CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: YOU CAN’T GET A DIVORCE!

"Serena, what did you do?"

Even over the phone, Adrian Lockwood’s fury was palpable.

Adrian shouted, "You actually called the police on her? Serena, have you lost your mind!!!"

He received a call from the police, saying that Beatrice Sutton was detained for spreading rumors and slander, and he should come to handle it quickly.

Adrian’s first reaction was that it was a scam call.

It wasn’t until he heard Beatrice’s shouting on the other end, and called home, that Adrian realized it was true.

He was aware that Serena had joined The Hawthorne Group.

He knew Beatrice went to The Hawthorne Group to find her.

What happened next wasn’t hard to guess.

The car sped towards the police station, and Adrian shouted at Serena, "I’ve already asked the driver to pick you up downstairs, come to the police station to sign a letter of understanding, otherwise..."

"I won’t sign it!"

Serena spoke up, "I haven’t done anything, and she’s out there spreading it all over the place, everyone knows. Why should I forgive her?"

"Adrian Lockwood, I won’t come forward, nor will I sign a letter of understanding. Go ahead and cause trouble, I’m not afraid of you! Let’s see who’s more reckless!"

A barefooted person is not afraid of someone wearing shoes.

At worst, I’ll lose the job at The Hawthorne Group, isn’t that Beatrice’s goal anyway?

As for Adrian Lockwood...

As long as he dares to come.

The minute Adrian shows up, the paparazzi will be on his trail.

There’s The Lockwood Group.

There’s the piece of land about to be shot for a film.

I’ll see who exhausts who in the end!

A job in exchange for Adrian Lockwood losing billions.

Let’s see who feels the pinch!

Anyway, that money won’t end up in my hands.

Whoever wants it, take it!!!

Beep.

Beep beep.

The call was disconnected, and when called again, no one answered.

Adrian tightly gripped the phone, wishing it were Serena’s neck.

How dare she?

That was her mother-in-law!

Could it be, Serena really intends to divorce him?

It seemed it was only at this moment he truly realized Serena wasn’t just acting, wasn’t forcing him to deal with Chloe Lynch.

She really... wants to divorce him?

A flash of shock passed through his heart, soon replaced by irritation.

The car stopped, and Adrian strode into the police station.

The case reported by The Hawthorne Group’s front desk was handled by the City Central Police Department, not a local station.

The director looked courteous yet embarrassed, "We retrieved the surveillance footage from The Hawthorne Group. As soon as your mother entered the lobby, she began spreading claims about Mrs. Lockwood’s infidelity, the security guards couldn’t even stop her."

Adrian watched the surveillance content.

The high-definition camera showed Beatrice’s full face.

Only a silhouette of Serena.

From beginning to end, it was Beatrice shouting.

Harsh words like "bitch" and "adulterer" were prevalent.

Not a shred of high society grace.

From the corner of his eye, Adrian could see the looks from the director and surrounding officers, as if saying: President Lockwood, are you sure this is your mom? Not a fraud?

This behavior, what difference does it have from an uncultured gossiping woman from a backward place?

Adrian felt his head was about to explode.

"President Lockwood, we’re coordinating with Lawyer Xavier from The Hawthorne Group’s legal department. Do you know Lawyer Xavier?"

Adrian looked up, startled.

Quentin Xavier is the director of The Hawthorne Group’s legal department and a renowned top-tier lawyer in Aethelgard.

He made a name for himself with one battle, and over the years, countless bigshots have sought Quincy for defense representation.

The most exaggerated fees have reached tens of millions.

And that’s just the case handling fee, not including his personal defense representation fee.

Such a top lawyer, Quentin Xavier, is actually willing to handle such a trivial defamation case for Serena?

Shooting a sparrow with a cannon?

Isn’t this overkill?

"President Lockwood, since it’s a family matter, it’s best to resolve it internally, don’t you think?"

"Yes!"

