The Aetherium.
Serena Jennings booked a private room.
"Julian Xavier should be here soon. You can leave now."
Serena turned to Caleb Lockwood, who was standing behind her, and said.
Caleb’s face was sowhat serious.
"What if I say I don’t want to leave?"
"As an assistant, you’re not qualified to tell no."
Serena’s tone was not heavy, yet she spoke decisively, leaving no room for negotiation.
Caleb was slightly taken aback.
He gazed at Serena.
On her stunning face, there was no longer the cautiousness and hesitation towards him that he used to see.
Caleb forced a bitter smile.
"Alright, just be careful then."
Caleb’s strong hand gently patted Serena’s shoulder.
He couldn’t quite pinpoint why he felt the need to remind Serena either.
Julian Xavier is an employee of Celestid, recruited specifically as a genetics expert for the FZZL project.
So, you could say Julian Xavier is a partner of The Lockwood Group, and also of Serena’s.
It’s just a al together, Caleb had no reason to be worried.
Caleb had always considered himself good at reading people.
However, with Julian Xavier, Caleb felt he couldn’t see through him.
Rarely in Caleb’s mory was there soone he couldn’t see through.
Either they were very deep-minded, or they consciously wore a mask to disguise themselves.
Serena was left alone in the private room.
She waited for a while before Julian Xavier arrived.
"Mr. Reed..."
Julian sat down across from Serena, a friendly smile blooming on his baby-faced features.
"You’ve broken up with Lana?"
Serena asked directly.
Seeing Serena’s serious expression, Julian’s playful smile faded from the corners of his lips.
"Yes, I broke up with her."
"Why?"
"Because..."
Julian lowered his eyes, holding the water glass with both hands.
"Because I realized I’ve had a change of heart... I’m more interested in you than in Lana."
With a clatter, Serena stood up, looking at Julian as if he’d seen a ghost.
No wonder Lana Xavier had been so furious at her over the phone.
So it was true Julian and Lana broke up because of her.
"Julian Xavier, we’re just business partners. I don’t understand why you’d think this way..."
"Hmm..."
Julian lowered his head even more.
In Serena’s view, it seed Julian wasn’t entirely without sentint for Lana.
"Let make my position clear... I am Lana’s friend, and I wish her happiness... As for you, aside from being a partner of The Lockwood Group, you an nothing to ... Without the FZZL project, we would be strangers."
Serena’s words were righteous and firm.
Julian’s head dipped even further.
Serena’s mind was chaotic and a bit angry.
Even now, she couldn’t understand how she’d gotten tangled up in the feelings between Julian and Lana!
"I’ll think it over carefully..."
"Alright, regardless, I don’t want Lana to get hurt."
After saying this, Serena turned and left the restaurant.
In the private room, Julian looked up, his youthful face smiling like a fox.
He took out his phone and checked the schedule.
The market launch of the FZZL system was next Tuesday, the day after tomorrow.
He made a call to ridia.
"The docunts I asked you to prepare can now be submitted to the bank."
The imperial blue Bentley sped through the streets.
Even though Serena had clarified things with Julian, her mind was still a ss.
She turned her head to look out of the car window, where the waves of the ocean rose and fell.
Serena widened her eyes.
"Caleb Lockwood, where are you taking ?"
This road was not the one leading back to The Lockwood Group.
"To the mall."
"The mall?"
Serena was confused.
Caleb indeed parked the car in the lot of a shopping mall.
After crossing the overpass, this was City A’s new developnt zone, and this mall was new too. Serena hadn’t been here before.
"Why did you bring here?"
"Let’s buy a new outfit, this one is not convenient."
As Caleb said that, Serena looked down at her clothes.
She was still wearing the black evening gown she’d worn to attend the opening ceremony, though she had taken off the yellow diamond necklace when she went to et Julian.
"What’s inconvenient about it? Are you taking to run a marathon?"
Serena’s words made Caleb laugh.
"Not a marathon, but sothing else... and it’s not convenient to wear this kind of dress for it."
Caleb took Serena’s hand and led her into the mall.
Serena frowned, shaking off Caleb’s hand as soon as they entered the mall’s main door.
"Assistant Caleb, please be mindful of your status."
Seeing Serena was upset, Caleb awkwardly withdrew his hand.
Although Serena didn’t understand what Caleb was up to, she still cooperated and entered a won’s clothing store with him.
The so-called won’s clothing store turned out to be a trendy brand store, and Caleb picked out two sets of casual outfits for Serena.
"Try them on!"
Serena crossed her arms, looking at Caleb with a puzzled expression.
"Are you gifting these to ?"
Caleb shook his head with a smile.
"I only earn two thousand five hundred a month, can’t afford this brand."
Serena: ...
Caleb could afford jewelry worth tens of millions, and yet he was playing the pauper now.
Serena took the two sets of casual wear Caleb had chosen and went into the fitting room.
In her impression, when Caleb used to pick clothes for her, he always picked pink ones—
Claire Shaw’s favorite color.
But this ti, the two outfits Caleb chose were either pure black or water blue with minimal prints.
Both sets were well-tailored and comfortable without being too flashy.
They were just right and matched her preferred style.
Both sets suited Serena perfectly, and she ended up buying both, opting to wear the pure black one.
"My taste isn’t too bad, is it?"
As they walked out of the mall, Caleb softly asked.
Serena glanced at Caleb, responding blandly, "It’s alright."
They returned to the car, which drove another not-so-short distance.
Serena didn’t ask where Caleb was taking her.
She was curious to see what he had planned.
Finally, the car stopped.
By this ti, the sun was setting, and the sky was a cascade of red clouds.
Caleb led Serena to the edge of a cliff, below which was the turbulent sea.
The sun was about to dip into the horizon, the water and sky seed to be gilded with a layer of golden color.
"This place is..."
Serena’s eyes widened.
"A newly opened bungee jump."
Caleb pointed to the staff and ropes at the edge of the cliff.
"Why bring bungee jumping?"
This ti, Serena’s question was only t with a knowing smile from Caleb.
Under the sunset glow, that smile was warr than usual, and his eyes seed brighter.
"Have you ever tried bungee jumping before?"
Caleb asked Serena.
"Never."
Serena shook her head.
" neither."
Caleb was calm, showing not a trace of fear, looking nothing like a first-ti bungee jumper.
He didn’t ask if Serena dared to jump or wanted to jump, he simply told the staff that they were both ready to bungee jump together.
Inside the imperial blue Bentley, Serena’s phone was ringing.
The caller ID showed Ethan White.
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