CHAPTER 305: CHAPTER 305: BEATEN WITH A FEATHER DUSTER

The capital of Country C, Aethelburg.

Caleb Lockwood was driving a deep space gray Koenigsegg up the winding mountain road.

The destination was the location Wendy Linton had sent him.

This was a piece of private land.

Just like in Country A, land in Country C can also be privately owned.

Caleb knew that the entirety of Mount Linton belonged to the Linton Family.

Along the way, he kept an eye out for that car he knew so well—

The imperial blue Bentley, which was now Serena Jennings’ car.

Caleb wondered if Serena would call him.

Because he was currently Serena’s assistant, as well as her driver, if what Wendy said was true and Serena was also coming to Country C for the birthday banquet, then it was very likely she would ask him to drive.

However, until the last moment, he didn’t receive a call from Serena.

He also didn’t proactively call Serena.

His intuition told him that Serena seemed to have an unspeakable relationship with the Linton Family.

When Caleb drove the car to the destination, he saw from afar the white BMW 3 Series parked in the parking lot.

Serena had really come.

But she hadn’t come in her previous car.

Caleb’s sharp eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Unless attending events as the General Manager of the Lockwood Group, Serena wouldn’t drive her previous car.

Is it that she’s not only rejecting him, but even rejecting his car?

Caleb sighed and got out of the car, looking around for Serena’s figure.

The only building on Mount Linton was Wendy Linton’s grandfather’s private residence.

Jasper Linton—

An oil tycoon in Country C, who steadily infiltrated through oil monopoly, eventually becoming the biggest capital power behind Country C.

He was Aaron Linton’s father and also Wendy Linton’s grandfather.

Jasper Linton’s seventieth birthday, Caleb had thought the gates of this residence would be bustling, with personalities from various circles coming to congratulate.

However, to Caleb’s surprise, the residence was very quiet, and the entrance was deserted.

Caleb handed his invitation to the guard at the gate and walked in casually.

This place was purely designed in Chinese style, with a courtyard in traditional Chinese garden style, pavilions, towers, and carved beams and painted rafters. Although it wasn’t quite like an ancient costume drama set, every corner exuded a classic and elegant atmosphere.

Caleb noticed many objects meant to ward off evil spirits, like Peach Wood Swords and Eight Diagrams Mirrors.

The entire residence faced south, with a water feature in front, winding and twisting, symbolizing wealth flowing continuously.

The courtyard was planted with auspicious bodhi trees, ginkgo, and purple bamboo.

Judging from the decoration and design of the private residence, its owner Jasper Linton must be a very meticulous person.

"Mr. Lockwood..."

At this moment, a man walked toward him.

"I am the butler here, you may call me Old Wang. Mr. Lockwood, you’ve come a long way and must be weary from the journey. Old Mr. Lowell is already waiting for you in the living room, please come this way."

Inside the Chinese-style living room.

Serena Jennings stood in front of Jasper Linton.

Aaron Linton, Jade Shaw, and Wendy Linton sat on either side.

The atmosphere in the entire living room was oppressive, even eerie.

The only person with a smile on their face was Wendy Linton.

Jasper Linton was Serena’s biological grandfather.

Yet facing Jasper, Serena’s face only showed coldness, as if the person before her was not her family but her enemy.

The two stared at each other for a while, then Serena stretched out her hand, palm facing Jasper.

Jasper didn’t move.

He just silently stared at Serena’s palm.

After a long time, he casually handed something to Serena—

It was a picture frame.

"Your destiny line has improved..."

The elderly voice had barely reached Serena’s ears before she turned around.

She had already achieved her purpose and had no need to stay any longer.

"Today is your grandfather’s seventieth birthday, won’t you even say a word of congratulations?!"

Jasper’s displeased tone shook everyone in the living room.

Serena’s grip on the picture frame tightened.

She turned her back to Jasper and after a moment, threw a cold smile at her biological grandfather.

"If I wish you a happy seventieth birthday, are you going to beat me with a feather duster again?"

After not seeing her for many years, this was the first time Jasper had seen such a sharp look on Serena’s face.

Like a knife, eager to stab into his heart.

"Everything I’ve done has been for the Linton Family!"

Jasper stomped his foot in anger.

Serena continued to smile coldly: "Then it has nothing to do with me, after all, my last name is Jennings."

Saying this, she strode out of the main residence.

Outside the main residence, the winding water feature made Serena stop in her tracks.

After so many years, Jasper hadn’t changed a bit.

Moreover, once people grew older, they only became more superstitious.

Serena stood by the water feature, her face somewhat pale.

The design style of this water feature was exactly the same as back in Country A.

And this exact same water feature only recalled bad memories for her.

Even now, Serena clearly remembered how she was punished by Jasper as a child.

When she was under six years old, out of curiosity she picked up the pixiu ornament placed in the living room’s fortune position and was then choked and thrown outside by Jasper, standing barefoot in the water feature during the bitter cold despite winter, her ankles aching as if they would crack.

Later, Aaron Linton and Jade Shaw returned, and she cried out "Mom, Dad" only for Jasper to whip her severely with a feather duster.

The pain of that time, the coldness of that time, Serena remembered vividly.

Moreover, Aaron Linton and Jade Shaw never stopped Jasper’s violence against her.

Not even a word of protest or plea.

The water feature was clear to the bottom, with a Tai Chi Eight Diagrams pattern made of obsidian and white crystal reflecting in Serena’s eyes.

Suddenly, Serena felt dizzy and weak.

"Be careful."

Before Serena’s entire body fell into the water feature, someone timely pulled her back.

Turning her head, Serena’s widened eyes reflected an extraordinarily handsome face.

The face was filled with worry and concern for her.

"Caleb Lockwood?"

Serena was a bit startled, "What are you doing here?"

As soon as she spoke, she realized that Caleb couldn’t have come on his own accord.

Without an invitation, it would be impossible to enter Jasper’s private residence.

"Did Wendy Linton ask you to come?"

Serena saw Caleb blink and remained silent.

This reaction implied consent.

As she tried to shake off Caleb’s hand, she heard Caleb say:

"Wendy said you would come, that’s why I came."

This made Serena smile:

"You make it sound like you came specifically for me."

"Serena... Did you know Wendy Linton when you were young?"

Caleb’s sudden question left Serena dumbfounded.

She stared at Caleb intently.

So what did Caleb know?

Had Caleb investigated her?

Or investigated Wendy Linton?

Serena fell into silence.

When she knew Wendy Linton, Wendy wasn’t called Wendy, and she wasn’t called Serena.

However, she didn’t have many interactions with Wendy Linton; rather than friends, they were childhood playmates.

Back then, before the Linton Family moved to Country C, they lived in Country A.

Wendy was her neighbor at that time.

But she wasn’t allowed to play outside often, so the times she played with Wendy weren’t many.

When Wendy became the adopted daughter of the Linton Family, she didn’t initially recognize her.