CHAPTER 315: CHAPTER 315: COMPLETELY UNPREPARED

"Well, that adviser of yours is really impressive. Please thank him for me!"

Serena Jennings finished speaking and noticed that Ethan White’s expression wasn’t very pleasant.

Logically speaking, now that The Lockwood Group had finally weathered the crisis, Ethan should be feeling the same post-crisis relief as she was.

However, Ethan White’s expression was very grave, clearly weighed down by concerns.

"Ethan, what’s wrong?"

Ethan came to his senses, smiled, though his smile remained cultured and refined, it felt somewhat unnatural compared to usual.

"Nothing... I was thinking about Julian Xavier... I mean, the corporate spy who has been impersonating Julian Xavier."

Upon hearing Ethan say this, Serena couldn’t help but frown.

In the folder Ethan had given her, there was an investigation report indicating that the upstream company of Mansa Tech was actually a company registered in Meridia known as the Ace Group.

Meridia had left some psychological shadows for Serena.

Because it was there that she had been kidnapped and had narrowly escaped death.

"Should we make a trip to Meridia?"

Serena asked Ethan.

It’s clear that the opposing side has considerable influence in Meridia; even if she managed to obtain paperwork from Country A’s securities regulatory commission, local law enforcement in Meridia might not cooperate.

Rather than that, it would be better to take her own bodyguards and private investigators to the Ace Group company in Meridia, and with luck, she might be able to encounter the commercial spy posing as Julian Xavier.

"Alright, good."

Ethan nodded in agreement.

Actually, he hadn’t been thinking about Julian Xavier just moments ago.

He was thinking about Caleb Lockwood.

He was deeply afraid of the day Serena would find out the truth.

And when Serena discovered that the person who truly helped her retrieve the company was actually Caleb and not him, what would she think of him then?

Ethan let out a silent sigh.

They flew to Meridia that evening.

At this hour, even if they went to the Ace Group, it was unlikely they would find any employees there.

"Let’s find a place to stay for the night!"

Ethan suggested.

Thus, Serena and Ethan chose to stay at The Sovereign Grand Hotel.

They didn’t know that as they walked side by side into the hotel, a pair of eyes was watching them.

Like an eagle soaring in the night sky, these eyes were bright and sharp, hooked to every movement.

"President Lockwood..."

Mr. Miller was sitting in the driver’s seat, turning his head to glance at Caleb Lockwood seated in the back seat.

Caleb exuded a chill in the car as if the air conditioning was set to its highest level.

"Should I go down and take a look?"

"No need."

Caleb replied crisply and decisively, then opened the car door and got out himself.

In the pitch-dark living room, only the laptop was glowing.

On it displayed the K-line chart of The Lockwood Group.

Ever since Halycon Island’s Cygnus Biotech announced the acquisition of The Lockwood Group’s circulating shares at prices above market value, the stock price of The Lockwood Group soared crazily as if on a stimulant.

joker had previously relied on short-selling to amass a fortune, combined with the funds he had accumulated over the years for this very day, was originally sufficient to swallow the Lockwood whole, achieving his long-standing ambition.

However...

In the darkness, the once youthful and age-defying baby face now looked ghostly.

Suddenly, joker drew out a gun from his waist and shot his laptop.

"If I can’t snatch The Lockwood Group... What other means do I have... to destroy you?"

The Sovereign Grand Hotel.

Serena and Ethan’s rooms were separate, as they hadn’t made a reservation in advance, the remaining rooms were not adjacent to each other.

In the room, Serena sipped coffee while ensuring the itinerary for the next day.

She contacted a local international detective agency and security company to ensure she and Ethan would have some personnel with them when they visited Ace Group the next day.

Suddenly the door was knocked.

Serena stood up, thinking it was Ethan.

"Room service."

Through the peephole, Serena saw a hotel attendant.

He was dressed in a white shirt with trousers, wearing a conspicuous apron with a floral pattern around his waist.

On the room service cart in front of him, there were various bowls and plates.

But Serena couldn’t see the attendant’s face clearly as he wore a large mask over it.

"Bringing you welcome fruits and desserts."

Serena opened the door, allowing the attendant to push the serving cart in.

Once inside, he immediately closed the door.

"You, a young woman, have no sense of caution at all?"

Serena chuckled while facing away from the attendant as she listened to him speaking in his original voice.

"Because I know it’s you."

Caleb was taken aback, removed the mask, revealing his strikingly handsome and extraordinary face.

He saw Serena turned to face him, her bright eyes showing no trace of surprise.

Clearly, Serena wasn’t lying; she recognized him from the start.

Caleb felt a bit of frustration.

He feared Serena wouldn’t let him in, so he deliberately disguised himself as a hotel attendant, even tying up the apron with floral design.

Caleb dressed like this was indeed a first for Serena.

"So what brings you to me?"

Serena’s tone and expression made Caleb unable to fathom her thoughts.

Even when looking through the peephole, despite the other person wearing such a large and tight mask, just aligning with those eyes instantly told Serena who it was.

Even Serena herself hadn’t realized she knew Caleb so well.

It was because of her understanding of Caleb that she let him in.

If she had refused Caleb at the door, he would definitely resort to more extreme means to get close to her—

This is Caleb.

The Caleb she is familiar with.

Serena reckoned forcing Caleb would be inviting trouble for herself, so she’d rather let him in and hear what he wanted to say.

Caleb hesitated to speak.

The last time he and Serena parted was not on good terms.

He didn’t know if Serena was still upset over him kissing her forcefully.

"I apologize for what happened last time. I’m sorry, I acted impulsively."

Serena was taken aback.

Had she heard wrong?

Caleb actually apologized to her.

In the past, when looking at Caleb, his eyebrows always conveyed arrogance and dominance.

At this moment, however, Serena felt Caleb’s brows had a hint of humility.

"Forget it, I didn’t take it to heart. If that’s all you wanted to say, you can leave now."

As Serena was about to turn away, Caleb grabbed her hand.

"Wait a minute."

Serena lowered her gaze, eyes landing on her hand held by Caleb.

Her hand had been washed just now, a bit cold, didn’t expect Caleb’s hand to be colder.

Before Serena could push him away, Caleb released her hand voluntarily.

"I haven’t eaten yet, will you join me for a bite?"

Caleb spoke, taking down the food from the cart.

Serena glanced at these snacks, felt they weren’t made by the hotel.

Because they seemed a bit rough.

"These cookies and cupcakes were baked by you, right?"

Upon hearing this, Serena saw a hint of embarrassment on Caleb’s face, having his little secret exposed.

"I just borrowed the hotel kitchen for a bit..."

He handed a cookie to Serena.

"Would you like to try it?"

Serena didn’t hesitate, took the cookie and bit into it.

After the long journey, she felt a bit hungry.

Caleb’s homemade cookies were better than she had imagined.

They had a strong milk flavor and a crispy texture.

However, she only ate one, didn’t eat a second.

She and Caleb sat side by side on the sofa, with the delicate desserts in front.

If they hadn’t divorced, seeing them like this, others might have thought they were on a sweet date.

"Caleb..."

Serena turned her head, unexpectedly meeting Caleb’s gaze.

"You really don’t need to waste your time on me; it’s just a waste."