Playtime's Over, CEO: She's Really Done With You-Chapter 409: Serena Sterling: Let Him Tell Me Himself, and I’ll Change
Serena maintained her smile.
How could she possibly not know what Isla Lawson was thinking?
She knew that business required compromise and harmony.
But if it was something belonging to her, why shouldn’t she take it?
Was she, Serena, supposed to shrink back just because Isla Lawson threatened her a couple of times?
How could business continue like that?
In business, not only must one aim for harmony, but also act decisively when necessary.
Constant retreat would only lead to constant defeat.
Besides, she had other uses for Aether’s shares.
It’s not just about investment.
"I’ve always been very clear about my stance," Serena said with unwavering confidence, "Ever since last time, I’ve firmly believed in Aether, and it’s only natural for me to invest more this time."
However, it was clear from everyone’s expressions that they disagreed.
Some even spoke up, "Serena, you should leave some room for maneuver."
Serena chuckled upon hearing this.
"Why should I yield my rights?" Serena questioned, looking directly at the speaker, "We are all investing seventy-five million, having attended the last meeting together, so why can Ford Entertainment invest but not Aeon?"
No one had objected when Jasper Ford announced his investment; it was rather universally accepted.
In fact, many of those present today were also here at the last meeting.
They all knew that Serena came by herself, while Jasper Ford was brought along unknowingly by Serena Sheridan.
Jasper Ford nodded, saying, "Yeah, you guys are really strange."
"It’s not the same!" The person immediately retorted.
"What’s the difference?" Jasper Ford shot back with another question.
Since even Jasper Ford saw no difference, what more was there to say?
Yet still dissatisfaction lingered.
Serena smiled.
How could she possibly not understand their thoughts?
Their disdain for her, or rather, their preconceived notions of dividing her share of the cake, was evident. Yet she chose to state—"No, it’s mine, and I’ll eat it myself."
Of course, they were angry.
But they never considered that from the outset, Serena had never suggested she would give up her share of the cake.
It was their own assumption that they would get it.
Not another voice was heard in the hall; Desmond Wyatt and Isla Lawson were both eyeing Serena.
Their eyes were full of intimidation.
But Serena simply didn’t care.
"Mr. Huxley, please record this: Aeon, seventy-five million," Serena addressed Brandon Huxley.
"Serena, think carefully!" Desmond Wyatt warned, "You’ll be marrying Silas Hawthorne soon!"
"Thank you for your blessings," Serena smiled, "We’ll be very happy."
Her words were gentle but decisively blocked Desmond Wyatt’s threats.
"Alright." Brandon Huxley nodded, preparing to make the record.
At this point, Isla Lawson spoke, "Mr. Huxley, think carefully, you’re in charge of Aether’s affairs, are you really letting this farce happen?"
Everyone turned their gaze again to Isla Lawson.
"Miss Lawson, I don’t understand your meaning," Brandon Huxley smiled.
"Isn’t it your public financing? If the current situation continues, it’s internal absorption." Isla Lawson didn’t say a word; it was one of her assistants who spoke.
This exerted direct pressure on Brandon Huxley.
Pushing him to concede to her.
In their view, if Brandon Huxley had been forced to release a quota despite not wanting to finance externally, then further pressure might make him relent again.
But Brandon Huxley laughed.
He still maintained his honest appearance, unchanged from before.
He said, "That’s not the case, Miss Lawson, you’ve misunderstood. This is indeed financing. Everyone has been urging me, and I’ve acted according to everyone’s advice. Now, the old shareholders are exercising their preemptive rights, as clearly stated in the bylaws and the contracts and announcements."
His words were polite and not absolute, but everyone present was intelligent enough to see through the honest façade to the slippery fish beneath.
It was impossible to forcibly pin a label on him.
He did open financing, indeed.
This was his concession.
If he hadn’t explained the bylaws of this event, or failed to mention preemptive rights existed, people could have faulted him. But he did, and the announcement made it crystal clear.
Moreover, regarding Jasper Ford’s exercise of preemptive rights, they weren’t concerned.
It was only when it came to Serena that it became problematic.
Furthermore, in the previous meeting, everyone was present, and agreements were made: Serena, Jasper Ford, Virgil Ford, and Isla Lawson would each invest seventy-five million.
It was Isla Lawson and Virgil Ford who semi-coerced Serena into bringing Jasper Ford along to invest together.
The contract signing phase arrived, and Isla Lawson and Virgil Ford reneged.
Wanting to invest.
Fine, you invested last time, now you have preemptive rights.
Weren’t you the ones who chose not to invest?
Didn’t you back out at the last minute?
Who stopped you last time?
Although The Lawson Corporation wields significant influence in Aeston, not everything grants Isla Lawson special privileges.
Isla Lawson’s expression turned unpleasant.
People were glancing around the room.
Brandon Huxley continued to smile with that honest demeanor, yet still proceeded with the recording.
Once the recording was completed, Brandon Huxley looked at Serena and Jasper Ford, saying, "Time to sign the contract."
Serena smiled and nodded.
Jasper Ford put down his phone.
The room fell into complete silence.
"Everyone, that’s it for today. Thank you all for your interest in Aether," Brandon Huxley smiled, saying, "Aether has a long journey ahead, and we hope for your ongoing support."
Brandon Huxley consistently managed to avoid offending any party.
This time was no exception.
His actions were faultless, adequately granting concessions externally, while protecting the rights of the existing shareholders aboard internally.
No one could criticize him.
Moreover, as Brandon Huxley stated, there was a long journey ahead, and they could still get aboard eventually.
Even if Serena and Jasper Ford didn’t fully participate this time, the competition was between the Hawthorne and Lawson Groups—it didn’t concern them.
They could only collaborate through other means.
So there was no discontent.
Everyone rose to leave, eager to spread the buzz beyond these doors.
People began to leave progressively.
Brandon Huxley gathered the contract, and Serena and Jasper Ford’s lawyers finalized the decisions.
Others had left, but Desmond Wyatt and Isla Lawson remained.
While the lawyers were finalizing details, Desmond Wyatt spoke.
"Serena, if you act this way, life won’t be easy after marrying Silas Hawthorne!" Desmond Wyatt declared.
Serena smiled, "That’s between Silas and me."
"Not just that!" Desmond Wyatt, frustrated by his futile efforts, continued, "Silas Hawthorne is the chairman of the Hawthorne Group; you relying on him means adhering to their rules!"
Serena smiled, nodding, "Alright, let him come discuss it with me, and I’ll change."
The implication was obvious.
Even Silas Hawthorne, the chairman, hadn’t opposed her actions, so what right did Desmond Wyatt have?
