Chapter 171: Deleted the Group Photo - First Love Only? I Left Him First, Now the CEO Can't Let Go

CHAPTER 171: CHAPTER 171: DELETED THE GROUP PHOTO

After Serena Jennings’ company went bankrupt, even her white BMW 3 Series was taken as collateral. Now, she was utterly penniless, with nothing left.

Even the recent dividend from FY, she transferred it to Ethan White’s mother.

Walking on Seacliff Bridge, Serena enjoyed the sea breeze, feeling exceptionally clear-headed.

She took out her phone and opened the secret photo album protected by a password.

The album contained only one photo.

It was a photo of her with Caleb Lockwood.

Back then, in the juvenile center, when they barely had access to a phone, she secretly took this photo.

She wasn’t sure if Caleb knew she was taking his picture at that time. He might not have noticed, or maybe he was pretending not to know.

The juvenile center in City A operated under a half-school, half-prison management model, where occasionally one could get hold of a phone.

Serena felt fortunate she could capture a photo with Caleb Lockwood.

It seemed that back then, she was the one who first fell for Caleb.

First love, it was truly hard to resist Caleb Lockwood’s charm.

Later, Caleb must have sincerely liked her too; otherwise, he wouldn’t have promised not to forget her and that they’d be together forever.

To young boys and girls, a vow of eternal love was immensely captivating.

Serena was completely drawn in.

This single photo with Caleb Lockwood, no matter how many times she changed phones later, she treasured and preserved it like a priceless gem.

As if this photo represented her entire youth, her most sincere and passionate love portrait.

Serena stared at the photo on her phone screen for a long, long time.

Then, she deleted the photo.

With the photo gone, the separately set secret album disappeared as well.

Now, there were no more secrets in Serena’s phone.

Nor were there any shackles.

Serena lifted her head to gaze at the sky, inhaled the salty sea breeze.

The sea breeze was quite brisk, blowing her hair into disarray.

However, the smile on her face wasn’t blown away.

Serena recalled what Lana Xavier had said to her while eating hotpot yesterday.

Lana Xavier said Caleb Lockwood was just a man; while three-legged frogs are hard to find, two-legged men are everywhere on the streets!

Previously, Serena might have retorted that Lana Xavier had no romantic experience and thus couldn’t understand how hard it is to extricate oneself when deeply loving someone.

But now, Serena also felt Lana was right.

Opening the recruitment app, Serena wanted to see how many companies had reviewed her resume since she submitted it last night.

Quite a few had viewed her resume, but so far, no HR manager had contacted her yet.

Serena wasn’t anxious; given the current economic downturn, finding a job wasn’t easy. She needed to be patient.

Before her phone screen dimmed, she was curious about her current trending searches, but when she checked various websites, none had any negative news about her.

"Huh?"

Serena was surprised.

She wouldn’t naively think Caleb Lockwood had helped smooth things over.

If Caleb truly wanted to help her, he wouldn’t have allowed public opinion to ferment to such an extent.

After pondering for a moment, Serena realized there was only one person willing and capable of helping her, someone with a time difference with Country A.

Picking up her phone, she dialed a number.

"Hello, Ellie."

Chance Bell still wasn’t used to calling Chloe Linton by the name "Serena Jennings."

Previously, Serena wouldn’t have acknowledged Chance Bell.

Because she was no longer Chloe Linton, every time she was called "Ellie," it seemed as if she still had intricate ties with The Linton Family.

When she previously asked Chance Bell to hack into the photographer’s electronic devices, and when Chance proactively helped her gather evidence against Felix Shepherd, she refused to acknowledge him as long as he called her "Ellie."

But this time, Serena didn’t dwell on the name issue.

"You helped remove the trending searches, didn’t you?"

"I used unconventional methods, but they won’t be able to find out."

Chance Bell’s voice over the phone was very confident.

Serena couldn’t help but smile.

On the surface, Chance Bell is the Linton Family’s driver and assistant, but he is also a bodyguard, a hacker, extremely capable.

"Thank you for helping me with such a big favor."

"I actually wanted to apologize to you!"

Chance Bell’s voice was very sincere.

"I’m in Country C, so I’m not as sensitive to trending searches in Country A. If I had noticed sooner, I could have stopped the public opinion fermenting sooner."

"It’s not your fault, why apologize?"

Serena shrugged.

She’s been on trending searches numerous times, whether good or bad, true or false. She’s already gotten used to it.

If she were really knocked down by those online keyboard warriors, wouldn’t that suit the wishes of the behind-the-scenes manipulators?

Serena wouldn’t allow it.

No matter who the behind-the-scenes manipulator is, since their aim was to ruin her reputation and bankrupt her company, she would rise again.

"By the way, do those two know about my situation?"

Chance Bell understood whom Serena referred to as "those two."

Since she became "Serena Jennings," she hasn’t called them "Mom and Dad" anymore.

"Rest assured, I haven’t told anyone; removing the trending searches was done secretly by me."

"Impressive, worthy of being the world’s number one hacker."

Upon receiving Serena’s praise, Chance Bell paused.

Although Serena couldn’t see Chance Bell, she could tell Chance was probably feeling bashful from her compliment.

"By the way, Ellie, even if you didn’t call me, I would have contacted you."

Serena’s smile gradually faded.

Her intuition told her, whatever Chance Bell was going to say next might not be good news.

"The old man..."

When those three words echoed in her ears, Serena abruptly raised her eyes, her expression changed dramatically, filled with hatred.

"The old man had Minister Linton take a girl as his adopted daughter."

The Lockwood Group.

Mr. Miller was initially reporting work to Caleb Lockwood, all related to the specific progress of the FZZL project.

"Who removed the trending searches?"

Caleb Lockwood suddenly asked.

Mr. Miller froze, puzzled.

"What?"

Caleb Lockwood raised his brows, his gaze at Mr. Miller slightly displeased.

Mr. Miller instantly realized Caleb didn’t want to repeat himself.