Caleb Lockwood and Ethan White face each other.
One is dressed in a black suit, resembling a brutal king emerging from a dark night castle.
The other is in a white suit, shining like a dazzling star under the spotlight.
Neither of them speaks, but just their presence makes Serena Jennings inexplicably feel the air pressure around her drop, suffocating her.
If possible, Serena really wants to pull Ethan away.
Meeting Caleb Lockwood is bound to lead to no good.
However, Ethan shows no intention of leaving, and Caleb has an expression that suggests he won’t let them leave without finishing his questions.
Caleb’s face is icy, with eyes sharp as blades.
He stares directly at Ethan, hostility evident without words.
On the other hand, Ethan faces Caleb with a smile, yet the aggression in his smile is equally unmistakable.
The two men exchange glances for a while, and finally Caleb speaks:
"What’s your relationship with Serena Jennings?"
His voice, as steady as ever, seems devoid of emotion, unlike the outward aura.
"I’m Serena’s high school classmate," Ethan responds calmly, maintaining a gentlemanly demeanor no matter whom he faces.
"A high school classmate can hold your hand?"
Clearly aimed at Ethan, yet this sentence was meant as an interrogation for Serena Jennings—
Serena indeed noticed that Ethan hadn’t let go of her hand.
However, in the public eye, she didn’t want to pull her hand away and embarrass Ethan.
Just as Serena was about to speak, Ethan beat her to it.
"I heard that this Claire Shaw was also your high school classmate, Caleb?"
Caleb slightly raises his eyelids.
"A high school classmate can hold your arm at public events?"
Ethan’s words make Caleb’s thin lips move.
After a pause, he retorts, "Dr. Page seems to have no authority over my personal affairs."
"Then what identity does Mr. Lockwood assume to interfere in Serena’s private matters?"
From beginning to end, Ethan’s voice remains calm and gentle, his smile gracefully elegant, exuding a classical beauty and charm.
Caleb’s expression grows more sinister, his voice increasingly cold.
"I’m her ex-husband."
This sentence, Caleb Lockwood says decisively.
Ethan’s face remains unperturbed as if he was already aware of this fact.
He proactively reaches his hand out to Caleb.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Lockwood."
Caleb doesn’t shake Ethan’s hand.
Lowering his voice, he asks:
"Thank you for allowing me my chance," Ethan beams, holding Serena’s hand as they bypass Caleb and leave the banquet hall.
Caleb stands motionless.
At this moment, the expression on his face is somewhat terrifying, irredeemable even by his naturally smiling lips.
His stomach aches even more...
He feels terribly unhappy.
Yet Caleb Lockwood couldn’t quite articulate why he feels discomfort in every part of his body.
This is the first time in Caleb’s life he has wanted to leave a banquet early.
Claire Shaw notices that Ethan’s appearance has made Caleb jealous.
But she doesn’t want to admit it at all.
How could Caleb be jealous over Serena Jennings?
He doesn’t even like her!
Downing a glass of cocktail, Claire’s stomach feels burning with pain.
Indeed, Caleb doesn’t like Serena.
Even if Serena has become outstanding now, Caleb wouldn’t possibly fall for her.
It’s just a man’s vanity and pride at play.
After all, once Serena was Caleb’s wife, and post-divorce, there’s a new man around her, Caleb feeling uncomfortable is a normal reaction.
Claire tries hard to reassure herself.
But her mind is a tangled mess.
"Having failed to steal the chicken, you’ve lost the rice instead?"
At this moment, Cynthia Fulton approaches Claire, handing her a glass of wine.
Claire shoots a glare at Cynthia.
"Don’t gloat... We’re both in the same boat, aren’t you resigned to seeing Serena as successful?"
Upon Claire’s remark, the smile rapidly disappears from Cynthia’s face.
She certainly isn’t resigned.
Serena ruined her once-in-a-lifetime wedding and made her a laughingstock; how could she just let it go!
"Speaking of, who exactly is this Serena Jennings? How come even a government-introduced Doctor is fond of her?"
Claire scoffs, "What prestige could she have... just a housewife, able to pull some vixen-like tricks."
"Vixen-like tricks... huu!"
Well then, let her seduce more men if she can.
Claire observes Cynthia’s expression subtly.
She finds Cynthia indeed a good ally.
She is more connected, more powerful,
And she too hates Serena.
Claire believes that she wouldn’t need to act herself; Cynthia will find ways to deal with Serena.
Meanwhile, Claire’s top priority is to quickly secure Caleb Lockwood.
Setting down her wine glass, Claire picks up her dress and walks over to Caleb.
"Caleb, shall we dance together!"
Caleb turns to look at Claire.
This gaze chills Claire’s heart.
In her memory, Caleb has never looked at her with such cold indifference.
She has always been Caleb’s first love, his shining moonbeam, his lifelong beloved, his heart’s treasure—
At least it was that way in high school.
Something has quietly changed in the river of time.
Claire admits that her behavior tonight has been unseemly, embarrassing Caleb.
But with Caleb’s intelligence, he should be well aware that she has been set up.
No matter what, given her level of design, she couldn’t possibly have designed such a childish crown for Queen Elizabeth. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novel★fire.net
Yet, Caleb didn’t speak a word in her defense.
Even tonight, Caleb’s gaze barely falls on her.
The person Caleb’s gaze continuously follows is Serena Jennings.
If the first minor climax of the evening was the unveiling of the Sapphire Angel Crown Serena made for Queen Elizabeth,
The first major climax would be Serena’s own grand entrance.
Serena returned, naturally accompanied by Ethan White.
As soon as she stepped into the banquet hall, all eyes in the room were on her.
"Look! She’s wearing the Royal Dress that was auctioned for the highest price in history last month at the Royal Auction House of Xylos."
"I heard it fetched seventy million!"
"Indeed! There’s only one in the world, completed as a perfect masterpiece by the most renowned Royal Designer in Xylos before his death... such a treat to witness its splendor here."
"Dr. Page went all out to pursue President Lockwood’s ex-wife!"
"We wonder if President Lockwood regrets his divorce?"
The onlookers chatter one after another.
These gossips drift into Serena’s ears, making her feel somewhat tense.
Ethan hadn’t told her that this dress was worth seventy million, nor that it was globally exclusive, with only her wearing it.
However, Serena could discern its value, noting the dress’s highly luxurious fabric, ivory silk taffeta, adorned with lace applique, each 3D rose embedded with genuine rubies and emeralds; even if not the sole piece globally, it’s worth a few million.
"Only this dress matches your beauty."
Ethan’s compliment makes Serena blush.
Hand in hand, they enter the dance floor.
Caleb’s gaze follows them into the dance floor.
After a long pause, he finally responds to Claire’s dance invitation.