CHAPTER 97: CHAPTER 97: WITHDRAWAL OF LAWSUIT

According to the agreement, Serena Jennings withdrew the lawsuit.

Although online trending searches had been removed for a long time, it still needed some time for the fervor to completely die down.

Just at this time, Serena Jennings could focus on her newly accepted orders.

Caleb Lockwood also had ample time to let the elite lawyer team draft a reasonable and highly executable divorce agreement.

Although the lawsuit route for divorce didn’t work out, formalizing the divorce through an agreement was still not a bad thing for Serena Jennings.

That day, Serena Jennings received a phone call from Peter who talked not about private affairs but business.

"You remember Ronan Ross, right?" Peter asked.

Serena Jennings naturally remembered.

The first jewelry collector that Peter introduced to her was Ronan Ross.

It was also the first time Serena Jennings and Claire Shaw had a direct confrontation in design.

As a result, Serena Jennings was defeated miserably.

"How could I forget the first setback in my career?"

Serena Jennings replied with mixed feelings.

"Ronan Ross is hosting a banquet at his house this Saturday, it seems to be a celebration for his youngest daughter’s academic advancement, and he wants to invite you to attend."

Serena Jennings uttered an "Ah" in surprise.

She couldn’t even be considered a casual friend of Ronan Ross, so why invite her to such an event?

She was about to refuse, but Serena Jennings realized Peter hoped she would accept; otherwise, he wouldn’t have called her.

This was also a kind of social interaction within the circle, and ultimately, Serena Jennings agreed.

"I knew you were made to be a boss, knowing how to seize opportunities." Peter praised.

"You previously said I was made to be a jewelry designer!"

"And it proved I was right, wasn’t it?"

Serena Jennings couldn’t help but laugh, "In your eyes, am I versatile, suitable for anything?"

"At the very least, in my view, you are an excellent designer, an ambitious boss, and will be a good wife."

The last comment from Peter made Serena Jennings puzzled.

"Are you saying I’ll be a good wife someday? I’m curious as to who my husband will be."

Serena Jennings teased casually with Peter, hearing him reply.

"What if it’s me!"

Serena Jennings was taken aback by the expression on her face.

"Just kidding, hope you don’t mind?"

"No... no..."

Peter’s tone was relaxed, and Serena Jennings also knew she shouldn’t overthink it.

On the day of the academic advancement banquet, Serena Jennings dressed in a conservative and elegant long-sleeved satin gown, with refined and delicate jewelry.

She found that Ronan Ross’s banquet was much more luxurious than typical academic advancement celebrations, unique in style, complete with a red carpet, and guests from prominent circles dressed in splendid attire, making Serena Jennings the most plainly dressed among them.

Peter first led Serena Jennings to meet Ronan Ross.

Initially, Serena Jennings thought she might not have left a good impression on Ronan Ross, as previously, Ronan Ross had praised Claire Shaw lavishly in front of her and Claire Shaw, and said she wasn’t as good as Claire Shaw in all aspects.

But this time, Ronan Ross was especially enthusiastic towards her.

Serena Jennings was flattered.

Even though she previously won the championship in the New Star Jewelry Design Competition, Claire Shaw’s performance was also commendable.

"Miss Jennings’s presence is already a great honor for me, no need to be so formal and bring gifts."

While Ronan Ross was speaking polite words, he didn’t refuse Serena Jennings’s congratulatory gift.

In this kind of occasion, refusing gifts would only embarrass the sender.

Serena Jennings wasn’t very familiar with the etiquette of jewelry collectors, but knew that any typical academic advancement banquet would require gifts, and since she couldn’t directly give cash to Ronan Ross, she chose to design and create two cufflinks herself.

"Such thoughtfulness!" Ronan Ross’s eyes brightened at the sight of the cufflinks.

Today, he received many gifts, most of which were expensive, but when he saw these two cufflinks, he knew they were designed by Serena Jennings herself.

"Frankly speaking, Miss Jennings, initially, I intended to keep this banquet simple, but considering a grand event would allow me to invite more prominent people and introduce you to them, I decided to make it lavish."

Upon hearing Ronan Ross’s words, Serena Jennings was amazed.

Ronan Ross explained with a smile, "My main intention is to make up for you in this way..."

"Make up for me?"

"Remember the designs you and Claire Shaw originally submitted to me? I only realized after I saw the logo on the box later that my assistant had mixed up your two design works."

Serena Jennings was speechless.

"This is my fault, otherwise, the person I recommended back then should have been you."

"It’s okay, it’s not Mr. Ross’s fault..."

Serena Jennings hurriedly waved her hand, her mind unsettled.

So, the person who actually won back then...

Was actually her?

Thinking back to Ronan Ross’s different evaluations of her and Claire Shaw’s works, Serena Jennings’s heart surged with emotions.

At this moment, Peter came to her side and handed her a glass of champagne.

"Feeling happy?"

Serena Jennings touched her face, unable to hide the delight that surfaced on her face.

Nothing made her happier than having her meticulously designed work recognized and praised.

"That’s why I said years ago, your design talent is unmatched."

Once again hearing Peter’s exaggerated praise, Serena Jennings smiled knowingly, no longer underestimating herself.

Halfway through the banquet, Serena Jennings was surprised to discover that Claire Shaw was also there.

Amid the crowd dressed in finery, Claire Shaw in a silk smoky pink strappy gown didn’t stand out.

Serena Jennings was puzzled.

She remembered that no matter the occasion, Claire Shaw would always appear stunningly prominent, with an intense presence.

This time, Claire Shaw had been meticulously groomed, wearing luxurious, dazzling jewelry and styled hair.

Yet, for some reason, this time Claire Shaw seemed like an invisible person.

Serena Jennings noticed that even the guests present didn’t interact much with Claire Shaw, probably due to Ronan Ross ignoring her.

Turning to look around, Serena Jennings saw only Claire Shaw, not Caleb Lockwood.

So, it wasn’t Claire Shaw who commanded presence; it was Caleb Lockwood.

Without Caleb Lockwood by her side, Claire Shaw was no longer as noticeable as before.

Suddenly, Serena Jennings understood this.

The banquet was unsettling for Claire Shaw.

She learned that Ronan Ross was hosting an extravagant banquet, having invited virtually all the prominent figures within the circle.

Even Serena Jennings was invited, so Claire Shaw believed she couldn’t be left out.

However, until the day of the banquet, she hadn’t received any notice.

Ronan Ross did not invite Claire Shaw; she came on her own.

Without an invitation, she was stopped by the servants at Ronan Ross’s home, causing the situation to become awkward.

In the end, Ronan Ross let her in, but his attitude towards her remained extremely cold, leaving Claire Shaw perplexed.

"Mr. Ross, if I’ve offended you in any way, I hope you can tell me clearly so I can apologize and make amends."

Unable to bear it, Claire Shaw approached Ronan Ross to ask.