CHAPTER 126: CHAPTER 126: PEEKING

Claire asked with a soft voice, sitting down on the swing next to Ian Blackwood.

Under the night sky, stars twinkling, a man and a woman sat on a small swing, the scene resembling a beautiful romantic comic.

"I went to Serena Jennings’ studio today," Ian Blackwood said.

Claire feigned surprise, though she wasn’t surprised at all inside.

The last time she met Ian Blackwood, she intentionally mentioned that Serena Jennings was her rival in the LD Jewelry Fashion Week to provoke Ian into causing trouble for Serena Jennings.

"I brought Miranda over."

"Miranda... is that the fashion industry bigwig, the editor-in-chief of Radiance, Miranda?" Claire blinked her innocent eyes, cheering inwardly.

Everyone knows how picky Miranda is, so it seems Ian might want Miranda to find fault with Serena Jennings, to directly revoke Serena Jennings’ qualification for the LD Jewelry Fashion Week.

"So... what did Miranda say?"

Claire asked cautiously.

Quickly say Serena Jennings was disqualified by Miranda...

Quickly say it!

Her inner anticipation flowed like a river in flood season.

Though she was well-prepared and confident for the LD Jewelry Fashion Week, having no competitors would be most advantageous and stable for her.

Especially in front of Caleb Lockwood.

If she shines brilliantly at the LD Jewelry Fashion Week, while Serena Jennings is disqualified, she’ll impress Caleb Lockwood even more, enabling her to obtain Lockwood Group’s shares before Serena Jennings.

That night, her mother talked with her a lot.

Valerie Vance learned from Claire that Caleb Lockwood once considered transferring ten percent of Lockwood Group’s shares to Serena Jennings after the divorce.

Though it didn’t happen, time would reveal hidden motives.

Valerie Vance believed Claire must get Lockwood Group’s shares first, regardless of whether Caleb Lockwood divorces Serena Jennings or marries her.

Ian Blackwood was silent for a long time.

"That Serena Jennings... doesn’t seem easy to deal with, Miranda seems to admire her."

"What?!"

Claire exclaimed.

"Ah, sorry, I lost my composure."

Claire bashfully brushed her hair and felt displeased with Ian Blackwood.

Miranda was brought by Ian Blackwood, yet instead of disqualifying Serena Jennings, increased opportunities for her, isn’t that counterproductive!

And she subtly asked Ian if he had seen the designs Serena Jennings was preparing for LD Jewelry Fashion Week in her office, but Ian saw nothing.

What a waste!

Claire didn’t want to waste more time with Ian Blackwood, so she made an excuse to leave, leaving Ian to sit alone on the swing in the cold wind.

The swing made creaking sounds.

Ian Blackwood felt that Claire seemed different tonight.

Not like he remembered.

While Serena Jennings was in the operating room repairing the emerald, he sat at Serena Jennings’ desk.

There were blueprints on the desk.

Although they were rough sketches, unfinished and still being modified, Ian Blackwood speculated that "Across the Chrysalis" might be Serena Jennings’ jewelry theme for LD Jewelry Fashion Week.

He could have told Claire about it.

But he chose not to.

Ian Blackwood didn’t know why.

That night, he couldn’t leave the swing.

He thought all night, but couldn’t find the answer.

That night, Caleb Lockwood didn’t leave the general manager’s office.

After waiting all night, Wyatt Coleman’s submitted divorce papers were still unsatisfactory.

That night, Serena Jennings didn’t go home.

The next day, Quentin Xavier was the first to arrive at work.

Because he was out procuring supplies yesterday, Serena Jennings told him not to detour back to the company, just to clock out directly, so he compensated with a nap at home, restored his energy, and arrived early at the company today.

After clocking in, Quentin Xavier realized he wasn’t alone in the office.

"Serena Jennings? You... arrived even earlier?"

Quentin Xavier immediately sensed something was off and corrected himself: "You wouldn’t have... stayed here all night, right?"

Serena Jennings yawned and rubbed her dark circles.

"Work makes me happy."

Quentin Xavier was speechless.

"Is there a new urgent order?"

"No, it’s still for LD Jewelry Fashion Week."

"Huh?"

Quentin Xavier tilted his head.

"Isn’t the theme for LD already decided?"

"Yeah, it was settled..."

Serena Jennings couldn’t help but sigh.

She and Quentin Xavier chatted while heading out to find a place for breakfast, not expecting to meet Peter downstairs at Azure Tower, so the three went to a teahouse together.

"Serena Jennings, did you know? Last night, unbelievably, Miranda invited me for a late-night snack."

Serena Jennings felt that the reason for the snack must have something to do with her.

"Miranda knows you’ve worked with me, asked quite a bit about you, and I noticed the ring on her right middle finger, that should be your design!"

"Yeah."

Serena Jennings was a bit surprised Miranda didn’t discard the synthetic emerald ring after leaving her studio.

She briefly explained the circumstances of yesterday’s ring design to Peter.

"No wonder she’s so impressed with you."

"I’m not hoping for admiration, just as long as she doesn’t cancel my qualification over every little dissatisfaction." Serena Jennings smiled wryly, "Though yesterday’s critique from Miranda helped me realize that my originally prepared design theme for LD Jewelry Fashion Week... was indeed a bit common."

"So you’re going to change the theme at the last minute?" Quentin Xavier was shocked.

Serena Jennings nodded.

"But the deadline for submitting samples is about to arrive!"

Quentin Xavier disapproved of Serena Jennings’ decision to suddenly change everything and start from scratch, negating all previous efforts, not to mention whether time would suffice, and inspiration might be constrained by tension and urgency.

Though Peter had little regard for Quentin Xavier since he was once Claire’s corporate spy, in this instance, Peter agreed with Quentin Xavier.

However, Serena Jennings showed determination, and Quentin Xavier and Peter both found her stubbornly obsessed with inspiration.

"By the way, let me remind you that Claire Shaw reportedly learned of your design for Miranda and has secretly contacted Miranda through Caleb Lockwood. I heard that today Claire Shaw is hosting a private jewelry design exhibition at DJ Art Museum’s VIP art hall, with few invitations, clearly to favor Miranda."

After hearing Peter’s words, Serena Jennings fell into thought.

The person who brought Miranda to her studio yesterday was Ian Blackwood.

This shows Ian Blackwood should be familiar with Miranda.

Ian Blackwood is also Claire’s friend, Claire can meet Miranda through Ian.

Yet Claire chose to go through Caleb Lockwood.

Serena Jennings shook her head, not understanding why she was fixating on this.

Claire Shaw is soon to become Lockwood Group’s new lady, any of her needs are naturally met by Caleb Lockwood’s assistance.

"In any case, whatever moves Claire makes won’t change my resolve to change the theme at the last minute."

Serena Jennings encouraged herself.

"Tonight, an all-nighter again."

"Don’t exhaust yourself to the point you collapse."

Peter showed concern for Serena Jennings, casually patting her shoulder.

His hand lingered a moment longer on Serena Jennings’ shoulder.

Then finally drew back.

That night, Serena Jennings indeed again pulled an all-nighter at the company, and Quentin Xavier was also there.

Quentin Xavier said little, silently helped Serena Jennings organize materials to facilitate her faster inspiration.

Around four in the morning, he and Serena Jennings couldn’t stay awake, slept for just over an hour, waking to find a WeChat message—

From Claire Shaw.