CHAPTER 16: CHAPTER 16: ARE YOU WORKING HERE AS A JANITOR?

The call was from Peter.

Justin Nash watched Serena Jennings talk on the phone, her expression growing more serious. His intuition told him their lunch plans were going to be canceled.

As expected, Serena hung up the phone and, with an apologetic expression, said to him, "I’m sorry, I have something to deal with here, we’ll have to reschedule."

"No worries, your work takes priority."

Justin Nash watched Serena get into a taxi, and only when it drove away did he lower his waving arm, talking to the air, "How can I make you realize I’m trying to pursue you?"

Following the location Peter sent, Serena took a cab to a Western restaurant. Through the bright glass windows, she could see Peter already waiting inside.

"Been waiting long? There was some traffic." Serena sat across from Peter.

"No problem at all." Peter took out a thick stack of drawings from a file bag. "These are design drafts from the company’s new batch of interns. There’s no consensus in the group, so we had to ask a master like you to grade them."

Peter made a "please please" gesture, which amused Serena to the point of tears.

"I haven’t touched jewelry design in years. My taste must be outdated. Are you sure you trust me that much?"

"You must realize there are people who just adore your ’outdated’ taste."

Serena smiled and began flipping through the design sketches Peter handed her.

Since these were FY intern designs, Claire Shaw’s would certainly be among them, but the design papers had no names, so Serena couldn’t tell.

It wasn’t that Serena wanted to make things difficult for Claire Shaw; she was just curious. Caleb Lockwood said Claire was a rising star in jewelry design, and Claire certainly had the ability to get into FY. Serena was eager to see Claire’s talent and ability in design.

After spending some time, she rated all the design drafts, then casually chatted with Peter over lunch.

After they finished eating, Peter had matters at the company to attend to, and he left first, reminding her as he left:

"Make sure to come and sign the contract next Monday. You can be late, but you must not be absent."

Serena laughed.

That smile, Peter thought, was perhaps something Serena hadn’t had in her three years of marriage!

After leaving the restaurant, Serena intended to visit a jewelry store. Not only had she not touched design in three years, but she had also been constantly surrounded by pots and pans with no opportunity to dress up. It wasn’t that Caleb Lockwood was stingy with her; he did gift her jewelry, but nine out of ten were pink diamonds. Serena never liked pink, and faced with endless chores every day, all the accessories were set aside.

She truly feared falling behind, especially since Peter held her in high regard, and she didn’t want to disappoint him.

However, a WeChat message from Lana Xavier disrupted Serena’s plans.

It was a call for help via WeChat.

As night fell, Riverview Imperial was magnificent, its glass curtain walls sparkling with radiance.

A group of people gradually walked through the crystal revolving door.

There were two men and three women, but it was clear that the one being adored like a star was the woman in the pink silk fishtail dress.

This evening, Claire Shaw brought Caleb Lockwood, Patrick Rhodes, Lily Sutton, and Owen Warren to celebrate with her, marking her transition from an intern to a full-time employee at FY.

"Claire, you look stunning, like a princess."

When Lily Sutton praised her, Patrick Rhodes waggled his finger, "Terrible conversationalist, you should be complimenting Brother Lockwood for saving the galaxy in his past life, hence finding such a wonderful wife... Isn’t that right, sister-in-law?"

Claire Shaw coyly slapped a teasing Patrick Rhodes.

Tonight, everyone was here to celebrate her; she had intentionally dressed flamboyantly, with diamond accessories from headband to ankle bracelet gifted by Caleb Lockwood—they were a luxurious pink diamond set worth a fortune.

Riverview Imperial was one of the top luxury hotels in City A. Everyone coming here was either rich or noble, yet even so, Claire Shaw was the center of attention.

Holding onto Caleb Lockwood’s arm, Claire Shaw raised her head and walked proudly like a noble, graceful swan.

She knew Caleb Lockwood liked exceptional women, and only those outstanding enough qualified to stand by his side.

Therefore, she never scrimped on her appearance.

Caleb Lockwood walked beside Claire Shaw, the usually sharp and icy lines of his face smoothed by a warm glow, as if melted in a tender haven, his slightly smiling lips perfect from any angle.

He enjoyed bringing Claire Shaw to such events because it boosted his esteem.

"Huh? I remember there used to be a grand piano here, why has it been replaced by a dual keyboard?" Claire Shaw pointed to the opulent hall center.

"Last week, when I came, it was still a grand piano..." Caleb Lockwood was also a bit curious.

In the lobby of Riverview Imperial’s first floor, there were musicians playing the piano.

"Could it be that the pianist was too poor, so they got fired?" Patrick Rhodes also focused on that dual keyboard. "Brother Lockwood mentioned before, the piano was fine, but the pianist was mediocre and not a fraction as good as the sister-in-law."

After speaking, he scratched his head and muttered, "But if the pianist’s bad, just change the pianist! Why swap the piano too? It makes no sense..."

Caleb Lockwood’s gaze fell on his arm, he was looking at Claire Shaw’s hand.

"If only your hand hadn’t been injured..."

Caleb Lockwood gently held Claire Shaw’s hand, his voice filled with regret.

Claire Shaw tried hard to keep her facial expression natural.

"A blessing in disguise perhaps, if my hand hadn’t been injured, I might not be a jewelry designer now."

"True." Caleb Lockwood warmed Claire Shaw’s cooling hand with the heat from his palm.

"Claire topped the intern ratings this time!" Owen Warren proudly exclaimed.

"Sister-in-law is blessed by heaven. Whatever industry she’s in, she’s always number one." Patrick Rhodes gave Claire Shaw a thumbs up.

Caleb Lockwood nodded in agreement, "Claire’s excellence has always been evident."

As they walked, they got closer to the newly changed dual keyboard, beside which stood a staff member in a deep blue cleaning uniform, back turned as they hunched over to wipe blemishes on the dual keyboard with a tissue.

Caleb Lockwood halted.

Claire Shaw also stopped, turning her head to see Caleb Lockwood frown, staring intently at the staff member’s back.

Until the staff member straightened up, they spoke in unison:

"Serena?"

Serena turned around, among the crowd before her, the first person she saw was Caleb Lockwood.

Caleb Lockwood wore a pure black suit, with no need for deliberate styling, standing casually like a model, with a celebrity’s face.

However, Caleb Lockwood’s expression was unpleasant, Serena felt he seemed angry.

"Oh my god, are you working as cleaning staff here?"

It wasn’t until she heard Owen Warren’s exclamation that Serena realized why Caleb Lockwood was upset.

Looking down at her outfit, she really did resemble a cleaning worker.