CHAPTER 136: CHAPTER 136: I’VE SENT YOU THE DIVORCE PAPERS

Acting young.

Ian Blackwood was taken aback.

He never thought he’d describe Claire Shaw this way.

"Ian, don’t just stare at me!"

Claire Shaw tugged at Ian’s sleeve, acting coy.

Ian snapped back to reality and asked Claire Shaw, "I know Miranda, what do you need?"

"I want Miranda to take a picture for me too. I also want to be on the magazine... I just don’t know if that’s possible?"

Claire Shaw’s voice grew increasingly uncertain.

She did it on purpose.

She knew Ian liked girls who showed vulnerability.

"Why don’t you ask Caleb Lockwood to help you?"

Claire Shaw looked up in surprise at Ian.

She always felt Ian was different from before.

The old Ian wouldn’t ask her about these trivial matters.

As long as she wanted it, as long as she needed it, he would willingly help without asking.

"I... I wanted to try relying on you... Is that not okay?"

Claire Shaw blinked her glistening eyes at Ian.

"Of course, it’s okay."

Seeing Ian relent, Claire Shaw sighed inwardly with relief.

She didn’t go to Caleb Lockwood because she had tried that before.

At that time, Caleb had introduced Miranda to her, but Miranda dismissed her.

If she begged Caleb again, it would clearly show she couldn’t accept only Serena Jennings being on the magazine.

Also, it would leave an impression on Caleb that not only wasn’t she as good as Serena, but that she was a sore loser.

That’s why she turned to Ian; once she appeared in Radiance Magazine, Serena Jennings wouldn’t seem so special to Caleb.

Ian kept his promise—the moment he agreed to help Claire Shaw, he went to find Miranda.

Claire Shaw had no idea what Ian said to Miranda, but soon a makeup artist approached her voluntarily to do her styling.

When Serena Jennings came out of the dressing room, Caleb Lockwood happened to step out too.

The two encountered each other.

Serena noticed Caleb’s outfit matched her new style – they seemed like matching couple outfits.

They were shooting for Radiance Magazine, so everything had to follow Miranda’s arrangement;, so Serena didn’t say much.

The photographer required them to stand together, with their poses growing increasingly intimate.

After the shoot, Serena hesitated a bit but couldn’t help asking Caleb:

"How’s the injury on your arm?"

Caleb looked at Serena.

Serena had rarely worn such heavy makeup; heavy makeup was something Caleb usually detested, yet somehow Serena’s makeup didn’t feel vulgar but rather strikingly sophisticated.

"Miranda’s makeup artist is quite skilled."

Caleb’s cryptic comment left Serena puzzled.

"My wound’s much better, all thanks to your timely aid."

"Did you go to the hospital afterwards?"

Caleb softly chuckled.

"You’re so concerned; I’m quite flattered."

Serena then realized she’d asked too much.

Given that she and Caleb were about to get divorced, her concern was completely unnecessary.

At this moment, Claire Shaw came out of the dressing room, with her head held high.

Serena saw Claire Shaw deliberately glance her way as she passed, her eyes confident and smug.

As if to say: See? I’m on the magazine too.

Serena shrugged.

She knew appearing in Radiance Magazine was an honor, but she didn’t see what was worth bragging about.

Caleb still had to wait for Claire’s shoot, while Serena left the studio first.

Ian volunteered to treat Serena to a meal.

Serena agreed, but insisted on bringing Quentin Xavier.

Thus, Serena, Quentin, and Ian went to dinner together, followed by a stroll around nearby attractions.

In the studio, Caleb patiently waited for Claire to finish shooting.

Claire’s makeup and styling were also done by Miranda’s artist.

"Seems like... it’s not entirely down to the makeup artist’s skill..."

Caleb, flipping through the magazines, glanced up casually at Claire posing and whispered to himself.

Over the next two days, Ian became an assistant like Quentin, helping Serena with her work.

Because the last two days of LD Jewelry Fashion Week were for business negotiations.

Serena, being the owner and designer of the jewelry studio, had to personally handle each business negotiation.

After returning home, Serena couldn’t rest.

This LD Jewelry Fashion Week resulted in stirring fame for Serena, along with numerous orders.

Half a month later, the new issue of Radiance Magazine was released.

Serena was always aware of Miranda’s and Radiance’s industry standing, and thought her photo would be placed discreetly.

Yet unexpectedly, the new issue’s cover was shared between her and Caleb Lockwood.

Caleb was inherently a high-profile business mogul.

Even though Caleb preferred a low-key demeanor, as long as he doesn’t refuse exposure, his face would appear in the public eye.

Being wealthy and handsome meant he was bound not to be low-key at all.

And Serena, being a new designer, having a photo with such a mogul, featured on the Radiance cover, even if she designed a pile of trash, she’d still become famous.

Not to mention, Serena’s designs weren’t trash.

Her feature was placed in the magazine’s most important section by Miranda.

Even more than her individual photo, the images of her Thorn Rose jewelry series were prominent, even acting as the headline image for the LD Jewelry Fashion Week feature.

Following the magazine’s release, the butterfly effect started manifesting.

An increasing number of luxury goods buyers approached Serena, as did high-end brands seeking crossover collaborations.

Online, fashion bloggers and famous streamers hopped on Serena’s trend, inadvertently helping amplify her influence.

Peter also reached out to Serena for collaboration as the executive director of FY.

Serena was suddenly busier than ever.

Serena lost track of the time since returning from Country F when one day she received a phone call.

"Hello, this is J Jewelry Studio."

Serena didn’t realize this was a personal call.

Nor did she notice it was Caleb calling.

On the other end, Caleb Lockwood fell into a brief silence.

"It’s me."

Serena’s heart skipped a beat.

It was only upon hearing Caleb’s voice that she remembered the unresolved divorce matter between them.

"Is the divorce agreement ready?"

Serena proactively asked.

"Yes."

The phone fell silent again briefly, then Serena heard Caleb continue:

"I thought you’d call first about the divorce agreement..."

"Sorry, I’ve been really busy since returning from Country F."

"So busy you forgot to divorce me?"

Hearing Caleb’s chuckle, Serena felt uneasy.

She thought Caleb must’ve misunderstood, believing that she didn’t want the divorce.

Initially, Caleb did consider it, but he quickly realized —

Serena didn’t hesitate to divorce him.

It’s just that, to Serena now, her career outweighed divorce.

Outweighed divorcing him.

Outweighed him.

Just as Serena was about to explain, Caleb’s voice sounded again.

His tone was much colder.

"I’ve mailed the divorce agreement to you. It should be there now, remember to check it."

"Alright."

Caleb hung up first, as Serena lifted her head, just as the courier knocked on her office door.

"Serena, there’s a package for you."