CHAPTER 293: CHAPTER 293: CALEB LOCKWOOD BECOMES SERENA JENNINGS’S ASSISTANT

Caleb Lockwood stood right in front of her, still dressed in a suit.

This was the first time Serena Jennings saw Caleb wearing such a cheap suit.

It’s said that clothes make the man.

But this suit, with fabric and cut of poor quality, seemed to depend on Caleb to pull it off.

Though he’s wearing a suit, standing in front of Serena at this moment, Caleb no longer sports the slicked-back hairstyle, letting his neat short hair fall naturally, with his angular face polished like a gem, unexpectedly softer.

His eyes are still bright, but not as sharp as usual, holding a boyish clarity and sparkle.

Serena swallowed the coffee in her mouth; it tasted different.

She never imagined Caleb would apply to be her assistant.

"Do you have to be so hauntingly persistent?"

Serena sat in her boss chair, arms crossed, chin raised as she stared at Caleb, her tone cold and sharp like a weapon.

Caleb’s refined brows showed a hint of innocence and grievance.

"Mr. Reed, I’ve left with nothing, I lack money, so I urgently need a job to support myself."

Caleb spoke seriously, but Serena would be a fool to believe him.

"Mr. Miller..."

Serena pressed the intercom to call Mr. Miller in.

"Mr. Reed..."

As soon as Mr. Miller arrived, he saw an amused Caleb and a resigned-looking Serena.

"This man is not suitable, let him leave!"

Serena said decisively.

Caleb wasn’t at all surprised.

He didn’t resist and was obediently led out of the general manager’s office by Mr. Miller.

The office was empty again, leaving only Serena.

Serena slumped her shoulders and sighed.

She can’t understand what Caleb is trying to do.

Give the company to her and then come to apply as her assistant.

Serena thought of Caleb’s reason—lack of money.

She laughed a little.

Caleb could be lacking anything but money seemed impossible.

While Serena was a bit unsettled by Caleb’s application as an assistant, Mr. Miller knocked and entered.

"Mr. Reed..."

"What is it?"

"There is another candidate with quite good qualifications."

"Let’s hear it."

Mr. Miller sensed Serena’s slight frustration, cleared his throat, and said, "This person... is a DBA from Harvard University, ranked first in the department, participated in Prothean Valley research project, holds a sailing license, excellent horsemanship... exceptional appearance."

Though the introduction differed from before, Mr. Miller mentioned "exceptional appearance" as he did with Caleb.

Serena furrowed her brow slightly.

Doesn’t she understand what kind of celestial company The Lockwood Group is?

Such an outstanding person would come to apply for the assistant position.

"Arrange for an interview tomorrow then!"

Just as Serena finished speaking, Mr. Miller showed a troubled expression.

"What’s wrong?"

"He is already outside."

Upon hearing this from Mr. Miller, Serena became alert.

Sure enough, the candidate whose qualifications are completely different from Caleb’s—

is still Caleb.

When Caleb appeared before Serena once more, she was so frustrated that she said directly to him:

"I’m not hiring an assistant anymore, you can go!"

Caleb’s bright eyes darkened for a moment.

Serena’s intolerance towards him was so glaringly obvious that even a blind person would see it; to say he was completely unfazed would be a lie.

But considering the emotional pain Serena had in the past, his minor hurt seemed trivial.

"Mr. Reed doesn’t want to hire an assistant, then what does Mr. Reed want? A secretary? A janitor?"

Serena was amused by Caleb.

"What exactly do you want to do?"

"Still an assistant!"

Serena: ...

This time she didn’t call Mr. Miller but directly summoned the security.

"This person is mentally troubled, please escort him out."

Serena pointed at Caleb and instructed the security guard.

"Sorry Mr. Reed..."

The security guard turned and scanned Caleb from top to bottom, then respectfully told Serena, "This gentleman doesn’t seem to have any issues."

Serena rolled her eyes.

She realized that all throughout The Lockwood Group, from assistants to security, no one dared offend Caleb—

But they all dared to trouble her.

Having just taken the position as general manager of The Lockwood Group, Serena couldn’t act like a tyrant dismissing security staff right away.

So she waved her hand, letting the security guard leave.

Then the office was left with only Serena and Caleb.

The flow of air seemed to slow.

Serena and Caleb locked gazes.

Caleb’s deep black eyes were like a black hole eager to pull her in.

"Mr. Reed, there’s no one more suitable than me to be your assistant... Primarily because no one else would apply."

Caleb’s last words made Serena realize that Caleb’s choice to leave with nothing was likely so he could naturally become her assistant.

No matter how many times she refused, the assistant position would eventually fall to Caleb.

Serena rubbed her forehead.

"With your high qualifications, I’ll offer a monthly salary of two thousand five, year-round no breaks, will you do it?"

"Does it include social security benefits? How long is the probation period?"

Seeing Caleb’s earnest inquiry, Serena couldn’t help but scoff.

Wouldn’t Caleb know the employee benefits at The Lockwood Group himself?

"No benefits, probation period of ten years."

Serena casually replied.

"I’m willing, shall we sign the contract now?"

Looking at Caleb’s triumphant smile, Serena was about to explode with anger.

Why is it, even after a real divorce, she can’t seem to escape Caleb?

Serena intended to tell Mr. Miller to prepare the onboarding contract, but when Mr. Miller entered, the contract was already prepared.

From Mr. Miller’s resignation to Caleb’s onboarding...

Everything seemed pre-arranged by Caleb.

With a flourish, Caleb signed the contract for a two thousand five monthly salary decisively, as if signing a multi-billion deal.

Thus, Caleb became Serena’s assistant, and started the assistant work that very day.

He walked into the general manager’s office carrying a tray with six cups of coffee.

Serena looked up, taken aback.

"What’s this...?"

Like a European noble’s butler, Caleb elegantly placed the six coffees before Serena.

"Mr. Reed, this is an espresso, this cup an Americano, this a latte, here’s a cappuccino, this a mocha, and the last one is caramel macchiato... Which one would you like?"

Serena: ...

Was she in a coffee shop now?

"Just make a cup of instant coffee in the future."

For Serena, staying awake is more important than anything else.

"As you wish."

Caleb removed the six cups of coffee, then returned with a cup of instant coffee.

Serena blinked.

When did Caleb become this obedient?

Was he really not cursed?

Serena picked up the instant coffee and took a sip.

It was delicious.

She never fussed much, usually drinking instant coffee while working.

But the instant coffee Caleb made was different from any she had before.

Moderate acidity, natural sweetness, smooth and layered texture, with a pleasant nutty aroma.

"How is it? Does it suit Mr. Reed’s taste?"

Serena lifted her eyelids to look at Caleb.

In a flash, she recalled how often she asked Caleb this question when they first got married:

"How is it, does it suit your taste?"

Because she personally cooked all three meals, she had to make dishes Caleb liked to be a qualified wife.

"It’s okay."

Serena gave a contradictory response.