CHAPTER 166: CHAPTER 166: SLAPPED IN THE FACE

"I told him... you were with me."

Justin Nash and Serena Jennings’ gazes remained locked.

He had expected that after he said these words, he would see either panic, anger, or reproach on Serena’s face.

After all, his words had caused Caleb Lockwood’s misunderstanding of Serena.

And Serena... deeply loved Caleb Lockwood.

However, Serena reacted very calmly.

This calmness greatly surprised Justin Nash.

"Well, you’re not wrong."

Serena’s voice was indifferent, as cold as the sea breeze blowing in from the window.

She was indeed with Justin Nash now, so what he said wasn’t a lie.

Serena’s health hadn’t fully recovered; though she was awake, her body was still weak, her complexion pale as paper.

At this moment, in Justin Nash’s eyes, Serena’s expression looked as if all hope had died.

"Serena..."

Justin Nash frowned, feeling as though a lump was stuck in his throat, unable to spit it out or swallow it.

"Could you help me close the window a bit more?"

"Oh... sure, sure..."

Justin Nash obliged.

He opened the window, hoping to air out the long-uninhabited seaside villa, allowing fresh air to circulate so Serena wouldn’t feel too damp and moldy.

Although Serena was wrapped in a blanket, she still felt no warmth.

When she was tied up in the warehouse and was informed by Dylan Quinn that Caleb Lockwood had chosen Claire Shaw over her, when she jumped into the cold, dark sea uncertain whether she would survive...

The fear and pain from those moments still lingered in her body, so she felt cold no matter how thick the blanket was.

"Justin Nash, do you really have no regrets?"

Serena’s question momentarily left Justin Nash unable to respond.

"What do you mean... exactly?"

"Running away from the wedding..."

Serena saw Justin Nash involuntarily raise his eyes slightly.

The Nash Family and The Fulton Family must have extraordinary ties of interest, so despite Justin Nash’s dislike for Cynthia Fulton, he still agreed to be with her until the wedding.

Now that Justin Nash had fled the wedding, what he faces next can’t be solved by simply hiding in this seaside villa for a lifetime.

"I have no regrets!"

Justin Nash unwaveringly stared at Serena, his tone firm.

"Really..."

Serena felt a mix of emotions.

Back then, she fell in love with Caleb Lockwood without hesitation, later marrying him like a moth drawn to flame.

She also didn’t regret it.

However...

Serena smiled.

Justin Nash was taken aback when he saw Serena suddenly bloom into a smile.

Serena’s smile was beautiful.

The paler her complexion became, the more the self-mocking smile held a fragile beauty.

Justin Nash gazed at Serena, becoming captivated.

After surviving by the skin of her teeth, Serena felt as though she had picked up a spare life.

She thought, her love for Caleb Lockwood...

might as well stay forever, alongside that diamond ring tossed into the sea, within the dark, cold waters.

Venus Cathedral.

The priest, choir, and the guests from afar were all growing impatient.

Of course, the most anxious one was the bride herself.

If it weren’t in front of the crowd, Cynthia Fulton would have gone ballistic.

Justin Nash didn’t come!

He didn’t show up at the agreed time, Justin Nash didn’t appear.

At the time of the wedding, Justin Nash didn’t appear.

Over an hour had passed, yet Justin Nash still didn’t appear.

In the VIP section, Claire Shaw sat beside Caleb Lockwood, unable to hold back her murmur:

"What’s with Justin Nash? How can he be late for something as important as his wedding? Could something have happened?"

"He won’t be coming."

"What?"

Caleb Lockwood’s words stunned Claire Shaw.

Caleb Lockwood offered no further explanation, simply repeating:

"Justin Nash... he won’t be coming."

Instinctively, Caleb Lockwood picked up his phone.

"Caleb, what happened to your phone? Why is the screen cracked?"

Seeing the crack on Caleb Lockwood’s phone screen, Claire Shaw was puzzled.

Caleb Lockwood’s phone corners were intact; the screen was cracked directly from the center.

"I scratched it myself last night."

Caleb Lockwood replied casually.

"Huh?"

Caleb Lockwood’s words left Claire Shaw feeling even more bewildered.

Shrugging with a laugh, Caleb Lockwood didn’t pursue the topic further, his smile slowly growing cold.

In the end, just as Caleb Lockwood had said, Justin Nash didn’t come.

The entire day passed, but Justin Nash was nowhere to be found.

He seemed to have vanished into thin air, unreachable and uncontactable.

The Nash Family was frantic, The Fulton Family was frantic, Cynthia Fulton was even crazier.

Outside the cathedral, Caleb Lockwood watched the sun set beneath a sky of crimson clouds.

"Caleb, do you know something? Do you know where Justin Nash is now?" Claire Shaw approached Caleb Lockwood, asking softly.

"Yes, I know."

Caleb Lockwood’s words piqued Claire Shaw’s curiosity, but seeing he didn’t plan on elaborating, she didn’t delve further.

The two stood together for a while, admiring the sunset when Claire Shaw suddenly asked:

"By the way, where did Serena go? Why haven’t we seen her all day?"

Claire Shaw had wanted to ask this for a long time.

Even though she knew Serena had been taken onto a ship by Dylan Quinn, it seemed unreasonable for Caleb Lockwood not to inquire about Serena’s disappearance.

"Serena... she’s with Justin Nash."

"What?!"

Claire Shaw was horrified.

The night descended, and the Lynton Grand Hotel glittered with lights.

Julian Xavier’s guest room was visited by someone.

A woman.

"Aren’t you afraid your beloved Caleb Lockwood will find out you’re not in your own room?"

Julian Xavier asked Claire Shaw with a smile.

Claire Shaw was now hugging her arms, glaring angrily at Julian Xavier.

"Caleb is discussing work with Lockwood Group employees; he won’t notice my absence."

"But I also have work!"

Julian Xavier waved his iPad.

"joker!" Claire Shaw screamed in anger: "You orchestrated this whole kidnapping; didn’t you guarantee it would be foolproof? Why is Serena still here? Caleb said she is with Justin Nash..."

"Because she jumped into the sea and escaped, what was I supposed to do? That woman is quite capable." Julian Xavier shrugged towards Claire Shaw.

"And Dylan Quinn?"

"Dead."

Julian Xavier only mentioned Dylan Quinn’s death, avoiding how he died.

Claire Shaw, upset and frantic.

With joker’s abilities, he could kill Dylan Quinn as easily as he could Serena.

"She was lucky to be rescued by the groom, though she didn’t die nor get taken away. Don’t you think that’s better?"

"What do you mean?"

Claire Shaw raised an eyebrow at Julian Xavier.

Julian Xavier grinned, his smile appearing innocent.

"That photographer always wanted to make a fortune off Serena, and I know you’ve contacted him long ago. Now’s just the time to make use of him."

Hearing Julian Xavier’s words, Claire Shaw’s eyes lit up like bulbs.

Serena slept for another day and night in Justin Nash’s seaside villa.

After chatting with Justin Nash, she felt more at ease, regaining some strength and energy.

However, no matter how secluded the seaside villa was, it was never a safe haven.

Early the next morning, Serena was awakened by a commotion.

Just as she climbed out of bed, a woman stormed into the room and greeted her with a slap.