CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: APOLOGIZE TO MR. QIAN

Serena Jennings eventually went to a small clinic and got some medicine for reducing swelling and pain. Surprisingly, Caleb Lockwood gave her five days of paid sick leave, without deducting wages based on percentage.

She wouldn’t think this was Caleb Lockwood showing concern for her.

Although her face wouldn’t take five days to recover, giving her extra leave helped quell company gossip.

When Serena returned to work, the number of people pointing fingers at her indeed decreased.

Initially, she was puzzled, but later she found out that Jeffrey Lowell had been fired.

Given her educational background and company tenure, the one who should have been fired was obviously her.

However, Caleb Lockwood personally filled out Jeffrey Lowell’s termination notice, and no one in the company dared to speak up.

Although they were curious about the relationship between Caleb Lockwood and Serena Jennings, they restrained themselves for fear of getting involved.

Today, Claire Shaw unexpectedly didn’t leave her office.

Usually, during the eight-hour workday, she spent at least seven hours in Caleb Lockwood’s office.

Claire Shaw locked her office door and focused on chatting on WeChat.

The joker’s avatar kept appearing on her phone’s home screen.

With fewer rumors around, Serena Jennings finally felt her work environment was peaceful, and her work efficiency increased significantly.

That day, just before leaving work, Caleb Lockwood suddenly came to the design department.

His visit was unsurprising, as he often came before, usually assumed to see Claire Shaw.

"Change into this, I’ll take you somewhere tonight."

Caleb Lockwood came to Serena Jennings’ workstation and said to her.

Confused, Serena Jennings took the item Caleb Lockwood gave her and went to the changing room.

It was a dress.

A pure black satin dress, adorned with a circle of pearls at the neckline.

The design was conservative but streamlined, and the cut was very on point, giving Serena Jennings an elegant and graceful look.

Serena looked at herself in the mirror, feeling puzzled.

If she remembered correctly, it was Caleb Lockwood’s first time giving her a black dress.

Serena’s color preference wasn’t absolute, leaning towards cool and dark tones.

She particularly disliked pink.

Thinking of the past three years of marriage, with a wardrobe full of pink dresses from Caleb Lockwood, Serena found it amusing.

But now...

Caleb Lockwood actually knew to give her a black dress.

Could this be a change Caleb Lockwood made for her?

Moreover, giving it to her in front of office colleagues, he wasn’t afraid of rumors.

What if Claire Shaw misunderstood?

Serena felt a bit unsettled.

She stayed in the changing room for quite a while, and when she came out, the office was almost empty.

Caleb Lockwood merely glanced at her indifferently, his expression calm, showing no emotion.

"Touch up your makeup after getting in the car."

Serena paused for a moment and replied, "Okay."

This feeling...

As if she was going on a date with Caleb Lockwood.

This time, however, Caleb Lockwood wasn’t driving; it was Mr. Miller.

Sitting in the back seat of the black Maybach, Serena inexplicably felt nervous.

She frequently stole glances at Caleb Lockwood beside her.

Caleb Lockwood’s expression was normal, silent.

Several times Serena wanted to ask Caleb Lockwood where they were going.

But when the words reached her lips, she felt it unnecessary to ask.

No matter where Caleb Lockwood wanted to take her, even if it was to hell, she didn’t have the right to refuse.

The car drove all the way to The Sierra Grand Hotel.

In Serena’s impression, this hotel wasn’t a usual spot for Caleb Lockwood.

However, she had some connection with this place.

Or rather, a bad connection.

The last time she smashed a bottle on Dylan Quinn and sent him to the hospital, it was here.

Intuition told Serena that Caleb Lockwood bringing her here wasn’t a coincidence.

The initial anticipation turned into apprehension.

Mr. Miller parked the car and also followed, walking behind Caleb Lockwood and Serena, holding a briefcase.

Serena realized something and turned to ask Caleb Lockwood, "Are you bringing me to discuss business?"

"What else?"

Caleb Lockwood also turned and met Serena’s gaze.

"Did you expect me to bring you here for a date?"

Serena saw the playful look in Caleb Lockwood’s eyes and hastily turned away.

Caleb Lockwood’s charming smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

The three walked into the hotel and went to the designated private room.

This hotel, unlike most high-end hotels, had a strong Chinese-style decor.

Serena followed Caleb Lockwood into the private suite.

This suite was a duplex.

The outside resembled a large private room in a Chinese restaurant, with a sufficiently large glass turntable dining table.

And inside the suite looked more like a hotel guest room, equipped with a wardrobe, bed, etc.

"President Lockwood arrived early!"

Serena’s heart skipped a beat.

She turned and saw Dylan Quinn strolling towards her, making her skin crawl.

Dylan Quinn was beaming, seemingly recovered, but a scar remained on his head.

Serena wanted to leave.

"President Quinn is a valuable partner for our Lockwood Group. You offended him before; this time, you should properly apologize."

Caleb Lockwood’s words seemed to remind Serena not to disrupt his business due to personal grudges.

Serena reluctantly sat by the dining table.

At first, Dylan Quinn and Caleb Lockwood discussed business matters.

Serena quietly ate, appearing to eat continuously, but in truth, she hardly tasted anything.

Dylan Quinn’s lewd glances toward her were too nauseating to have any appetite.

Later, as the business discussion was nearly over, Dylan Quinn’s conversation shifted toward her.

"Miss Jennings is truly worthy of being by President Lockwood’s side. You beat someone to the point of hospitalization, not even coming personally to offer apologies, let alone say ’sorry.’ Such arrogance... is this perhaps the corporate culture of The Lockwood Group? Hahaha!"

Dylan Quinn spoke in a joking tone, but his intention wasn’t humorous.

Caleb Lockwood indifferently glanced at Serena.

That look made Serena feel chilled to the bone.

The evening was named a business talk, but Dylan Quinn’s real intent was to force her to apologize.

Caleb Lockwood was aware and therefore deliberately brought her here.

Being calculated by a thug and her own husband together, Serena gripped her wine glass tightly and stood up voluntarily.

"President Quinn is correct, it was my fault for taking action last time. I apologize to President Quinn, I’m sorry..."

Seeing Serena apologize voluntarily and drink, Dylan Quinn appeared exceedingly pleased.

"At that time, I truly didn’t realize you were so fragile, President Quinn. A young girl could beat you into hospitalization. My suggestion is... if you don’t want to get beaten, don’t sexually harass others. Otherwise, self-inflicted injuries lead to unavoidable consequences, and if one day you’re really punished by heaven, it’s self-deserved and not the fault of others."

Never did Dylan Quinn expect Serena to dare insult him while apologizing, he glared discontentedly at Caleb Lockwood.

Caleb Lockwood remained expressionless, impossible to discern his thoughts.

"Miss Jennings is sharp-tongued and witty; I admire that..."

With Caleb Lockwood present, Dylan Quinn couldn’t lose his temper.

He raised his glass toward Serena.

"Come on, Miss Jennings, I toast to you. Our acquaintance was rough, but we’ll undoubtedly cross paths again in the future."

Seeing Serena unmoved, Dylan Quinn’s face fell.

"What’s wrong, Miss Jennings, you’re not giving me face!"

At the dinner table, it’s hard to refuse such exchanges, so Serena filled her glass to the brim.