CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 57: PUTTING ON A SHOW FOR FRIENDS

"Serena, why didn’t you show up the day before yesterday? If something comes up, you should request leave in advance or on the day. Even though I’m hospitalized, you can always message me on WeChat."

Claire casually asked Serena while making coffee.

"Hmm, I’ll pay attention next time." Serena replied lightly and left the break room with her coffee.

Claire noticed Serena seemed to want to play down the incident with Dylan Quinn, pretending it never happened.

She took out her phone and contacted joker.

The collaboration project between Lockwood Group and Riverbend Properties is progressing smoothly. The Grand Culinary Center officially opened today, and the company broadcast the ribbon-cutting ceremony on the big screen.

In the cafeteria, many people watched the live broadcast while eating because Caleb Lockwood on the screen was indeed pleasing to the eye.

Serena continued eating quietly, her head down.

Caleb Lockwood, fully aware that Dylan Quinn wanted to drug her and came close to succeeding, still stood beside him as if nothing had happened, smiling while cutting the ribbon.

The braised pork in the cafeteria used to be delicious, Serena used to polish it off without leaving a drop.

However, this time she barely touched her food, wasting it all.

In the afternoon, Caleb Lockwood sent Serena a WeChat message calling her to the general manager’s office.

Serena thought that Caleb didn’t use the internal phone because the design department’s internal calls all went through to the leader, Claire.

Caleb probably didn’t want Claire to know he was looking for her.

Maybe he was afraid Claire would misunderstand?

Serena arrived at Caleb’s office door, took a deep breath before entering.

Actually, she didn’t really want to see Caleb.

At least not recently.

The last time they had a falling out at her doorstep, meeting again now would only make both feel awkward.

"President Lockwood, I’m here."

Serena knocked before pushing the door open and walking in.

Caleb looked at her as usual, merely glancing before continuing his work.

Serena felt a tightness in her chest.

Rightfully so, Caleb didn’t care about Dylan Quinn’s attempt to violate her, so how could he care about their previous argument.

"Join me at Royal Oasis tomorrow."

Caleb said casually.

Serena knew Royal Oasis was a high-end golf club.

"Caleb, we seem to have just had a fight..."

Her reminder finally made Caleb lift his distinguished head.

"Do you think I’m trying to please you?"

Serena shook her head.

This much self-awareness she did possess.

Caleb chuckled, "Mason Warren and Vera Vance are coming here on a business trip, invited us to play golf."

Serena was not unfamiliar with these names.

They were the children of Lance Lockwood’s comrades, among the few who knew Serena was Caleb’s wife.

No wonder Caleb needed her for the social event.

"You’re not going to tell me you’re not going, are you?"

Caleb’s words, though casual, had a hint of threat.

Serena would go for her grandfather’s sake.

But only for her grandfather’s sake.

"Do we need to stay overnight?"

After she asked, Caleb snickered.

"Are you looking forward to it?"

Caleb’s gaze had no warmth, yet the mischievous smile curling his lips made her heart restless.

Serena turned and left, with Caleb’s voice trailing behind her.

"Remember to pack a change of clothes."

Closing the office door, Serena couldn’t help but regret agreeing so hastily.

At closing time, Caleb appeared as usual at the entrance of the design department.

Claire gathered her things and, under the envious gaze of colleagues, was cheerfully picked up by Caleb.

Serena wanted to leave too, but received a WeChat message from Caleb asking her to wait for him at the company.

She replied: business or personal?

Caleb: personal.

So Serena didn’t wait.

She planned to take the company shuttle or subway home, but before she could decide, a black Passat appeared before her.

The driver was Mr. Miller.

"Miss Jennings, please get in the car."

"No need," Serena replied politely, "I can take the subway myself."

"I’m not offering you a ride."

Mr. Miller’s words puzzled Serena.

"President Lockwood instructed me."

Serena’s expression changed slightly.

Though she didn’t want to be beholden to Caleb, she didn’t want to make things difficult for Mr. Miller either, so eventually, she got in the car.

Mr. Miller took Serena to a mall and directly to the store Caleb had specified.

Seeing Caleb arrive late made Serena find it funny.

Caleb could have simply picked her up while dropping Claire off at home.

But perhaps he worried about Claire’s reluctance or feared misunderstanding at the company.

Ultimately, compared to Claire as the mistress, she, the legitimate wife, was delivered to the mall by the assistant.

More like a mistress.

Seeing Serena slightly unhappy, Caleb proactively spoke, "Pick anything you like from here, I’ll buy them for you."

His consistently indifferent attitude, yet perpetually charismatic.

Serena knew Caleb was buying her clothes for tomorrow’s meeting with friends.

The shop’s clothes were expensive, although she could afford them, since it was for Caleb’s social event, it was fitting for him to spend.

Serena didn’t hold back and tried on many outfits.

Caleb waited on the sofa, saying nothing.

He had bought clothes for Serena before, knowing her sizes well.

Occasionally, he would take Serena to try on clothes personally.

But Serena never expressed her opinions or preferences; he made all the decisions.

So he chose clothes for Serena according to Claire’s taste.

All pink.

Even though Serena didn’t fit the sweet-looking mold like Claire.

Yet Serena’s features were elegant and prominent, standing out even among beautiful women.

She could pull off any color or style.

Caleb never considered whether Serena liked or suited pink.

In the end, he saw Serena pick out a Morandi gray suit, a dark green dress suitable for daily wear and cocktail parties, and a red polo shirt with black stretch capris for golfing attire.

"So you don’t prefer black?"

Caleb’s murmur made Serena laugh.

"Not everyone is like Claire, only wears pink clothes."

"Is that so!"

Caleb’s reaction was quite flat.

Serena felt mentioning Claire herself was pointless, as if she was jealous.

Saturday, Royal Oasis Golf Club.

Mason Warren and Vera Vance were proficient at golf, and Caleb played well too.

Serena stood by as a mere accessory.

Though she learned many things growing up, she wasn’t proficient at everything.

For example, golf wasn’t her strong suit.

The four had lunch together, then Serena and Caleb walked hand in hand afterwards.

That intimate display was naturally for their friends to see.

"Look over there! That girl just holed in one!"

Mason shouted excitedly.

The entire golf course buzzed with excitement.

Caleb looked in that direction too, and in that girl’s moment of turning, he naturally let go of Serena’s hand.