CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: SHE MUST HAVE DONE IT ON PURPOSE!

When the phone rang, Serena Sinclair had just reached the conference room door.

"Hello, Tina?"

"Ms. Sinclair, this week is Sports Month at our kindergarten. Last Friday, we notified the children to draw a picture each, which will be customized into family outfits to wear at Friday’s parent-child sports event. I’ve also notified everyone in the group. Miles said his drawing is at home. Can you send it over?"

"Alright, I understand!"

After hanging up, Serena called Ian Young, asking him to arrange for the nanny to send Miles Lockwood’s drawing to the kindergarten, and mentioned the parent-child sports event.

Adrian Lockwood was also in the class group chat, but like most dads, he was invisible in the group.

Almost all the replies to the teacher’s messages were from moms.

A few minutes later, Serena turned and entered the conference room.

"This is our project design department’s new architectural designer, Serena Sinclair..."

"Hello everyone, it’s a pleasure to join Hawthorne Corporation and work with such talented people! In the days ahead, please feel free to advise me!"

After a brief self-introduction, Serena walked to her spot at the end.

At the same time, Ian Young finished reporting today’s schedule and reminded Adrian Lockwood, "President Lockwood, there’s a parent-child sports event at the kindergarten on Friday. Do you want to reserve time to attend?"

Adrian Lockwood frowned.

The private kindergarten where Miles attends has frequent activities.

It’s either a technology month going to the science museum.

Or an art month with painting competitions.

Now that the weather is cooler, they’re organizing a sports month.

The words "Let Serena go" almost slipped from his lips, but Adrian remembered Serena had blocked him.

He looked up and instructed Ian Young, "Contact Serena and ask her to go."

"But... the Madam contacted me, saying she wants you to go."

Ian Young looked troubled, "I’ve contacted the kindergarten, and the teacher suggested it’s best for the whole family to attend together."

"The phone."

Adrian held out his hand.

After a moment’s hesitation, he realized Adrian wanted his phone.

Ian Young took out his phone, unlocked it, and handed it over.

Adrian dialed Serena Sinclair’s number, noticing the screen label on Ian’s phone.

Ms. Sinclair.

Glancing at Ian, Adrian put the phone to his ear.

"Assistant Young, is the drawing sent over?"

The voice on the other end was Serena Sinclair.

Adrian’s mind flashed to the image of Miles Lockwood lying on the bay window, drawing.

The little guy with his bottom sticking up.

A pile of colorful crayons on the bay window.

Knowing for sure the kindergarten had reached out to Serena, and she had sought Ian Young to avoid talking to him.

"It’s me."

Adrian spoke, "Serena, where are you living now? Friday at ten in the morning, Miles’ kindergarten has a parent-child sports event. We’ll come to pick you up."

"I don’t have the time."

Serena’s voice was cold, "I have work; I can’t take leave!"

Work?

Adrian frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Literally. In short, I can’t go!"

"Serena, is this how you are as a mom? Only giving birth and not raising? If you don’t go, how will the kindergarten kids and those parents view Miles?"

"Adrian Lockwood..."

Serena seemed to laugh on the other end, "Last year’s parent-child sports event, I gave you a heads up three days in advance, and you said you didn’t have time. Why didn’t you think then that your son would be laughed at?"

Adrian was taken aback.

Beep.

Beep beep.

The call was already disconnected.

His face angered, Adrian looked up and asked Ian Young, "How’s the investigation going? Who is the wild man? And where is she living now?"

"President Lockwood..."

Ian Young appeared apologetic for being inefficient, "I checked the hotel surveillance from those days, but couldn’t find the wild man you mentioned. I also looked into the owner of that domestic car, and there are over ten thousand people in Aethelgard. As for Madam..."

Ian Young had a troubled expression, "There’s been no spending record on your secondary card lately. To find her, we might need to use an insider with the Eye of Heaven system. I..."

Useless!!!

Cursing internally, Adrian lowered his head and sent Serena a text from Ian’s phone.

[I’m saying this again: always leave a margin for things, so we can meet thoroughly in the future! You’re being very final, and if the divorce doesn’t happen, how will you end it?]

[Serena, do you know what it means to stop when it’s good? Or do you want me to find you at your new company?]

[See you at the kindergarten gate at ten on Friday!]

The text showed as read immediately upon sending.

But minutes passed, and there wasn’t a hint of a reply.

Frustrated and irritated, Adrian tossed the phone back to Ian Young.

As soon as the office door closed, Adrian grabbed the folder on the desk and threw it out.

The former Serena Sinclair was gentle and virtuous, never ignoring or angering him like this!

She must be doing it on purpose!

Or maybe the wild man had brainwashed her into believing she’d marry him?

What a joke!

Anyone half-capable wouldn’t marry a second-hand woman with a child.

Unless... the guy is old and ugly!

His mind was filled with images of an obese old man on the driver’s seat of a cheap car watching Serena as she got out, his eyes leering at her.

Adrian was furious.

Looking up, he saw the blurred silhouette on the computer screen.

His anger dissipated, and Adrian smirked.

It’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality.

years of dating.

years of marriage.

Having married a man like him, Adrian doesn’t believe Serena would fancy those people with no looks or money.

Huh, women!

She just wants to create the illusion that many are pursuing her, giving him a sense of crisis.

He’s seen such tricks plenty of times!

Almost certain Serena would attend Friday’s sports event with their son.

Adrian’s mood improved.

Serena didn’t care at all.

But on Friday morning, as soon as she reached the office, she received a call from Tina.

"Ms. Sinclair, are you almost here?"

"...Has Mr. Lockwood arrived yet?"

"No. The sports event is about to start, and Miles said, mommy will definitely come. Ms. Sinclair, please hurry."

Tina hung up after speaking.

Serena felt a pang in her heart.

In the past two years, she has attended all of Miles’ kindergarten events.

Not to mention, today is Friday.

The last Friday of each month is The Lockwood Group’s regular executive meeting.

Adrian Lockwood would definitely not miss it.

Either the dad or mom could decline by citing work busyness.

But it’s too much if neither goes, and not even the grandparents go.

Thinking of other kids with their parents while Miles sat alone, Serena couldn’t bring herself to be ruthless.

She asked Manager Lynch for two hours off and hailed a taxi, hurrying to the kindergarten.

The morning peak had passed, and the ride was smooth.

Serena arrived at the kindergarten gate right at ten.

Luxury cars lined up outside the gate.

Inside, there was a sea of flowers, lush green grass.

Joyful tunes soared into the air, bringing along carefree children’s laughter, lifting one’s mood.

And pleasing to the eyes.

Every family wore specially customized parent-child T-shirts.

Printed on the back were the words "Dad, Mom, Baby."

The front displayed the children’s artwork, cartoon-like and fun.

Even without recognizing them, the patterns showed which three were a family.

As she walked in, the security and teachers recognized her.

After greeting her, they wore awkward expressions, wanting to say something but held back.

Serena puzzled all the way upstairs to the middle class door.

Her steps paused.

Serena finally understood what was happening.