CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 43: CHARITY

Today, once again, Justin came to pick her up after work.

Last night, Justin helped her out so much that Serena offered to take him out for dinner.

However, as soon as the car reached the mall, a sudden issue at Justin’s company required him to return and take charge.

"Will you really be okay on your own?"

By the roadside, Justin asked Serena reluctantly.

Serena couldn’t help but laugh and cry.

"I’m not a child, and besides, the mall in City A isn’t that dangerous."

Serena wasn’t ready to go home yet; since she was already there, she occasionally liked to shop.

Every time she visited a high-end mall, Serena always couldn’t resist stopping by FY’s counter to see how her jewelry designs looked in the display.

The piano series had now become FY’s flagship collection and representative element.

Using patented cutting technology, the sparkling black and white diamonds maximally showcased the fire of the diamonds, complemented by upgraded hidden setting techniques, with no visible prongs to enhance the overall beauty.

Serena had crafted five different designs for this collection—

Stave, Treble Clef, Eighth Note, Piano Keys, and Grand Piano.

Among them, the "Grand Piano" was the most luxurious and expensive.

It featured 300 top-grade colorless diamonds from Botswana and 700 top-grade black diamonds from Central Africa, with a unique design that shone brightly upon release, causing a sensation in the jewelry world and high society.

"Wow... Is this the legendary Piano Queen Pendant?"

Lily stood in front of the separate display cabinet, lost in its beauty.

"Yes, that’s the one."

Claire stood beside her, looking proud as if she had designed the Piano Queen Pendant herself.

"It’s so magnificent, my eyes feel almost blinded." Owen shielded his eyes, equally awestruck.

"Although I currently design jewelry at Lockwood Group and am a competitor to FY, this is only limited to the gold product line; as for high-end diamond jewelry, no one can rival FY!"

Upon hearing Claire’s words, Lily and Owen couldn’t help but marvel:

"FY is that impressive?"

"Previously, in the high-end jewelry world, FY and KDY were about equal, but since FY released the piano series, its sales and status quickly surpassed KDY."

"So Claire, your teacher really accomplished something great!" Owen nudged Claire with his elbow, causing her proud smile to widen even more.

"If someone could give me a necklace like this, I’d marry him immediately."

Seeing Lily so charmed, Claire explained, "This Piano Queen Pendant is different from other jewelry in the piano series; it can only be purchased by FY’s highest-level black diamond VIP clients—just having money isn’t enough."

"So don’t daydream! Of the three of us, only Claire might have a chance." Owen teased.

"Speaking of which, Claire, haven’t you always liked this Piano Queen Pendant? Why not have President Lockwood give it to you? He’s surely able to afford it."

"Well..."

Claire’s gaze shifted to Serena, who was walking towards them.

Serena had come to witness the splendor of the Piano Queen Pendant.

Although she created the design, nothing could compare to the brilliance of the actual piece.

She hadn’t expected to encounter Claire and the others while shopping, nor had she anticipated their keen admiration for her jewelry designs.

"Serena, why are you here?" Claire initiated the conversation, her tone questioning Serena’s right to browse the jewelry counters.

Serena walked over with composure, smiled at Claire, "I’m here to buy jewelry."

In fact, she hadn’t intended to buy anything.

"You? Can you afford it?" Owen raised an eyebrow at her.

"Have you already forgotten the matter of paying three million compensation?"

As soon as Serena brought that up, Owen’s face turned pale.

"That time was your extortion!"

"Do you think Caleb, with his intelligence, would be extorted and still obediently pay?"

This silenced Owen.

Claire, standing beside, also furrowed her brows.

She couldn’t understand where Serena got so much money, with multimillion-dollar dresses and billion-dollar gifts.

However, she wouldn’t allow Serena to be so smug.

"I’m so envious of you, having to buy jewelry for yourself, unlike me, all my jewelry is gifted by Caleb... By the way, Serena, after all these years of doing laundry and cooking for Caleb, hasn’t he given you even one piece of jewelry?"

Serena’s initially uplifted lips gradually dropped.

Caleb had gifted her many pieces of jewelry, but they were all pink diamonds—

Claire’s preference.

Seeing Serena lose her spark, Claire smirked triumphantly.

"Serena, Caleb will be here soon; he’s made an appointment with me to pick out jewelry. However, I’m generous; whatever you fancy, I’ll ask him to give you one too."

The moment Claire said this, Lily and Owen chimed in, praising her kindness, unlike someone else.

Serena turned around to leave, only to accidentally cross paths with Caleb.

Caleb brushed past her as though he didn’t see her, heading straight to Claire.

Caleb intended to buy the Piano Queen Pendant for Claire.

The thought of her most popular design hanging around Claire’s neck made Serena feel nauseated.

"I’m sorry, sir. You are not yet one of our FY black diamond VIPs and are not qualified to purchase this piece of jewelry."

Caleb was dumbfounded.

Beside him, Claire, Lily, and Owen all appeared embarrassed.

Serena had intended to leave, having seen Claire’s sheer annoyance with her presence, and watching Caleb and Claire display affection only added to her irritation.

Yet, upon hearing the clerk’s words, she turned back to watch the spectacle.

Caleb raised his gaze at Serena’s crisp laughter, his eyes cold.

"What’s so funny as if you could afford it?" Owen couldn’t help but retort Serena.

Serena didn’t care whether she could afford it; she just wanted to ridicule Caleb for not being able to purchase it.

"I’m sorry, Caleb, it’s my fault..."

Claire expressed genuine apology, clutching Caleb’s arm.

"It doesn’t matter, just choose another piece of jewelry!"

"Okay."

Claire obediently chose a pink diamond floral ring.

While checking out, Caleb suddenly asked Serena:

"Do you want it? If you do, I could gift you one too."

Claire’s expression briefly turned grim, but she quickly resumed her smile.

"Serena, is there anything you fancy? If you need help choosing, I can assist."

As Serena watched Claire and Caleb sing in harmony, she felt like a stray cat or dog waiting for charity alongside the road.

"No thanks, I’ve never liked pink diamonds."

Caleb showed a hint of surprise when Serena said this.

"When I gave you pink diamond rings in the past, you were moved to tears, and now you’re acting all aloof."

Caleb’s sarcasm awakened Serena’s deeply buried memories.

The time she was moved to tears was precisely when Caleb proposed to her with a pink diamond ring.

So...

Caleb thought her tears of gratitude were for that seven-carat pink diamond engagement ring.