CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 71: HARD TO SPEAK OUT

She knew Caleb Lockwood had a reason for showing up here today.

"So you deliberately scared away my investor..."

Facing Serena Jennings, who was questioning him with wide eyes, Caleb Lockwood replied unhurriedly while eating his steak, "Do I look that frightening? Besides, he just didn’t have dinner with you; he didn’t say he’d withdraw the investment."

Serena pursed her lips.

"I must open the studio."

"Grandpa supports you in having your own career, so I won’t stop you."

Caleb Lockwood’s words relieved Serena.

"However, Claire Shaw is also opening her jewelry design studio; you’ll become competitors."

Caleb Lockwood had finished his meal and stood up.

His gaze at Serena was proud and lofty.

"I’m doing this for your own good. With Claire as your competitor, you don’t stand a chance. But if you don’t appreciate it, then suit yourself."

After saying this lightly, Caleb Lockwood left the western restaurant.

Serena was left alone at the table.

Feeling a bit empty.

Serena picked up her knife and fork again, then put them down.

She clearly wasn’t full, but she had no appetite.

Knowing that Claire Shaw was also opening a studio for jewelry design and becoming her competitor, Serena wasn’t afraid.

She and Claire Shaw had worked together for quite a long time.

Claire Shaw had some talent and strength in design, but her design concepts and style were not Serena’s preferred type.

She didn’t believe she’d lose either.

What bothered Serena was that she initially thought becoming independent and opening her own studio would mean no further overlap with Claire Shaw.

However...

Sighing, Serena didn’t want to waste anything, so she packed the remaining food. When she went to pay, the server told her that her bill had already been settled by the gentleman she dined with.

Serena realized it was Caleb Lockwood.

Could this be Caleb Lockwood showing some consideration for her?

Knocking her head lightly, Serena decided that instead of overthinking, she’d better put up some recruitment ads.

In the end, she chose Azure Tower recommended by Matthew Lowell as her office location and posted the information on major recruitment websites.

Sitting in the newly renovated office with all the windows open for ventilation, Serena felt a peculiar sense of pride.

Remember when she married Caleb Lockwood, she only wanted to be a supportive wife, manage the household, and be a competent full-time housewife, a supportive partner to Caleb Lockwood.

Standing by the window, Serena took a deep breath.

The beautiful and elegant scenery of the industrial park was in full view.

Now, she had her own career too.

Thinking of her career, Serena took out her phone.

It wasn’t the time for her to relax yet.

She considered herself a seasoned jewelry designer, but as a boss, she was a complete novice. She wanted to call Peter to get some guidance.

Before she could make the call, Peter’s call came in first.

Auspice Manor.

This was a standalone villa district with a traditional Chinese garden design.

Peter drove the car into the underground parking lot.

Serena sat in the passenger seat.

Peter was more informed than she had imagined, having already learned that she had established her own jewelry design studio before she could tell him.

Serena felt a bit embarrassed about going solo in front of Peter.

Because she still held a position at BYC, setting up her own studio put her in a competitive relationship with FY.

However, Peter was very supportive of her going solo and even promised to provide resources for her.

The premise being she continues to release new products in the Piano series.

After the car was parked, Peter led Serena to the ground level.

This was the home of jewelry collector Ronan Ross.

Generally, when jewelry designers open a personal studio, due to issues like funding chains and scale, it’s challenging to compete for market share with established major brands.

Therefore, most would focus on design concepts and target the niche collector market with high-end custom routes.

That was Serena’s plan as well.

At least initially she would build her reputation in the high-end custom field before strategizing the next step.

Peter agreed with Serena’s plan, and this time he brought Serena to meet Ronan Ross to pave the way for her.

As they walked, Ronan Ross’s grand villa was already in sight.

However, Serena stopped in her tracks.

Peter also stopped, and they stood silently looking at the villa entrance of Ronan Ross.

Two people were standing there.

Peter glanced at his watch.

"We arrived half an hour early; didn’t expect he had another meeting before us."

The villa door opened, and Ronan Ross, dressed in traditional Chinese attire, came out.

"President Lockwood, is this the emerging designer you recommended?"

Ronan Ross looked at Claire Shaw, who was beside Caleb Lockwood.

Claire Shaw was wearing a conservatively elegant, somewhat mature pink-grey professional suit today. Her light makeup was a style favored by the elderly.

"Hello, Mr. Ross, my name is Claire Shaw."

Claire Shaw proactively extended her hand to shake hands with him.

From a distance, Serena watched this scene and realized that both Caleb Lockwood and Peter wanted to use this collector as their stepping stone.

Only Peter was helping her, while Caleb Lockwood was assisting Claire Shaw.

Just as Ronan Ross was about to invite Caleb Lockwood and Claire Shaw inside, his eye caught Peter and Serena.

"President Peterson, why are you here so early?"

Being noticed, Peter simply walked over with Serena.

The villa entrance suddenly became crowded with four people.

"President Lockwood, what a coincidence." Peter took the initiative to greet Caleb Lockwood.

"Hmm," Caleb Lockwood replied blandly, his gaze landing on Serena.

Today, Serena was wearing an asymmetrical chiffon blouse paired with a stylish high-end bow tie and black wide-leg pants. It had some formality but exuded more of a designer’s vibe.

Caleb Lockwood raised an eyebrow.

In his memory, Serena rarely dressed like this before.

"Is this the girlfriend you mentioned on the phone?"

Ronan Ross asked while looking at Serena.

As soon as he said this, a brief silence fell over the air.

Peter was the first to show a smile, casually replying:

"Yes!"

Since Peter said so, Serena couldn’t deny it.

She thought, with Peter introducing her to Ronan Ross this way, it was probably to smooth the way for her.

Instinctively, she sneaked a glance at Caleb Lockwood.

She wanted to see how Caleb Lockwood would react.

Caleb Lockwood showed no reaction.

As if he hadn’t heard Ronan Ross and Peter’s conversation.

As if it didn’t matter who she was dating.

Serena’s heart sank a bit.

Then she thought this was exactly Caleb Lockwood’s way of doing things.

Beside her, Claire Shaw pinched the hem of her skirt.

Peter saying Serena was his girlfriend didn’t bother her much.

However, even Peter could say Serena was his girlfriend, yet when Caleb Lockwood introduced her, he only referred to her as his high school classmate, a promising new designer he valued.

The atmosphere among the four of them was somewhat subtle, and Ronan Ross sensed something amiss, asking Caleb Lockwood, "So, President Lockwood, are you here to recommend your girlfriend as well, like President Peterson is doing?"

Caleb Lockwood smiled gently.

Neither confirming nor denying.

Serena saw Claire Shaw shyly lower her head and take Caleb Lockwood’s hand proactively.