Chapter 111: Chapter 111: The Couple’s Little Amusements
A crisp black suit, yet not even a tie was worn.
Wyatt Hawthorne, with a relaxed and leisurely expression between his brows, seemed not to be attending Old Master Rivera’s birthday banquet, but rather to be enjoying flowers in his backyard.
But what surprised everyone present wasn’t Wyatt Hawthorne.
It was the woman beside Wyatt Hawthorne.
A black satin off-the-shoulder gown, elegant and magnificent.
Long, wavy hair cascading down to the waist.
Complemented by a necklace with an astonishing carat of sapphire at her neck, at first glance, she seemed like a top-tier actress returning from the Oscars.
And that face, dazzling and charming.
Captivatingly beautiful.
"Who is Young Master Hawthorne’s companion?"
"I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere, but I just can’t recall."
"Me too, she seems so familiar... Her looks, her figure, her demeanor; in all of Aethelgard’s high society, only Miss Sterling from The Sterling Family can compare."
"..."
Praises were continuous, and Adrian Lockwood’s expression was terribly unpleasant.
Appearing at the birthday banquet arm in arm with Wyatt Hawthorne, who else could it be but Serena Sinclair?
A few days ago, he had called Serena Sinclair, inviting her to pay respects to Old Master Rivera.
What did she say at the time?
Divorce has happened, it’s none of her business.
So what does her presence now mean?
To blow his cover?
Sure enough, people around were already turning back to look at him.
"President Lockwood, the lady beside Young Master Hawthorne, is she... the former Mrs. Lockwood?"
The one who asked closed their mouth upon meeting Adrian Lockwood’s glance.
Suddenly, they had their answer.
Serena Sinclair’s scalp tingled.
Wyatt Hawthorne had only mentioned it was a social event, she thought it wouldn’t be much different from past business gatherings related to industries.
Unexpectedly, the car drove out of the apartment, and the closer they got, the more familiar it became.
Eventually, they drove into Old Master Rivera’s garden.
This place, in past years she would come with Adrian Lockwood at least twice a year.
Once for the birthday.
Once for the New Year.
Sometimes they could meet Old Master Rivera, Adrian Lockwood would talk to him while she mingled with the women of The Rivera Family or other high society ladies.
Most of the time they couldn’t meet, leaving gifts and spending a few hours mingling with the guests.
There were benefits every time.
And that was also why Adrian Lockwood cared so much about this birthday banquet.
But Serena Sinclair didn’t expect that although she had refused Adrian Lockwood, she couldn’t escape the fate of meeting him.
Everywhere she looked were people.
Everyone’s gazes unanimously shifted past Wyatt Hawthorne to her.
Serena Sinclair felt like a monkey in a zoo.
"Wyatt..."
With a smile, Serena Sinclair softly called.
Wyatt Hawthorne heard it but pretended not to, turning his head slightly, "What did you say, sis?"
Serena Sinclair: ...
Through the crowd, one could see Adrian Lockwood’s iron-blue face.
One could also see the expression of that green tea girl next to Adrian Lockwood, who was smiling yet seemed about to cry.
The goal was achieved.
Wyatt Hawthorne smirked, turned to look at Serena Sinclair, "Sis, it’s too crowded here, why don’t I take you to the back garden to enjoy the flowers?"
Serena Sinclair nodded, but couldn’t even manage to say "okay."
Maintaining a soon-to-be-stiff smile, Serena Sinclair walked arm in arm with Wyatt Hawthorne as if walking the red carpet.
Parting the sea-like crowd, she walked out of the banquet hall under everyone’s watchful eyes.
"I remember now, isn’t she..."
Someone remembered, instinctively looking at Adrian Lockwood.
Then, they saw Adrian Lockwood’s deep gaze as shrewd as an eagle, staring at Serena Sinclair, which confirmed their guesses.
Others remained clueless about Serena Sinclair’s identity.
"Who on earth is she? Is she Young Master Hawthorne’s new girlfriend?"
"No way, I heard Young Master Hawthorne call her sis."
"It’s the first time Young Master Hawthorne brought a companion to a high-society event, sis? Who’d believe that!"
"Maybe in public she’s sis, and in private she’s the girlfriend? Those little couple’s affections, what do you know?"
