Playtime's Over, CEO: She's Really Done With You-Chapter 343: I Have No Second Choice But Her

Chapter 343: Chapter 343: I Have No Second Choice But Her

The few people who had been speaking earlier looked at each other, none willing to open their mouths again.

"If this is the entirety of your reasons, then fine, I’ll give you an answer."

In the midst of silence, Silas Hawthorne spoke up: "I like Serena Sterling. It’s not that I’m choosing her now; it’s that I’ve struggled long and hard, waiting for the day she would nod and choose me."

"But, young master, you could completely..."

"I have no other choice but her," Silas Hawthorne interrupted the other party.

"She is excellent, better than you might imagine."

"Without her, there would be no me today."

There was no telling emotion from Silas Hawthorne’s voice: "Since you’ve brought up this issue today, it means I have already informed all of you."

It was an announcement, not a discussion, leaving no room for negotiation.

The group exchanged glances once more, and finally, a bald middle-aged man spoke up.

"Young master, Hawthorne Group is not just your company. Your marital situation is closely linked to it; you cannot be so willful."

Silas Hawthorne looked up and glanced at him.

The man shrank back a bit but still insisted, "Anyone can but not Serena Sterling."

Silas Hawthorne suddenly laughed.

His smile had always been gentle and refined, yet at that moment it was chilling.

"So you want to introduce your niece to me?"

"I remember I have already politely declined in private, but Director Sawyer, why have you sent someone to persuade my mother?"

Director Sawyer’s face froze; he couldn’t find the words to respond.

The crowd also looked at him curiously.

Silas Hawthorne’s face maintained its smile.

He said, "If you all believe that my marriage issues make me unsuitable for the position of Hawthorne Group CEO, then fine, I’ll step down."

The people present were shocked; some even began discreetly communicating through glances or phones.

But Silas Hawthorne still smiled.

He quietly observed everything, watching the undercurrents among these people.

Such scenarios he had witnessed many times over the past twenty years of his life.

About five minutes passed like this.

Suddenly someone came to their senses.

"Young master, then about the shipping and original mineral deposits globally..."

Silas Hawthorne’s smile remained gentle.

He said, "What belongs to me naturally goes with me."

The room erupted.

"This won’t do, young master. The Hawthorne Group’s enduring success in Aeston relies on shipping and global resources. Without them, we’d incur extremely high costs!"

"Young master, you are also a Hawthorne; you shouldn’t be so ungrateful!"

"Yes, young master, separating these assets will quickly strip us from the top three powers in Aeston!"

The crowd clamored, yet Silas Hawthorne remained unfazed.

He calmly listened to all this, then dropped his smile.

He said, "So you all understand the importance of these assets after all."

The three leading enterprises of Aeston were once all traditional industries. Later, The Lawson Corporation, led by Julian Lawson, transitioned to a tech mogul; the Ford Family engaged in infighting while expanding into new sectors, such as Jasper Ford’s entertainment industry; and the Hawthorne Group stood firm with globalization and luxury goods. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Though The Lawson Corporation ranks first among the three giants, the businesses counterbalance each other, denying any significant or absolute dominance.

Initially, Evan Sheridan nearly became the fourth leading power due to finance’s amplifying wealth capabilities.

Whichever house Evan Sheridan deeply collaborated with would break the check-and-balance scenario among the three.

Unfortunately, Evan Sheridan passed away.

Marine matters were always perilous; one might reach some unknown sea and be lost, leaving no trace.

The race for global gemstone mines was bloodier still.

No one managed Evan’s mess; after all, one’s life matters most—wealth is meaningless if you don’t live to spend it.

At one point, the Hawthorne Family fell into decline, nearly ousted from the top three, until Silas Hawthorne single-handedly lifted it all, reviving the Hawthorne Group.

No one dared to make a sound in the boardroom.

They could not possibly ignore the significance of these things.

They knew well that Silas Hawthorne had kept old sentiments, considering himself a Hawthorne, hence still involving them.

Otherwise, with Silas Hawthorne’s current strategies and influence, leaving them to establish a new business would be effortless.

In little time, it would become a new giant and crush the current Hawthorne Group.

It isn’t Silas Hawthorne who needs the Hawthorne Group, but the Hawthorne Group that needs Silas Hawthorne.

"So, can we continue discussing my marriage now?" Silas Hawthorne glanced at everyone present.

No one spoke.

"Is there any opposition?" Silas Hawthorne continued to inquire.

Still, no one dared to utter a word.

"Very well, meeting adjourned." Silas Hawthorne finished, stood up, and was the first to leave the conference room.

After Silas Hawthorne and his entourage left, those present finally breathed a sigh of relief.

They glanced at each other in silence.

After a long while, someone finally asked, "Director Sawyer, why didn’t you inform us when you introduced your niece to the young master?"

The bald middle-aged man wiped his forehead.

"Because it didn’t work out," Director Sawyer mumbled, feeling aggrieved. He then complained, "Honestly, that Serena Sterling really knows how to work it. Julian Lawson too; and the young master, I heard that even Third Master Ford was a bit interested in her before. Who knows what kind of sedatives she used."

"Ahem, ahem..."

Before Director Sawyer could finish, he was interrupted by a bout of coughing.

Startled, Director Sawyer looked up to see June Hawthorne standing at the door.

"I just got back," June Hawthorne smiled, "I heard there was quite the drama here just now."

Everyone quickly denied it, knowing how formidable each of the Hawthornes was.

"I advise you not to cause trouble in Serena Sterling’s presence." June Hawthorne continued, her words laced with threat, "She is my future sister-in-law, understand?"

Everyone nodded repeatedly, rushing to assure her.

June Hawthorne then contentedly turned and left.

As she made her way out, people greeted her one after another.

Finally, June Hawthorne went downstairs to a pastry shop.

She saw Silas Hawthorne selecting some pastries to bring back for Serena and Seraphina.

She smiled: "Brother."

Silas Hawthorne nodded and didn’t look at her, continuing to make his selections.

June Hawthorne criticized those people at length.

Then she said, "They really are something. Many people like Serena Sterling because she is inherently good. The successful transformation of The Lawson Corporation owes much to her risking her life, and her good relationship with Third Master Ford comes from their collaboration. Before, Third Master Ford could barely survive in his family, but after partnering with Serena, he gained influence. And brother, if it weren’t for her at sea back then..."

Silas Hawthorne gave June Hawthorne a look to indicate she should stop talking.

Too many people around.

The cause of Evan Sheridan’s death hasn’t been found yet; they cannot expose the past connections between him and the Sheridan Family.