Playtime's Over, CEO: She's Really Done With You-Chapter 360: Shady Dealings, Serena’s Probe

Raine nodded.

She followed Serena Sterling towards the banquet area.

Although it’s called a banquet, it was actually a mid-event break for everyone.

Because of First Young Master Ford’s interruption, Serena arrived a little late.

By this time, a circle of people had already gathered around the founder of Black Horse Enterprises.

After all, just from the first half of today, what they presented was the most striking.

But somehow, Serena felt something was off.

It wasn’t the first day Serena paid attention to this industry, and she had done a lot of research before. Companies developing secretly and making technological breakthroughs was understandable, but not having a single hint or sign was very odd.

However, although there was doubt, they presented their things plainly.

So, Serena wanted to learn more.

After all, it was possible she just had poor sources, and others knew well already.

"Mr. Huxley, here’s my business card."

"Mr. Huxley, I’m... hoping to collaborate with your esteemed company."

"Mr. Huxley, regarding the funding threshold you mentioned earlier, how much is required? How much funding are you looking to raise this time?"

...

Serena stood to the side, listening.

The founder could only helplessly hold his forehead, he said, "To be honest, these were things I originally didn’t want to divulge, but..."

"I intended to talk about these later to avoid influencing the next half, but since everyone is asking now, I won’t keep them under wraps."

Even though he was surrounded in the middle, his voice still came through clearly.

"In three days, we will hold it at our company. The specific thresholds and other information, I’ll send out to everyone shortly. Hope you will all support us."

Three days.

"Serena, do we need to quickly follow up within these three days?" Raine asked.

Serena thought for a moment and looked at Raine: "The things I previously instructed you to handle, give them a push."

Raine understood and nodded.

Serena didn’t join the crowd, just watched from a distance. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

If the other party really just wanted large-scale enterprises, then a start-up like hers might really not be able to manage.

But if that’s the case, why not directly approach target enterprises?

Is there some other concern?

Serena pondered.

And why did First Young Master Ford show up here today?

"Excuse me, I need to take a call." The founder in the crowd took his phone and headed outside.

Serena thought for a moment but didn’t follow; she just headed towards the entrance.

After a while, the other party finished the call and walked back in.

Serena stepped out.

"Mr. Huxley," Serena said with a smile, "Can we talk?"

The other party seemed slightly surprised.

Serena handed him her business card: "I’m Serena Sterling."

He took Serena’s card and then laughed: "Miss Sheridan is very interested in our company?"

Serena nodded: "Yes."

"I just wonder which family Miss Sheridan represents?" he asked with a smile, saying, "The Hawthorne Family or the Lawson Family?"

This was the litmus test.

Serena smiled, "I represent the Sheridan Family."

He was slightly taken aback, then scratched his head and said, "If Miss Sheridan refers to Aeon, which just opened yesterday, I think... perhaps our chances of collaboration are slim."

Serena had anticipated such an outcome.

But she showed no signs of displeasure; she continued smiling, looking into his eyes.

"Didn’t you mention needing a funding threshold, Mr. Huxley? If I meet the requirements, could I also join?" Serena continued to ask.

But he just smiled and said some platitudes, "Indeed, like I mentioned earlier inside, as long as the threshold is met, if Mr. Sheridan wishes to come, he can."

It all seemed very amicable.

"Actually, I’m a bit curious," Serena paused slightly then said with a smile, "Mr. Huxley, why, after your company made a breakthrough, didn’t you approach The Lawson Corporation or Hawthorne Group directly?"

"That’s an internal matter of our company, not convenient to disclose to Mr. Sheridan," he said, not letting anything slip.

Serena nodded: "Apologies if I was intrusive."

Serena continually observed his expression.

He didn’t back down either, smiling just like Serena.

"If Mr. Sheridan doesn’t have further questions, I’ll head back inside," he said.

"I apologize for disturbing you," Serena replied.

He nodded with a smile, then quickly walked back in.

After a while, Raine saw that they had finished talking, hurried over.

"How did it go, Serena?" Raine asked.

Serena looked at him merging back into the crowd, pondering.

"He’s very cautious," Serena said.

Indeed, she came over here to say those few things just to probe.

Serena returned to the hall, greeted some previous acquaintances, made the rounds, and engaged in the customary small talk.

Once she sat back in her place.

"What should we do now?" Raine asked.

Serena withdrew her gaze.

"We’re heading back," Serena said, "Back to the company."

"Huh?" Raine was a bit confused, what was going on? The person is still there.

"Alright." Raine also knew this wasn’t the place to talk, so she followed Serena out.

Just as they reached the parking lot, Serena saw an unexpected guest.

It was Isla Lawson.

Serena slightly furrowed her brows, intending to bypass Isla and walk aside.

"Serena, what, afraid to see me?" Isla said.

Serena paused slightly, turned around, and looked at Isla.

"Miss Lawson," Serena said, "I have urgent matters to attend to and need to head back quickly."

"Quickly going back to seek help from your clique, to raise funds from them, right?" Isla mocked, looking at Serena.

If earlier Serena just wanted to exchange pleasantries and leave, now...

Serena took a few steps forward, standing beside Isla.

"I don’t understand," Serena said, "Miss Lawson, please clarify what you mean."

Isla sneered.

"Fine." She stood upright, looking Serena in the eye, "Serena, you’d best drop your previous antics, don’t be with one guy and flirt with another!"

Serena’s expression remained unchanged: "Is Miss Lawson referring to Mr. Linton?"

"Not just him." Isla narrowed her eyes, "My brother, Silas Hawthorne, Jasper Ford, Ethan Lynch, and perhaps other men that I’m unaware of."

"First, everyone knows the reason for my divorce with Julian Lawson." Serena said calmly, "And you are well aware too."

"Second, I’ve already announced my engagement to Silas Hawthorne, and there is no flirting with others."

"Jasper Ford and Ethan Lynch have recently been getting to know heiresses from other families, we’re just friends, and I hope Miss Lawson can understand that."

"Lastly."

Serena looked at the anger and defiance in Isla’s eyes, she took out her phone and found Xander Linton’s number.

"What are you doing?" Isla asked angrily.