Playtime's Over, CEO: She's Really Done With You-Chapter 351: Publicly Announcing the Wedding Date
Some are enemies, and some are friends.
Perhaps probing, perhaps expressing goodwill, or something else entirely.
All are possible.
There were many journalists at the scene, each immediately capturing everything in photos.
These photos were circulating online, but they didn’t spark much discussion, simply because these were people from the previous generation, unfamiliar to many younger netizens.
Only the photos of the Lawson Family couple caused some discussion, but it was just entertainment gossip.
However, in the financial circles, this caused a major upheaval.
Serena greeted each of these people.
She greeted them with a smile.
The crowd had mixed expressions, and the scene was lively.
On one side, Silas Hawthorne quietly watched all this.
"Brother, why don’t you go accompany Serena?" Orion Hawthorne was visibly anxious. "There are so many elderly people here, and they all have some status. Serena must be under a lot of pressure!"
June Hawthorne was also a bit worried, "Yes, brother, being by her side might make things better. Some people just want to bully Serena. Look at the Langley Family."
But Silas just gave a gentle smile and adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.
"She can do it." Silas said.
These three words made both siblings quite upset.
However, Silas watched Serena with a smile, appreciation in his eyes.
"She is Miss Sheridan, after all." Silas said softly.
She was once the much-talked-about Miss Sheridan, invited to attend some peripheral royal banquets when in Morova, effortlessly navigating these events.
Thinking back to the scene when he first saw her, Silas’s eyes were filled with mirth.
She doesn’t need him by her side, she doesn’t need him to overshadow her brilliance.
"Today is her stage."
Indeed, Serena was dazzling.
Whether faced with goodwill or malice, she handled everything gracefully.
Showing her status, suppressing seniority, pulling on relationships...
All those who hadn’t appeared for many years, no matter what they wanted to do to her now, she remained composed and courteous.
This left those who initially wanted to give Serena a hard time speechless.
Upstairs, in the VIP seats, Old Master Ford and Percival Ford looked over at the Lawson Family couple.
"She really has her father’s charisma." Percival Ford remarked.
Caleb Lawson nodded, eyes filled with admiration.
"It’s a pity Evan left too soon." Caleb Lawson sighed deeply.
Percival Ford glanced at the pair and said, "I remember you tried to approach him actively back then, hoping to discuss cooperation?"
Caleb Lawson smiled and sipped his tea, "Didn’t your Ford Family do the same? Always trying to win him over."
"To be honest." Caleb Lawson set down his cup and said agedly, "Back then, in all of Aeston, those who didn’t want to cooperate with him were in the minority."
Percival Ford chuckled, "That’s true."
He was the fourth giant on the verge of breaking through.
As long as he cooperated with any party, they could jointly suppress the other two, holding a unique position in Aeston.
"Old Hawthorne passed early, too." After a long pause, Percival Ford said, "And his son as well, leaving only Silas and the rest of the Hawthorne Family."
"However, I think Silas is quite good." Percival Ford suddenly gave Caleb Lawson a meaningful glance.
"Hmph!" Caleb Lawson snorted, slamming his cup onto the table, clearly displeased.
He knew exactly what Percival Ford was insinuating.
Originally, Julian Lawson and Serena were already married, deeply in love.
Later, Julian Lawson self-destructed the relationship.
Now, everyone in Aeston knew that Serena, after the divorce, was with Silas Hawthorne.
"I didn’t expect you and your wife to attend the banquet today." Percival Ford continued with mockery, "I thought you’d avoid the Hawthorne Family and Serena from now on."
Old Madam Lawson spoke up, "Not necessarily."
"Well..." Percival Ford cast a knowing glance at the Lawson couple.
"Besides, she is Serena, not Evan Sheridan." Caleb Lawson said softly, looking at Serena walking onto the stage below, "Evan Sheridan... now he was a genius."
At this moment, Serena’s assistant arrived beside the Lawson couple and said something to them.
Soon, the couple stood up and left.
Downstairs.
Serena checked the time and felt it was about right.
She returned to Silas’s table first.
Silas handed her a cup of tea.
Serena took a sip and smiled at him.
"I’m going up." She said.
"Alright." Silas nodded.
There was a mutual understanding.
The lights at the scene gradually dimmed as Serena walked step by step onto the stage.
At this moment, outside on the road, a Maybach came to a stop.
Julian Lawson, sitting in a wheelchair, was being pushed towards the hall by Jude Chaucer.
Everyone along the way was taken aback to see him approaching.
However, since the lights were already dim inside, no one screamed, just whispered and discussed among themselves.
Isla Lawson accompanied Julian Lawson, following by his side. Upon hearing the murmurs, she snorted softly.
Julian Lawson needed to sign in at the entrance, and the assistant recognized him immediately.
"President Lawson, Mr. Sheridan advised that it is best for you not to enter." The assistant said, "Mr. Sheridan mentioned this is the final advice."
"I told her I’d come." Julian Lawson replied.
However, the assistant maintained the same stance.
Isla grew irritated, directly scolding, "Did they not say there were no restrictions on attendees? Does Serena dare speak without backing it up?"
This was a clear intent to proceed inside.
"If you insist on..."
"Will you let us in?" Isla interrupted the assistant.
With people watching, a scene couldn’t be stirred up here.
Thinking, the assistant helplessly smiled and gestured with a "please" motion, "Since you insist on this course of action, then, please."
Serena had already walked up to the stage.
At this moment, the lighting focused on Serena, making her appear radiant.
All eyes were on Serena.
She held the microphone and smiled at everyone.
"Thank you all for attending the opening banquet of Aeon."
Serena said warmly, her voice echoing throughout the hall.
"It’s been a long time since I felt this thrilled, not since my father, Evan Sheridan, passed away."
"Today, with Aeon’s opening, I wish to announce to everyone that I, Serena Sterling, am back!"
"I will carry on my father’s legacy and restore the glory of the Sheridan Family!"
Serena looked at everyone, the light shining on her simple makeup, yet she sparkled like a diamond.
"Clap clap clap!"
Unknowingly, someone began clapping, and soon, countless others joined in applause.
The sound of clapping filled the air, nearly shaking the entire building.
"Hmph! Such arrogance!" At the door, Isla naturally heard and pursed her lips in disagreement.
Everyone knew how dazzling Evan Sheridan had been; who was Serena to compare?
She’s just a vase!
Julian Lawson gave Isla a glance, "If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything. No one assumes you’re mute."
Isla pouted, feeling aggrieved, and stayed silent.
Serena briefly reflected on the past and then looked to the future.
"Finally, I have two things to announce to everyone." Serena’s voice came through.
By now, Julian Lawson had slowly arrived, taking the elevator to the second floor.
People nearby continued discussing him.
Astonishment filled the crowd.
"The first is that from today onwards, Aeon will officially start expanding into domestic and international markets, and I welcome everyone to join me for mutual cooperation and success."
"The second..."
At this moment, a spotlight shone on Silas Hawthorne on the second floor.
Silas was already standing, meeting Serena’s smiling gaze.
Serena held the microphone, her eyes full of joy, "Silas and I have decided to marry, with the wedding planned three months from now. We hope everyone will bless us."
