CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 72: CHOSE CLAIRE SHAW’S DESIGN

Caleb Lockwood didn’t brush off Claire Shaw’s hand.

This was expected by Serena Jennings.

Although Caleb Lockwood hadn’t acknowledged Claire Shaw’s identity, the fact that he allowed Claire Shaw to hold his arm and never shook it off spoke volumes.

Ronan Ross looked at Caleb Lockwood and Claire Shaw with a hint of ambiguity in his eyes.

He invited all four of them inside and instructed his assistant to prepare tea.

Though Ronan Ross wasn’t the president of the Jewelry Collection Association, he had an established habit: every year, he would pick a new designer to recommend to the association.

This was why both Caleb Lockwood and Peter chose him.

Since Peter had arrived early with Serena Jennings, Ronan Ross directly asked his assistant to collect Serena Jennings’ designs along with Claire Shaw’s.

Every designer visiting him was expected to bring a piece of jewelry they designed, as long as it showcased their design philosophy.

"You all can go back and wait for the results! Once I’ve made a decision, my assistant will inform you."

Ronan Ross chatted with the four for most of the day before asking his assistant to see them out.

The assistant, returning, accidentally bumped into the corner of a cabinet, knocking off the name tags affixed to two jewelry boxes.

In her haste, she picked up the name tags and reaffixed them, accidentally placing Serena Jennings’ name tag on Claire Shaw’s jewelry box, and vice versa.

"Little Ai, bring me the designs of the two of them!"

The assistant picked up the two jewelry boxes and handed them over to Ronan Ross.

Serena Jennings returned to her studio, feeling uneasy.

After Caleb Lockwood informed her that Claire Shaw had also opened a studio, she anticipated that she and Claire Shaw might eventually face off.

But she didn’t expect the confrontation to come so swiftly.

However, Serena Jennings wasn’t entirely without confidence.

On her way back, Peter drove past a mall, where Serena saw the jewelry prominently displayed in the windows were all her designs.

Peter informed her that the Lockwood Group’s sales had doubled in the past two months, surpassing FY’s.

Being a designer himself, Peter could instantly recognize the new collections Lockwood Group released were Serena Jennings’ designs, even though she had resigned.

"Those were my designs that were shot down by the lead designer back then."

The "lead designer" Serena referred to was clearly Claire Shaw.

She hadn’t expected that after her resignation, Claire Shaw would showcase those designs and contribute such astonishing sales to Lockwood Group’s jewelry brand.

Serena Jennings waited a full week before finally receiving the results.

Peter was the one who called to inform her.

"Unfortunately, Ronan Ross chose Claire Shaw’s design."

Serena Jennings’s heart plunged like a roller coaster, hitting rock bottom.

"Serena? Are you okay!"

"...I’m fine..."

By the tone of Serena Jennings’s voice, Peter instantly knew how disappointed she was.

"But the other party did praise your design, just that they admired Claire Shaw’s concept more."

"Hmm..."

Serena knew Peter was trying to comfort her, but right now, Serena couldn’t muster any spirit.

Her studio’s first step resulted in a loss, entirely her responsibility.

Seeing Serena silent for so long, Peter changed the topic:

"How about I treat you to dinner tonight?"

"You’ve already helped me so much, I can’t let you spend even more."

"No, this time you’re helping me. I need you to be my dance partner."

Serena Jennings’s eyes widened, realizing that Peter’s dinner invitation might be quite significant.

The Royal Elysian Banquet Hall.

Lavishly decorated, glasses clinking.

Ronan Ross was enthusiastically recommending Claire Shaw to Leo Grant, the president of their Jewelry Collection Association.

"President Leo, this emerging designer has great potential, her design philosophy is incredibly innovative..." Ronan Ross was full of praise for Claire Shaw: "The crystal button that flows, which she designed, is something I’ve never seen before."

Initially, Claire Shaw’s face was full of smiles as she received the praises.

However, upon hearing "crystal button," her smile froze unexpectedly.

"What’s wrong?"

Standing beside, Caleb Lockwood noticed the subtle change in Claire Shaw’s expression.

"Nothing, nothing," Claire Shaw shook her head, "Just thought Mr. Ross was exaggerating."

"Not at all, a small button, not only is it intricately and three-dimensionally designed, but the crystal cut is dazzlingly perfect and meets the most essential elements of jewelry, the flowing metal within conveys an aura of grandeur and sophistication." Ronan Ross continued praising.

But Claire Shaw couldn’t endure another word of it.

She hadn’t even designed a button!

At that time, because Caleb Lockwood told her Ronan Ross favored traditional Chinese styles, she chose prime Mutton Fat Jade to create a gold-inlaid jade thumb ring.

Initially, upon hearing from Caleb Lockwood today that Ronan Ross selected her design, she was delighted and felt assured of her design prowess.

Yet what was this... Could it be Ronan Ross mistaking her design for Serena Jennings’s!

Claire Shaw felt both angry and terrified.

Angry at Ronan Ross’s lack of discernment.

Afraid that if this matter got out and reached Serena Jennings, it would be a scandal.

"Caleb, let’s go over there and dance, it’s a bit stifling here."

"Alright."

Caleb Lockwood walked with Claire Shaw towards the dance floor, when two people appearing at the banquet hall entrance caught his attention.

Caleb Lockwood paused, and Claire Shaw followed suit, looking towards the entrance.

Serena Jennings noticed many people casting their gaze on her, feeling surprised.

"Is there something on my face? Or did I not wear my dress properly?" Serena asked Peter beside her.

Peter, dressed in a black tailcoat, looked quite elegant and very British.

"No, it’s just that you’re too beautiful, they’re all astonished by you."

Serena Jennings’s cheeks flamed, thinking Peter was too good at giving compliments.

"I think having you as a boyfriend would be quite delightful."

Peter was momentarily stunned, only to hear Serena Jennings continue: "Because you’re so good at sweet-talking!"

"I’m just stating the truth."

Serena Jennings couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

However, her smile quickly faded away.

Because she saw Caleb Lockwood with Claire Shaw.

Caleb Lockwood walked towards Serena Jennings, and Claire Shaw had no choice but to follow.

Serena Jennings noticed Caleb Lockwood glance down and examine her, his gaze icy.

"Did he give it to you?"

Upon hearing Caleb Lockwood’s composed voice, Serena Jennings paused, realizing he was likely referring to the white pearl gown she was wearing.

Serena Jennings nodded.

Caleb Lockwood observed Serena Jennings’s confused expression and realized she had no idea Peter had gifted her a gown that was FY’s store treasure, adorned with over a thousand top-grade Australian white pearls, and a collectible luxury with only two pieces worldwide.

One was custom-made for the Ydris Queen’s coronation banquet.

And the other, was currently worn by Serena Jennings.

Serena Jennings had no expertise in haute couture gowns nor any interest in them.

But Claire Shaw did.

Earlier, she just realized Ronan Ross had chosen Serena Jennings’s design, and now, she was outdone by Serena Jennings even in terms of attire.

Claire Shaw nearly crushed the red coral bracelet on her wrist.

"Wow... Is that the haute couture gown identical to the Queen’s?"

Serena Jennings turned around at the sound, seeing a slender, elegant young woman wearing a black fishtail dress.

Serena Jennings didn’t recognize the woman, but the male companion beside her was familiar.