"..."
Surrounding discussions became increasingly blatant, and Adrian Lockwood’s face shifted several times, nearly crushing the champagne glass in his hand.
Chloe Lynch was fuming.
Before Wyatt Hawthorne showed up, she was the focus of all the women’s gazes.
Only because of Adrian Lockwood’s divorce, and her unknown status.
High-society couples rarely divorce, whether they got together for love or interests, once married, they become a community of interests.
Even if love is gone, they stick together tightly.
At most, each plays on their own.
Adrian Lockwood had been on hot searches several times even before the divorce, and after the divorce, his popularity soared.
In this circle, keeping one’s status as the original spouse is no big deal, given the advantage of time, location, and people.
But if someone were to break up the original pairing for their own advancement, that would be true skill and scheming.
From the moment she appeared arm in arm with Adrian Lockwood in the banquet hall, women’s attention was all on her.
Some guessed what extraordinary qualities she had to make Adrian Lockwood abandon his original spouse for her.
Others bet on how soon she could smoothly marry into high society and become the new Mrs. Lockwood.
She was the center of today’s topics.
But Serena Sinclair showed up.
Without even saying a word, just showing her face, she caught everyone’s eyes and attention.
Serena Sinclair!!!
Her slender nails scraped against the bright wine glass, making a creaking sound, Chloe Lynch glared at Adrian Lockwood with an iron-blue face, huffing, "No wonder Miles said his schedule was booked yesterday, she was so happy... Turns out she stuck with Young Master Hawthorne..."
Mid-sentence, she met Adrian Lockwood’s furious, wrathful gaze, and stopped speaking.
In the back garden, Serena Sinclair took careful steps.
Afraid a misstep would wedge her high heel into the crevice between bluestone slabs, causing a scene.
"Ah!"
When Wyatt Hawthorne picked her up horizontally, Serena Sinclair exclaimed, reaching out to punch him, "Put me down!"
Wyatt was unmoved.
He carried Serena Sinclair into the corridor before putting her down.
Serena Sinclair’s heartbeat raced.
Without checking if her dress was wrinkled or her hair was messy, she first glanced around.
Occasionally, servants passed by in a hurry, appearing very focused and busy.
At a distance, the garden landscapes separated the banquet hall from here.
Serena Sinclair breathed a sigh of relief, couldn’t help but glare at Wyatt Hawthorne.
But that coquettish look, didn’t resemble anger at all.
Wyatt Hawthorne smirked, "Sis, you look gorgeous today!"
Serena Sinclair: ...
Oh no!
What to do when anger fails to rise?
She smoothed the hem of her dress.
Then tidied up her hair in the bright carved window.
Serena Sinclair, arm-linking with Wyatt Hawthorne, moved forward, "Weren’t we here to pay respects to Old Master Rivera? Behave yourself, no touching. If someone sees, it’ll be inappropriate!"
Wyatt Hawthorne paused his steps.
Realizing his tone wasn’t good, carried a hint of admonition.
Just as Serena Sinclair was about to explain.
She saw Wyatt Hawthorne’s smile deepen, "So when no one’s watching, I can get close to you, right? Is that what you mean?"
"..."
Serena Sinclair took a deep breath, unable to control her reddening ears.
Voices drew near, the bustling courtyard up ahead was Old Master Rivera’s living space.
Serena Sinclair had only been here once.
Though elders tend to forget things, especially after a few years since she came with Adrian Lockwood.
After such a long time, perhaps Old Master Rivera wouldn’t remember.
Yet Serena Sinclair felt uneasy.
Afraid Old Master Rivera might remember.
Even more afraid of causing unnecessary trouble.
As she stepped into the blossom gate, Serena Sinclair timely released her hand.
Wyatt Hawthorne glanced back at her, kept a calm expression and proceeded forward.
Drawing aside the curtain, immediately seeing Julian Rivera’s exceptionally cheerful face among the bustling crowd.
Serena Sinclair slightly nodded.
Then looked towards the head seat where Old Master Rivera sat, just as her smile began to form, she saw Old Master Rivera’s expression change several times.
First joy.
Then anger.
Then surprise.
Before Serena Sinclair understood what these layers of meanings were.
She heard Old Master Rivera ask, "Are you Serena Sinclair?"