Playtime's Over, CEO: She's Really Done With You-Chapter 362: You’ve Got Cause and Effect Reversed
When you only focus on what’s in front of you, it’s easy to overlook other details.
Therefore, especially at times like this, we need to be vigilant.
Thinking of this, Serena said to Raine, "Notify everyone that we must conduct a thorough investigation of Black Horse Enterprises."
Pausing briefly, she added, "I have a feeling something’s off."
Raine nodded in agreement.
Serena looked out the window.
From the way the conversation just went, the other party seems interested in the Hawthorne Group and The Lawson Corporation, but they haven’t approached directly.
They seem to want a sort of indirect connection.
There’s something peculiar about it.
And there’s First Young Master Ford...
Serena pondered a bit, then called Jasper Ford to discuss the related matters.
Before long, the car stopped downstairs at the company.
Serena and Raine went upstairs together.
The employees were all busy, and after Serena gave them the latest instructions, they all started moving.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Isla Lawson watched Serena’s car leave, full of resentment.
Remembering how Serena mentioned she was going to call Xander, she thought,
"No, I must contact Xander before Serena does, or who knows what she might say about me to him!"
Isla got in her car, calling Xander while driving to the hotel where he was staying.
Soon, Isla arrived.
She took the elevator up.
With a ’ding,’ Isla reached Xander’s floor.
"Knock knock knock."
Shortly after, Xander opened the door.
Seeing Isla, Xander’s eyes showed a hint of helplessness.
"Mr. Linton, may I come in and sit for a while?" Isla said shyly when she saw Xander.
Xander nodded.
It was a suite, and Xander received Isla in the living room.
"Would you like something to drink?" Xander opened a nearby mini-fridge, "Is wine okay?"
"Hmm, fine." Isla smiled and nodded.
Xander chose a bottle with a lower alcohol content, grabbed some glasses, and called room service to send over some snacks.
The red wine gently swirled in the tall glasses.
Isla took a glass and gently sniffed the aroma.
The two quietly enjoyed their wine for a while without speaking.
Finally, Isla looked out at the scenery and said, "It feels like we’re back in Frelia, Mr. Linton, it’s been a long time since we enjoyed wine together like this."
Xander set down his glass and looked at Isla.
He had always been aware of Isla’s feelings.
But he wasn’t sure how to clearly express his thoughts to Isla; he worried that if he revealed the truth, it might hurt her self-esteem and make things worse.
He certainly wasn’t afraid of offending Isla or The Lawson Corporation, but he didn’t want to create any trouble for Serena.
Thinking back to yesterday’s banquet...
Perhaps it was time to be frank about everything.
"Isla, why did you come to see me today?" Xander asked calmly.
Seeing Xander uninterested, Isla felt a bit lonely, but then remembered the reason she came.
So she asked, "Xander, I want to ask, what exactly is the relationship between you and Serena?"
Xander was actually happy that Isla asked directly.
That way, he could answer directly.
"I’m her suitor, but she hasn’t accepted me." Xander said, shrugging, "It’s quite obvious."
Thinking of this, Xander bit his lip, "It’s all Silas Hawthorne’s fault, that cunning fox! I only found out later that Serena barely finished getting her divorce papers, and he was already waiting in the parking lot to ambush her!"
So despicable!
Picking on someone who just returned from abroad!
Listening to Xander’s dissatisfied tone, Isla felt upset inside.
"But you clearly lost, yet you’re still hanging around her, why?" Isla asked unwillingly.
"Haven’t you given up on her yet?"
Xander glanced at Isla.
He thought for a while and finally said, "I don’t want to give up, but she chose Silas Hawthorne, so I have no choice but to let go."
[Besides, she’ll never forgive me.] Xander thought to himself, taking another sip of wine.
The lighting in the living room was just right, casting shadows on his long eyelashes.
His slightly sombre expression made him appear somewhat gloomy.
Watching Xander like this, Isla felt sorry for him but also more irritated with Serena.
If Serena wasn’t such a flirt, how could Xander be so forlorn!
"Isla Lawson, stop targeting her anymore." Xander took another sip of wine, saying, "There is nothing between her and me; from the start, it was all wishful thinking on my part."
"She clearly hinted at you, keeping you hooked, it’s not your fault!" Isla immediately replied.
Xander glanced at Isla, his eyes full of meaning.
Feeling guilty under his gaze, Isla hesitated.
"You don’t need to speak up for me." Xander said, "Since you wanted to come today, I thought it was time to clarify."
"You are a fine girl, but we are not suitable."
Initially, Isla felt a bit guilty, but hearing this, she immediately panicked.
"How are we not suitable?" Isla eagerly asked, "Xander, we were so good together in Frelia, you always took care of me."
"Remember? You saved me in the beginning."
Isla said, "Later on, I handled The Lawson Corporation’s affairs in Frelia, and you never made things difficult for me; in fact, you helped me, better than anyone else."
"Every time I encountered a problem, you’d help."
While speaking, Isla recalled those past times.
"Xander, we got along so well, but once you returned to Aeston, and Serena showed up between us, everything changed!"
Thinking about it, Isla’s hatred deepened.
"Did Serena say something to you!" she asked, her tone unpleasant.
Xander felt helpless.
Looking deeply at Isla, he sighed deeply before putting down his glass.
"Isla, you have the cause and effect reversed." Xander said, "I met Serena earlier."
"I told you before that the reason I took care of The Lawson Corporation’s business was mainly because of Serena."
Isla laughed sarcastically.
Her inner unwillingness expanded endlessly at that moment, yet again because of Serena!
Why does everything have to do with Serena!
With anger boiling inside, Isla stood up suddenly.
She looked down at Xander, her eyes filled with icy hatred.
"Because of Serena." Isla repeated Xander’s words, mocking.
"But I remember, you met her because she accompanied my brother to Frelia to sign contracts with you." Isla’s words became increasingly intense, "What did she give you? Over the years, you stayed loyal to her!"
"At that time, she was clearly with my brother, yet she had ties with you; wasn’t she two-timing then!"
"There’s no possibility between her and me." Xander lowered his head, avoiding Isla’s gaze.
"No possibility? Ha..." Isla laughed, "Hasn’t she always kept you dangling, making you work for her!"
Leaning on the table, Isla approached Xander, "What exactly happened in Frelia back then!"
