CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22: HOW LONG ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE A SCENE?

Just as she entered the office, Serena Jennings immediately noticed the conspicuous paper bag on Heather Monroe’s desk.

If she hadn’t remembered incorrectly, Claire Shaw had brought that paper bag into the company this morning.

It was a paper bag specifically for Chanel silk scarves.

"Do you need something?" Heather Monroe looked at Serena, her face full of impatience.

"Group leader, I just wanted to ask about my submitted designs..." Serena tried to carefully organize her words in her mind, "I think my ten designs shouldn’t all be rejected, so I want to ask the group leader where my designs have issues?"

Serena’s tone was humble, but Heather rolled her eyes.

"Instead of wasting time questioning me, why don’t you try to improve yourself, look at Claire. She’s about the same age as you, both are newcomers, and how come she got three designs passed while you didn’t get even one?"

"..."

"You dare ask me where the problem lies; do you think I’m your college professor? If you fail, find the reasons yourself, or go learn well from Claire and raise your aesthetic level."

"Group leader..."

"Don’t waste my lunch break." Heather waved her hand at Serena, "You should take the lunch break to reflect on yourself."

After she finished speaking, Heather walked away, pushing Serena out of her office.

During lunch break, everyone went out to eat in threes and twos, and then to stroll around nearby.

Only Serena was left alone in the office.

She couldn’t eat.

Although being criticized by her group leader put her in a bad mood, the bigger issue was that Serena couldn’t find a reason why none of her ten designs were accepted.

She had also studied the three designs Claire passed, but she didn’t think hers were worse.

"Sigh, could it be that my taste is really outdated?"

Serena fell into deep self-doubt.

"Working so hard that you’re not even eating?"

Serena turned her head towards the voice, and Peter was already standing behind her.

"What’s wrong with the designs? You look so upset."

Peter bent down and stared at Serena’s computer screen.

Serena told Peter truthfully about how none of her ten design drafts had passed.

"I’ve let you down, holding me in high regard, and now I can’t even think about eating." Serena propped her chin on her hands, seeing Peter’s expression grow heavier, she thought Peter must be disappointed in her.

Just as Chantelle Stone returned to the office to retrieve something, she saw Serena and Peter together right by the door.

From her angle, it looked as though Peter was hugging Serena from behind.

As a result, by the end of lunch break, Serena hadn’t eaten a single bite, and her stomach hurt a bit from hunger.

She saw a group of people gathered together discussing something when she went to make coffee, until a tall figure emerged from the crowd.

Caleb Lockwood had come to FY today to discuss project cooperation. He knew Serena was now an employee at FY, so even if he ran into her, it wasn’t surprising.

Serena didn’t greet Caleb, nor did Caleb acknowledge her.

They passed by each other, appearing as strangers to outsiders.

Serena saw that Caleb was holding a bouquet of pink roses, and without thinking, knew they were for Claire Shaw.

The coffee in her hand was already cold; she took a sip, and it tasted more bitter than usual.

Upon returning to the office, she heard Chantelle Stone and Megan Ross chatting as soon as she reached the door.

"Claire, your boyfriend is actually the President of the Lockwood Group?"

"You’ve hidden it too well!"

Claire Shaw admitted nothing, simply hugging the large bouquet of pink roses Caleb had given her, smiling shyly.

Serena didn’t want to enter the office and turned to pretend to fetch documents from the meeting room, only to be stopped inside.

Caleb Lockwood was in front of her like a tall wall, blocking Serena’s way.

Serena didn’t understand what Caleb wanted.

She guessed Caleb was here today to discuss business with FY, or to give Claire Shaw the bouquet of pink roses, conveniently handling business.

But either way, there was no need for him to appear before her.

After the previous incident at the hotel, Serena was a bit resistant to being alone with Caleb in a confined space.

In truth, she was both fearful and nervous.

Her hands were behind her back, her nails digging into her palms, her gaze not meeting Caleb’s.

The air in the meeting room was inexplicably cold, Serena wasn’t sure if it was the central air conditioning or Caleb’s presence causing it.

Caleb just silently blocked the door, leaving Serena puzzled and uneasy.

"I’ve heard..."

Finally, Caleb spoke.

Serena raised her face, full of confusion.

"What have you heard?"

"You’re the only designer in your department whose designs didn’t pass...Serena, don’t you feel ashamed?"

Serena was expecting Caleb to say something, but didn’t anticipate this.

"Designers will definitely encounter situations where their designs are not recognized; if you can’t bear this, I suggest changing careers."

Caleb chuckled at Serena’s platitudes, "What kind of self-comfort is that? It’s clear you’re not cut out for design. Instead of insisting, why not admit you have no talent...?"

These words made Serena furious.

She didn’t understand what Caleb was doing, coming here to specifically criticize her designs.

The atmosphere between them was tense.

Suddenly, Caleb grabbed Serena’s arm.

"Serena, come home!"

Serena was taken aback.

"If you still have any dignity, quit your job and obediently come home."

Serena fiercely shook off Caleb’s hand.

Caleb’s face turned dark.

"How long will you keep this up? You know I don’t have much patience."

Of course, Serena knew.

Because Caleb’s patience had been given to Claire Shaw.

"I won’t go back to being a housewife."

"You’re only good at being a housewife."

Serena opened her mouth, but was momentarily speechless.

At this moment, someone pushed open the meeting room door.

"What are you two doing here?"

Peter came in.

Caleb coldly glanced at Peter, "Does Director Peter have the habit of eavesdropping on others?"

Peter shrugged and smiled, "President Lockwood, this is my company."

"So, do I need your consent to talk to my wife? Did she sign an employment contract or a servitude agreement?"

Peter awkwardly scratched his head but didn’t hold back verbally.

"It’s a company, she didn’t sign a servitude agreement, but she must abide by company rules and corporate culture while at the company. President Lockwood, if you want to discuss family matters, do it at home. Or is it that because she’s divorcing you, you can’t see her even at home?"

Peter’s sarcastic implication wasn’t lost on Caleb, who turned to glare at Serena, as if questioning why she shared their private matters with an outsider.

The meeting room felt deprived of oxygen, making Serena feel suffocated.

"Everyone’s here!"

At this moment, someone else pushed the door open, it was Sophia Shepherd, the head of FY’s design department. Besides "Piano," all of FY’s globally renowned jewelry series were her creation.

Sophia Shepherd saw Caleb, turned and asked Peter with curiosity, "Is President Lockwood also joining?"

Caleb didn’t know what they planned to do in the meeting room, but instinctively felt it had something to do with Serena, so he unhesitatingly responded, "I’ll join."