17 Chapter 17 : Kissing Serena Jennings ' Lips " Look at our Claire , she's become a full - time employee at FY with the score from the piano series design master . She's a white - collar worker at a big company , carning hundreds of thousands annually . And then look at someone else , went from housewife to janitor ... Well , I guess that's progress too ? " Lily Sutton laughed so hard she nearly fell over . " Comparing her to my sister - in - law is an insult to her , don't you think ? " Patrick Rhodes looked at Serena Jennings with disdain . Serena had been indifferent towards Patrick , but since Claire Shaw returned home , Patrick's two conversations with Caleb Lockwood had completely changed her impression of him to dislike . " What , you're not convinced ? " Patrick noticed Serena's hostility , rolling his eyes . He and Caleb Lockwood were high school classmates , very close friends , and he knew that Caleb and Claire Shaw were a match made in heaven back then . Their passionate love story was something he nearly witnessed first - hand , yet in the end , it was Serena Jennings whom Caleb formally married . Patrick felt Serena was just fortunate . If it hadn't been for the cold war between Caleb and Claire , who was abroad at the time , he would have never pursued Serena . And Serena had no self - awareness , yet she shamelessly married into the Lockwood Family . Patrick , like Caleb , both appreciated outstanding women . They were cultivated elites from high society , who would be interested in a woman who only knew how to do laundry and cook ! " Here , let me show you what my sister - in - law designed ! " Patrick showed Serena Claire's design draft . " I know you definitely won't understand her creativity , but at least you'd realize you don't measure up , right ? " Serena remained silent . She not only understood Claire's creativity , she even understood the score in the upper right corner ! It was what she had just graded today . " Turns out you got third place in FY's intern evaluation , congratulations . " Serena smiled , her voice calm , yet Claire couldn't keep her composure after hearing this . How did Serena know she only got third place ?! Seeing the panic in Claire's eyes , Serena was puzzled . Wasn't she complimenting Claire ? She was genuinely giving praise , so why was Claire panicking ? " What nonsense are you talking about ! " Owen Warren shouted , " Claire got first place , your jealousy is truly unsightly ! " Serena recalled that if this design draft was indeed Claire's , it wasn't the highest score she had graded at the time , she mustn't be mistaken . And because she wasn't mistaken , it precisely explained why Claire was panicking . " Ignore her , she doesn't know anything . " Caleb glanced at Serena . That glance chilled Serena to the bone . Caleb gently patted Claire's smooth hair , " I know you're definitely the first place . " " Caleb ... " Claire was moved to tears . Serena felt stung , a suffocating blockage in her chest . She said nothing because she knew that nothing she said would make a difference . As long as Caleb believed Claire , then whatever Claire said was the truth . She turned to leave , only to find a wall had appeared out of thin air , blocking her path . Serena looked up to find herself face to face with Caleb . " Take it off . " 215 17 Chapter 17 : Kissing Serena Jennings ' Lips Serena heard the displeasure and impatience in Caleb's voice . Seeing that Serena didn't move or speak , Caleb's tone grew heavier . " I told you to take off this outfit and go home immediately ." Serena knew , Caleb felt embarrassed . Because she was a janitor . " Exactly , you're not ashamed , but Brother Lockwood is ! " Patrick fanned the flames on the side . Serena ignored Patrick , her eyes stared intently at Caleb , who was also staring intently back at her . This rebellious and condescending gaze was identical to the one he had at the juvenile detention center . Young Serena , blossoming into love , had no resistance to such a gaze , the memory of her infatuation was still vivid . But now ... Serena sighed , " If you feel ashamed , sign the divorce papers , and after the divorce , what I do - be it begging on the street or collecting bottles - won't concern you ." Hearing Serena's words , Patrick exasperatedly rolled his eyes , " Damn , can you be any more spineless , talking about begging and collecting bottles ... You don't find it disgusting to say it , but Brother Lockwood probably finds it puke - worthy . " Finding Patrick annoying , Caleb pushed him aside , making him stay with Claire and the others . Stepping forward , Caleb's imposing figure pearly loomed over Serena . Serena's hands , clasped tightly behind her back . On usual days , she might step back . But today she felt a bit agitated , she didn't even know what she was mad about . Anyhow , she didn't step back . The two stood face to face , almost touching , if not for their strained expressions and defiant glares , others might have thought there was something intimate going on . 13:26 17 Chapter 17 : Kissing Serena Jennings ' Lips Claire watched from the sidelines , anxious . Caleb thinking Serena embarrassed him was fine by her , she wished Caleb would hate Serena . However , she disliked seeing Caleb so close to Serena , as if he could easily lower his head and press his lips against Serena's . Holding herself back , she nearly tore her fishtail dress , fearing that speaking at this moment might upset Caleb . Caleb's proximity overwhelmed Serena , her heart flipped in her chest , sweat beading on her forehead and temples . " You'd rather beg on the street or collect bottles ... just to divorce me ?! " 1 Caleb's voice was low , and although his tone was mild , it gave Serena the impression that he might devour her . She felt he might slap her at the very next next moment . Of course , Caleb had never hit her.1 Caleb wouldn't lay a hand on a woman . Serena was sure of that . Even if Caleb stopped loving her , he wouldn't become an abusive husband . The long silence increased the pressure looming over Serena , finally, Caleb smiled , his eyes crinkling with amusement . " Even if one day you were truly begging on the streets , collecting bottles , I would still be your husband . " Serena's skin crawled . She couldn't take Caleb's words as romantic , and of course , Caleb didn't mean them romantically . Serena was now certain that Caleb was intentionally preventing the divorce . He didn't love her yet refused to grant her freedom . Serena initially wanted to fight for the divorce a bit more , yet Caleb's phone rang with a business call . Talking 72.22 4/5 17 Chapter 17 : Kissing Serena Jennings ' Lips on the phone , Caleb left the hall . As soon as Caleb left , Serena felt deflated , finally able to relax , though tiredness made her head throb . Nearby , Lily and Owen exchanged glances , noticing Claire was down due to Caleb and Serena's relationship , ready to throw some more jabs at Serena for Claire's sake . Before they could get close to Serena , a uniformed clerk hurried over . " Excuse me , are you Miss Serena Jennings ? " Serena nodded , watching as the clerk handed her something . Comment 3 Post your first comment ! Vote 21 Show support to the author by leaving comments when sending gift . Rate the translation quality