CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34: DELIBERATELY MISTREATING HER

"I’ll go shut it now!"

Mr. Miller immediately grasped Caleb Lockwood’s meaning and dashed off.

Serena Jennings didn’t dare to sleep too long; she set an alarm and woke up before the lunch break ended.

When she opened her eyes, there was only Mr. Miller, who had returned to his desk to work.

Serena noticed a blanket on her shoulder, which she didn’t know had been placed there.

A gray-black thin wool blanket, soft to the touch.

"Thank you!"

She handed the blanket to Mr. Miller, proactively expressing her gratitude.

Although Mr. Miller took the blanket, he didn’t understand why Serena was thanking him.

Today was Serena’s first day working at The Lockwood Group, and she had to work overtime that same night until ten o’clock.

For the following week, she didn’t leave work on time even once.

Lana Xavier would call her every day to inquire about the situation, and upon hearing about the overtime work, she would scold Caleb Lockwood for being a cold-hearted capitalist who was deliberately mistreating her.

Serena knew Caleb was doing it on purpose.

He wanted to force her to become a housewife.

"Serena, have you finished writing that price list I gave you earlier?"

Someone called Christine Warren approached Serena’s desk.

She was from the General Department, and Serena knew she had a good relationship with Claire Shaw.

"Not yet."

Upon hearing Serena’s response, Christine immediately complained in disappointment: "How is it not finished yet? I gave it to you three days ago, and it’s needed by tomorrow."

"I’ll get it done tonight," Serena could only say.

In fact, writing the price list wasn’t her primary job; Christine handed it to her, but she didn’t accept it. However, Claire Shaw egged Caleb Lockwood on, and Caleb demanded that she take on the task.

"Christine, what’s going on?"

Claire Shaw walked over at that moment.

She was dressed in a pink suit, with exquisite makeup and luxurious jewelry, truly a beautiful, wealthy woman.

Everyone in the company knew that Claire Shaw was Caleb Lockwood’s high school classmate, and they were well aware that the LC jewelry brand was established by Caleb for Claire Shaw.

Although the two never openly announced their relationship, it was obvious to those with discerning eyes.

Many, including Christine, regarded Claire Shaw as the mistress of The Lockwood Group.

"Claire, it’s all Serena’s fault; she hasn’t finished the price list I gave her, and it’s needed by tomorrow. If I fail to submit it..."

Claire Shaw patted Christine’s shoulder to comfort her: "Don’t worry, if anything happens, I’m still here!"

"You’re so kind, Claire." Christine was moved to tears.

"And you shouldn’t blame Serena. It’s her first time doing this kind of work, so it’s normal for her to not have the know-how. You’re a regular university graduate, while she doesn’t have your degree..."

After hearing Claire Shaw’s words, Christine looked puzzled.

She could be said to have the lowest education level at The Lockwood Group. If Serena was even less qualified than her...

The next day, the news that Serena only had a high school education spread throughout The Lockwood Group.

Previously, when Serena went to the cafeteria for lunch, she occasionally bumped into colleagues who would sit at the same table with her.

But ever since the entire company learned she wasn’t a college graduate, even eating lunch became something people avoided, as if she had a contagious disease.

Serena couldn’t explain to everyone she met, nor could she use a loudspeaker to announce that she hadn’t completed her university education because she married the president of their company.

Feeling unsatisfied with her meal, Serena returned to work early, and as soon as she got off the elevator, she ran into Caleb Lockwood.

Caleb was still the same, dressed impeccably in a suit, with one hand in his pocket, exuding an unshakable aura of authority.

"Stop gossiping about things that harm you. Learn to keep quiet in the company."

Caleb spoke to Serena as he entered the elevator. As soon as Serena opened her mouth, the elevator door closed.

For a whole month, Serena worked overtime every day, yet no matter how many tasks were thrown at her, she always managed to complete them on time, and the results were satisfactory.

This made Mr. Miller go from being impressed to admiring her immensely.

Actually, Mr. Miller was well aware that many tasks shouldn’t have been Serena’s responsibility, but with Caleb’s approval, he couldn’t say much. He could only quietly ensure Serena received more recognition in her monthly performance report.

Though Serena felt busy every day, she also felt fulfilled and never complained.

One day, she was summoned to the meeting room.

There were only two people in the meeting room—

Caleb Lockwood and Claire Shaw.

Serena noticed that Caleb’s serious expression didn’t suggest a personal conversation, but if it were about business, why was Claire Shaw included?

Is it love?

Serena’s chest tightened, and facing Caleb and Claire alone made her uneasy.

"President Lockwood..."

She called out.

In the company, he was professional with her, and she was likewise with him.

"Was it your doing?"

Caleb threw the document he was holding in front of Serena.

Serena was puzzled.

"Selling FY the information on LC’s new products, Serena, even if you’re dissatisfied with me, there has to be a limit. The company isn’t a place for frivolous games."

Caleb’s tone wasn’t aggressive, but his voice was icily cold.

With icy fingers, Serena silently picked up the document and read it from beginning to end.

Being scolded by Caleb didn’t scare her.

But having Claire Shaw enjoy her embarrassment made her uneasy.

"Our LC’s new quarterly release is identical to FY’s, with the same launch time. If it wasn’t leaked by an insider to FY, how else could FY have gotten hold of my new design?"

"Your new design?" Serena glanced at Claire, who showed no signs of guilt.

The design identical to LC and FY’s, was originally created by Serena.

She wasn’t sure when Claire copied it, or how, but copying was copying.

"This is my design."

Serena stated resolutely, seeing Caleb skeptically chuckle.

"Do you think I’ll believe you?"

"Believe what you want!"

Unexpectedly, Serena’s attitude was confrontational, causing Caleb’s expression to turn cold.

"I thought... if you admitted your mistakes properly, I might not pursue your responsibility this time."

"Why should I admit mistakes when I’ve done nothing wrong?"

Claire was surprised that Serena remained strong-minded even facing Caleb, and quickly persuaded: "Let it go, Caleb. With Serena’s attitude... let’s leave it and consider ourselves unlucky."

"Wait a second." Serena stopped Claire, who was about to leave, "You might not pursue, but I will!"

Claire looked like a frightened good student facing a bad girl, with hunched shoulders, pale-faced.

"Calm down..."

"You copied my design and then turned around and accused..."

"Serena..."

Suddenly, Caleb’s chilling voice interrupted Serena.

"You say Claire copied you, where’s the proof?"

He wrapped an arm around Claire’s trembling shoulders and, seeing Serena speechless, smiled faintly.

"You’re now an employee at Lockwood Group; even if the design truly is yours, selling it to a competitor violates the contract, you’d still be held accountable."

"But I’m working here as a secretary, and the contract only prohibits working part-time outside in similar roles. I haven’t breached the contract, or you could file a lawsuit and see if the Lockwood family’s lawyers can win the case for you."

After speaking, Serena left the meeting room without looking back.

Inside the meeting room.

Claire was genuinely surprised by the confused and curious expression on Caleb’s handsome face.

She felt a tightness in her chest and immediately grabbed Caleb’s hand.

"Caleb, I didn’t copy Serena’s design; you must believe me!"

Caleb’s attention returned to Claire.

Claire’s tearful appearance was truly pitiful.

He nodded, "Of course, I believe you."

However, a week later, The Lockwood Group completely recalled the LC jewelry that was identical to FY’s.