CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: MADLY IN LOVE WITH CLAIRE SHAW

Caleb Lockwood: What did you have for dinner?

Serena Jennings stared at these few words for ten minutes, without replying.

The drowsiness she felt disappeared, and she tossed and turned before finally falling asleep late.

The Lockwood Group’s annual gala was scheduled at the Riverview Grand Hotel’s 57th-floor revolving buffet.

Employees were allowed to bring one or two relatives or friends to accompany them.

Serena only brought Lana Xavier, considering Justin Nash’s current status, it didn’t seem appropriate for him to come to the Lockwood Group.

Tonight was Lana Xavier’s first time wearing a formal gown, and she was so thrilled she nearly twisted her ankle.

The gown was a gift from Serena, who selected the off-shoulder style most suitable for Lana.

The strapless blue velvet dress Serena wore was also from ZM.

According to Lockwood Group’s tradition, the host invites Caleb Lockwood to deliver a speech every year, as the opening of the gala.

However, this year, the format changed.

It turned into Caleb Lockwood inviting a lady to dance the opening dance.

The person Caleb invited was naturally Claire Shaw, who was even more luxurious and dazzling today with her makeup, hairstyle, and gown, and though also pink, it exuded a sense of brilliance that overshadowed others.

The two held hands and embraced each other’s waists, dancing gracefully in front of the entire company.

"What’s the difference from an official announcement?"

Serena heard Christine Warren say behind her.

"Official announcement what official announcement, do you know..."

Before Lana could turn around and finish speaking, Serena immediately shushed her.

She didn’t want anyone at the company to know about her relationship with Caleb Lockwood.

Even though the divorce had been unilaterally delayed by Caleb, as long as the two lived separately for two years, she still had the opportunity to file for divorce.

Since divorce was inevitable sooner or later, there was no need to let more people know, especially those in the company.

Otherwise, Caleb would undoubtedly think she was deliberately exposing her identity, claiming she wanted a divorce when actually, she had no intention of leaving.

Before her were Caleb Lockwood and Claire Shaw, dancing.

Serena had to admit that Claire danced this waltz exceptionally well, her steps were precise, her demeanor elegant, like a beautiful swan.

After the dance ended, Claire sat at a black grand piano on stage and played Tchaikovsky’s "The Seasons".

The piano sound was elegant and fluent, moving and receiving countless applause.

Claire was exceptional.

Serena agreed.

Since Claire was so outstanding, what was Caleb still hesitating about?

Why not divorce her earlier and formally bring Claire into the Lockwood Family?

Serena felt a bit agitated.

Seeing others get lost in the piano performance, her inner turmoil doubled.

Squeezing out from the spectators, she and Lana initially wanted to find a quiet spot for some drinks, but unexpectedly Lily Sutton and Owen Warren arrived.

"See that? Claire truly exemplifies a noble lady. She’s grade ten in piano; someone else playing on a dual keyboard was just sheer luck." Lily stood with her hands on her hips, displaying an arrogant demeanor.

Lana, now itching to hit them upon seeing both Lily and Owen’s faces, had already caused Serena trouble once and dared not hit anyone again.

Serena looked at Lily, then at Owen, and smiled.

"Congratulations, your faces have recovered pretty nicely."

The memory of being beaten to a pulp resurfaced instantly, making Lily and Owen’s expressions change drastically.

"Don’t be so arrogant!" Owen clenched the high-stemmed glass in his hand, glaring at Serena, "Do you really think you’re some wealthy lady? Let me tell you, in President Lockwood’s eyes, you’re just a nanny, Claire is his true love."

"Exactly, the shameless mistress, occupying the nest."

"How low must one be to stay despite knowing the person has a true love."

"Just look in the mirror and see if a yellow-faced woman like you deserves someone like President Lockwood."

Being pointed at and insulted by Lily and Owen, Serena indeed understood why Lana couldn’t resist hitting them.

This was still at the Lockwood Group’s gala; undoubtedly, the insults were worse privately.

Lana wasn’t great at verbal sparring, and she couldn’t hit anyone now, intending to pull Serena away from this troublesome place.

Unexpectedly, Serena quietly stood her ground until Lily and Owen’s insults stopped.

"Are you done?" Serena’s face remained calm, as she unhurriedly took a sip of her drink, and said to Lily and Owen:

"You say Caleb truly loves Claire, then why won’t he marry her? I can at least be a nanny; is Claire not even fit to be a nanny?"

"Also, Caleb and I have a marriage certificate, what do Claire and Caleb have? Whatever it is, I welcome you to provide it as Caleb’s extramarital affair evidence."

"I advise you two, rather than waste time insulting me here, you’d better try persuading Caleb. By the time Claire is old and still a mistress, you two will only be stray dogs."

Serena finished her rebuttal cheerfully, but then Owen splashed wine all over her.

Before she could speak, Lana beside her cried out in surprise.

The commotion attracted the attention of many, including Caleb Lockwood and Claire Shaw.

"Ayo, what’s going on?" Claire’s concern for Owen was expressed verbally, but the triumph in her eyes was obvious upon seeing Serena soaked in wine.

Serena originally thought she’d definitely be despised by Caleb in such a sorry state.

However, Caleb was the first to offer her a napkin.

Caleb’s gaze was gentler than she expected, and his handsome face was dazzlingly handsome from any angle.

Taking the napkin from Caleb’s hand, Serena hesitated slightly but still said, "Thank you."

This incident indirectly involved Caleb, but she could not lay the blame on him.

"Sorry, Serena, Ayo didn’t mean it." Claire apologized, nervously clutching Caleb’s arm as if fearing Serena would pursue the matter.

"Whether it was intentional will be clear once we check the surveillance." Serena replied coldly.

"How about this? How much is your dress? I’ll replace... "

Before she finished the word "compensate," Caleb calmly took over, "I’ll compensate."

The disturbance drew many onlookers, and as Caleb offered to compensate on Claire’s behalf, the onlookers’ focus notably shifted.

"President Lockwood and Claire must be dating, right?"

"I heard President Lockwood’s pursuing Claire."

"His first love and true affection, President Lockwood’s been after her for years without success!"

The gossiping crowd speculated noisily.

Here, Claire feigned courtesy with Caleb, her face as red as a ripe apple.

Serena felt as though she was once again a pawn in Caleb and Claire’s play.

Caleb initially used her to retaliate against Claire, and now was using her in his pursuit of Claire.

To think she’d felt a moment of hesitation when Caleb handed her the napkin, Serena mocked herself.

"Tell me, how much is your dress?"

"Three million."

Once Serena said this, the place erupted in shock.

"Serena, isn’t that asking for too much?" Christine Warren was the first to step out, pointing at Serena indignantly, "How much is your monthly salary? Less than ten thousand, right! Can you afford a three-million dress? Do you think anyone believes what you’re saying?"

Prompted by Christine, others began to point fingers at Serena.

"Isn’t she President Lockwood’s secretary? Daring to extort her own boss, she doesn’t want the job anymore?"

"Three million, well worth resigning once she actually gets it!"

"The one they said only has a high school degree is her, isn’t it?"

"No wonder... She probably had that in mind from the start."

Lana beside her was so tense she couldn’t move.

She absolutely didn’t expect Serena’s gown gift to be from a store that expensive!

She believed Serena wasn’t lying.

But where did Serena get so much money?

"Alright, three million, I’ll pay."

Caleb agreed readily.

While many commented that Caleb was deeply in love with Claire, they suddenly saw Caleb lift Serena and carry her on his shoulder, striding out of the buffet.