CHAPTER 14: CHAPTER 14: DON’T GO HOME TONIGHT

If Serena had been moved to get into Caleb Lockwood’s car because of her situation earlier, now after hearing Claire Shaw’s words, she only wanted these two people to disappear from her sight quickly.

"No need, I can walk by myself."

Seeing Serena refuse, Caleb glanced at her bleeding knee and said softly, "Suit yourself."

Her thin body shivered indistinctly in the downpour.

"Caleb, are you really going to leave Serena behind? She’s drenched like a wet chicken." Claire asked while taking the opportunity to place her hand on Caleb’s thigh.

"She doesn’t want to get in the car herself." After saying that, Caleb told Mr. Miller driving the car: "Let’s go; don’t delay Claire’s business."

A bolt of lightning tore the sky.

The black Maybach drove away from Serena’s sight, followed by a thunderclap exploding nearby.

Serena squatted down at the roadside, unable to tell whether the physical pain or the heartache hurt more.

She took out her phone and called the police first, then called Lana Xavier.

At such times, the biggest relief was having her phone; otherwise, she’d truly be clueless about what to do.

Serena initially thought Lana Xavier would come to her first, but it was an ambulance that arrived instead.

The red and blue emergency lights remained striking even in the stormy weather.

"But I didn’t call an ambulance!"

Serena muttered to herself, thinking maybe Lana Xavier had called it for her.

The rain intensified; the black Maybach’s wipers sped up.

In the car’s backseat, Claire Shaw and Caleb Lockwood were both scrolling through their phones.

Claire Shaw: How did you handle things? She’s perfectly fine; not to mention being stripped and paraded, did that group even touch her?

joker: She knows how to fight, has some skills, so she escaped.

Claire Shaw tutted inwardly, quickly deleted the conversation, and when Caleb glanced in her direction, she immediately pressed the power button to turn off the screen.

"I wonder if I can find new design inspiration at Billasophir’s art exhibition." Claire sweetly asked Caleb.

"You’ll be fine," Caleb’s voice barely fluctuated but certainly encouraged Claire, "But... you initially said this road was on the way to visit the juvenile center, right?"

"Oh, yes!" Claire’s smile appeared somewhat unnatural. "The juvenile center is, after all, where our fate began, but Billasophir’s meeting is about to start... honestly, if it weren’t for running into Serena, it wouldn’t have taken so long."

"Yes, it’s all her fault." Caleb echoed Claire’s sentiments, remaining cold whenever Serena was mentioned, though Claire couldn’t discern any blame from Caleb’s expression.

The Third Hospital of City A.

After being brought here by ambulance, Serena was forced to cooperate with the doctors for a very thorough check-up.

She felt her injuries weren’t too severe, mostly superficial wounds, and the psychological fright and trauma far outweighed the physical.

Serena didn’t quite understand why the doctors were so concerned about her physical state, as they arranged a first-class ward for her to rest and receive an IV.

Lana Xavier arrived late due to the bad stormy road conditions, with two parking tickets.

Seeing Serena’s pale face, wearing hospital garments and lying on a hospital bed coughing occasionally, Lana’s eyes immediately reddened.

"Serena..."

Seeing Lana almost burst into tears, Serena hurriedly explained that she wasn’t badly hurt.

She briefly recounted her ordeal to Lana, who instantly became agitated.

"It’s definitely that green tea mistress! She’s the one who sent those thugs to molest you!"

Serena shushed Lana, offering a bitter smile: "How do you know that? You have no proof."

"I just know." Lana vowed with conviction, "Let me tell you, novels are written like this; it’s reality mirroring fiction."

Serena wouldn’t dismiss Lana’s speculation, though Sean Sanders and his crew had a history of harassing female instructors. Since she’d previously provoked them due to Justin Nash, it was hard to say if this incident was related to Claire Shaw.

Serena was just surprised to run into Caleb Lockwood and Claire Shaw at her most embarrassing moment; was it really such a coincidence?

"Caleb Lockwood is such a scumbag!" Lana said through clenched teeth, "Even with you hurt like this, he drove off?! Taking that damn green tea with him... He won’t divorce, but will cheat; do you think he’s mentally split?"

Lana’s analysis of Caleb Lockwood elicited a bitter smile from Serena.

Comparing the young Caleb Lockwood at the juvenile center to the current Caleb, she indeed had to agree with Lana.

"Don’t be upset if I’m badmouthing him!"

Clearly considerate of Serena’s feelings, Lana sighed.

"I’m divorcing him; I won’t side with him anymore."

"You?" Lana glanced at Serena, shaking her head, "That’s not certain."

Serena knew her love-struck personality was always what frustrated Lana the most.

"Miss Jennings!"

Suddenly, the ward door was pushed open, and Justin Nash entered.

Seeing Serena on the hospital bed with Lana beside her, Justin realized how rude he’d been.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, I should’ve knocked first."

Serena wasn’t about to blame Justin, she introduced Lana and Justin to each other, and Lana immediately started matchmaking, trying to pair Serena and Justin.

"I think this guy’s good." Lana pointed her thumb at Justin, "Just the way he’s worried about you, ran out of breath, is a thousand times better than your scumbag husband."

Praised, Justin smiled shyly and proudly, rubbing the back of his head.

Serena felt a bit embarrassed, fearing Justin might take it seriously.

"Oh right, Miss Jennings, a friend from the courthouse mentioned you can get a divorce."

Serena’s eyes suddenly brightened but then dimmed.

"But..."

"Rest assured, my friend is a judge; he says no matter the opposing power, as long as the infidelity evidence is irrefutable, you can divorce."

Justin’s words injected Serena with confidence, though pondering the proof of infidelity, her chest throbbed painfully, more than her body wounds.

That day, Serena’s check-up results came out, revealing no concern for the vital organs, but her leg injury needed care, having caught a cold. Doctors advised continued hospital observation.

Caleb Lockwood accompanied Claire Shaw to the art exhibition and meeting, then took her shopping.

Claire liked pink, and looked good in it.

Thus, Claire tried many pink outfits and dresses.

Caleb wasn’t in a hurry, patiently waiting for Claire to change, praising each outfit she tried on.

Occasionally, he’d lower his head to check his phone, until receiving a WeChat from Mr. Miller:

President Lockwood, as per your instructions, the doctors checked Miss Jennings, mostly superficial wounds, but the leg injury is somewhat severe; coupled with a cold, she needs at least a week of hospitalization. The first-class ward will remain reserved for Miss Jennings.

"Caleb, how about this dress?"

Claire changed into a new dress to show Caleb, who put away his phone, charming smile lifting his lips.

"Nice, suits you well."

In the end, Caleb paid for all the clothes Claire tried on, and when he brought Claire home late at night, the rain was still pouring.

Caleb always escorted Claire upstairs to her door. This time was no different.

"Rest early, good night."

As Caleb was about to turn around, Claire suddenly grasped his hand.

"Caleb..."

She pulled Caleb from outside the door into her apartment.

"It’s raining hard outside, you know I’m afraid of thunder..."

Claire’s voice sounded sweet and soft, like cotton candy, with her delicately made-up face reflected in Caleb’s eyes in pink hues.

"Why don’t you stay over tonight, keep me company, alright?"