Chapter 585 Jacob, Let's Divorce 3
Jacob toyed with the designer shopping bag before setting it down with a sigh.
After hanging up the phone, he found himself reflecting on the few dates he'd shared with Serafina. Though calculated and performative, he hadn't disliked their time together. On the contrary, there was something about her presence he found comfortable.
He had made time to be with her after the miscarriage, but clearly, she no longer cared. Each time he kissed her in bed, her response was perfunctory at best. He suspected that if they actually made love, she might fall asleep beneath him. She made no effort to hide her indifference.
Their marriage had become unbearably cold and dull.
At six in the evening, Jacob returned home. The black Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up to the main residence. A long leg emerged from the driver's side, followed by Jacob's handsome, aristocratic face. The setting sun caught his dark hair, enhancing his masculine allure.
"Mr. Ronan Penrose came by looking for Mrs. Windsor earlier," the housekeeper informed him while taking his coat. "When I told him she wasn't home, he left."
Jacob guessed Ronan had come to plead his case.
"Where is Serafina? Did she call to say she wouldn't be home for dinner?"
"Mrs. Windsor mentioned visiting a student's home," the housekeeper replied after a moment's thought.
Jacob nodded and, after washing his hands, sat in the dining room with a newspaper. The staff served six dishes—perfect for two, excessive for one. The emptiness of the table killed his appetite. After a few bites, he retreated to his second-floor study to work.
By nine o'clock, he emerged. "Serafina still isn't back? Where's Elton?"
"Mrs. Windsor took her own car today. Elton has the next couple of days off," the housekeeper explained.
In the kitchen, Jacob pulled out his phone while retrieving a bottle of cold water from the refrigerator. He dialed Serafina's number only to find her phone was turned off. As he drank, his mind wandered to those photographs in his desk drawer—particularly to the look of adoration in Floyd's eyes.
He capped the bottle slowly before tossing it into the trash.
Under the dark sky, Jacob slipped on a black overcoat and got into his Rolls-Royce. Within moments, the luxury vehicle sped through the estate gates toward Serafina's school.
At Leap High School, a crescent moon hung over the treetops. The night breeze rustled through fresh leaves, emphasizing the stillness of the evening.
Floyd and Serafina walked side by side toward the parking lot. The school had recently uncovered a severe bullying incident involving Vivienne's daughter Beatrice, who had suffered for nearly six months. The details were infuriating, but fortunately, Floyd had personally intervened to resolve the situation.
The damage, however, was done. Beatrice was struggling emotionally, and Serafina had spent much of the day with her. After returning to school, Floyd had organized a special committee meeting to prevent future bullying incidents. By the time they finished, it was already ten at night.
In the dimly lit parking lot, Floyd looked at Serafina.
"It's late. Would you like to join us for a late dinner?" he asked softly.
Serafina shook her head. Though socializing with colleagues was normal, she dared not risk it. Jacob had never explicitly forbidden it, but she sensed his discomfort with her interacting with other men. To maintain her freedom to work, she carefully observed boundaries.
Floyd couldn't hide his disappointment. He hadn't told Serafina that in a week, he would be transferred to a middle school in Harmony City as principal. Though technically a promotion, he knew he wouldn't return to Evergreen City anytime soon. He also knew who was behind the transfer: Jacob.
"Serafina." A refined male voice cut through the night.
Jacob leaned against his black Rolls-Royce, his dark attire blending perfectly with the vehicle. A white cigarette burned between his elegant fingers as he exhaled, pale blue smoke dispersing in the night breeze that ruffled his hair.
Usually the stern CEO, tonight Jacob exuded the charm of a sophisticated gentleman, drawing admiring glances from female teachers passing by. They envied Serafina for having married someone so handsome, wealthy, and distinguished.
Though Jacob and Serafina appeared different in temperament, when he approached and stood beside her, they somehow complemented each other perfectly—neither outshining the other.
Jacob extinguished his cigarette and gently took Serafina's arm.
"Why are you out so late?" he asked softly before turning to Floyd with a more formal tone. "Mr. Ryan, we meet again."
Before Serafina could speak, Floyd responded, "What a coincidence!"
Jacob smiled slightly. "I should invite you to dinner, Mr. Ryan, but I imagine you'll want to say proper goodbyes to your colleagues before heading to Harmony City next week. I wouldn't want to intrude."
Serafina tensed, her gaze shifting between Floyd and Jacob.