CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: CHECKING HER BODY

Until Caleb Lockwood tossed her into a room at the Riverview Grand Hotel, Serena Jennings did not resist.

After all, it was the company’s annual party, and no matter what grudges lay between her and Caleb Lockwood, she didn’t want to make a big scene and have the people in the company laugh at her.

However, now there were only her and Caleb Lockwood in the room, Serena couldn’t help but feel nervous.

Caleb Lockwood looked at Serena like she was a hedgehog with its spikes raised, and smirked slightly.

"Is this dress worth three million?"

He looked Serena up and down.

He was familiar with the ZM brand, but formal dresses usually cost around a hundred thousand.

Serena could guess what Caleb was thinking.

She and Lana Xavier’s dresses were the ZM limited edition new releases; she was not exaggerating.

"What, President Lockwood can’t afford three million?"

Serena knew that even if she explained, Caleb wouldn’t believe her.

"I can afford it." Caleb’s tone was calm yet firm, "Not just three million, even thirty billion I could afford."

Serena’s hands clasped tightly behind her back.

For Claire, Caleb really would spare no expense.

"I just wanted to remind you that if you want to make money next time, think of a more clever way."

Caleb’s words made Serena laugh out of anger, but she didn’t say much more. After all, she took the three million with a clear conscience.

Once she collected the money and wanted to leave, a waiter delivered a new gown.

"You don’t feel embarrassed dressing like that, but I do. Don’t forget whose secretary you are."

Caleb Lockwood brought the new dress to Serena.

The area where Serena had wine spilled on her was her chest, and the color of the strapless gown had darkened, making it quite noticeable.

Knowing that Caleb Lockwood was staring at her chest, Serena felt uncomfortable and reached out to him.

"Give me the dress; I’ll change myself."

"Turn around."

Caleb’s voice remained indifferent, but his tone was undeniably commanding.

Serena was a bit annoyed, but being alone with Caleb in the room, it was no benefit to anger him.

In the end, she obediently turned around, her back to Caleb.

As the dress zipper was pulled down, the cool air rushed in, along with the heat of Caleb’s knuckles.

Serena’s body stiffened.

She didn’t know what Caleb intended to do to her.

The previous memories of being forced made her feel a fright deep in her heart, her hair standing on end.

"Just helping you change clothes, no need to be so tense. You’re not that attractive."

Caleb’s cold voice brushed past her ears.

The dirty dress was completely removed, yet Serena’s face flushed.

Even though she and Caleb Lockwood had been married for three years, and every part of her body had been seen by him, she didn’t understand why she was embarrassed, let alone that she wasn’t wearing nothing underneath the dress anyway.

The room was dead silent.

After helping Serena remove the dirty dress, Caleb didn’t move.

He stood with one hand in his pocket, staring at Serena’s back as if admiring an art sculpture.

Serena felt Caleb’s intense gaze, like an inspection of her body.

In the 57th floor revolving buffet restaurant.

The employees of the Lockwood Group were gossiping about why Caleb Lockwood had taken Serena away, and why they hadn’t returned after so long.

"Is there something going on between President Lockwood and his secretary...?"

"I heard that Serena was parachuted in and only has a high school diploma..."

"Doesn’t that just fit the pattern."

"Even if she is involved with President Lockwood, she’s just the other woman. Look at how generously President Lockwood spent on Claire, there’s no question who’s the real wife, right?"

"President Lockwood is so outstanding; rich, handsome, it’s normal for some women to throw themselves at him."

The colleagues gathered in small groups, eagerly gossiping, finding this year’s annual party far more interesting than previous ones.

Serena had long predicted the rumors about her and Caleb.

With everyone present, being taken away by Caleb for so long, rumors about her and Caleb would definitely spread throughout the company.

However, Serena didn’t expect the rumors about her and Caleb to involve Claire, with her cast as the despised third party.

"Claire, you really don’t mind? That Serena is so shameless, right?" Christine Warren and Claire stood by the coffee machine, their voices loud as if intentionally letting Serena hear.

"Knowing President Lockwood loves you and is pursuing you, yet she still dares to cling on."

Hearing this, Claire laughed helplessly, "Nothing can be done, Caleb is just too excellent!"

In the entire Lockwood Group, only Claire addressed Caleb Lockwood so intimately.

"Oh dear, look at you being cozy with President Lockwood."

Christine teased Claire, who blushed and sneaked a glance toward Serena’s desk.

Serena usually didn’t care much about rumors.

Especially since she would sooner or later divorce Caleb, and the whole company believed Caleb and Claire were a pair, she couldn’t be bothered to explain.

However, she couldn’t accept being labeled as a homewrecker.

Serena thought this kind of gossip would die down in a few days as everyone sought novelty.

But for some reason, the gossip only intensified. More and more people in the company were standing up for Claire, even the canteen cashier told her, "I don’t serve homewreckers. If you want to eat, go buy it yourself!"

Serena didn’t blame the cashier, understanding everyone despises homewreckers.

But she couldn’t let these rumors continue to ferment as it was too damaging to her reputation.

It was Claire who was the homewrecker, so why should she bear the disgrace!

"Auntie, you’ve misunderstood, I’m not a homewrecker, I have a boyfriend actually. My boyfriend is very accomplished and considering my conditions, even if I wanted to marry a rich man, there are plenty out there, why should I be a homewrecker!"

Hearing that, the cashier thought there might be some truth to what Serena was saying.

She actually quite liked Serena.

Serena was pretty, and very polite, always thanking her proactively.

But with the whole company spreading that Serena was desperately clinging to Caleb as a homewrecker, ruining Caleb and Claire’s relationship, it was so vivid that she started believing it.

"Exactly, with your conditions, you can find someone easily. Young girls like you, be careful not to step down the wrong path."

Serena smiled bitterly.

It was obvious the other party was only half-convinced by her explanation.

"Wait till I bring my boyfriend here, and then you’ll believe me."

"I really want to see..."

The sudden voice from behind Serena made her jump.

Turning around, she saw Caleb Lockwood’s smiling face.

"Who might the secretary’s boyfriend be?"

Caleb’s piercing gaze with a hint of mockery made Serena feel guilty.

"Come to my office after lunch."

After issuing the order, Caleb turned and left.

Serena watched as Caleb naturally sat next to Claire, having lunch together and drawing attention from all the employees in the cafeteria.

Lunchtime was a dull affair for Serena, as the table next to hers was abuzz with gossip about her, Claire, and Caleb’s relationships.

After lunch, she knocked on Caleb’s office door, receiving no response.

As his secretary, she had a key to his office, so she let herself in.

Caleb had told her to come to the office after lunch, yet he was an hour late himself.

Serena knew Caleb wasn’t one to be late without reason.

The only reason for Caleb to be an hour late to work was probably Claire.

Caleb arrived late, stunned for a moment upon seeing Serena in the office, yet said nothing as if waiting for him for an hour was only right.

He sat down in his chair, casually flipping open a file, while nonchalantly saying to Serena:

"This Saturday, I need you to go back to the old house to cook."