Playtime's Over, CEO: She's Really Done With You-Chapter 350: Serena Sterling’s Main Stage
Isla Lawson was clearly dissatisfied.
She graduated from an Ivy League school in Frelia and had handled numerous projects over the years. Why couldn’t she take control?
Serena had been at The Lawson Corporation for so many years without any outstanding achievements.
In Isla’s view, considering the past relationship between Serena and Julian Lawson, and with the resources of The Lawson Corporation at her disposal, the lack of progress was clearly due to Serena’s incompetence.
If it were her, the name Isla Lawson would have already resonated throughout Aeston!
Julian Lawson looked at Isla Lawson’s expression and roughly understood what she was thinking.
He sighed and gazed out the window.
Over the years, many things Serena did were indeed not under her own name.
Much of it was attributed to him, Julian Lawson, and The Lawson Corporation.
This was because they had been privately investigating Evan Sheridan’s death over the years.
As a result, many believed Serena was merely a figurehead or a decorative accessory by his side.
But they both knew that throughout their mutual support, both had made significant contributions.
He and Serena agreed that letting outsiders think she was less capable would better facilitate their investigation.
Once everything was clear, why not reveal it all?
After all, they were lovers, partners, and married—they didn’t differentiate between each other.
But now...
Perhaps she had changed her mind, no longer trusting others, but instead wanting to hold everything in her own hands.
Over the years, they had both changed.
Julian Lawson looked at Isla Lawson and suddenly changed his mind.
"Isla," he said after a long pause, "if you insist on doing this, I can’t stop you."
Isla Lawson looked at Julian Lawson in surprise.
Wasn’t he just telling her not to target Serena?
"But I warn you, it must only be fair commercial competition." Julian Lawson averted his gaze and looked out the window again. "If you dabble in underhanded tactics, I won’t forgive you."
His words were light, but Isla Lawson knew he was serious.
But that wasn’t the point.
The point was why he suddenly changed his mind?
Isla Lawson looked at Julian Lawson’s profile.
She never understood this legendary figure who led the Lawson Family through a transformation.
Julian Lawson stared out the window, and no one knew what he was thinking.
...
The night in Aeston was brightly lit, and the bustling city’s traffic flowed continuously.
As the guests slowly arrived at the venue Serena had reserved.
Serena, dressed in a blue satin gown, greeted each guest.
Her hair was simply styled, her face adorned with the perfect touch of makeup. The fitted gown highlighted her figure, paired with simple jewelry, making her look elegantly poised.
Holding a champagne flute, Serena moved gracefully among the guests, occasionally exchanging words.
She handled everything with ease and confidence.
This time, there was no guest list restriction; anyone wanting to support the event was welcome.
As the start time approached, more prominent figures arrived.
Jasper Ford, Xander Linton, and the Lynch siblings all came by to greet Serena.
Other members of the Hawthorne Family also arrived.
As time went by, even more people came.
Just then, Clara Huxley signed her name and entered with a bouquet of flowers.
Serena went up to greet her immediately.
"I was busy during the day and couldn’t come. This is for you," Clara said, handing the bouquet to Serena.
Before Serena could express her thanks, Clara opened a box, revealing a sapphire necklace.
"I think this complements your gown today," Clara said with a smile.
"I think so too," Serena said, handing the flowers to her assistant and reaching to unclip her own necklace.
Clara immediately took the sapphire necklace and helped Serena put it on.
The sapphire necklace was now in place.
"Thank you, Mrs. Huxley," Serena said with a smile. "It’s beautiful—I love it."
Clara was about to say something.
Just then, a commotion erupted, and people began to murmur.
"Why are they here?"
"Oh my gosh, are they really not concerned about this?"
"Or maybe they’re here to cause trouble?"
...
Serena looked over and saw the elderly Lawsons had just signed in and were heading her way.
Serena hesitated.
Should she greet them?
She hadn’t anticipated that the old couple from the Lawson Family would attend.
Moreover, what was their purpose in coming?
An ex-husband’s family attending her opening night party...
Every eye in the room was drawn to them.
Old Madam Lawson was pushing Caleb Lawson’s wheelchair as they approached.
Clara Huxley furrowed her brow slightly and took a few steps forward.
Serena gently patted Clara’s hand, indicating she was fine.
After all, she hadn’t restricted the guest list today.
With that in mind, she stepped forward a few paces and greeted the old couple with a smile.
"Old Master Lawson, Madam Lawson," Serena said with a smile as she greeted them.
"Serena," Madam Lawson smiled back at Serena first.
Caleb Lawson also nodded and gestured to his assistant to present the gift.
Originally, they hadn’t cared much about Serena’s business opening, but since there were rumors outside that The Lawson Corporation would pressure Serena because of it, they had to step in to maintain The Lawson Corporation’s reputation.
By attending the party and presenting a gift, they could stay briefly, allowing everyone to witness The Lawson Corporation’s magnanimity.
"Serena, I couldn’t make it to your office during the day, so I’m here tonight. You won’t fault an old man like me, will you?" Caleb Lawson said.
Serena had her assistant accept the gift.
From Caleb Lawson’s deliberate public statement, Serena understood it was for the Family’s reputation.
They were setting the narrative.
The issues between Julian Lawson and Serena were personal, a matter of young people’s love and rivalry, unrelated to their families and corporations.
If she were to ask the old couple to leave now, it would mean breaking ties completely, unable to even maintain a semblance of harmony.
It would signify an all-out war between the Sheridans and the Lawsons, possibly dragging in the allied Hawthorne Group.
Since Aeon had just opened for business, maintaining even superficial peace with The Lawson Corporation would be beneficial.
Thus, Serena couldn’t possibly refuse.
Since refusal wasn’t an option, she had to handle it gracefully.
"How could I?" Serena said with a smile, "Your presence at this party is a tremendous honor for me."
Letting them have their moment, she could ask them to leave before making that announcement.
After Serena’s words, Caleb Lawson glanced at Clara Huxley to one side.
"Clara, my dear, there’s no need for such vigilance—I won’t eat her," Caleb Lawson said.
Clara Huxley smiled, "I’m not sure about that—though you may not, some others, and those rumors, might."
Clara Huxley had indeed endured those experiences firsthand before.
Caleb Lawson hummed, patted Serena’s hand, and went inside to take his seat.
Once the elderly couple settled in, Clara also patted Serena’s hand and left.
Clara didn’t say anything, knowing that countless eyes were watching.
After the two left, people began to discuss anew.
Suddenly, another commotion arose.
Then, a wheelchair was being pushed through the entrance, bringing someone in.
"It’s Old Master Ford!" someone in the crowd remarked. "Old Master Ford is here too!"
At that moment—
"A Rolls-Royce Phantom!"
"Archie, Archie has arrived again!"
Following Archie, a series of cars stopped, and many silver-haired elders came flooding in.
"Oh my gosh, it’s the CEO of WW Securities."
"The Lloyd Family’s Old Master!"
"Matriarch Quentin is here as well!"
"And more! There’s even more! This is..."
"Who exactly is Serena, hosting an event that usually sees more of the younger generation, yet now is attended by so many from the older generation?"
"Right, these figures rarely come to such occasions anymore!"
...
Serena watched these comings and goings with a calm gaze.
She had expected it.
The people who came earlier were all somewhat personally connected to her, while this current wave related to her father.
She knew that previously at The Lawson Corporation and in the music industry, those weren’t significant—but once she formally stepped into the investment realm, they would undoubtedly come.
