CHAPTER 138: CHAPTER 138: PREGNANT

She was exposed.

Now, the whole internet knows—

Caleb Lockwood’s wife is her, Serena Jennings.

Serena couldn’t even go back to the company; it was only with the help of the office building security that she managed to escape the encirclement of reporters and promotional accounts.

Before driving off, she took out her phone.

As expected, the internet was filled with news about her.

"’Radiance’ new favorite, Serena Jennings, is actually a wealthy socialite?!"

"Caleb Lockwood is married, and his wife is Serena Jennings."

"Is Lockwood Group behind the rising designer?"

"A match made in heaven? Or beauty with brains? Lockwood Group officially claims its lady."

"Powerful union! Business tycoon and rising designer have been a family all along."

Overnight, the internet was flooded with reports confirming Serena Jennings as Caleb Lockwood’s wife.

There was an occasion before, but that was just a rumor due to a blurry photograph.

Caleb did not deny it, nor did he confirm.

Eventually, things faded away; after all, the internet has no memory, and new gossip replaces old at lightning speed, and over time, people had long forgotten.

But this time it was different.

This time it was clearly premeditated; someone first paid for the press release, and the whole internet posted identical content.

Then the Lockwood Group’s official account acknowledged the release across all platforms.

In other words, Lockwood Group unilaterally confirmed that Serena is Caleb’s wife.

Though it was true.

Although when she and Caleb first married, there wasn’t any hidden marriage agreement made.

But because Serena had always stayed home, apart from a few people, no one knew her identity, and the Lockwood Family had never publicly announced her relationship with Caleb.

Serena couldn’t understand what was going on this time.

She had considered the possibility of being exposed as Caleb’s wife before, but as long as Lockwood Group didn’t acknowledge it, it would end up like last time, unresolved.

However, this time, Lockwood’s reaction was beyond Serena’s expectations.

It even seemed more like Lockwood’s own orchestration.

The only person Serena could think of was Caleb.

Just after Caleb handed her the signed divorce papers, he released a press across the internet confirming her as Mrs. Lockwood.

Thus, it would be difficult for her to divorce Caleb now.

But Serena didn’t understand why Caleb would go to extremes, and for what purpose.

Therefore, she went to Lockwood Group to confront Caleb directly.

Serena was furious, and Caleb wasn’t much better off.

As the coffee neared the bottom, Serena finally heard Caleb speak:

"I had nothing to do with the online exposé, I wasn’t aware."

Serena sneered: "You think I’ll believe that?"

"Whether you believe it or not... does it matter that much to me?"

Caleb’s retort left Serena speechless.

"Serena, I remember I told you I wouldn’t miss you that much; though a diligent housekeeper like you makes things convenient, that’s all..."

Caleb’s calm, almost cold-blooded words were like needles pricking Serena’s heart.

"Since I’ve already given you the signed divorce papers, I didn’t plan to do anything underhanded. Are you so eager to question me because, in your heart, you wish I was the one behind it, so you can fool yourself into thinking I’m reluctant to divorce you? Am I right?"

"You!"

Serena felt her face burning.

She hadn’t thought like that.

At least, she didn’t have such a delusion.

However, her anger in Caleb’s mocking eyes seemed more like a shameful anger from having her secret expectedly revealed.

Serena grabbed her phone and turned to leave.

Caleb said nothing, silently allowing Serena to leave in anger.

The office felt particularly spacious with one person short.

Caleb picked up his phone and made a call.

The call connected.

"Dad, why did you act without consulting me?"

Arthur Lockwood’s justified voice came from the receiver:

"You blame me for acting unilaterally? You’ve been delaying the divorce; right when Serena is highly popular and influential, you choose to divorce her. What can I say about you?"

Caleb remained silent.

"You know full well, Starsharp and several other companies want to short our Lockwood Group. At this juncture, releasing positive news will make them face a short squeeze; we will win."

"Do you have any idea how much the stock has gone up? Right now, you absolutely cannot divorce Serena. Not only can you not divorce her, but you need to take her to more public events, use her momentum to heat up our Lockwood Group, I want Starsharp and others to lose everything!"

Arthur’s bold words came out like a barrage, while Caleb appeared as quiet as having hung up the phone.

But Arthur knew Caleb was listening.

"Caleb, for business, whatever can be used must be used. I’m not forbidding you from divorcing Serena; she has changed and is no longer suitable for us at the Lockwood Family. However, right now, exposing her as your wife benefits Lockwood Group. You keep her stable for now, and when she’s no longer valuable, discard her... She’s merely a woman, Dad believes you can handle it easily."

Ending the call, Caleb leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes gently.

At this time, the office door was knocked.

"President Lockwood, it’s me."

"Come in."

Mr. Miller opened the door and handed Caleb some documents.

"This is the project progress for Azure Bay, and the other is the DS studio AI research report."

"Okay."

Caleb didn’t take them but instructed Mr. Miller to put both files on the desk.

After placing the documents, Mr. Miller was supposed to leave, but he stood silently in front of Caleb’s desk.

"Is there anything else?"

Caleb asked indifferently.

"No." Mr. Miller shook his head, "I just think President Lockwood... are you too tired?"

"Do I look tired?"

"... A little."

Caleb silently lifted the corners of his lips.

"Do you think I’m exhausted by a woman?"

"... No, I just hope President Lockwood takes care of your health."

Though Mr. Miller said so, he couldn’t help but wonder:

Is it a woman?

"Just in time, Mr. Miller, please book a table at Scalinda for me, tonight at seven."

"Yes."

As Mr. Miller left the office, he was still pondering.

Scalinda is a newly opened Michelin three-star restaurant in City A, quite difficult to reserve.

But, of course, that wouldn’t be a challenge for him.

He just couldn’t guess who Caleb had booked Scalinda’s table for tonight.

Claire Shaw?

Or Serena Jennings?

Riverside Manor.

Claire Shaw’s eyes were swollen like a frog from crying.

"What does Caleb Lockwood mean by this? Promising to give me a title on one hand, yet dragging out the divorce with Serena on the other. Now everyone knows Serena is his wife, and the Lockwood Group’s official account has acknowledged it, essentially declaring Serena’s identity and status to the public... How is Caleb supposed to divorce her now? Serena was popular recently, and now everyone’s praising Caleb for his foresight, marrying a beautiful and talented rising designer, some even say it signals Lockwood Group’s venture into the fashion world, and recently Lockwood’s stock surge, everyone’s praising Serena for her prosperity..."

While speaking, Claire couldn’t help but cry again, feeling deeply aggrieved.

"With Serena’s identity as Mrs. Lockwood solidified, then what am I? What am I supposed to do... So many people saw me and Caleb together, inseparable... Isn’t it like announcing to everyone that I’m a mistress?!"

Claire cried so hard her voice was hoarse.

Valerie Vance was beside herself with anger.

"It’s all your fault; you didn’t listen to my advice. If you listened earlier, gave Caleb Lockwood some medicine to make him obsessed with your body and, if everything went smoothly, became pregnant, the mother’s status would rise with the child’s, wouldn’t you still worry Caleb wouldn’t marry you?"