CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: DROWNING SORROWS IN DRINK

Serena’s face carried a faint smile of self-mockery, but inside, her heart twisted in pain.

If she hadn’t mistaken Caleb’s love for her at the time, and had just been moved to tears by the diamond’s size, it would have been better.

Without further explanation, Serena turned and left.

Letting Caleb misunderstand her as coveting his money wasn’t all bad.

"Miss Jennings!"

Suddenly, someone called her from behind. Serena turned her head, surprised and wide-eyed.

The person had blonde hair and blue eyes, dressed in designer clothes, obviously a lady of high status.

Claire had been boasting to her best friend about her pink diamond flower ring when Caleb headed towards the unfamiliar lady.

"President Lowell, it’s been a while. You still look as beautiful as ever."

Caleb proactively greeted Vester Lowell.

"Long time no see, President Lockwood."

Vester Lowell reached out to shake hands with Caleb.

They exchanged a few pleasantries, but Vester Lowell’s attitude towards Caleb was not particularly warm, just basic courtesy.

When Caleb returned to his side, Claire couldn’t help but ask:

"Caleb, who is that lady?"

"Vester Lowell, the only daughter of an oil tycoon, and wife of the domestic real estate giant, CEO of the Li Group."

Claire covered her mouth in shock, not expecting the other party to have such a big background, no wonder Caleb would approach her proactively.

In Caleb’s impression, Vester Lowell was proud, unimpressed by many wealthy and influential figures in the business world.

However, he saw Vester Lowell enthusiastically grab Serena’s hand.

"Miss Jennings, I never expected to meet you here, are you also here to buy jewelry like me?"

Vester Lowell turned her head and immediately spotted the Piano Queen Pendant in a separate display case.

"Oh, I get it, you want that, don’t you?"

Serena couldn’t stop it in time, Vester Lowell had already swiped her card to buy the necklace and personally placed it on Serena’s neck.

The Piano Queen Pendant’s brilliance was blinding.

Watching helplessly as the diamond jewelry she loved and wasn’t qualified to buy, not even Caleb could purchase, now hung around Serena’s neck, Claire gritted her teeth in hatred but had to maintain a facade of serenity.

Serena was completely stunned.

"Mrs. Lowell, this..."

"You haven’t had dinner yet, right? I’ll treat you. What do you like to eat? I know a very delicious place!"

Vester Lowell forcefully pulled Serena into the elevator.

Claire and others left behind exchanged glances.

"It seems... Serena has met quite a few big names since following President Ning!" Claire whispered while sneakily observing Caleb’s reaction.

Caleb’s handsomely unmatched face was cold as ice, indifferent and expressionless.

Not angry, nor looking at Serena with newfound respect.

Claire secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Let’s go have dinner!" She linked her arm with Caleb’s.

"Alright." Caleb and Claire walked ahead, his eyes remained cold.

By the time Serena walked out of the mall, it was completely dark outside.

The darker it got, the more dazzling the city lights appeared.

Tonight, she unexpectedly benefited from misfortune.

Vester Lowell was a VIP client of FY black diamonds and a devoted supporter of the piano series.

One of the few who knew Serena as the master designer of the piano series.

Serena had met Vester Lowell three years ago.

Vester Lowell admired the piano series designer immensely, regarding her as an idol.

Because of her good relationship with Peter privately and being a VIP client Peter had to maintain, Peter pleaded with Serena to meet her.

Serena did not refuse and upon meeting, requested that her identity be kept secret.

Vester Lowell kept her promise.

Serena thought Vester Lowell would have forgotten her, but didn’t realize her enthusiasm remained unchanged.

Vester Lowell treated her to dinner, Serena didn’t hold back, and courtesy was useless.

But the Piano Queen Pendant was indeed too valuable and she resolutely couldn’t accept it, but Vester Lowell said if Serena didn’t accept it, she would divorce her husband.

Serena felt helpless and couldn’t understand how these two were logically linked.

Ultimately, she accepted the jewelry but didn’t wear it, to avoid being too flashy.

She hailed a taxi at the curb, and before the car arrived, her phone rang.

The caller ID was an unknown number, but the number had sequential digits, indicating it was bought with money.

Serena hesitated but answered the call.

"Hello, who is this?"

"Serena, come quickly!"

It was Patrick Rhodes’s voice coming through the receiver, and Serena’s eyes widened in surprise.

Seeing that Serena didn’t respond, Patrick continued: "Brother Lockwood is drunk. We’re at the club now! Brother Lockwood said if you don’t come, he’ll drink himself to death here."

Serena really wanted to ask Patrick, where’s Claire?

However, she was first pulled up by Vester Lowell into the elevator, so wasn’t sure if Caleb stayed with Claire afterward.

Even if Caleb wasn’t with Claire, why would he go to a club to get drunk?

Is there a need to drown in drink?

Serena couldn’t understand.

Surely it wasn’t because he saw her close to Vester Lowell, and felt upset?

Serena smiled bitterly, thinking she might be overthinking.

"If he’s drunk, just take him home or call Mr. Miller."

Serena finished speaking and hung up the phone.

Less than three seconds later, the same number called again.

It was still Patrick.

"Serena, please be kind, Brother Lockwood really wants to see you, no one else is able to persuade him!"

Serena hung up again.

Then Patrick called a third time.

"You know Brother Lockwood’s temper. I don’t know what happened between you two, but Brother Lockwood is really drunk because of you this time, he insists on seeing you, only you can take him home."

Patrick’s tone through the receiver grew increasingly anxious and tense, and Serena’s grip on her phone tightened.

Late at night.

The taxi stopped in front of Modern Times.

Inside the club, the lighting was poor, the corridor wasn’t narrow, but some guests stood in it cuddling scantily dressed beauties.

This was Serena’s first time here.

She threaded through clusters of guests, searching for a long time before finally finding the private room Patrick told her about.

Opening the door, the first thing Serena saw was Caleb sitting on the sofa.

Caleb seemed relaxed, not only having loosened his tie but also the top three buttons of his shirt, revealing his elegantly defined collarbone.

He had his legs crossed, holding a half-smoked cigarette in one hand, and embracing Claire with the other—

He didn’t look at all like the drunkard mentioned in Patrick’s call.

Caleb, seeing Serena, though the room was dimly lit, Serena caught the smile in his dark eyes.

"Damn! Losing again!"

Beside him, a man stomped his foot hard.

Meanwhile, Patrick was laughing heartily, slapping his thigh.

"Hahaha! What did I say? I told you I would win, didn’t I?"

Serena stood at the door, instantly understanding—