First Love Only? I Left Him First, Now the CEO Can't Let Go novel Chapter 231

Chapter 231: Chapter 231: Someone Has a Sweetheart and Is Preparing to Propose

Caleb Lockwood stared unblinkingly at Serena Jennings, the light in his eyes flickering on and off.

Once, he thought Serena was only suited to be kept at home as a virtuous wife and loving mother, doing laundry, cooking, and managing household chores.

The only thing Serena excelled at was cooking delicious meals, working tirelessly—

like a top-notch nanny.

In a daze, Caleb found it hard to reconcile the present Serena with the Serena from his past memories.

Since their divorce in name, he increasingly felt that perhaps he never truly understood Serena.

When did Serena become a master at BYC?

What kind of past did she share with Ethan White?

He was clueless about it all.

He could have someone investigate.

But he didn’t.

Caleb told himself that he didn’t care much about Serena’s past.

But in reality, he feared uncovering things he didn’t want to know, especially concerning Serena and Ethan White.

Caleb’s gaze followed Serena’s every move.

Serena looked stunning today; not just stunning, but regal.

Especially with the white mink shawl draped around her, she carried an air of elegance and grandeur.

Despite the many beautifully dressed women at the gala, even some popular young actresses, Serena stood out so much that everyone else around her faded into the background.

If Serena was missing anything,

it was a suitable male partner to match her.

Caleb instinctively took a step forward but before he took a second, someone grabbed his hand.

In an instant, Caleb’s guard went up as if spikes had been erected all over him, emanating a chilly aura.

"Caleb, it’s me..."

Claire Shaw’s voice came from beside him.

Only then did Caleb realize Claire had grabbed his hand.

Caleb quietly withdrew his hand, and then saw Claire’s teary-eyed, forlorn expression.

He furrowed his brows, his heart softening.

He knew all too well that he had been neglecting Claire lately.

Even for this gala, he didn’t bring Claire along.

Claire had pleaded with Ian Blackwood to get an invitation.

Though Ian had long stopped liking Claire, he wasn’t stingy enough to withhold an invitation.

Claire firmly believed she would see Caleb at the gala.

She would also see Serena.

Claire stood beside Caleb and watched as Serena worked her way through the crowd to Patrick Rhodes.

Patrick’s eyes seemed to light up when facing Serena.

"Serena, you look really beautiful today."

Patrick earnestly praised her.

"Only today?" Serena chuckled in response.

"No, no, you’re beautiful every day, just even more so today."

Serena was a bit embarrassed by Patrick’s compliment and lowered her eyes to rummage through her handbag, pulling out a gift box to hand to Patrick.

"It’s finally done."

"For me?"

"Yes."

Patrick took the gift box, opened it, and inside was a brooch.

A men’s brooch, simple and elegant, with a modern feel. K-gold shone with a noble, cool white sheen, discreetly set with numerous emeralds and small diamonds, exuding both distinction and taste.

Patrick was so moved he nearly cried, covering his mouth with one hand.

However, to Serena, Patrick’s expression seemed exaggerated, as if she had publicly proposed to him.

"Did you design this yourself?"

"Of course, I even set it by hand!"

"I absolutely love you!"

Patrick threw himself forward and embraced Serena tightly.

Nearby, Ian Blackwood pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his slender eyes behind the lenses narrowing slightly as he watched the scene.

Peter silently sipped his champagne, finding its taste unimpressive.

Claire observed Caleb’s change in demeanor with keen perception.

Patrick’s neck turned crimson as he protested, "What token of affection? Sister-in-law, please don’t say such things..." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

After requesting matching rings from Serena, Ian glanced at Caleb with a smile.

Caleb, with a cold expression, suddenly spoke just as Serena turned to leave:

"I want a gift too..."

Serena turned back, baffled.

"President Lockwood isn’t asking for a thank you gift too, is he?"

Caleb indeed had taken down The Fulton Family, but Serena wasn’t remotely grateful to Caleb.

Her gaze subtly swept over Claire at Caleb’s side.

Claire affectedly spoke up:

"Serena, don’t you remember? Caleb’s birthday is coming up, and I ordered a special birthday gift for him three months in advance."

Serena was momentarily stunned by this, her reaction pricking like a thorn in Caleb’s eyes.

"Sorry, I forgot. If President Lockwood wants a birthday gift, I’ll have my assistant prepare one."

With that, Serena turned and walked away.

Her silhouette was graceful and elegant, beautiful, yet cold.

Caleb still remembered, during the three years of their marriage, every year on his birthday, Serena would make a large spread of his favorite dishes and give him handmade gifts.

Given his wealth, there was nothing material he lacked.

So Serena chose to make things herself—knitting scarves, crafting pottery, baking cakes...

Back then, Caleb considered these endeavors childish, akin to a school kid’s hobby.

Meanwhile, on Serena’s birthdays, he would give her lavish, priceless gifts.

Clothing, bags, shoes, jewelry—

No woman would dislike them.

He didn’t even have to pick them out or remember the dates.

Because Mr. Miller would remember, Mr. Miller would deliver them for him.

So now...

Is it his turn to receive a birthday gift from an assistant?

A sharp pain twisted in Caleb’s chest.

Meanwhile, a delivery arrived, bringing a basket of live freshwater crabs; the delivery person was Cynthia Fulton.