CHAPTER 174: CHAPTER 174: BE A GOOD STAY-AT-HOME WIFE

There is some distance between Caleb Lockwood and Serena Jennings.

It’s unclear whether it was the wine blurring her vision or if Caleb Lockwood’s expression was naturally that cold.

Serena Jennings always felt that Caleb Lockwood stood before her like an iceberg.

Caleb Lockwood was looking at her.

Without moving.

Serena Jennings had expected to see disdain and contempt in Caleb Lockwood’s eyes, but instead, his gaze was frozen, revealing no emotion.

"Caleb, you’re here!"

Claire Shaw waved to Caleb Lockwood when she saw him arrive.

Only then did Caleb Lockwood look away from Serena Jennings.

He sat beside Claire Shaw, brushing past Serena Jennings as if she didn’t exist.

Caleb Lockwood said nothing.

Serena Jennings remained silent as well.

Claire Shaw had thought Caleb Lockwood would at least say something, seeing Serena Jennings drenched in wine.

But he didn’t.

Claire Shaw felt a thrill at Caleb Lockwood’s silence.

No matter how pitiful you try to appear before Caleb, Serena, he won’t even bother to acknowledge you.

Claire Shaw, feeling pleased, smiled radiantly, even the food tasted better.

Serena Jennings went to the bathroom to clean off the wine from her face and body, trying to appear less disheveled.

She couldn’t change her clothes since there was only one set of the server’s uniform.

Luckily, the uniform material was thick enough not to soak through, and she could continue wearing it after wiping the surface.

After tidying herself up as best as she could, Serena Jennings stepped out of the bathroom and bumped into Caleb Lockwood.

Caleb Lockwood silently handed her a handkerchief.

Serena Jennings didn’t take it.

Whether from goodwill or sympathy, as long as it came from Caleb Lockwood, she wanted nothing to do with it.

Arm sore from holding it, with the handkerchief still not taken, Caleb Lockwood lowered his arm.

By then, Serena Jennings had already walked past him—

Ignoring him.

Caleb Lockwood turned and spoke to her back, "Instead of getting divorced and ending up bullied as a waitress, why not just be a housewife at home..."

Serena Jennings slowly halted.

Caleb Lockwood subtly smirked.

"That’s what you’re thinking, right?"

Serena Jennings glanced back at Caleb Lockwood and smiled.

She had a beautiful smile.

Caleb Lockwood used to enjoy watching it.

But this time, her smile made Caleb Lockwood’s expression abruptly darken.

Even though Serena Jennings said nothing, he inexplicably interpreted the underlying message in her smile:

"Are you out of your mind?"

Caleb Lockwood clenched the handkerchief into a ball.

With Caleb Lockwood at the table, neither Claire Shaw nor Cynthia Fulton dared openly trouble Serena Jennings.

The three of them gathered today to discuss the detailed process of welcoming Queen Elizabeth from Ydris in two weeks.

The Fulton Family, being the main sponsor, was the chief organizer, followed by The Lockwood Family.

The Nash Family was supposed to collaborate with The Fulton Family, but the scandal from the runaway marriage left them no face to continue.

Collaborating with The Nash Family would have made them seem desperate, further humiliating them.

Thus, Cynthia Fulton took it upon herself to choose The Lockwood Family.

Additionally, Claire Shaw had taken on the project of designing a new crown for Queen Elizabeth of Ydris, making everything fall perfectly into place.

Two weeks later, Queen Elizabeth visits City A, spending the first three days with government officials and then being hosted by Cynthia Fulton.

All day, Queen Elizabeth stayed at Lockwood Group, discussing the new energy underwater tunnel project with the Lockwood and Fulton family consortiums.

In the evening, led by Cynthia Fulton, they arrived at Riverview Imperial.

A luxurious suite was selected and arranged two weeks in advance, ensuring impeccable security for Queen Elizabeth’s visit, thanks to Cynthia Fulton.

During the meal, Queen Elizabeth was delighted, repeatedly praising Cynthia Fulton, Caleb Lockwood, and Claire Shaw.

Especially Claire Shaw.

"I never expected someone so young to have such a sense of design. I really like this new crown."

Queen Elizabeth couldn’t put down the finished piece Claire Shaw handed her.

"Your Majesty, you flatter me. I’m still a novice, with much to learn..."

Seeing Claire Shaw remain humble, Queen Elizabeth’s impression of her improved further.

"I actually wanted BYC as the designer initially. I wasn’t too confident entrusting you with this project, but seeing the design you’ve given me, it does carry some of BYC’s master’s elegance!"

Flushed with embarrassment from Queen Elizabeth’s praise, Claire Shaw impulsively said, "Actually, I’m BYC’s master’s apprentice."

"Oh, how fortunate!"

The group engaged joyfully, and Cynthia Fulton checked the time for the main dish.

"Queen Elizabeth, the next dish is the highlight: a rare, top-tier Emperor Crab from the Bering Sea, weighing 27 pounds, with legs nearly two meters long."

Cynthia Fulton enthusiastically introduced the dish as the server brought it in.

Serena Jennings just stepped into the suite and immediately noticed the crown in Queen Elizabeth’s hand.

It was a sapphire crown.

The main stone was a 37-carat cornflower sapphire, cut into an angel’s silhouette, with two wings hidden by numerous colorless round diamonds in a covert setting, accompanied by diamond and sapphire accents.

Serena Jennings was intimately familiar with that crown.

Because it was half of her design on the unfinished draft.

Only now did Serena Jennings realize that the Ydris Queen Crown project Peter discussed with her ended up with Claire Shaw.

After the online scandal, Peter called her multiple times.

But he never mentioned this.

Serena Jennings understood Peter was protecting her.

If it hadn’t been a coincidence that she found herself working part-time at Riverview Imperial, selected to serve Emperor Crab to the VIP suite, she might never have known.

Serena Jennings stared intently at the crown in Queen Elizabeth’s hand.

The crown was a complete reproduction of her unfinished draft.

Serena Jennings couldn’t help but think, the day her company was shut down, Claire Shaw’s sweet talk to the debt manager paid off, securing her design without waste, unwilling to modify even a bit.

However...

Her design wasn’t perfected.

In other words, the crown Queen Elizabeth received now was merely a semi-finished product.

"Why are you standing there? Quickly dismantle the crab for the esteemed guest!"

Urged by Claire Shaw, Serena Jennings snapped out of it.

She wasn’t a jewelry designer now, nor was this crown her project; she was just a hotel server.

Serena Jennings stepped forward to dismantle the crab.

"This Emperor Crab is exceptionally precious, be careful not to ruin its prime flavor, or Ms. Fulton’s goodwill for the Queen will be wasted."

Serena Jennings knew Claire Shaw was deliberately pressuring her!

Hinting that if the Emperor Crab’s taste were compromised, it would be her fault.

Serena Jennings knew how to dismantle the crab.

She was confident in her technique until she realized there wasn’t a single tool for dismantling the crab on the entire dining table.