CHAPTER 127: CHAPTER 127: SERENA JENNINGS GOES BANKRUPT

Quentin Xavier arrived at the location designated by Claire Shaw after work.

It was a hotel.

Initially, Quentin thought Claire had just invited him to the hotel for a meal, but after he arrived, she sent him the room number via WeChat—

Room 1783, Quentin was about to knock when the door opened from the inside.

The person who opened the door was, of course, Claire Shaw.

Quentin’s eyes widened instantly.

Claire was only wearing a bathrobe, looking as if she had just taken a bath, the collar opened wide, her cleavage just barely visible.

"You’re punctual, come in!"

Claire smiled warmly and beckoned Quentin in.

Quentin had never seen this side of Claire before, feeling completely uneasy as he walked into the room.

On the coffee table were some fruits and snacks. Claire poured two glasses of whiskey, handing one to Quentin.

"Relax!"

Quentin tilted his head back and downed the entire glass of whiskey in one go.

Though it was late autumn, the room’s heater was on, and after just a short while, Quentin’s forehead and neck were covered in sweat.

Claire sat right next to Quentin, clearly wearing only a bathrobe, yet deliberately crossing her legs, revealing large areas of her pale skin.

Quentin swallowed hard.

Feeling the atmosphere was just right, Claire sipped the whiskey and said:

"I’ve always wanted a chance to meet with you alone, to explain why I let you go before... I was really forced to do it, with so much pressure from investors, but honestly... I’ve always valued and appreciated you greatly..."

Saying this, Claire gently held Quentin’s hand.

Quentin’s face turned red in an instant.

"Quentin, would you be willing to come back and work?"

"What?" Quentin exclaimed in surprise.

"I heard those two inexperienced girls on Serena’s side have already started designing, yet you’re still doing odd jobs. Why waste your time there when you could be with me..."

While Claire spoke, she observed Quentin’s expression, who was visibly wavering.

"I can make you the head of design, double your previous salary, as long as you tell me..." Claire nearly leaned against Quentin, her lips with jelly lipstick close to his ear:

"What’s Serena’s design theme for this LD Jewelry Fashion Week?"

As soon as Claire finished, Quentin pushed her away forcefully.

"You’re still trying to use me!"

Quentin stood up angrily.

"Don’t leave!"

Claire embraced Quentin tightly.

"Even if I’m using you, so what? Don’t you like me? As long as I can offer you what you want, it’s a fair trade, does it matter if it’s being used?"

"What I want..."

Quentin turned to look at Claire, snorted coldly, "Can you really give me what I truly want?"

"Of course, I can."

Claire promised resolutely.

She maneuvered in front of Quentin, grabbed his hand, and guided it to her chest.

Quentin was shocked, his face turned beet red, yet he did not pull his hand back.

"Quentin, I’ve lost to Serena once before at the New Star Jewelry Design Contest, this time I must win! If you help me, there’s nothing we can’t achieve..."

As she said this, Claire released Quentin’s hand.

Quentin was visibly disappointed.

"Not tonight... As long as you help me humiliate Serena at LD, making her lose her place in the high-end jewelry industry, causing the investors to withdraw and her company to go bankrupt, I’ll naturally give myself to you..."

Claire curled her lips, dramatically tossed her hair.

"This deal is beneficial for you, whether or not to take it... is up to you..."

After speaking, Claire swayed her hips toward the room door, intending to open it for Quentin to leave.

At this moment, Quentin’s somewhat hesitant voice came from behind her:

"Serena... she changed the theme last minute..."

"What?"

Claire turned around.

Quentin’s face showed obvious betrayal mixed with hesitation and guilt, but his eyes were incredibly sincere, clearly speaking the truth.

"She actually changed the theme last minute... but there’s not much time left!"

Seeing Claire’s skeptical furrowed brow, Quentin continued:

"Here’s what happened... That fashion icon Miranda came to Serena’s studio earlier, and Serena made her a butterfly ring..."

"Butterfly..."

Claire touched her chin, unable to resist mulling over the word.

"Yes." Quentin nodded, "Breaking the cocoon into a butterfly was Serena’s theme to showcase at LD..."

Claire’s eyes widened.

It was ’breaking the cocoon into a butterfly’?

Her frown deepened considerably.

’Breaking the cocoon into a butterfly’ held a rebirth metaphor, offering a bit more impact compared to her initial ’first love clover’.

Seeing Claire deep in thought, Quentin moved his feet, drawing closer to her.

"Perhaps because the theme was used in advance, and coupled with Miranda saying Serena’s butterfly design was too mainstream, she decided to change the theme at the last minute..."

Claire looked up at the now very close Quentin.

To her, ’breaking the cocoon into a butterfly’ was already a rare concept.

Yet Miranda claimed it was mainstream?

No wonder she made such bold statements at her exhibition yesterday.

Claire didn’t want to fall behind Serena in networking, so she asked Caleb Lockwood to introduce her to Miranda.

She had meticulously planned a private jewelry design exhibition to leave a good impression on Miranda, only to be directly told her designs were garbage, embarrassing her in front of everyone.

Fortunately, Caleb comforted her, preserving her stellar image in his eyes.

If not for this, she wouldn’t have resorted to seducing Quentin for information on Serena.

Ian Blackwood mentioned that Miranda greatly admired Serena, so she had to prepare in advance to avoid being overshadowed by Serena at LD Jewelry Fashion Week.

"Serena still hasn’t decided on a new theme..."

As soon as Quentin said this, Claire immediately crossed her arms and sneered.

"Don’t doubt me, what I’m saying is true." Quentin patted his chest, offering a guarantee, "Time is tight, it could be in the next couple of days. As soon as Serena decides on her new theme, I’ll inform you immediately..."

After saying that, red-faced, he took Claire’s hand proactively, feeling it repeatedly.

Claire felt sick with Quentin’s touch but had to maintain her smile on the surface.

"So... our transaction is agreed upon?"

Quentin’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, eagerly nodding, "Yes, yes, I’ll help you bring down Serena, and by then... by then you’ll..."

"Don’t worry, I, Claire Shaw, keep my word."

Claire patted Quentin’s shoulder, her fake smile a bit stiff.

When Serena goes bankrupt, Quentin...

Will no longer be needed.

After sending Quentin away, Claire lowered her shoulders and sighed, feeling somewhat exhausted.

When she returned to the country, she never imagined that Serena, a housewife who rarely stepped out, would become such a significant obstacle, let alone that Caleb Lockwood still hadn’t divorced...

"Seems like your time in Meridia wasn’t wasted, you’re quite skilled at seducing men."

A man walked out of the bathroom.