CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: MARRYING A DIVORCED WOMAN

The body of Serena Jennings stiffened in Caleb’s arms.

Caleb Lockwood squinted, a smile that was both charming and wicked on his lips.

"Isn’t that Nash family’s eldest son at the door?"

Serena was picked up and thrown onto the bed by Caleb Lockwood.

"Clearly in love with me, yet stringing along that innocent young man. Might as well let me break his heart."

His strong body pinned Serena down tightly; she looked at Caleb in horror, her face pale.

"Let him listen to the sounds of our love-making. What do you think, isn’t it a good idea?"

Outside the door, Justin Nash paced back and forth until he heard the sound of something shattering from inside.

"Serena! Serena, are you okay?"

He knocked on the door hard.

There was no response from inside.

Justin panicked and took out his phone intending to call the police.

At that moment, the door opened, and Caleb Lockwood stood at the entrance, his lip bleeding.

Justin noticed Caleb was shirtless, only a towel wrapped around his waist, and his anger flared up instantly.

"What the hell did you do to Serena!"

Caleb nonchalantly smiled at Justin.

"I’m her husband. I can do whatever I want with her, it’s none of your business."

In the bedroom, Serena quickly tidied her clothes and ran out, only to find Caleb and Justin already fighting.

Unable to separate them, she had no choice but to call the police.

The three of them ended up at the police station together.

Although Justin was beaten the worst, he was the one who had started the fight, so he was responsible.

"Caleb Lockwood, it’s all my fault. Can’t you not hold Justin responsible?"

Seeing Serena humble herself for Justin, Caleb sneered.

"No."

"Serena, don’t beg him. I’m fine. I just regret not beating him to death."

Justin continued to talk tough, but Serena couldn’t bear to see him left with a criminal record because of her.

"If I don’t mention divorce anymore and move back to The Jade Pavilion, will you let Justin off?"

After Serena said that, the police station fell silent.

Justin looked at Serena incredulously.

He knew Serena was prepared to file for divorce after two years of separation, and if she went back now, it would all be for nothing.

Just as he was about to persuade Serena, Caleb spoke first:

"You really think you’re that important."

Caleb’s voice was calm, but the impact on Serena was immense.

She looked at Caleb, whose deep eyes were cold enough to scrape off frost.

"Am I afraid of you getting a divorce? Are you deluded enough to think you can leverage it against me..."

Serena lowered her head in embarrassment.

At that moment, people from both the Lockwood and Nash families arrived, along with Claire Shaw, crowding the police station instantly.

Lilian Young was the most emotionally unstable of them all.

One moment lamenting Caleb’s injuries, the next cursing Serena for being a jinx, bringing nothing but trouble.

Arthur Lockwood and Nolan Nash stood together, seemingly chatting pleasantly despite the circumstances.

Claire Shaw stayed by Caleb Lockwood’s side, shedding tears as if she were the one beaten up.

Serena left the police station.

With Justin’s mother.

This was Serena’s first meeting with Justin’s mother, a dignified and graceful woman.

"I’m sorry... it’s all my fault that Justin got involved..."

Serena apologized proactively.

"This isn’t your fault, it’s Justin who’s too impulsive."

Feeling comforted, Serena was a bit surprised.

The two walked outside the police station for a while, and Iris Irving found a bench to sit on.

Serena knew the other party had something to say to her.

"Miss Jennings, I hope you won’t have any more contact with Justin in the future."

Iris’s voice was gentle, her demeanor kindly.

However, Serena was acutely aware that she had no choice but to comply.

"I’m aware of your relationship with President Lockwood; as a married woman, your affairs with your husband shouldn’t involve a third party. Even if one day you get divorced, I wouldn’t be able to allow Justin to marry a divorced woman... do you understand?"

Seeing Serena’s face change subtly, Iris further comforted her: "Don’t blame me for being blunt, for Justin is still young and immature; as parents, we all wish our children avoid the hard road... Miss Jennings, you are beautiful and compassionate, I’m sure you can empathize with my feelings... of course, I’m also deeply grateful to Miss Jennings for helping Justin return to inherit the family business..."

Serena saw Iris take out a bank card from her purse.

"Since Miss Jennings is President Lockwood’s wife, offering too little for gratitude would seem insincere."

She handed the card to Serena.

"There are fifty million here, Miss Jennings, rest assured that this money has been notarized at the notary office as a personal gift to you, unrelated to President Lockwood."

In other words, this fifty million didn’t count as marital property.

Serena never expected Justin’s mother, despite her serene appearance, to be so astutely calculating.

What she feared was Serena pestering Justin after a divorce.

"Don’t worry, I won’t see Justin anymore."

Serena felt like she’d swallowed bitter medicine.

After all, Justin was a sincere friend she’d made.

"But the money isn’t necessary," she declined.

"Well, it still is." Iris insisted, "I won’t be at ease unless you accept it?"

"Alright, I’ll take it."

To buy her reassurance, Serena didn’t refuse any further.

By the time they returned to the police station, Justin had already been taken away by Nolan Nash.

Serena didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye, feeling a sense of loss.

Beside her, Caleb Lockwood’s expression was unkind.

Yet, given the nature of their circles, there wasn’t much he could do to Justin in the end.

Arthur Lockwood at least managed to secure tangible benefits for Lockwood Group through all this, not a total loss.

Caleb’s gaze fell on Serena’s face.

It wasn’t hard to guess what Justin’s mother said to Serena.

Seeing Serena’s desolate expression, he turned to Claire and asked, "Want to go fishing at sea?"

Claire looked surprised, "Now?"

"Yes."

"But your injury..."

"It’s okay, I’m in a good mood now."

"Alright then!"

Claire smiled brightly, clasping Caleb’s arm, and walked past Serena.

But Serena didn’t notice, remaining trapped in the inevitable grief of losing Justin as a friend.

Outside the police station, Caleb drove with Claire in silence, a fact Claire found unusual.

Justin was brought home and informed by his mother that Serena had accepted fifty million from their family, as compensation for severing ties.

Justin didn’t believe it and made a fuss wanting to see Serena, but was guarded at home, with bodyguards monitoring him all day for reflection.

Despite feeling reluctant, Serena deleted Justin from her social media.

Lana Xavier, upon hearing the news, cursed both the Lockwood and Nash families all night.

"That’s why none of the rich are good people!"

Serena thought the rich were innocently implicated.

"Not necessarily?"

"Then tell me, which rich person is good?"

Serena thought of herself.

With tens of millions in savings and annual dividends in the millions, she was considered wealthy, right?

After chatting with Lana Xavier, she felt better, but her good mood didn’t last long before it was shattered by a job transfer notification.