CHAPTER 156: CHAPTER 156: CONFESSING TO SERENA JENNINGS

After giving Mr. Miller the medicine, Serena Jennings drove to Newcross Real Estate.

She had arranged with Cynthia Fulton to hand over the jewelry for the wedding.

Serena wasn’t familiar with Newcross Real Estate; it was her first time there.

Cynthia texted her on WeChat, saying she was busy with wedding preparations and couldn’t pick up the jewelry herself, so she sent an assistant and asked Serena to meet at the third building at 2 PM.

Serena asked the security guard for directions and explored her way to the third building.

"Serena!"

Suddenly, someone called her from behind.

Serena turned around in response to the voice, and Justin Nash’s figure appeared in her widened eyes.

Today, Justin looked somewhat different.

He wore a short white down jacket, light blue jeans, and a black beanie. His aura from head to toe had nothing to do with a big company’s president and was more like an ordinary college student inexperienced in the world.

Serena couldn’t help but be taken aback.

This outfit on Justin matched the impression she had when she first met him.

"What are you doing here?"

Justin pretended it was a chance meeting with Serena.

In reality, he was intentionally waiting there.

"I’m here to deliver the wedding jewelry to your fiancée."

Serena lifted the gift bag in her hand.

"She said her assistant was waiting for me at the third building, but I haven’t found it yet."

"It’s okay, give it to me, I’ll take you to meet her."

"Huh?"

Serena was startled, only to hear Justin continue, "I’m just about to find Cynthia Fulton. What if she’s not satisfied with the jewelry? I’ll take you with me."

"Hmm... that’s fine, too."

Serena walked beside Justin and left Newcross Real Estate. There was a person’s distance between them.

Serena noticed that Justin and Cynthia were about to get married, but Justin still referred to Cynthia by her full name.

"Let’s take my car; it’s nearby. I’ll bring you back afterward."

Justin insisted, and Serena had to sit in the passenger seat of the flashy red Ferrari sports car.

After Serena got in the car, Justin secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

His seemingly casual outfit today was actually deliberately chosen.

Because he intended to create an "accidental encounter" with Serena, and then revert to the friend he used to be with her.

Justin drove quietly, and Serena didn’t speak, until the car turned onto a road very familiar to her.

"Justin, where are you taking me?"

Serena sensed something was amiss.

At the end of this road, there was only one building.

And Cynthia couldn’t possibly be there.

Because that building—

was a juvenile detention center.

Justin didn’t answer and continued driving.

Serena couldn’t help but become anxious.

She realized that Justin wasn’t planning to take her to see Cynthia at all.

More importantly, it was highly likely their meeting at Newcross Real Estate wasn’t accidental.

In fact, Serena guessed right.

Justin knew Cynthia had sent an assistant to the third building to wait for Serena to deliver the jewelry, so he sent the assistant away in advance.

Up ahead, the distant silhouette of the detention center loomed, drawing nearer.

As the somber aura of the detention center came fully into view, Justin slowly parked the car by the roadside.

Justin got out of the car, and Serena followed suit.

Seeing Serena frown, her expression heavy, Justin felt a little flustered inside.

"I didn’t mean anything else, don’t be afraid... I just wanted to... take a walk with you alone, talk..."

Justin’s gaze flickered.

Serena could tell Justin wasn’t entirely truthful.

What he wanted to do was likely not as simple as taking a walk.

The detention center here was remote and desolate, but nonetheless, Serena didn’t worry that Justin intended any harm to her.

"I really did take fifty million from your mother back then and agreed to cut off contact with you, so by being here now, I’m actually breaching that agreement."

Seeing Serena’s indifferent expression as if she didn’t care about him as a former friend, Justin couldn’t help but feel hurt.

"There’s no one else here..."

Serena realized that unless she complied, Justin would never take her back, so she had no choice but to walk alongside Justin toward the detention center.

At first, Justin was silent.

Serena also didn’t force conversation.

She walked quietly beside Justin, waiting for him to speak.

"Are you... still not divorced from Caleb Lockwood?"

Justin finally spoke, but the topic caught Serena by surprise.

"Almost... Caleb and I plan to get divorced directly in Meridia after attending your wedding."

Serena didn’t hide from Justin and spoke frankly.

"Then... what are you planning after the divorce?"

"Huh?"

Serena tilted her head, "After the divorce... I’ll continue running my studio and live my own life!"

"No, that’s not what I meant."

Justin’s tone grew a bit urgent.

Suddenly, her hand was held by Justin.

Serena gasped and tried to pull her hand back, but Justin held it too tightly, and she couldn’t.

The two stood right in front of the detention center.

With such a background, it was truly unsuitable to be entangled like this.

However, Justin’s gaze was intense, like a flame burning brightly.

"Serena, once you divorce Caleb Lockwood, you’ll be free, and you can boldly love someone else..."

Serena saw Justin’s face turn red.

"I... I’ve always liked you, Serena..."

Stammering, Justin finally couldn’t resist confessing to Serena.

He had originally accepted the family’s arrangements.

This was like his fate from birth.

However, the more time he spent with Cynthia, the more he recalled Serena’s goodness.

If possible, he would rather be an intern instructor in the detention center for a lifetime and have a simple yet sweet office romance with Serena, the counselor.

"Since you helped me out in the detention center, I’ve had a good impression of you..."

Listening to Justin’s confession, Serena’s heart was somewhat moved.

Detention center...

It was where her love for Caleb Lockwood began, unexpectedly also Justin’s starting point for his feelings toward her.

"Later, seeing you so outstanding, yet bullied by that bastard Caleb Lockwood and his mistress, I couldn’t help but feel indignant, feeling sorry for you, hurting for you..."

Gradually, this feeling turned into liking—

A man’s liking for a woman.

Justin suddenly hugged Serena tightly.

Serena pushed twice but couldn’t push Justin away.

She heard Justin’s racing heartbeats.

She knew Justin still had more to say.

"Serena... I don’t like Cynthia Fulton, and I don’t want to marry her... There’s no emotion between us, it’s merely a business marriage for the family’s benefit..."

Justin felt he had been suppressing it for too long and just wanted to pour his heart out to Serena.

Because if he didn’t speak now, he’d have no chance at all.

"Serena..."

Justin’s voice was hoarse, incredibly sincere yet humble.

"I promise you, I’ll be a thousand or ten thousand times better to you than Caleb Lockwood ever was... so, will you choose me?"