First Love Only? I Left Him First, Now the CEO Can't Let Go novel Chapter 234

Chapter 234: Chapter 234: She’s Locked Inside

"Caleb, this is a gift for you from the Linton Family’s young lady, quickly open it and take a look."

Lilian Young’s mention of "the Linton Family’s young lady" made Claire Shaw’s face change slightly.

By now, Claire Shaw was well aware that Lilian Young was intentionally trying to match Caleb Lockwood with the Linton Family’s young lady from Country C.

In comparison to the Linton Family, which is the largest capital backing in Country C, her own family’s background was naturally insignificant.

Previously, it was because Caleb Lockwood favored her that the Lockwood family treated her with courtesy and respect.

But now, her studio was barely surviving, and her parents’ business depended entirely on the resources provided by The Lockwood Group.

Claire Shaw was fully aware that in Lilian Young’s eyes, her family had always been leeching off the Lockwood family.

However, the Linton Family was different.

The Linton Family could bring benefits to the Lockwood Family.

Caleb Lockwood took the gift box from Lilian Young’s hand and, upon opening it, found a tie—

A designer piece, classic style.

Claire Shaw couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

Caleb Lockwood had plenty of such ties; it was clear that the young lady from the Linton Family hadn’t really put much thought into it, or perhaps her aesthetic taste was limited.

Lilian Young’s expression was somewhat uneasy.

She also thought that Wendy Linton’s birthday gift to Caleb Lockwood was a bit too perfunctory.

But these were not words she could speak aloud.

She couldn’t let Caleb Lockwood feel that Claire Shaw’s gift was the best one.

Lilian Young originally hadn’t planned to invite Claire Shaw to today’s birthday banquet.

Previously, it was because Caleb Lockwood liked Claire Shaw that Claire Shaw was welcome.

However, now that there was a better option like the Linton Family, any continued entanglement between Claire Shaw and Caleb Lockwood was considered risky.

Yet, Claire Shaw had subtly hinted beforehand that she would give Caleb Lockwood a priceless birthday gift.

The Lockwood family wasn’t short on money, but who would mind having more!

Lilian Young wanted the gift, so she agreed to Claire Shaw’s presence.

As it turned out, Claire Shaw’s gift indeed did not disappoint her.

Claire Shaw was actually out of money; she had borrowed money from her parents to commission this gem portrait.

Valerie Vance had spared no expense to help her win back Caleb Lockwood’s heart.

Claire Shaw did not believe that such a carefully prepared and expensive birthday gift could be easily outdone by anyone else.

"Caleb, look how nice this tie is; the young lady of the Linton Family really has great taste."

Lilian Young said, blatantly ignoring the truth.

"Come on, put it on and try it, see if it suits your suit."

Lilian Young held the tie from Wendy Linton up to Caleb Lockwood’s suit, while beside them, Claire Shaw instinctively assessed Caleb Lockwood.

"Caleb, is this suit new? It seems different from your usual style."

As soon as Caleb Lockwood heard Claire Shaw’s remark, scenes of Serena Jennings and Ethan White picking out a suit together flashed through his mind.

Clearly, it wasn’t the style he liked...

Yet he wore it anyway.

But wearing it, he felt uncomfortable all over.

Previously, Serena Jennings had carefully picked this brand of suit for him, but he had never worn them and had given them all to Mr. Miller in a bundle.

Caleb couldn’t help but think, those suits, if he wore them now, would probably fit and feel much more comfortable than this one!

Claire Shaw noticed Caleb’s expression was off, but couldn’t figure out what she had said wrong.

Caleb’s gaze first fell on Claire Shaw’s gem painting, then on the tie Wendy Linton had given him.

Finally, he looked down at the ill-fitting and style-defying suit he was wearing.

In terms of effort and value, the gem painting Claire Shaw prepared was undoubtedly unique.

Caleb silently gazed at Claire Shaw’s face, adorned with delicate makeup.

Claire Shaw knew Caleb was looking at her; she lowered her head slightly, feigning a bashful appearance.

She believed Caleb had understood—

She was the one who truly loved Caleb the most.

No one, not Serena Jennings, not the Linton Family’s young lady, loved Caleb more than she did.

Once, she was the one Caleb loved the most.

Now, she was the one who loved Caleb the most.

"Caleb, I..."

Serena cautiously followed the worker to a cement staircase leading down.

"Are we going down there?"

Serena hesitated.

Walking underground in such a construction site, there was always an uneasy feeling.

"Yeah! What good places do you think are here on the site?"

"Then I’ll just wait up here."

"Won’t you be getting in our way up here? If something falls on you, we can’t afford to compensate."

The worker’s words made some sense, so Serena gritted her teeth and went down.

Below the cement stairs was an old, heavy iron door.

The worker pulled the door open and flicked a switch, and the light bulb hanging from the ceiling flickered on.

This room wasn’t large, windowless, with cracked cement flooring, and a plastic stool - just enough to pass as a rest room.

Serena noticed the rusty distribution box here.

Was this an abandoned electrical room converted into a rest room?

"You can sit here and wait for Boss Zhao!"

The worker said and then turned to leave.

As soon as Serena sat on the plastic stool, she suddenly heard the grating sound of metal behind her.

She jumped up and ran to the door to push it.

The door wouldn’t budge.

She was locked inside!

Realizing something was wrong, Serena pounded on the door.

"Hey! Is anyone there? Hey! Open the door for me!"

No one responded outside, and Serena immediately took out her phone to call Boss Zhao, but the call couldn’t go through; there was absolutely no signal.

Boom!

A loud thunderclap, and the light bulb in the abandoned electrical room went out with a pop.