CHAPTER 269: CHAPTER 269: CHANGE OF HEART

It was in a confined classroom.

They were called students, but in fact, they were prisoners too.

When Caleb Lockwood first saw Ellie, he indeed looked at her twice.

Because she was very distinct.

Her long curly hair was dyed granny gray, she wore metal braces, and her brows showed a rebellious spirit.

Although she had clear and delicate features, there were noticeable freckles on her face.

Therefore, Caleb didn’t initially find Ellie particularly attractive.

Caleb watched Serena Jennings’ sleeping face and inexplicably overlapped it with the past image of Ellie.

"No..."

Caleb gently closed his eyes and shook his head forcefully.

He no longer sought Ellie.

Back then, he was so eager to reunite with Ellie that he mistook Claire Shaw for her when he heard the music.

That night, he was drenched in rain outside the juvenile detention center.

It was his farewell to his past self.

He had chosen to look forward now.

Back then, he was serious about that first love.

And now, he is serious about this relationship too.

Caleb slowly approached Serena.

Serena’s sleeping face seemed to magically attract him.

His gaze landed on her slightly parted, evenly breathing red lips.

Caleb seemed to catch a faint scent of fruit.

He wondered whether Serena was wearing some lip balm or if her lips were naturally sweet.

Caleb heard the strong beat of his heart in his chest.

He leaned forward, trying to press his lips tightly against Serena’s.

However, just as their lips met, Serena turned her head to the other side.

Caleb frowned, feeling somewhat discontent and a bit disappointed.

Serena hadn’t woken up, still asleep.

He sighed.

Actually, he could have turned Serena’s head back to kiss her again.

But he feared awaking Serena.

Serena seemed very tired, and Caleb wanted her to sleep a bit longer.

Although he couldn’t kiss Serena’s red lips for longer, being able to watch her sleeping face for a little longer, Caleb felt contented.

The royal blue Bentley left the rest area, and the sign overhead indicated that the highway was heading towards Country C.

Serena didn’t expect that after waking up, not only had the day turned to dusk, but she had also arrived in Country C.

She was covered with Caleb’s suit jacket.

The jacket had a faint scent of tobacco.

Serena frowned slightly.

"What’s wrong?"

Caleb noticed Serena’s change in expression while parking.

"Have you been smoking a lot lately?"

Serena regretted asking this as soon as the words left her mouth.

Whether Caleb smoked or how much he smoked was none of her business.

"Sorry if it bothered you..." Caleb casually took back the suit jacket.

Without the jacket, the cool air immediately wrapped around Serena’s thin body.

She silently got out of the car and realized they were indeed inside the Crescent Isle scenic area.

In front of her loomed the Isabelle Tower, with the restaurant situated on the 126th floor.

"You want to take me here for dinner?"

Serena looked up at the heights and, after a moment, glanced at Caleb beside her.

"Even if you spend lavishly, I won’t change my mind."

Her words were firm and resolute.

Caleb didn’t even furrow his brow; he simply responded calmly:

"Whether you change your mind is your affair... whether I spend lavishly is mine."

After speaking, he entered with Serena.

The Cloud Top is known as Country C’s most renowned restaurant, requiring formal attire to enter.

Serena remembered the last time she had been to Cloud Top, Ethan White had brought her on Valentine’s Day.

On that day, Ethan had prepared an eye-catching red dress for her, along with matching ruby jewelry.

Before entering Cloud Top, Caleb booked her a guest room.

Standing at the room door, Serena’s alertness was evident on her face.

"Don’t worry, it’s just for you to change clothes, I have no other intentions, and I won’t go in."

Caleb handed the key card to Serena and went to the room next door.

Only when Caleb’s tall figure disappeared behind the heavy door, did Serena breathe a sigh of relief.

She swiped the card and entered the room, and at first glance saw the wide-open wardrobe.

The wardrobe was filled with all kinds of evening dresses.

Diverse in colors and styles, each one was a high-end seasonal designer piece.

To the wardrobe’s left stood a European-style dressing table, adorned not only with a dazzling array of cosmetics but also with a large collection of jewelry, sparkling and radiant.

To the wardrobe’s right was a shoe cabinet, naturally filled with top luxury brand shoes.

Unexpectedly for Serena, the shoes were not all high heels; there were some trendy flat styles.

Serena crossed her arms and gave a mocking laugh: "What’s Caleb’s intention behind this?"

Testing her fashion sense?

The antique clock on the wall marked the passage of time.

After changing clothes, Serena opened the door to find a door-guard-like Caleb standing before her.

Caleb had changed clothes too, in a black satin tuxedo that exuded a discreet and luxurious aura, incomparably noble.

While Serena sized up Caleb, Caleb sized her up too.

"So, disappointed?"

Serena asked first.

Her ensemble wasn’t ornate, perhaps appearing dull to Caleb.

Serena wore the most conservative, simple dress from the wardrobe, pure black with no embellishments, standing out among the dresses solely by its sleek cut and perfect design.

She didn’t pair it with extravagant jewelry, only wearing Australian white pearl earrings.

Her shoes were flat ones she liked and found comfortable.

"You chose this look because you like it?"

"Yes."

Caleb received Serena’s affirmative response.

Serena only saw Caleb give a slight smile, with a captivating charm in the curve of his lips.

"That’s great, and very beautiful."

Caleb said this, naturally bending his arm to signal Serena to take it.

Serena saw but ignored it, striding forward swiftly.

Caleb lowered his arm with disappointment and followed.

The reason he prepared a room full of clothes for Serena was to discover what she truly liked.

Before, he never knew what Serena favored, even when they were married.

But now, he finally knew.

Serena liked black, and preferred conservative and comfort.

When entering Cloud Top with Caleb, Serena immediately saw five people seated by the window—

Arthur Lockwood, Lilian Young, Aaron Linton, Jade Shaw, and—

Wendy Linton.

Wendy’s attire was the complete opposite of Serena’s.

Her golden waves were pinned up, adorned with diamond headpieces that blinded.

The gown, mixing gold and silver, was sewn full of sequins.

The fifteen-centimeter high heels also sparkled.

Serena thought Wendy resembled a giant luminous body.

Subconsciously, she turned to look at Caleb.

She had originally thought Caleb deliberately brought her to contrast with Wendy!

In fact, Caleb’s face bore a dark expression, as if he were ready to eat people, obviously annoyed that the five people ahead interrupted his crucial date.

"We’ll just enjoy our meal."

No sooner had Caleb spoken than Arthur suddenly waved to him.

"Caleb..."

The next moment, Arthur noticed there was also Serena beside Caleb.