CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: BREAKUP

"You dare say that? Serena has lost weight; surely you’ve been bullying her at the company." Lance Lockwood stood up for Serena Jennings.

Caleb Lockwood gave a wry smile, "Grandpa, there’s really nothing like that."

He placed the bowl of black chicken soup in front of Serena Jennings.

Serena softly thanked him.

It was only at the old estate that she could drink the soup personally served by Caleb Lockwood.

"It’s a matter between them as a couple; you, old man, should stay out of it."

Lance Lockwood’s old war buddy couldn’t help but speak up.

"Exactly, see how attentive Caleb is to his own wife."

"Caleb and Serena; they’re a perfect match... even at their wedding, I said they had a special connection."

Serena Jennings felt a bit embarrassed by the compliments.

Caleb Lockwood’s charming smile formed slightly on his lips.

From an outsider’s perspective, no one could imagine that these two were actually getting divorced and had already been separated for a long time.

During the meal, someone asked who Claire Shaw was.

Caleb Lockwood introduced her as his high school classmate.

Ever since she returned to the country, whenever someone asked Caleb Lockwood about her identity, he answered with "high school classmate."

They indeed broke up upon graduating.

Under normal circumstances, Claire Shaw wouldn’t be too upset about this title.

However, at this moment, compared to Serena, who was his wife, she appeared as the sole outsider.

"Claire, why aren’t you eating? Is the food not to your taste?" Lilian Young asked Claire Shaw.

Claire Shaw forced a smile, "It’s not that I don’t have an appetite; I’m just worried... not sure if Grandpa likes the gift I brought."

Upon hearing Claire Shaw say this, Lilian Young immediately called Wang Ma to bring over Claire Shaw’s gift and opened it on the spot.

Claire Shaw’s birthday gift for Lance Lockwood was a carved "Longevity as the Southern Mountains" piece made from top-grade Mutton Fat Jade, intricately crafted and visibly expensive.

"Claire, you’ve spent way too much; this carving costs at least several million!" Lilian Young exclaimed in awe.

"The craftsmanship is rare indeed, surely a work by a master." Arthur Lockwood also praised Claire Shaw’s well-chosen gift lavishly.

Seeing the attention return to herself, Claire Shaw pretentiously flicked her hair.

"I invited master sculptor Sylvia Lowell from the country; she took three months to carve it. I did the design myself; just hope Grandpa likes it."

After hearing Claire Shaw’s words, a few of Lance Lockwood’s friends also started praising Claire Shaw’s thoughtful efforts.

"By the way, Serena, what kind of birthday gift did you get for Grandpa?"

Upon hearing Claire Shaw ask her this, Serena felt that Claire Shaw went to such lengths for Grandpa’s gift not just to please him, but also to set her up as a comparison.

"Serena is family; family shouldn’t be so formal." Lance Lockwood’s words clearly categorized Claire Shaw as an outsider.

"But Caleb also gave a gift; does that mean Serena is more of a family than Caleb?" Lucy Warren couldn’t help but interject.

Caleb Lockwood indeed gave Lance Lockwood a birthday gift, a Richard Mille watch worth thirty million.

Before Lance Lockwood could rebuke Lucy Warren, suddenly someone rang the doorbell of The Lockwood Estate.

Wang Ma went to open the door and shortly returned with a large box in her hands.

"Sir, it’s a courier delivery saying it’s for the young madam."

The "young madam" Wang Ma referred to was naturally Serena Jennings.

Serena hurriedly took the box and presented it to Lance Lockwood.

"Grandpa, happy birthday, this is my gift to you."

Serena’s earnest blessing surprised Lance Lockwood.

In previous years, Serena had never given him a gift.

Because she and Caleb were family, anything Caleb gave was assumed to carry Serena’s sentiment as well.

Moreover, every year on his birthday, Serena would carefully prepare his favorite dishes; her culinary skills were something he showcased to his old friends.

So he never felt he needed a gift from Serena for his birthday.

But this time, Serena did give something.

While touched, Lance Lockwood also felt a bit sentimental.

He always felt that this was Serena’s way of defining clear boundaries with Caleb.

"What did she send that required a courier? Could it be takeaway?" Lucy Warren couldn’t refrain from mocking.

The others were also curious about this tardy birthday gift.

Except for Caleb Lockwood.

Since Serena mentioned divorce and moved out from The Jade Pavilion, he hadn’t given her a penny.

Serena never asked him for any either.

Caleb Lockwood guessed that what Serena gave was likely something she crafted herself.

This kind of gift is economical, yet meaningful.

Like handmade scarves or baked cakes, common in novels and TV dramas.

Claire Shaw thought along the same lines as Caleb Lockwood.

Although curious about Serena’s gift, she didn’t have high expectations.

It surely wouldn’t compare to hers.

Lance Lockwood carefully unwrapped the package and opened the gift box.

Inside the box was another box.

A violin case.

Lance Lockwood’s eyes brightened.

It was a violin case, naturally containing a violin inside.

Lance Lockwood’s hands trembled.

"Serena, you actually remember Grandpa’s old dream..."

Lance Lockwood learned the violin as a child; his dream was to become a violinist.

However, he ended up joining the army, doing business, gradually moving away from a path aligned with music for the sake of earning money.

After Serena joined the Lockwood Family, on a random occasion, he had mentioned this unfulfilled dream to her.

He never imagined Serena would remember.

When Lance Lockwood took the violin out of the case, the guests were stunned.

Including Caleb Lockwood.

Though they might not all understand violins, given their backgrounds, they had some knowledge of top-tier collectibles.

"Serena, is this violin that one, you know..." Lance Lockwood’s old buddy stammered, struggling with his words.

"It’s the ’MacDonald’ Stradivarius."

Caleb Lockwood’s gaze shifted from the violin to Serena Jennings.

The ’MacDonald’ Stradivarius is currently known as the world’s most expensive violin.

Not only is it astronomically priced, but it has never been publicly auctioned, always traded privately, leaving many collectors yearning for the chance to splurge.

"Serena, how did you manage to buy this violin? It’s... so valuable..." Lance Lockwood’s eyes were moist, overwhelmed with emotion.

"Grandpa plays violin so well; naturally, he deserves a good violin. I got it through a friend, with a discount." Serena smiled casually, speaking lightly.

With this top-tier violin, Lance Lockwood was as happy as a child, and he spontaneously performed, receiving applause from everyone.

Caleb Lockwood noticed Serena fiddling with her phone under the table, seemingly chatting with someone on WeChat.

Serena was indeed chatting with someone on WeChat.

Dylan Shaw: Teacher, I even sold my looks to get this for you. When can I hear you play the piano again?

Serena Jennings: Sold your looks? Do you even have any?

Dylan Shaw: ???

Serena Jennings: Really, thanks a lot this time. I stopped playing the piano long ago, but when you return, I can play the double keyboard for you.

Dylan Shaw: You can only play for me, alone.

Serena finally sent an OK emoji, ending the conversation.

She looked up and found Caleb Lockwood watching her.