CHAPTER 8: CHAPTER 8: WORTHY OF A KING

In terms of appearance, Serena Sinclair is the radiant campus belle, and Wyatt Hawthorne is the aloof campus hunk; both could easily win the president of the beauty association.

But when Wyatt became the campus hunk, Serena was already a faded campus belle.

The campus belle from Wyatt’s year was a girl from the foreign language department with fair skin, stunning looks, and long legs.

In terms of academics, Serena was the No.1 in architecture, but Wyatt was also first; it’s said he even has a golden resume from an overseas architecture academy.

As for family background, The Sinclair Family...better left unsaid.

Even marrying Adrian Lockwood was considered a climb up for Serena; not to mention The Hawthorne Family.

But feelings aren’t like buying groceries at a market; how can you weigh all the criteria on a scale to see if they match?

"I don’t care..."

Una Hutton hugged Serena with a backhand, patting her back, "In my heart, you’re the best, worthy of even the King of Heaven!"

Serena was so moved that tears almost came out, "So, are you willing to take me in?"

Una Hutton: !!!

These feelings, truly can’t stir up anything!

Una Hutton’s faculty dormitory was a one-bedroom apartment, and a 1.5-meter bed was just right for two people.

After a shower, lying in bed, it was already past ten.

In the darkness, Una Hutton held Serena’s arm, exhaling softly, "I feel like I’m back in the old days; it’s wonderful..."

Back then, Serena was the cold and absolutely beautiful campus belle and top student in the class.

She was the country bumpkin ugly duckling who made the whole tiered classroom laugh with her rural-accented English.

One shone brightly.

The other was as earthy as it gets.

Boys said she smelled like a pig sty, and girls criticized her for dressing tackily.

No one paid her any attention.

Except for Serena.

She didn’t mind her non-standard Mandarin or her patched old clothes.

Early morning, they went to the pavilion to read English, Serena helped her with pronunciation word by word.

In the evenings, they went to the library; Serena taught her how to use the computer, how to write applications for subsidies and work-study programs.

The first mobile phone she ever owned, the money was saved from her work-study, and Serena helped her choose it on Idlefish; even the SIM card was bought with Serena accompanying her to the service center.

Everyone was watching the show, waiting for her to be mocked and someday laughed at loudly by Serena.

But the drama they expected never happened.

She watched Serena become more and more outstanding.

And she, one step at a time, transformed her rural-accented spoken English into fluent British-accented conversation.

After an open course, even the school leaders asked if she’d studied in England.

Who would’ve thought, she was once the girl with a red and blue striped nylon luggage bag walking out from a small village?

She owes so much of who she is today to Serena.

"Dear, out with the old, in with the new..."

Sleepily, Una Hutton spoke in a muddled voice: "You’re so good, the future is bound to be even better!"

Surely it will!

Although her mind is full of confusion, unsure of how to take the first step.

But Serena firmly believes she will get better.

She fears nothing, what difficulty in the world could defeat her?

She’s an excellent graduate from Aethelgard University’s architecture department.

And she has that one year of work experience at The Lockwood Group.

Though it’s barely something, and she was a full-time housewife for 6 years in between, she’s not asking for much; finding a job as an architect assistant shouldn’t be too hard.

Even if the salary is low, at least she can support herself.

First, find a job.

Then, rent a place.

Life will gradually get better.

With a rough plan in mind, Serena tucked Una Hutton in, turned over, and closed her eyes.

Buzz.

The phone under the pillow vibrated.

Serena took out the phone.

Wyatt had sent a message.

[Senior, thank you for the gift!]

Staring at the message for several seconds, Serena wavered between replying and not replying for a long time.

Ultimately she succumbed to the power of the 19999.

Cufflinks at this price probably don’t even qualify for a place in Wyatt’s dressing room.

Especially since he already canceled the engagement.

And the receipt is in her hand.

If he refuses, she could potentially return it, perhaps the clerk would agree.

What if?

Glancing at Una Hutton, who had already fallen asleep, Serena dimmed the screen and replied to Wyatt.

[I saw the news, your engagement was canceled?]

[Yeah.]

Yeah?

Yeah what does it mean?

Ultimately unable to shamelessly ask for the gift back, Serena could only hint subtly: [Then I’ll send you a new gift next time you get engaged!]

When talked to this extent, he must know what it means, right?

The phone lit up.

Wyatt replied with a new message.

[I really like the gift, thank you, Senior! I’ll treat you to a meal some day.]

???

Does this mean...he accepted it?

The screen dimmed until it went black, and only then did Serena finally come to her senses.

Heartache mingled with pangs of regret; again, Serena cursed her past actions.

Had she known, she would’ve chosen something less expensive at noon.

Serves you right!

For putting on airs and pretending to be wealthy!

Fuming with anger, Serena soon drifted into a deep sleep.

Having waited a long time without a reply from Serena, Wyatt flicked off his phone as someone leaned over to look at it, "You all play, I’m leaving!"

"Don’t go, Young Master Hawthorne, you just got here..."

"This is especially for you, to celebrate your return to singlehood; how can the protagonist leave?"

"Young Master Hawthorne isn’t going off to meet a lover, is he?"

"Bro, who is the stunning beauty that made you call off the engagement with Miss Sheffield? Kinda bring her out next time so we can pay respects to our future sister-in-law!"

"Screw off!"

The teasing laughter behind him was sealed shut behind a closed door; Wyatt jokingly cursed and turned to leave.

He barely took a few steps before suddenly stopping.

Looking back, he saw Adrian Lockwood in the private room.

And those friends around him, chattering, "Bro, is your wife really going to divorce you?"

"Divorce? Ha..."

Adrian Lockwood leaned back on the sofa, unconcerned, "It’s just because I’ve been too busy with work recently, not paying her much attention...women, when aren’t they being dramatic?"

No job, no house.

Having lived as Mrs. Lockwood for so many years, Serena has become completely detached from society.

Without him, what can she do?

"Just wait and see..."

Swirling the glass, looking at the wall-mounted amber whisky, Adrian smiled, "Once she spends all the money she has, she’ll come back meekly."

"Women, really can’t be spoiled!"

"Exactly...better enjoy life at home without worrying about weather and work, yet she chooses to be difficult!"

"I bet she won’t last three days before coming back obediently. Having been Mrs. Lockwood for so long, how could she endure that hardship out there..."

"And there’s the kid to consider..."

Seething with anger, Wyatt gripped the door handle, just as he overheard someone mentioning Miles Lockwood.

The fury in his eyes paused.

Thinking of Miles Lockwood.

Considering the cooling-off period.

Wyatt loosened his grip and turned towards the bar, "Send two bottles of Lafite to Room 4. ... Also, increase their charge by 40% tonight."

With a roar from the Ferrari, Wyatt pushed open the office door, seeing the palm-sized black box on the desk.

The obsidian cufflinks inside the box shone with a deep and captivating brilliance under the bright lamp.

Wyatt’s expression softened.

In his ear was Adrian’s nonchalant "she’ll come back obediently."

In his mind, Serena elegantly selecting gifts at the shop window.

Wyatt dialed a number, "Send an invitation for the bidding event for the land in East Avenue to The Lockwood Group via Director Quincy..."