The core of the problem still lies with Serena.

Clenching his teeth with anger, he wanted to rush in front of Serena and ask her what exactly she plans to do, to what extent she wants to go before letting go.

Yet Adrian couldn’t take that step.

At this critical moment, it’s unknown how many eyes are on him.

A slight misstep could affect the company and the land auction.

He couldn’t take this risk!

Serena also knows this, which gives her the confidence to confront him, right?

The only thing is, he doesn’t know where Quentin Xavier came from.

"Phone!"

Leaving the police station, Adrian borrowed the driver’s phone to call Serena, "You sign the letter of understanding, and I promise, from now on, neither my mom nor Zoe will bother you anymore."

Serena refused, "I won’t sign!"

"Serena..."

On the other end, Adrian’s voice turned sinister, "When a rabbit is cornered, it bites. You would, and so would I. But I’m not a rabbit! You’re so eager to divorce, for what reason, you and I both know. But as long as I don’t say the word, this divorce won’t happen!"

Serena’s expression slightly changed.

As if Adrian saw this, his attitude shifted from tough to gentle, "We are, after all, husband and wife. Let’s part on good terms, shall we?"

He was threatening her.

But Serena had to admit, he hit the right sore spot.

"Fine, I’ll sign!"

Serena responded.

A sinister smile spread across Adrian’s eyes.

Just then, Serena said, "I’ll come over to sign right after we finalize the divorce next Monday."

This time, it was Adrian’s turn to change his expression.

Whether it’s for public disturbance.

Or for slander and defamation.

Beatrice Sutton will at most be detained for 7 days with an additional fine of 1000 dollars.

He wanted a swift resolution to the issue.

But that’s exactly what Serena wouldn’t give him.

The eagerness to divorce was her weakness.

Now, it also became her weapon against him.

Once Beatrice has a record, he, along with the Lockwood Group, will be tainted.

Especially at this critical moment.

Unless he doesn’t like money, or he doesn’t want The Lockwood Group to grow big and strong.

Beep.

Beep beep.

Before Adrian could say more, Serena hung up abruptly, blocking the number altogether.

It was more than half an hour later when Serena returned to the 60th floor.

The workspace, already quiet, fell momentarily silent as she entered.

Moments later, the sound of clicking keyboards grew even louder.

Only Snow gave her a sympathetic look, signaling her not to overthink.

Delayed by Beatrice, Serena couldn’t even spare time for lunch.

By the time she finished her work, it was nearly two o’clock.

It’s a time when you can order a wide range of meals in the cafeteria.

But going up and down would waste more time.

Holding her cup, Serena headed to the pantry, intending to have some oatmeal.

Before she got close, she heard the chatter inside.

"I heard Director Carson personally hired her. To think, back at Aethelgard, she was a prominent figure. And now, she’s famous again as soon as she joined the company! I wonder if Director Carson regrets it!"

"Surely he regrets it!... What a show it must’ve been for her mother-in-law to go public, berating her for an affair. How wild must she live?"

"I bet she won’t pass her probation term!"

"If I were her, I would quit before even getting through probation, saving face for just this moment. Staying on with such disgrace would be..."

"Nothing better to do with your time?"

A sharp voice came from behind.

Serena turned around.

Clara Lynch glared at her, walked past, and stood in front of the pantry door, "Each of you with your engineering and construction jobs, are your designs done that you have time to chitchat here? How are you different from those gossiping ladies at the market?"

The group of men and women quickly left with their cups.

As they passed by Serena, their faces were full of awkwardness.

In the blink of an eye, the pantry was empty.

"Manager Lynch, thank you!"

"You don’t need to thank me!"

Clara Lynch’s expression was cold, lacking the friendly smile from before, "I’ve already reported to Director Carson and Director Quincy, requesting an extension of your probation period. Serena, do well on your own!"

Clara Lynch turned around to leave.

Serena was stunned, "Manager Lynch..."