CHAPTER 116: CHAPTER 116: DELIBERATELY TRANSFERRING SHARES TO A COMPETITOR

Serena Jennings frowned and refuted seriously, "A former husband doesn’t equal a close friend."

Her words were crisp and swift, yet that trace of entanglement and guilt in her eyes didn’t escape Ian Blackwood’s gaze.

Ian Blackwood smiled coldly and poured another glass of whiskey with ice.

"You’re not worthy of Caleb Lockwood; divorce is a liberation for you."

"I don’t want to be judged by someone I just met today."

"Suit yourself."

After finishing his drink, Ian Blackwood drove Serena Jennings back to the Zenith Rehabilitation Center.

Serena Jennings initially thought Ian Blackwood wouldn’t get out of the car, but he did, escorting her all the way to the entrance.

"I’m leaving now, offering you a gift as we part."

Ian Blackwood’s elongated eyes formed crescent moons, his smile carrying a genteel warmth.

"I don’t need a gift."

Serena Jennings now wouldn’t be misled by Ian Blackwood’s smile.

Ian Blackwood waved his finger, "If I want to give it to you, you have to accept it."

As soon as he finished speaking, he kicked away the crutch Serena Jennings was leaning on.

Serena Jennings fell to the ground with a thud.

Ian Blackwood burst into laughter, doubling over.

"This pose is wonderful; how about it? Surprised by this gift?"

He crouched down, stared into Serena Jennings’ furious eyes, and his smile gradually faded.

"If you dare to fight Claire for a man again, if you dare to covet something you shouldn’t, next time I’ll gouge out your eyes and give them to you as a gift."

Having said this, Ian Blackwood stood up, striding out of the Zenith Rehabilitation Center.

Even from behind, his silhouette still carried a semblance of elegance with a villainous touch.

Serena Jennings finally stood up with the help of the nurse.

Initially, she was resentful of this rehabilitation center, but now she believes it’s okay as long as the advanced equipment here can help her leg recover quickly.

The Lockwood Group.

"I’m sorry, without an appointment, you can’t go in."

The junior secretary had tried her best to stop the unexpected visitor, but the visitor still kicked open the general manager’s office door.

Caleb Lockwood, sitting inside, raised his eyes to see the man wearing glasses with gold rims walk in.

"President Lockwood, I’m sorry, I..."

Caleb Lockwood gestured to the junior secretary, who immediately exited, closing the door behind her.

"Ian Blackwood, after all these years, you’re still so rude."

Caleb Lockwood’s face was cold.

"And you still like putting on airs."

Ian Blackwood pulled out a cigarette, but as soon as he lit it, Caleb Lockwood snatched it away and extinguished it in the ashtray.

"No smoking in the office."

Ian Blackwood adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and snorted coldly.

"Then why is there an ashtray? Are you allowed to smoke but I’m not?"

"Because it’s my office."

Caleb Lockwood’s retort left Ian Blackwood momentarily speechless.

"Speak your business, or I’ll call security to escort you out. Or, I can personally escort you out."

Ian Blackwood knew Caleb Lockwood wasn’t joking.

They’d fought in high school; it was Ian Blackwood who had provoked Caleb Lockwood. Each had their victories and losses, but overall, Caleb Lockwood was superior.

"We’re both grown now; I’m not just a punk who fights."

After saying this, Ian Blackwood took a piece of paper from his trouser pocket and handed it to Caleb Lockwood.

"I’m here to give you this. No need to thank me; I’m just that kind-hearted."

Caleb Lockwood silently stared at the contents on the paper, his expression unchanged, but Ian Blackwood noticed Caleb Lockwood’s fingers gripping the paper, knuckles becoming more prominent.

"Add this ten percent...guess, will The Lockwood Group’s name change to Blackwood?"

Whispering into Caleb Lockwood’s ear, Ian Blackwood adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and voluntarily left Caleb Lockwood’s office.

At night, the Zenith Rehabilitation Center was very quiet.

Serena Jennings was in her hospital room, painstakingly embedding sample jewelry for the LD Jewelry Fashion Week.

She was completely focused, unaware of when Caleb Lockwood appeared behind her.

It wasn’t until she smelled smoke that Serena Jennings realized someone was behind her.

Caleb Lockwood had arrived silently; even when she turned around to face him, he remained silent.

Serena Jennings noticed Caleb Lockwood holding a cigarette in one hand, his expression looking angry.

But she didn’t understand why Caleb Lockwood was angry.

If anyone should be angry, it should be her.

Because Caleb Lockwood had put her in the rehabilitation center run by Claire Shaw’s parents without informing her.

The two stared wordlessly at each other for a long time until Caleb Lockwood spoke, voice cold as ice.

"I’m worried your leg might have lasting effects, so I let you stay in the most advanced rehabilitation center...this is how you repay me?"

A paper was thrown on Serena Jennings’ face.

Serena Jennings looked down; it was the guarantee she had handwritten today.

The contents were her voluntary agreement, post-divorce from Caleb Lockwood, to transfer the ten percent of The Lockwood Group shares she received to Ian Blackwood without compensation.

Serena Jennings now wasn’t surprised that this guarantee had ended up in Caleb Lockwood’s hands.

At first, she wasn’t sure how Ian Blackwood knew about the contents of her divorce agreement with Caleb Lockwood, but she thought Ian Blackwood’s aim was The Lockwood Group’s shares.

However, upon hearing Ian Blackwood’s words when he kicked her crutch away, she realized Ian Blackwood was likely sent by Claire Shaw.

The rehabilitation center she’s currently in is run by Claire Shaw’s parents.

In other words, it’s also Claire Shaw’s enterprise.

For Claire Shaw, seeing the contents of her divorce agreement wasn’t too difficult because she never considered the agreement would hold any value.

Claire Shaw indeed cared about that ten percent share, even if she was about to become the new mistress of The Lockwood Group.

As long as Caleb Lockwood knew that she transferred the shares post-divorce, he would surely change his mind.

Serena Jennings guessed right.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Even if she’d realized earlier, she would have agreed to Ian Blackwood’s demand.

Because she couldn’t stand watching Lana Xavier lose her job because she cared for her.

Originally, she didn’t want The Lockwood Group’s shares.

However, she didn’t want Caleb Lockwood to misunderstand.

"What if I said...Claire Shaw sent that man with glasses to threaten me with Lana Xavier’s job to write this guarantee?"

Caleb Lockwood’s eyelids lifted slightly.

"Do you have evidence?"

He asked calmly and straightforwardly.

Serena Jennings took a deep breath.

"No."

Caleb Lockwood sneered.

"Why should I believe something without evidence?"

Caleb Lockwood’s words made sense; Serena Jennings didn’t expect him to believe her.

"Then you can consider it deliberate! Deliberately transferring shares to your competitor. Didn’t I ask you at first, what if I sold this ten percent share to your competitor?"

Serena Jennings didn’t actually know whether Ian Blackwood was Caleb Lockwood’s competitor, but Caleb Lockwood seemed angry enough that transferring her ten percent share to Ian Blackwood would severely impact The Lockwood Group.

"Even if he threatened you, truly for Lana Xavier, do you understand the value of The Lockwood Group’s ten percent shares? How many people’s lives and assets are affected?"

Caleb Lockwood took a step forward, closing in on Serena Jennings.

For a moment, Serena Jennings felt a sensation of breathlessness.

Caleb Lockwood’s eyes were as black as an abyss.

"The entire Lockwood Group...means less to you than Lana Xavier?"