CHAPTER 311: CHAPTER 311: SHE BELONGS TO HIM

Caleb Lockwood did not answer Serena Jennings’ question, his lips cold and thin, not only remaining shut but pressing together even tighter, forming a sharp line.

He stepped forward, closing in on Serena Jennings, one step at a time.

The distance between them kept decreasing, the air growing increasingly compressed.

Serena had nowhere to retreat, behind her was the floor-to-ceiling glass window.

As her back pressed against the icy glass, Caleb Lockwood’s hands suddenly braced on either side of her head.

"Why refuse to bring in the White Knight?"

Caleb Lockwood’s voice was as cold as ever, but this time, the emotion behind it was unmistakable.

Serena Jennings sensed Caleb Lockwood was angry.

"I have other plans..."

"Did Ethan White make you do this?"

Eyes locked, Caleb Lockwood’s eyes, dark as the night, gave Serena Jennings the feeling of being seen through.

His tone carried obvious reproach.

Serena remained silent.

Silence was akin to acquiescence.

"At this critical juncture where the company is precarious, he’s being emotional—and you’re being emotional too?"

Serena was vexed by Caleb Lockwood’s questioning.

"The Lockwood Group is no longer your company; you don’t need to concern yourself with it."

Serena tried to push Caleb Lockwood away, but instead, Caleb Lockwood grabbed her wrist and pinned it strongly against the floor-to-ceiling glass window.

"Do you think Ethan White’s little plan can resolve the current crisis?"

Caleb Lockwood admitted Serena Jennings did well, and Ethan White gave his utmost effort.

If it were merely an unexpected scandal, the current crisis management and legal responses, alongside compensation measures, could indeed revive the Lockwood Group.

However...

A businessman’s instinct told Caleb Lockwood that the seemingly inconspicuous shell company, Solara Tech, was in fact, a giant whale.

It would not easily give up until it swallowed the entire Lockwood Group.

It was even possible that this entire series of crises originated from its schemes.

At least before the scandal broke out, Mr. Miller had informed him that Solara Tech borrowed a large number of Lockwood Group stocks from the bank and then sold them all at once when the stock price surged after listing on FZZL.

Borrowing stocks to sell at a high point and repurchase at a low point is the basic way of short selling.

Obviously, the other party had anticipated the stock trend of the Lockwood Group.

"They’re clearly targeting the Lockwood Group, with ample funds and thorough preparation... Without the introduction of the White Knight, transfer of equity, a fragmented board is only a matter of time... Serena, even if you don’t think of yourself, you should consider the thousands of employees at Lockwood..."

"Since when did you become a preaching saint?"

Serena struggled hard to break free from Caleb Lockwood’s restraint, and before she could step forward, Caleb Lockwood pulled her back again.

"You can’t leave! I’m not done talking."

"Caleb Lockwood, let go of me!"

"To draw the line with me, you’ve decided to ignore the company’s fate, have you? Do you listen to Ethan White so fervently?"

Serena didn’t understand what madness had suddenly gripped Caleb Lockwood; he had been fairly composed while serving as her assistant earlier.

In the midst of the struggle, her head was cupped in Caleb Lockwood’s hands, and the scorching kiss landed upon her lips.

Serena’s mind exploded.

The suddenness left her momentarily stunned, and by the time she thought to resist, one of her hands was firmly grasped by Caleb Lockwood.

Caleb Lockwood’s kiss was domineering.

In Serena’s memory, it had been a long time since Caleb Lockwood kissed her with such dominance.

This kiss gave Serena a feeling of a male animal declaring its territory.

It was as if Caleb Lockwood was telling her in this way—

She belonged to him!

Though she desperately clenched her teeth, Caleb Lockwood’s forceful and cunning tongue still pried open her teeth, aggressing deeply as if unwilling to stop until he stirred her oral cavity into chaos.

Thin strands of saliva flowed along the corner of her mouth, her forced open jaw growing increasingly sore.

Caleb Lockwood gave her no chance to escape, holding her tightly against the floor-to-ceiling glass window.

The glass that had chilled her back grew warm, her clothes damp with sweat.

Not until Serena was nearly out of breath did Caleb Lockwood finally release her.

Pa!

The silent air of the office was torn apart by this slap.

Caleb Lockwood’s head was turned to the side.

Serena Jennings did not hold back on the slap; once it landed, her own palm tingled with numb pain.

Caleb Lockwood turned back to face Serena, looking at her.

Serena’s beautiful lips were swollen red from his kiss, her eyes slightly red at the edges.

Caleb Lockwood felt a sting at his chest, as if scraped by shattered glass.

"I only wanted to help you..."

"With your mouth?"

Serena’s voice was cold, her chest still heaving, whether from anger or the strong kiss just moments before.

She looked at Caleb Lockwood, extending a finger toward the office door.

"You can get out."

"Serena..."

"If you won’t leave, I will."

Serena’s gorgeous eyes were icy and decisive.

She stepped forward, brushing past Caleb Lockwood, striding out of her office.

At the moment the door closed, Caleb Lockwood’s figure suddenly seemed narrow and desolate.

Country C.

Royal Private Hospital.

Jasper Linton lay on the hospital bed, Aaron Linton stood before him.

It was now the early hours of the morning in Country C.

The lighting in the room was dim.

The yellowish nightlight cast over Jasper Linton, highlighting his already harshly thin face that seemed withered, akin to one close to death.

He had been brought in due to a sudden onset of heart disease.

And not without having been angered.

That day, Jasper Linton believed he was offering Caleb Lockwood an olive branch.

In truth, from the moment Caleb Lockwood lost the Lockwood Group, he was off the list of potential grandsons-in-law.

Even though the Lockwood Family remained a business magnate in Country A after losing the Lockwood Group, a man who failed to keep his company didn’t measure up to align with the Linton Family.

However, Wendy Linton liked Caleb Lockwood.

It must be known, the noble families wishing to join forces with the Linton Family were innumerable on a global scale.

The Lockwood Family once stood as the best choice.

Though not the only choice.

Had it not been for Wendy Linton’s pleading, he hadn’t truly thought of giving Caleb Lockwood the chance.

But to accommodate Wendy Linton, he compromised.

Jasper Linton could see that Caleb Lockwood was not fond of Wendy Linton.

But he promised Caleb Lockwood and the Lockwood Family their best project from the Linton Group; let alone Wendy Linton’s beauty and health, even if she were a disabled and ugly duckling, under the massive lure of interests, it would be hard for anyone to refuse.

And yet...

Caleb Lockwood suddenly smiled.

Caleb Lockwood’s appearance was strikingly handsome, drawing praise even from those of the same gender.

His features were right, brows like swords, eyes like stars, strong contours making him impossible to ignore, even with a highly aggressive presence.

With such a face, when he smiles, it is quite a sight.

Yet Jasper Linton did not like it.

In front of an elder like him, Caleb Lockwood’s mocking smile only felt starkly abrasive.

"Mr. Linton’s kind offer leaves the younger overwhelmed. Miss Linton is indeed very beautiful and accomplished..."