Chapter 12: Chapter 12: All for Serena Sinclair
Serena Sinclair woke up naturally, it was already 10 AM.
As soon as she opened her phone, she saw several WeChat messages.
Una Hutton: [Dear, was the interview yesterday smooth? What’s the plan for today? Shall we go for hot pot? By the way, bring the new clothes you bought for me. Hehe...]
Adrian Lockwood: [Have you set off yet?]
Beatrice Sutton: [Serena, where are you?]
Reply to Una Hutton saying let’s meet tomorrow.
Serena threw down her phone, got up to wash and have breakfast, then took a taxi straight to the villa area in the east of the city.
The taxi couldn’t enter the neighborhood, so Serena got out at the entrance and walked towards the villa along the tree-lined path.
A few minutes later, a black Mercedes drove into the neighborhood.
Driving, while chatting with Chloe Lynch on the phone.
From afar, he spotted the figure by the roadside, Adrian was momentarily dazed.
It felt as if this place wasn’t the villa area but rather the campus of Aethelgard University.
And the leisurely figure strolling in the shade was...
"Serena!!!"
Screech!
The sound of brakes accompanied Adrian’s astonished voice.
Bam!
The car door slammed, Adrian got out and stood in front of Serena, looking furious, "You came dressed like this?"
A white chiffon blouse.
Blue jeans.
White sneakers.
The bright and dazzling sunlight poured down from above, Serena’s complexion was fair, she hadn’t even put on any makeup.
The most conspicuous was that Serena’s hands were empty.
Adrian roared angrily, "Where’s the gift?"
"I didn’t bring one."
Serena looked indifferent, "That’s your mom, it’s your filial duty as her son, isn’t it? At worst, you have secretaries, with just a word, they can settle it for you."
"You..."
Adrian’s face turned unpleasant.
Serena sneered, "Adrian Lockwood, we’re already divorced! All that’s missing is that certificate. I’ve come today to give you face, to give your mom face, after all, I’ve called her mom for so many years."
I don’t want Adrian thinking I’m putting on a show, pretending to attend the birthday feast as an excuse to act difficult, while actually reluctant to divorce.
Even more, I don’t want my calm life disrupted by Beatrice Sutton’s relentless harassments.
If it weren’t for avoiding trouble, Serena wouldn’t have come today.
Turned to leave.
Adrian grabbed her wrist, opened the car door, and stuffed her into the car.
The Mercedes sped forward and stopped a few minutes later at Zoe Lockwood’s house.
Called Zoe Lockwood to ask the housekeeper to open the door.
Took a gift box from the trunk and tossed it to Serena’s lap.
Adrian pointed to the open villa door, "Go in and change clothes! You might handle this shame, but I can’t!"
Although it was only Beatrice Sutton’s 53rd birthday, and it was held at their own home.
Still, many friends and family from the elite circles came today.
The thought of Serena appearing so simply dressed and bare-faced in front of everyone ignited Adrian’s irritation.
Too lazy to argue with him, just wanted to end this day peacefully and part ways.
Serena, holding the box, went into Zoe’s house.
Didn’t even go to the guest room on the second floor, just went directly into the public restroom on the first floor.
Inside the gift box was a lake blue satin dress.
Not sure if the customization center was overly thoughtful.
Or if it was Adrian’s intention.
Inside the dress was also a set of white lace lingerie.
The fabric was miserably little.
It seemed as if a gentle touch would break the few strings silently.
In the past, Serena would feel embarrassed by Adrian’s little fancies, a bit shy amidst romance.
But now, Serena wouldn’t foolishly think this was prepared for her.
Not touching the set of lingerie, Serena only changed into the dress and high heels.
The first-floor bathroom, used by servants, had a forgotten lipstick somewhere.
Serena dabbed some on her fingertip, lightly applying it to her lips.
Only took a few minutes from entering to leaving.
Outside the villa door, Adrian standing by the Mercedes smoking, turned his head, and paused.
The earlier moment when he saw Serena’s back resurfaced in his heart again.
For a split moment, Adrian felt as if he truly returned to the past, back to the passionate phase with Serena.
Adrian hadn’t seen Serena look so radiant and captivating in a long time.
In college, Serena was the school beauty, pure and beautiful.
After marriage, Serena was stunningly bright.
Whether in black allure or white innocence, any color of clothing on her carried a distinct charm.
During her year at The Lockwood Group, every day there’d be male employees from other departments finding excuses to hang around the project department, just to catch a glimpse of Serena, seeking chances to flirt and ask for her WeChat.
Later, he announced Serena was his wife, stopping those admirers.
After pregnancy and childbirth, Serena, having left the workplace, had no reason for heavy dressing anymore.
In these years post-marriage, he left early and returned late, Serena always appeared as a plain-faced housewife.
Adrian almost forgot, Serena is truly beautiful.
The lake blue color suited her perfectly, highlighting her fair skin and elongated neck.
The off-shoulder dress revealed her stunning collarbones.
There wasn’t a single piece of jewelry on her, yet her bright eyes and elegant demeanor served as the perfect ornament, emphasizing her overall elegance and grace.
The only drawback was that the dress size didn’t fit well.
There was an inch of space at the waist.
This dress was ordered for Chloe Lynch.
Next month, at the municipal bidding event, Chloe Lynch would accompany him, hence the dress was ordered.
His mind envisioned Chloe Lynch’s charming figure trying on this dress.
Right before him, Serena descended the steps looking like a glamorous star on the runway.
Both images side by side hadn’t formed into a comparative picture.
Buzz.
The sound of Serena opening the backseat door interrupted Adrian’s thoughts.
Adrian snapped to reality, tossed away the cigarette butt, and got into the car.
The car turned around and stopped a few minutes later at the neighboring villa.
Clearly a house with a celebration, many cars parked outside.
The villa gate wide open, flowers everywhere.
Happy laughter echoed all the way from inside the villa.
Serena, with her gown trailing, got out of the car.
Adrian picked and chose from the trunk and carried two gift boxes in his hands.
Actually, there was no need to bring gifts.
He just needed to instruct Ian Young, who would arrange for a Michelin chef to cook a meal, then invite some close friends and family to celebrate together, Beatrice Sutton would be pleased.
As for whether he brought gifts, Beatrice Sutton didn’t really care.
He did all this for Serena.
He glared fiercely at Serena, then stepped forward to hold Serena by the waist.
Serena moved away, Adrian followed.
She moved again, he followed.
The high heels didn’t fit well, one size too big, almost twisted her ankle.
Serena gave up.
She jabbed his elbow fiercely, successfully making Adrian withdraw his arm in pain.
Serena stepped back half a step, following Adrian’s lead into the villa.
"Adrian’s back..."
"Miles, look who came?"
"..."
Seeing the living room filled with people, Serena didn’t even see those faces clearly but keenly heard the mention of Miles.
Instinctively looking over, Serena saw Miles Lockwood sitting on a high chair at the island bar, looking at the tablet.
Eyes met, and Miles’s face showed no hint of surprise.
Only a pair of eyes eagerly moved past Adrian to look beside him.
No one was next to Adrian.
The housekeeper had closed the door, meaning no one else would enter.
The light in Miles’s eyes dimmed, once again falling back to the tablet.
Serena knew he was looking for Chloe Lynch.
Feeling dull, Serena looked away.