CHAPTER 121: CHAPTER 121: EX-WIFE

The previously harmonious dining table suddenly fell silent, as if everyone was waiting for Caleb Lockwood to define Serena Jennings’ identity.

After a moment, Caleb Lockwood spoke calmly:

"Serena is not Patrick Rhodes’ girlfriend... she is..."

Caleb Lockwood paused involuntarily at this point.

"She’s about to become my ex-wife."

Caleb Lockwood said this matter-of-factly, without a stir.

Cole Shaw and Valerie Vance both looked embarrassed.

"Come on, let’s eat, let’s eat. By the way, where were we?" Valerie Vance changed the topic.

Her expression of embarrassment was feigned to make Caleb Lockwood believe she was hearing about Serena Jennings for the first time.

In fact, Claire Shaw had long told her that Caleb Lockwood was married, and his wife’s name was Serena Jennings.

However, in Claire Shaw’s description, Serena Jennings was originally a housewife, diligently dedicated, who dropped out of college to marry Caleb Lockwood.

Valerie Vance had seen Serena Jennings’ photo, shown to her by Claire Shaw.

The Serena Jennings in the photo was quite attractive but didn’t dress up, appearing completely different from her glamorous look tonight.

Initially, Valerie Vance thought it was destined for her daughter to marry into The Lockwood Family and become Caleb’s wife.

But then Claire Shaw graduated from high school and broke up with Caleb Lockwood, leaving for overseas alone, and Caleb Lockwood didn’t follow her.

Valerie Vance regretted that Claire Shaw and Caleb Lockwood were star-crossed.

Unexpectedly, after Claire Shaw returned to the country, Caleb Lockwood treated her just the same, rekindling Valerie Vance’s hopes of their romance reigniting.

It was only then that Valerie Vance learned Caleb Lockwood had been married for three years.

Yet Claire Shaw wasn’t giving up.

And neither was Valerie Vance.

She knew Serena Jennings was in the process of divorcing Caleb Lockwood, but she believed her excellent daughter returning to the country would make Caleb Lockwood abandon Serena immediately.

But until now, Caleb Lockwood hadn’t divorced Serena Jennings.

Though her and Cole Shaw’s visit to City A seemed business-related, in truth, it was also for Claire Shaw.

To help Claire Shaw, to ensure she could marry into The Lockwood Family sooner.

Just now, she had deliberately tested Caleb Lockwood.

Valerie Vance was somewhat surprised to see Serena Jennings in person.

Despite Claire Shaw having mentioned Serena Jennings frequently, she still regarded Serena as a cloistered housewife.

Seeing her today, so different from the photos, even with light makeup looking as beautiful as a star, it’s no wonder Caleb Lockwood was hesitant to divorce.

Valerie Vance understood men.

Which man under the sky wouldn’t want stability at home and excitement outside?

But the problem was, her daughter wanted to be the stable one at home, being the outside excitement would mean being the mistress, wouldn’t it?

Lacking recognition and status.

This was something Valerie Vance could not tolerate.

Moreover, only by becoming Caleb Lockwood’s lawful wife could she become the mistress of The Lockwood Group.

Only then could she gain both fame and fortune, making it easier for their family to leverage the in-law’s influence.

While eating, Valerie Vance secretly observed Caleb Lockwood.

Though Caleb hadn’t divorced Serena, she saw it clearly—

Caleb Lockwood does not love Serena.

Perhaps he’s attracted to Serena’s beauty, reluctant for a while, but a man truly loving a woman can’t be faked.

Caleb Lockwood didn’t even glance at Serena from start to finish.

Instead, opposite Serena, Patrick Rhodes’ eyes were only on her, sparkling, clearly infatuated.

Caleb Lockwood indeed hadn’t looked at Serena.

Not even once.

Nor had Serena looked at Caleb.

Not once.

The two tables of people clearly knew each other, yet acted as if they were strangers.

Caleb and his companions, though they started eating first, spent longer because they were discussing that piece of land in Northriver while eating.

Both groups finished their meals almost simultaneously, running into each other as they exited the restaurant.

"Patrick, Serena..."

Claire Shaw was the first to greet them.

"Just as well, Caleb and I are going shopping, do you want to join us? It’s a nice walk after the meal."

A walk after the meal was fine, but Serena didn’t want to be with Claire Shaw and Caleb Lockwood.

"I’ll pass."

Serena shook her head, declining.

"It’s alright, my parents have finished the business with Caleb, they won’t be going with us. It’s a rare chance to meet by fate, shopping together can help deepen the bond..."

Claire Shaw spoke sincerely.

She wanted Serena to witness Caleb’s extravagant spending for her.

And she wanted to find a chance to tell Serena that Caleb had already referred to her as his ex-wife.

When Serena ignored her and turned to leave, Claire Shaw reached out to grab Serena’s wrist.

Serena immediately shook off Claire Shaw’s hand.

Actually, she didn’t use much force, but Claire Shaw grabbed her quite hard, and then took the opportunity to fake a fall, landing straight into Caleb Lockwood’s arms.

Caleb Lockwood steadily caught Claire Shaw.

At the same time, Patrick Rhodes noticed Serena’s wrist was red and instinctively took her hand.

Serena paused, not realizing Caleb Lockwood’s expression had changed.

"Are you okay?" Patrick Rhodes asked with concern.

"I’m fine." Serena withdrew her hand.

"I say, sis-in-law, your grip is too strong, isn’t it? Serena’s wrist is red."

Claire Shaw never expected Patrick Rhodes to call her out in public.

"I didn’t..."

Claire Shaw’s eyes reddened, and Patrick immediately felt he’d said something wrong.

Since their school days, he’d been helpless against Claire Shaw’s tears.

Serena only wanted to leave this place of conflict quickly; every time she encountered Caleb and Claire, she got a headache.

As she took a step, the two approaching figures made her stop.

Justin Nash hadn’t expected to meet Serena here.

Upon seeing Serena, his eyes lit up like a bulb.

Beside him, Cynthia Fulton was clinging to Justin Nash’s arm.

It was the first time in their relationship she saw Justin’s eyes light up like this.

"What a small world!"

Cynthia Fulton remarked coldly.

Even with her speaking, Justin’s eyes remained solely on Serena, as if everyone else didn’t exist.

Serena’s gaze was also involuntarily drawn to Justin Nash’s face.

Justin Nash was wearing an elegantly tailored white wool coat over a black suit, the stark contrast enhancing his presence significantly.

Now, Serena could no longer see any trace of the naïve college student from their time at the juvenile center on Justin’s face.

In less than a year, Justin Nash had changed a lot.

Serena, for some reason, felt a surge of emotion.

Previously, Lana Xavier had told her that when she had a car accident and was hospitalized, Justin Nash was the first one to arrive at the hospital. Though he left later, it was probably under compulsion, and Serena had always wanted to thank Justin properly.

But she couldn’t contact Justin Nash on her own.

She had long deleted and blocked Justin Nash on WeChat, and his phone number too.

Even though she could memorize it, she promised Justin Nash’s mother not to contact him again, and she couldn’t go back on her word.

Fortunately, fate offered her a chance to run into Justin Nash.

"Justin Nash, thank you for visiting me when I was hospitalized."

Serena’s tone carried a polite distance.

She saw Justin Nash frown.

She was thanking him simply out of courtesy.

She didn’t want Justin Nash to overthink it.

"Serena, I..."

Justin Nash stepped forward, just as a tall figure suddenly appeared from behind Serena.