CHAPTER 78: CHAPTER 78: ALL FOR NOTHING

If Serena Jennings knew that she was repaying Patrick Rhodes with this dinner, plus Caleb Lockwood and Claire Shaw were there, she definitely wouldn’t have agreed.

"Yo, Serena, you’re here!"

Patrick waved at Serena.

Now that she’s here, Serena had no choice but to brace herself and sit down.

She sat across from Patrick.

Beside her was Caleb.

The two were clearly next to each other, yet it felt as if an invisible barrier separated them.

The atmosphere at the table was bizarre.

Claire spoke first:

"Patrick, you really are something. Serena’s studio is just starting, and it’s not developing smoothly. How could you choose this restaurant? Serena’s spending so much!"

Serena gave a chilly glance at the already ordered menu.

"Since you know I’m spending too much, you shouldn’t have come, especially after ordering French Blue Lobster, top-grade tuna belly, spider crab, and caviar."

With Serena’s words, Claire’s face grew increasingly unpleasant.

"Those were ordered by me, blame me, not her!" Patrick spoke up in defense of Claire.

But those dishes really weren’t ordered by him.

In fact, this restaurant wasn’t even his initial choice; it was recommended by Claire.

The place had just opened and none of them had been there before. He originally only invited Serena, not expecting to encounter Caleb and Claire.

Claire suggested dining together, which led to this scene.

"Claire’s share will be on me."

Caleb’s voice lacking warmth came from beside Serena.

"And your own share too," Serena reminded.

"Okay," Caleb agreed readily.

Patrick glanced at Serena, then at Caleb, feeling the exchange between them was inexplicably cold.

Had something happened?

Patrick was curious but didn’t dare to ask.

The seafood was served; each dish was top-quality, fresh, and expensive.

Claire poured a glass of champagne and raised it.

"Serena, this glass is my apology to you..."

Serena was using crab scissors to cut open the crab legs, without lifting her head.

"I shouldn’t have snatched the rough stone you liked... However... there was only one rough stone, and Caleb said that even if you bought it, failing to create jewelry that would please President Leo would waste the stone, so I... I’m sorry, it was my fault..."

It was predictable that Claire would bring up this matter, but Serena no longer cared because she had new inspiration.

Even without that stone, she was determined to win.

"However, don’t blame Caleb; he feels quite guilty, which is why he tried his best to compensate you. Caleb spent a lot of money on your birthday party!"

Claire observed Serena’s reaction while speaking.

With her head down, Serena quietly ate crab, expressionless.

Claire knew well that Serena was putting on a brave face.

The reason she mentioned this in public was to ensure Serena knew that the romantic surprise Caleb prepared for her was merely compensation.

However, judging by Serena’s reaction, she seemed already aware of it.

"That stone was rightfully yours; you don’t need to apologize to Serena," Caleb turned to Claire and said.

Patrick continued eating his lobster while listening to gossip.

"Serena, since you left, Lockwood Jewels’ sales have multiplied, all thanks to Claire... Good materials should go to good designers, which meets the pursuit of optimal utilization and resource optimization."

Caleb spoke methodically and formally.

Claire sipped champagne, her smile radiant.

She didn’t believe Serena couldn’t hear the favoritism for her in Caleb’s words.

This conflict over the stone strengthened her belief that Caleb had no feelings for Serena.

Even though she had never received such a romantic hot air balloon trip prepared by Caleb for her birthday, Caleb’s actions weren’t for Serena.

They were for her.

Her pinkish lips smiling sweetly, Claire tried not to let anyone see the triumph in her heart.

The only thing missing now... was that divorce agreement.

Even though Serena initiated the divorce, Caleb hadn’t agreed.

Caleb’s concern was offending his grandfather, not reluctance to let go of Serena.

That old geezer really was a hindrance...

Claire chewed the lobster meat until it had no taste.

Patrick felt a bit anxious beside her.

If what he saw that night was correct, the hit designs for Lockwood should have all been Serena’s creations.

He wanted to speak up but felt it wasn’t his place.

Several times he glanced toward Serena, but she remained focused on eating crab.

Of course, Serena knew Claire had stolen her achievements.

But she didn’t want to explain anymore.

Given Caleb’s favoritism and trust in Claire, even if she explained, Caleb may not believe her.

What’s more, since she was going to divorce Caleb, it seemed better if Caleb had a worse impression of her.

Rationally, Serena thought this way, but emotionally she couldn’t help but feel hurt.

Rather than the designs she left at Lockwood as an employee, she now valued succeeding in Leo’s challenge more.

Returning home tonight, she would be able to finish the jewelry with no embedded gemstone or pearl.

"Oh right, Serena..."

Claire’s voice made Serena look up.

"I’ve already secured the participation qualification for this year’s LD Jewelry Fashion Week."

"What?" Serena’s eyes widened.

"President Leo wrote me a recommendation letter. His wife really liked the necklace I made with that Ruby, so she gave me the last spot. I’m telling you this so you don’t end up working for nothing."

As soon as Claire spoke, Serena’s finger was pierced by the crab shell, drawing blood.

"Oh, you’re bleeding." she exclaimed while grabbing Caleb’s hand, "Caleb, what should we do? Do you have a bandaid?"

Caleb didn’t carry bandaids as a habit.

Even if he did, with Claire grabbing his hand, he couldn’t take one out.

Just as he was about to call Mr. Miller to buy bandeids, Patrick suddenly stood up.

"How can you be so careless; you’re such a klutz."

Patrick quickly moved to Serena’s side, helped her squeeze out the blood, and called the waiter, asking for alcohol wipes or iodine.

Patrick’s attentiveness puzzled Serena.

"It’s not deep, it’s alright."

"Don’t you know seafood has bacteria?"

Though Patrick’s tone was as unpleasant as ever, Serena could still sense his concern for her.

Caleb remained silent, his hand gripping the crab scissors perhaps for too long, feeling slightly stiff.

Claire blinked her mascara-lined eyes, surprisingly watching Patrick.

What was up with Patrick tonight?

It was one thing not to coldly mock Serena, but how could he be the one getting anxious about Serena?

Claire frowned, unable to hide her displeasure.

Officially a friend of Caleb, Patrick was actually just like Caleb’s little sidekick in her eyes.

Also her little sidekick.

Back in high school she sensed —

Patrick liked her.