Playtime's Over, CEO: She's Really Done With You-Chapter 425: Her Death Throes

Serena Sterling smiled at Desmond Wyatt.

She waited for Desmond Wyatt’s answer.

The bright lights of the conference room illuminated every line of expression on Desmond Wyatt’s face.

Serena looked at him calmly.

From the moment Desmond Wyatt showed signs of anxiety, worry, and inability to withstand pressure, he had already lost.

Standing behind Serena was Raine.

Seeing the deadlock between the two parties, Raine spoke up, "Director Wyatt, please give your answer. Mr. Sheridan’s time is precious."

This imposed a time limit on Desmond Wyatt.

Serena looked at Desmond Wyatt. She could almost see the veins on his temples throbbing.

Then, she waited for Desmond Wyatt to speak.

"How will it be exchanged?" Desmond Wyatt said.

Serena’s mouth curled up as she pulled out a chair and sat down with composure.

"Equal exchange," Serena said.

Hawthorne Group’s shares are very valuable.

And Aether Group is in a rapid development phase. Brandon Huxley is still out there talking business overseas, with potential new information coming in at any time and limitless prospects.

Let’s not take advantage of each other; an equal exchange.

"Bang!"

Desmond Wyatt slammed the table and stood up.

"Serena, who do you think you are, wanting an equal exchange!" Desmond Wyatt stood there, pointing at Serena’s face, and said, "Hawthorne Group’s shares are more precious, and now Jasper Ford wants to collaborate with Isla Lawson. It’s our Hawthorne Group giving you an escape route!"

But Serena just smiled.

Even though Desmond Wyatt was standing and Serena was sitting, one furious while the other was calm, Serena’s aura was not inferior to his.

In fact, Serena was even more composed.

After Desmond Wyatt finished shouting, Serena emphasized, "I only accept a stock exchange, and an equal exchange at that."

Not backing down one bit.

This left Desmond Wyatt, who wanted to negotiate the price, with no way out.

He glared angrily at Serena.

He still wanted to say something more to belittle Serena, to lower her asking price and make her submit.

But when he looked into Serena’s eyes, all he saw was an unfathomable darkness.

She appeared gentle and courteous, calm and indifferent, but exceptionally determined.

"Director Wyatt." Serena looked at Desmond Wyatt, who was in a daze, and said, "Straightforwardly, at this moment, you are under more pressure than I am."

"I can wait," Serena said, "There are plenty who wish to obtain the shares of Aether Group in my hands, and even if I cannot withstand their joint expulsion..."

Serena paused slightly, then continued, "So what."

That is the reality.

Even if The Lawson Corporation and Ford Group join forces to kick Serena out, she could still profitably exit the scene.

There are plenty of people eager to take over the shares in her hands.

From the beginning until now, Aether Group’s valuation has multiplied many times over. Even if Serena cashes out, she would make quite a profit.

The person under pressure, the one anxious, is the opposition in the Hawthorne Group, Desmond Wyatt.

"You can’t!" Desmond Wyatt said, "This is Aeon’s first project. If you’re expelled disgracefully, then your boasts will be exposed as lies!"

But Serena still smiled.

That’s true, as they say.

Whether it’s war or business, for anything, a striking debut is crucial.

If the first project faces a major setback, it might just evaporate altogether thereafter.

Serena did not intend to bow on the Aether Group’s project.

Now both parties are stuck at this critical juncture.

Mutually restrained.

The conference room was silent; the breathing could almost be heard.

No one spoke, and eyes repeatedly scanned between Serena and Desmond Wyatt.

Waiting to see who would be the winner in the end.

The person who broke this stalemate was Raine.

She reminded, "Mr. Sheridan, time is running out. Today you have a meeting with Matriarch Quentin, you cannot be late."

The voice wasn’t loud, but in the quiet conference room, it was crystal clear.

Upon hearing this, Serena nodded.

"Alright, I understand," Serena said, and then she was about to get up.

"Matriarch Quentin?" If Desmond Wyatt previously thought of playing hard, now he was in a panic.

There had been rumors that Serena had been getting close to the Quentin Family lately, but those were only with the younger generations, like Lucas Quentin.

Truly meeting with Matriarch Quentin was a different story!

Seeing Serena already standing up, saying "Excuse me" to everyone present, ready to leave.

In a hurry, Desmond Wyatt exclaimed, "Wait!"

Knowing that these words were of little use, Desmond Wyatt continued, "Exchange! Equal is equal!"

"Director Wyatt!"

"Director Wyatt, it’s too much of a loss!"

"Director Wyatt, think carefully!"

Others immediately advised.

Desmond Wyatt’s scalp was tingling; he didn’t want to be the scapegoat for Hawthorne Group!

So exchange!

"Just partial exchange," Desmond Wyatt said under pressure, "the smallest share."

Just like the collaboration between Isla Lawson and Jasper Ford, exchange a portion.

That way, even if there’s a loss, it won’t be much.

Consider it an entry ticket.

Those with stubble beards beside him understood Desmond Wyatt’s intention, and so they didn’t say much, but looked towards Serena.

Serena stood there, under the bright light.

She smiled, but the smile seemed a bit cold.

Looking at Desmond Wyatt, she smiled, "Desmond Wyatt, do you really think I’m a fool?"

After saying this, her smile dropped, and her face became sharp.

She swept her gaze over everyone present.

"This is my second time at Hawthorne Group because of Aether Group matters," Serena said, her voice calm yet imposing, "Opportunities are not endless, third time’s a charm. Our next negotiation will be the final chance."

"Therefore..."

Serena’s gaze returned to Desmond Wyatt, stating, "Next time, meet me with a lawyer, contract, and seal. I need to see your sincerity."

"Please remember." Serena’s earrings reflected in the light, her voice courteous yet distant, "Next time, no contract, no meeting."

Having said that, she left again with Raine without waiting for Desmond Wyatt and the others to react.

Leaving behind a room full of bewilderment.

The allure of Hawthorne Group’s shares was immense.

But Serena just left like that.

"Has she already found an escape route?"

"What about Matriarch Quentin?"

Someone immediately went to inquire, finding that Serena had indeed gone to meet Matriarch Quentin.

What Raine said was true.

As for what was discussed between the two, it was confidential and not disclosed.

After Serena and Raine left the Quentin Family, a new piece of information emerged.

Serena had a potential collaboration with the Quentin Family that would be confirmed a few days later, coinciding with the same day Jasper Ford and Isla Lawson would meet again.

What exactly was the collaboration?

Serena didn’t say, nor did the Quentin Family.

Sparking much speculation.

There was talk of everything.

Serena had no moves left, Serena’s smoke and mirrors, Serena’s escape route, Serena’s last resort, and so on.

Isla Lawson laughed heartily.

"What are you laughing at?" Quinn Lawson asked beside her.

"Serena’s panicking," Isla Lawson wiped her eyes and said, "I heard from Gigi Sutton that Serena has been in frequent contact with Jasper Ford, wanting to talk to him."

"So?"

"So her intentions are obvious," Isla Lawson sneered, "She wants to persuade Jasper Ford not to collaborate with us The Lawson Corporation, and the Quentin Family is her escape route, that’s why she’s scheduled to confirm it on the same day."

"If she convinces Jasper Ford before we announce our collaboration with him, then there will be no collaboration with the Quentin Group."

"If our side confirms the cooperation, she will have to immediately sign a contract with others, or she will become increasingly passive, and her bargaining chips will continue to devalue."

Isla Lawson smugly curled her lips: "She’s in her death throes."