexam. Alisa's doctor appointment was at three.

Serena knew socializing was important in maintaining good business relationships, so she said, “Silas, you stay and have lunch with Mr. Shapiro.”

“Mr. Shapiro,” Serena added, “as it happens, I need to take my daughter for a checkup later today. I’m sorry I won’t be able to join you.”

“That’s okay, Leonard. Silas and I will have a drink with you,” Melvin offered with a smile.

“Who is driving you back, Serena?” Melvin asked.

“Milo will be with me, and one soldier. Clark will stay with Silas,” Serena explained. She turned to her brother. “So I’ll ask Milo to fetch you later?”

“Wait. Wait,” Melvin raised his hand. “Only Milo and one soldier will drive you back? What happened to the other soldiers?”

“I asked them to accompany my daughter to the hospital. We were supposed to meet there directly,” Serena explained. Bianca was taking Alisa. She had insisted on coming along.

Truthfully, Silas and Serena hadn’t planned on separating. Three security personnel would have been enough for both of them, especially since they were going to a highly secured hospital and nowhere else.

Nathaniel’s flight was landing at two. He was meant to meet Serena, Bianca, and Alisa at the hospital.

“No, no,” Melvin said, shaking his head. “I won’t have that.”

Mr. Shapiro looked puzzled. Silas stepped in to explain, “We’ve tightened our security due to an ongoing legal case involving an influential family in Velmon City.”

“Ah, yes.” Mr. Shapiro nodded. “Your uncle mentioned this.”

“Here’s what we will do,” Melvin proposed. “I’ll return to Rexam with Serena.”

Melvin motioned to Silas, handing him the car keys. “You can take my car, and my driver, and still have Clark stay with you. That way, Serena will have three bodyguards.”

“My uncle as a bodyguard?” Serena laughed at the thought.

“Why not?” Melvin tapped her shoulder. “We could catch up and talk about the things I’ve missed, particularly your ex-husband and the kids.”

“Is that okay, Leonard?” Melvin turned to Mr. Shapiro. “Besides, Silas is the CEO of VanderMed Technologies. A chat with him will be more fruitful.”

“Yes, that’s fine,” Mr. Shapiro said. He turned to Silas. “I have much to discuss with Mr. Vander.”

They all left the hospital together but rode in different cars. Serena and Melvin hopped into Silas’s Cadillac.

Serena and Melvin talked about the kids, especially Alisa’s condition. They also discussed the Montgomerys.

“I was really disappointed about Stefan. To think, we treated him and his family well,” Melvin remarked. “I suppose that’s human nature. People betray where they are welcomed.”

The soldier seated in the front was on the phone. He turned to Melvin. “No, Sir. I’m already calling for help. It’s a security protocol. We must stay—”

But before he could finish, Melvin had already stepped out of the Cadillac.

Two motorbikes pulled over, and their riders rushed forward to help.

Everything was happening fast. The soldier stepped out to call Melvin back inside. Serena had also slightly rolled down her window and called, "Uncle! It's dangerous!"

However, bystanders began questioning them.

“There’s a pregnant woman inside! Are you seriously not going to help?”

“Are you rich people just going to watch them die?”

“The gas is leaking!”

"Ma'am," one man said, calling out to Serena. "We should use your car to bring the pregnant lady to the hospital!"

She knew now more than ever that she had to decide whether to follow security protocol...or help the pregnant woman in that crash.

Serena looked at Milo and ordered, "Let's—"