CHAPTER 184: CHAPTER 184: SUFFERING SUCH GREAT HUMILIATION

Claire Shaw felt a surge of happiness.

Although Caleb Lockwood’s eyes weren’t on her, it was clear his heart still held a place for her.

Tonight, despite Serena Jennings nearly turning her into a pariah, Caleb Lockwood was still willing to dance with her.

As long as Caleb Lockwood supported her, she remained a favored daughter of fate.

Claire’s spirits lifted, and she proactively linked her arm through Caleb’s.

Caleb glanced at his arm indifferently, his brow furrowing.

At past parties, Caleb was always the center of attention.

Naturally, so was his dance partner.

However, tonight was different.

Claire’s earlier embarrassment left a poor impression on the guests, coupled with Ethan White’s unique status and Serena Jennings’ priceless, one-of-a-kind gown, which made Ethan and Serena the focal point in the dance hall, reducing Caleb and Claire to mere foils.

Claire gritted her teeth secretly.

Who did Serena think she was!

With a twirl, Claire deliberately attempted to bump into Serena.

Caleb took advantage of the dance steps to pull Claire away from Serena’s side.

With another spin, Claire tried to step on Serena’s dress.

Serena deftly lifted her dress’s hem to avoid, leaving Claire stepping into empty air.

Ethan glanced at Claire silently, his smile refined and elegant.

In the next turn, he pretended to unintentionally step on Claire’s dress hem, and with a tearing sound, Claire’s rose-pink dress ripped down the middle, exposing her lower body.

Suddenly, everyone in the dance hall was staring at Claire.

Now Claire finally became the center of attention.

Claire shrieked, grabbed the torn fabric to cover her underwear, and bolted out of the banquet hall.

"Hey, did you see that? She was wearing transparent underwear..."

"Wonder who she’s trying to seduce?"

"Who else? Obviously President Lockwood is into that style!"

Nearby, wealthy matrons and young ladies huddled together gossiping but quickly shut their mouths in fear of Caleb’s intimidating presence.

Caleb was watching Ethan, an icy smirk emerging on his face.

"I really didn’t expect you, Dr. Page, a high-end talent introduced by the government and an overseas returnee, to be so petty behind the scenes."

"Don’t blame Ethan, I’m the one who stepped on her."

Serena stepped forward.

No matter how Ethan became an overseas returnee or how much Country A valued Ethan as introduced talent.

In City A, Caleb’s influence was still greater.

Serena was very aware of Caleb’s deep affection for Claire. With Ethan humiliating Claire so severely tonight, Caleb was unlikely to let it slide.

Serena didn’t want Ethan to become an enemy of Caleb as soon as he arrived in City A because of her, which wouldn’t benefit Ethan’s future development.

Serena thought that by admitting to it, she might quell some of Caleb’s anger.

Instead, Caleb’s face grew even darker, his gaze scorching like a glowing iron.

Serena felt somewhat bewildered.

When Claire’s dress ripped, revealing her underwear, Caleb hadn’t been so angry, so why now?

"You’re shielding him like this..."

Caleb’s voice was soft, but his anger surged violently.

Ethan then patted Serena’s shoulder, stepping in front of her.

"Mr. Lockwood, you surely know your dance partner just tried to knock Miss Jennings down during the dance..."

Caleb raised his eyelids gently.

He remained silent—

His silence was tantamount to admission.

He wanted to see Serena’s reaction, her expression.

Yet, he couldn’t see it.

"So, me ripping her dress was simply her reaping what she sowed..."

Ethan finished earnestly, then gently wrapped an arm around Serena’s back, leading her away from the dance floor.

Caleb watched their retreating figures and took out his phone to call Mr. Miller.

Serena rode home in Ethan’s car.

During the ride home, neither spoke, but the atmosphere in the car was surprisingly pleasant, like silent bonding was more expressive.

Even though it had been years since she’d seen Ethan, being with him felt just as comfortable and relaxed as it did during high school.

The white Lexus parked below the old house on Vornath Street.

Serena didn’t immediately get out.

She turned to Ethan, "Where are you staying now?"

"I have nowhere to stay."

"...Huh?"

Serena stared at Ethan’s pitiful, aggrieved expression, feeling an amused frustration.

As an advanced AI talent introduced by Country A’s government, it wasn’t a hard feat to provide at least an apartment, if not a lavish one, right?

Serena couldn’t believe Ethan had nowhere to stay.

"What are you planning for tonight? Staying in a hotel?"

Serena didn’t expose Ethan’s lie, continuing to play along.

"It’s so late, it’s challenging to book a hotel. If I can’t, maybe I’ll make do with the bench by your house for the night!"

Ethan feigned a sigh.

Serena laughed, "In winter, aren’t you afraid of catching a cold sleeping outside?"

"Afraid..." Ethan nodded earnestly, "So tonight I want to stay at your place, but I don’t know if you’re willing to take in a homeless me?"

After he finished speaking, he saw a fleeting hesitation on Serena’s face.

Serena had things she wanted to ask Ethan.

There were also words she hadn’t managed to say back then that she wanted to tell Ethan.

But it’s not appropriate for a man and woman to be alone together at night.

Especially as she knew Ethan liked her.

She had known since high school.

She didn’t want to give Ethan the wrong signals.

"Ethan, I..."

"Invite Lana over."

Serena was taken aback.

Ethan smiled softly, "What? Think I’d use the chance to make a night raid?"

Serena’s nose was pinched by Ethan, prompting an indignant pout in protest.

"You must be curious about my matters, right? Invite Lana over, so I don’t have to repeat myself when I see her."

"No problem." Serena agreed immediately, pulling out her phone as she spoke, "Lana’s sure to bring beer and snacks over, believe it?"

"I must believe it!" Ethan’s gentle face beamed brightly.

He knew that only by asking Lana to join, Serena would agree to let him stay.

Ethan’s smile slowly became tinged with bitterness.

Serena took Ethan up the building.

Under the streetlight.

In the shadows.

The black Passat arrived utterly unnoticed.

Sitting inside, Mr. Miller reported his observations truthfully to Caleb:

President Lockwood, Dr. Page drove Miss Jennings home. They stayed in the car for a while, then he followed Miss Jennings upstairs.

The Jade Pavilion.

Caleb read the WeChat message from Mr. Miller, once again damaging his phone screen.

This phone was one he had recently replaced.

Veridia Villa.

In the study, Arthur Lockwood, who hadn’t slept yet, unexpectedly received a call from Caleb.

"Dad, about the Linton Family’s Miss, whom you mentioned on the phone last time... I agreed to meet her."