Chapter 99 People Are Watching
Serena was about to explain when Adrian cut her off. "Whatever you meant, we can discuss it privately."
As he spoke, he glanced around meaningfully, as if to say, "People are watching."
Only then did Serena notice everyone staring at them with knowing looks—as if she and Adrian had some secret, scandalous relationship.
She immediately understood. This man was doing it on purpose.
Adrian's low chuckle confirmed it as he took the gift bag from her hands. "I'll accept the gift. I'll open it tonight."
Serena gritted her teeth. Was he ever going to let this go? She wanted nothing more than to shut him up.
But she hadn't forgotten—she was here on a mission today.
Seeing Adrian about to leave, she quickly pulled her resume from her bag and held it out with both hands. "Mr. Locke, I'd like to apply for a position—"
Before she could finish, Adrian's expression went ice-cold. Without waiting for her to complete the sentence, he shoved the gift bag back into her hands, then turned and walked away without a backward glance, his entourage trailing after him.
Serena stood there, completely blindsided. What just happened? Why the sudden mood shift?
She couldn't figure it out, and her spirits sank.
The receptionist, seeing her like this, asked with concern, "Ms. Rothwell, are you okay?"
Serena snapped out of it and forced a smile. "I'm fine."
There was no way she was leaving that easily anyway.
The receptionist could see her determination. She also remembered that the CEO hadn't thrown her out earlier—they probably knew each other. But he'd clearly just gotten angry about something.
For a moment, the receptionist wasn't sure how to handle Serena.
"I'd like to wait for him here," Serena said. "Is that okay?"
"Of course. You can wait in the reception lounge."
The receptionist personally escorted her over. Serena had thought she was mentally prepared—this was New Valley, after all, not some small city like Sweetwater City. But when she entered the reception lounge, she realized her imagination had fallen short. The room alone held forty or fifty people—job applicants, people seeking partnerships.
Some sat alone, muttering over their materials. Others gathered in small clusters to chat.
Serena found an empty seat and sat down, her mind racing with strategies for how to bring up the job application with Adrian again.
Back in Sweetwater City, there hadn't been any major corporations. People were relatively straightforward—she could usually figure out what they were thinking. But ever since reuniting with Adrian, she'd been wrong-footed so many times she was gun-shy. She had absolutely no idea what went on in that man's head.
She was still mulling it over, thinking that next time she saw him she absolutely had to seize the opportunity, when a young woman sat down beside her.
"First time here?" the woman asked curiously.
Serena nodded politely. "Yes."
The woman shook her head with a sigh. "Then get comfortable. I've been waiting here for ten days and haven't even seen Mr. Locke's face. That guy over there by the door? Shows up at nine AM sharp every day, doesn't leave until nine PM. He's been here three weeks straight—practically turning into a fossil—and still hasn't managed to see Mr. Locke."
"Why can't anyone see him?" Serena asked, puzzled. "Mr. Locke just walked through the lobby earlier."
The woman's eyes went wide. "You tried to stop him?"
Serena nodded. "I did."
At that, every head in the reception lounge swiveled toward her. "And you didn't get thrown out?"
Serena looked confused. "It's not that serious, is it?"
"Are you kidding? Of course it is!"
Apparently, someone bold had once rushed up to Adrian without warning. The result? Security had literally thrown them out of the building. After that incident, everyone understood Mr. Locke's rules. Want a job? Want a partnership? Fine. Go through proper channels or wait to be called. Anyone who tried to physically intercept Mr. Locke got the same treatment—tossed out on their ass.
Serena smiled awkwardly, not bothering to explain that Adrian probably hadn't thrown her out only as a courtesy to her sister.
She continued waiting. She made several trips out to the main lobby to confirm Adrian hadn't returned, terrified of missing him.
At noon, everyone in the reception lounge pulled out packed lunches they'd brought from home in perfect unison. Serena watched in amazement. They were all so dedicated. They wouldn't even leave for lunch for fear of missing Mr. Locke's summons.
Which meant she couldn't leave either.
God, she was starving.
She pressed a hand to her stomach, thinking wistfully of the sandwich Lily had made that morning, when her phone rang.
It was Sarah.
Serena quickly answered. "Sarah."
Sarah's cool voice came through the line. "I ordered lunch for you. It's at the Locke Group's front desk. Go pick it up."
A wave of gratitude washed over Serena, quickly followed by curiosity. "How did you know I was starving at the Locke Group?"
"You think Adrian's an idiot?"
If Serena had come to the Locke Group to apply for a job, there was no way Adrian didn't know what she and Sarah were up to. He wasn't the type to let people use him for nothing.
Serena hung up and went to the front desk to collect her lunch. The elegant takeout bag bore the logo of "Sea Treasure Diner"—one of Serena's old favorite restaurants.
She opened it to find lemon shrimp and a bowl of fragrant seafood porridge.
Serena was just about to take it back to the lounge when she spotted Adrian returning from outside.
She immediately hurried over, her face lighting up with a brilliant smile. "Mr. Locke! You're back? Have you eaten yet?"
Adrian ignored her and said to someone behind him, "Continue."
Then he headed toward the elevators.
Serena had been prepared for this reaction, so she didn't get angry. She simply followed him to the elevators.
The receptionist watched the scene unfold with an internal crisis brewing. Should she intervene or not?
Meanwhile, Serena waited until Adrian's subordinate finished his report. Then she flashed Adrian another bright smile. "Mr. Locke, my sister ordered lunch. If you haven't eaten yet, would you like to join me?"
Only then did Adrian glance at her coolly, his expression unreadable.
Serena took a slow, deep breath. Now that she understood this wouldn't be easy, she wasn't in such a rush anymore. She still had three days. No need to panic. She'd handle things one step at a time.
First, she held out the gift bag again. "Mr. Locke, this is to thank you for taking me home yesterday. It has nothing to do with today. Please accept it."