CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39: STIRRING THOSE THOUGHTS

Serena actually didn’t want to take a bath first.

She was cautious about Caleb Lockwood.

In this old residence of The Lockwood Family, if Caleb truly wanted to do something to her, it would be hard for her to resist, even for the sake of her grandfather.

Moreover, the last time Caleb forced her, she had fought desperately, but it was still to no avail.

Caleb was typing on the keyboard, and seeing Serena not moving for a while, he glanced at her.

The moment their eyes met, Serena felt like her thoughts were exposed.

Caleb smiled, his always indifferent eyes curved into crescents, seductive and gauzy —

A dangerous aura filled the air.

Before Serena could speak, he stood up and entered the bathroom first.

The sound of water came from the bathroom, and Serena breathed a sigh of relief.

This time Caleb was taking longer than usual for his bath; Serena had finished a design sketch and found Caleb still not out.

Moreover, the sound of water had ceased from the bathroom, as if no one was there at all.

She was somewhat worried, fearing Caleb might have fainted in the pool, though it seemed unlikely for something like that to happen to Caleb.

"Caleb Lockwood?"

Serena approached the bathroom door and knocked.

"Are you okay?"

There was no response from the bathroom.

Serena twisted the doorknob, discovering that it wasn’t locked, and pulled the door open directly.

Caleb’s tall figure happened to block her view.

Serena nearly collided with Caleb’s chest.

Caleb, having bathed, was wrapped only in a towel below, his upper body naked.

The solid eight-pack abs showcased masculine strength, while the wet hair dripping with water added a touch of seductive charm.

Serena froze.

Caleb saw Serena at the bathroom door, his eyes also showing surprise.

"In a hurry?" he asked.

"Who are you talking to?"

Only when she heard the familiar woman’s voice did Serena realize Caleb was holding a phone.

"Nothing," Caleb said to the person on the phone, then to Serena, "Make way."

Only then did Serena realize she was blocking Caleb’s path and stepped aside.

She entered the bathroom and, while closing the door, noticed Caleb still on the phone.

So, Caleb had spent all that time in the bathroom not bathing or fainting in the pool but probably chatting on WeChat!

Chatting wasn’t enough for him, and he ended up making a call.

Serena recognized the voice on the phone as Claire Shaw.

Thinking of how she had irrational fears earlier, worried that bathing and wearing pajamas would arouse Caleb’s other thoughts.

Yet now it seemed Caleb’s thoughts were only focused on Claire Shaw.

Serena managed a bitter smile, cursing herself for being overly sentimental.

She spent a long time bathing, so long that Caleb must have already gone to bed.

Serena changed into her pajamas and walked out of the bathroom.

Perhaps it’s at Grandpa’s order, or perhaps the servants took the liberty to prepare a white silk camisole style sleepwear for Serena, with the chest area adorned with delicate lace.

Dressed like this, Serena was actually quite embarrassed, thankfully Caleb had long since gone to bed, his back to her.

By this time, it was past midnight, and Serena felt somewhat sleepy.

She lay down on the other side of the bed.

The bed was large enough that although Serena and Caleb were sharing it, there was a distance between them, neither touching the other.

Serena turned off the bedside lamp, plunging the bedroom into darkness.

Next to her, Caleb’s breathing was steady, indicating he was deeply asleep, yet exhausted from the day, Serena couldn’t fall asleep.

The next day, Serena was awakened by the alarm she had set, looking somewhat drained.

Caleb woke up along with her; she wondered if it was the alarm that disturbed him.

In the past, she used to do the same, set the alarm to get up first, prepare meals, iron Caleb’s suits, and polish Caleb’s shoes before waking him.

Serena was putting on makeup, trying her best to conceal her dark circles.

At that moment, Caleb placed a steaming cup of coffee on the dressing table.

"I didn’t know what kind of coffee you drink, so I asked Ma Wang to make the most common latte."

Serena thanked him, finding Caleb acting a bit unusual today.

Previously, Caleb might give her pocket money or gifts during the holidays, but he would never serve her a cup of coffee.

Serena thought perhaps it was because they were in the old residence that Caleb had to put on some semblance of pretense!

After drinking the coffee, she felt more invigorated and began busying herself for the birthday banquet.

As time approached noon, guests began arriving one after another.

These guests were no different from previous years, and Serena knew them all.

The guests also knew Serena as Lance Lockwood’s granddaughter-in-law.

The only difference was that this year, an extra person was invited to the banquet.

That person was invited by Caleb.

"Caleb, I’m not late, am I?"

Claire Shaw walked into the residence, her smile blossoming like a flower.

Today, she had deliberately dressed up, swapping her usual sweet style for a more mature Morandi pink dress, with smooth cuts and clean lines, the fabric draping nicely, looking very sophisticated.

The jewelry she paired was no longer flashy and eye-catching, but rather small and exquisite, serving as the finishing touch.

Serena could tell that Claire Shaw’s outfit was intended to please Lance Lockwood.

"Grandpa, this is my gift for you."

Claire Shaw handed a beautifully packaged gift box to Lance Lockwood.

Although one would normally not hit a smiling face, Lance Lockwood showed not a hint of friendliness towards Claire Shaw.

"Ma Wang, put the stuff over there."

Lance Lockwood was celebrating his birthday and had received numerous gifts, all piled up in the storage room.

Claire Shaw’s smile faltered slightly.

Lunch time arrived.

Lance Lockwood wasn’t accustomed to Western food, preferring Chinese cuisine, and his friends had similar tastes, so Serena prepared Chinese dishes, ones Lance loved.

"Lance, your granddaughter-in-law’s culinary skills are world-class chef worthy."

"That’s why I said before, Lance doesn’t have many good traits, except his great judgment in picking grandchildren-in-law."

"Isn’t that right? Look at Serena, then look at my granddaughter-in-law who can’t even crack an egg, sigh!"

Lance Lockwood’s friends couldn’t stop praising Serena.

"Now, most young people are the same, few know how to cook because they’re busy working!" Arthur Lockwood chimed in.

"Isn’t that true, Serena doesn’t work..."

Before Lilian Young could finish, her father-in-law rebuked her.

"Do you work? Yet you still don’t know how to cook, do you?"

Lilian Young’s face couldn’t hold up, knowing the old man favored Serena, as he was the one who first suggested Caleb marry Serena.

"Serena is more diligent than the average young person, willing to take on responsibilities; that’s why they say children from poor families mature early!"

If it had been in the past, hearing Lilian Young speak like that would have moved Serena to tears, thinking that her mother-in-law acknowledged her efforts and hardships.

But now, she only sensed that Lilian Young was mocking her for not being well-off, thus only capable of being a housewife.

"Serena is currently employed at The Lockwood Group as Caleb’s secretary..." Lance sensed Lilian’s undertone and spoke up for Serena, "Caleb, isn’t Serena quite competent at work?"

Caleb, while serving soup, replied indifferently, "Her main work involves coordinating with Assistant Zhang, we don’t interact much."