CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 24: NEW ROMANCE REVEALED

Rumors started circulating within Serena Jennings’s own PO department, with colleagues claiming that the new craft was initially thought up by Claire Shaw, and Serena plagiarized Claire’s ideas.

It’s a lie to say Serena isn’t bothered by this.

But the rumors have already formed and are spreading vividly, and she can’t explain it to everyone she meets. Even after explaining, people wouldn’t believe her and think she’s making it worse.

As the saying goes, prejudice in one’s heart is like a mountain; no matter how hard you try, you can’t move it.

Serena knows very well that quite a few colleagues in the company didn’t like her right from the start.

Still, the PO series is selling well, and she hasn’t let Peter down. Serena feels no guilt herself.

Today, Serena is working overtime again.

The big IP modern urban fashion drama "Surprise Life," invested by Starlight Media, requires designing several sets of original jewelry. Seeing the success of the PO series, they proactively partnered with FY, appointing Serena to take charge of this major project.

Serena worked overtime until after 8 p.m. When she left FY, it was already pitch black outside.

Beep beep!

A car honked at her from the roadside.

This car was the latest Ferrari sports model, very eye-catching, with classic and dazzling racing red metallic paint that makes people want to take another look.

Serena couldn’t recall anyone she knew driving such a car.

Caleb Lockwood prefers luxury cars with a strong business feel rather than sports models.

Thinking the person wasn’t Caleb, Serena cautiously approached the car.

"Serena, it’s me."

The top was open, and Serena saw Justin Nash sitting inside the car.

Justin Nash looked the same as ever, wearing a comfortable sports outfit, with a fresh and bright expression and a radiant smile, looking every bit like a college student just stepping into the world—

totally out of place with this car.

Serena froze, called up into the car by Justin Nash.

Justin spoke that he was about to graduate and already found a new job with a big company, and he just bought this car.

Justin’s words were vague, and Serena didn’t inquire further.

However, in Serena’s impression, it’s unlikely that even a big company would offer a very high salary to fresh graduates.

The dinner was Justin Nash’s treat, and after finishing the meal, Serena proactively suggested going shopping at the mall with Justin, much to his surprise.

"You’re now a member of society and have joined a big company, so you should have a good suit. I’ll buy you one as a congratulatory gift for graduating and securing a good job."

"How could I accept, you shouldn’t spend so much."

Seeing Justin’s face turn red, Serena couldn’t help but laugh.

In the mall, there’s a suit shop Serena is quite familiar with, the suit quality is high there, having visited a few times previously.

Back then, every visit was to pick out clothing for Caleb Lockwood.

I remember just after getting married, Serena couldn’t help but want to buy new clothes for Caleb.

With a handsome, wealthy husband who loved her, Serena felt very proud and focused on being a good wife who supports her husband.

But the store specializes in bespoke tailoring, and each time Serena messaged Caleb, hoping he’d visit after work to get measured and try on clothes.

Every time Caleb would make excuses.

If it wasn’t company matters, it was a sudden business trip, or social engagements.

Not willing to give up, Serena bought several non-custom versions, matching Caleb’s size.

Yet, once home they were either criticized by Caleb for the tailoring or despised for the material.

Essentially, there was complaint about everything.

After hitting obstacles a few times, Serena gradually stopped buying, and the suits she did purchase still gather dust in the wardrobe today, never worn by Caleb.

Originally, Justin Nash didn’t want Serena to spend so much, even though her salary at FY was decent. But since she was quarreling with Caleb about the divorce, there were many future expenses ahead.

Nonetheless, when Serena proactively offered to gift him a high-end suit, he was so happy he could nearly shed tears of joy.

They already reached the door of the suit shop, but then Justin Nash noticed Serena hesitated to enter.

Serena was lost in thought.

Her eyes were glued to the suits inside the store but her gaze went beyond the suits.

Justin Nash observed Serena’s face.

Serena was truly beautiful, the most beautiful person he’d ever seen.

Yet at this moment, the expression on this angelic face made Justin Nash feel painful.

To him, Serena had always been strong.

But there’s just one person who can make Serena, the strong woman, red-eyed and heartbroken.

Justin Nash clenched his fists tightly.

"Let’s go, we’re not buying the suit anymore."

Suddenly, Serena was pulled along by Justin Nash, holding hands as they walked.

She was thoroughly bewildered, just like that, walked some distance hand in hand with Justin.

"Justin Nash, what’s wrong with you?"

Serena felt Justin seemed angry.

"Sorry, it’s my fault, let’s go back now and buy!"

Serena misunderstood, thinking she angered Justin by dawdling too long.

"No, it’s not that, I’m angry about..."

Seeing Justin hesitate, Serena was bewildered.

Suddenly realizing, her gaze fell onto Justin’s hand.

That hand till now was still holding hers.

"Ah, sorry, sorry, so sorry..."

Justin hastily let go, his face turning red like a monkey’s rear, his fingertips still carrying the cool and delicate touch.

Eventually, Serena still took Justin back to the suit shop, bespoke tailored a suit for him.

Justin originally wanted to save Serena’s money, choosing the cheapest styles and materials.

But Serena was adamant.

"I don’t care, I’m the customer, I make the selection."

Serena was tough this time, ultimately spending over 200,000 on top-grade wool material.

A material she once chose for Caleb, but sadly he didn’t like it.

As they left the suit shop, Justin was still worried if he’d made Serena spend too much money, but seeing Serena’s radiant smile, it seemed she felt quite pleased spending the money.

Meanwhile, Claire was in a beauty parlor getting a spa treatment when her phone buzzed with a message from Lily Sutton.

Lily Sutton: Guess what I just saw?

Claire initially wasn’t interested and was about to hit the screen-off button when Lily suddenly sent several photos all at once.

These photos made Claire increasingly excited, with a progressively sinister smile blossoming on her face.

The next day, as soon as Serena arrived at the company, she noticed colleagues pointing and whispering about her.

Not until Peter called her into his office did she learn she made the hot search.

The hot search content was:

"New Starlight Media president’s romance exposed! Wedding plans underway?"

The accompanying photos left Serena speechless.

Those were taken while Serena was picking out suits for Justin.

Justin holding her hand was given a large close-up, along with shots of her comparing different suit fabrics on Justin.

These photos strung together did indeed look ambiguously like a couple readying to marry.

Even more surprising to Serena, was a photo of the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Starlight Media in the news.

The image of Justin was so unfamiliar Serena almost didn’t recognize him.

Justin was wearing the suit Serena gifted him last night, standing prominently among many leaders, slicking his hair back.

Serena didn’t know whether it was the suit or hairstyle change, but Justin transformed from a naive college student to a mature, composed executive.

Calling him merely an executive was likely an understatement. From the introduction, Justin was actually the heir to one of the business giants, The Nash Group.

And her identity was also exposed, the news alleging "Surprise Life" collaborated with FY because Justin misused his position for her.

The hot search was fermenting.

Meanwhile, Caleb, who was at the company, specifically returned home.

He rummaged through the closet at home, finally finding that suit he never wore.