CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: HAVEN’T TOUCHED YOU FOR SO LONG

Serena Jennings had a foreboding feeling, instinctively wanting to flee.

However, as she turned, Caleb Lockwood suddenly slammed the door behind her.

Her slender body was lifted, and Serena struggled desperately, but she was still thrown onto the bed by Caleb.

On the bed, Serena clutched her neckline tightly, her eyes red and wary of him. Caleb couldn’t help but laugh.

"Serena, as long as we haven’t divorced, you’re my lawful wife."

The Caleb before her seemed, in Serena’s eyes, like a ravenous beast. She watched him take off his suit jacket, remove his shirt.

"I don’t want to do this, you can’t force me!" Serena shouted at Caleb with all her might, but her voice trembled and distorted.

"Of course I can."

Without a word, Caleb lunged forward.

Underneath him, Serena was like a frightened, trembling small animal, curled up tightly, even her toes clenching the sheets.

After three years of marriage, Serena had always been sufficiently cooperative in matters of intimacy.

So after a long time, it was inevitably tedious.

But today, Serena was different, instead rousing his interest.

"What’s this, using this method to seduce me, huh!"

As Caleb removed her clothes one by one, unprecedented helplessness and terror caused Serena to shed tears.

"Haven’t touched you for so long, hope you won’t disappoint me."

Caleb gently kissed away her tears with the tip of his tongue, yet his hands left red marks on her wrists.

...

After a buoyant night, Caleb got up quite early in the morning and had Mr. Miller bring over a new suit.

Mr. Miller never asked unnecessary questions; after delivering the suit, he returned to the car to wait.

When Caleb was dressed, Serena still hadn’t woken up.

He glanced at Serena with the corner of his eye; her eyes were still swollen in sleep.

Last night was the first time Caleb had seen Serena cry so intensely in the many years he’d known her.

As he moved, Serena cried.

The mood at that time was high, yet after the passion cooled, Caleb felt Serena crying like that had no meaning.

It wasn’t the first time...

Caleb’s chiseled face appeared just as cold as a sculpture.

Casually mumbling "so pretentious," he left Serena’s home.

In the afternoon, the originally bright sunny sky turned cloudy and overcast.

When Serena awoke, her mind was blank as though she had been blackout drunk.

The intense stimuli from last night gradually revived her memories.

Her nose tingled, and her eyes became wet again.

She had slept with Caleb.

Although she was forced, the two of them still had relations.

The most fatal thing was...

She still had feelings for him.

Serena ruffled her hair in frustration, wanting to throw a tantrum but couldn’t.

Suddenly she remembered something, grabbed her phone, and glanced at the time.

It was already one in the afternoon!

The phone showed Peter had called her thirty-two times and sent countless WeChat messages.

Serena quickly called him back to explain.

Originally, Peter planned to hold a press conference in the morning to clear up allegations of plagiarism against Serena.

Heather Monroe accused Serena of plagiarizing the treble clef element from the Piano Series while designing jewelry for "Surprise Life."

In other words, it was Serena plagiarizing herself.

However, using the treble clef element in design wasn’t an original or exclusive feature of the Piano Series.

Simply based on this, claiming plagiarism against Serena was fundamentally unfounded.

But the other side was obviously prepared, using internet trolls to stir up fan wars. Peter thought the quickest and most effective way to prove innocence was for Serena to admit she was the mastermind behind the Piano Series design.

If possible, Serena had no intention of ever revealing herself.

But now she had no other choice, so she agreed with Peter’s suggestion.

And then Caleb ruined it!

Peter didn’t blame Serena, but this made Serena feel more guilty, and her anger towards Caleb increased.

Due to Serena’s delay, the press conference was postponed to the evening, but before the evening came, the online opinion suddenly shifted.

Many jewelry designers, both domestic and abroad, came out to support Serena, citing past instances of similar elements to prove Serena’s work wasn’t plagiarized.

Following this, Heather Monroe was exposed to negative scandals, including plagiarism, having an affair with her boss, and being a third party, diverting all the netizens’ attention onto her.

Within a day, Serena felt she had experienced highs and lows, but at least her turmoil had temporarily subsided.

Serena stayed home all day.

Her eyes were too swollen.

No matter how she tried to cover it with makeup, it was futile, and she angrily broke two boxes of shading powder.

She initially thought to apply a few cucumber slices, hoping the swelling would subside by the next day.

When it was almost dinner time, Justin Nash called her.

"I’m here to claim credit."

At Justin’s words, Serena immediately understood; the change in online opinion must be because Justin hired some internet trolls.

"Thank you so much."

"Just a verbal thanks? Lacks sincerity, huh!"

Serena was amused by Justin, "Alright then, tell me how should I thank you?"

"What about being with me forever? How do you feel about that?" Justin asked jokingly.

Serena fell silent.

If it were a normal day, she would definitely joke back saying if there’s no need for her to bring a dowry, she’d consider it.

But she had just gone through that affair with Caleb last night, and Justin’s "being with me forever" inexplicably reminded her of Caleb’s proposal to her.

The silence on the line made Justin panic.

"I was just joking, don’t be mad!"

Serena snapped back to reality.

It should be her inviting Justin for dinner, given he helped her so much.

But Justin insisted on treating her, as long as she was willing to grace him with her presence.

The nightlife in City A was vibrant and glamorous.

After arriving at the International Hotel, Serena first went to the restroom to check herself in the mirror repeatedly.

She spent three hours applying makeup today, the longest and most carefully she’d ever done in her life.

To cover her swollen eyes, she rarely wore such heavy makeup and selected a deep V-backless black sequin gown, which was sensual, elegant, and carried a hint of aggressiveness.

When Justin saw Serena, he was so amazed his eyes were fixed.

Justin too was dressed deliberately, in a tailored black satin tailcoat, appearing like a noble gentleman.

The International Hotel, a five-star establishment, had high consumption and was formal.

Serena was glad Justin invited her here; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to use this attire to disguise her eyes.

The meal was delightful, and Justin reluctantly pulled Serena to accompany him in enjoying the night view.

The night view at Seacliff Bridge was gorgeous, the city’s bustle coupled with the shimmering flow of the waters.

Serena walked alongside Justin, and had they held hands, they’d blend in seamlessly with the various couples around.

After walking for a while, she suddenly heard Justin ask:

"Did something happen between you and Caleb Lockwood?"

Serena’s shoulders tensed.

"Sorry, I shouldn’t have pried..."

Justin awkwardly scratched his head.

Although Serena looked stunning tonight and tried her best to cover it up, he still noticed her eyes were a bit swollen, and coupled with her unusual attire and makeup tonight, it wasn’t hard to guess.

Justin felt stifled.

He really wanted to ask Serena what she saw in Caleb.

Good looks?

He wasn’t lacking in that!

Wealth?

He had that too.

"Serena..."

His arm unexpectedly caught hold of, facing Serena.

Under the brilliant and bright lights of Seacliff Bridge, she saw Justin’s face flushed, his gaze intense.

"I... actually... I towards you..."

The phone rang at an ill-timed moment, showing an unknown number. Serena apologized and answered the call.

"Hello, is this Ms. Serena Jennings? This is the police department."