Playtime's Over, CEO: She's Really Done With You-Chapter 435: A Bit Like Him, and That’s Enough
"I heard Emeric returned home early. Now the only one overseas negotiating deals is Brandon." That person whispered mysteriously. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
"Are you saying...?"
"If there weren’t something urgent, why not stay outside together? There must be significant development domestically!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Although it was merely speculation, everyone felt it made sense.
Unlike the private discussions among these people,
at this moment, in a low-key Chinese-style clubhouse,
all the important figures of Aeston were gathered here.
Those who came included not only Old Master Ford, Percival Ford, Old Mrs. Quentin, the old head of the Lloyd Family, the Chaucer Family, the Langley Family, the Sutton Family, and so on.
Today they came here under the pretext of a "simple gathering," drinking tea and playing chess.
The Hawthorne Group was represented by Clara Huxley because Silas Hawthorne’s father had passed away, and there were no longer any elders of his grandfather’s generation.
Nobody from The Lawson Corporation showed up.
"Mr. Lawson is hospitalized again due to illness," the elder from the Chaucer Family remarked, seemingly because Caleb Lawson was absent, "His health is getting worse."
Matriarch Quentin took a sip of tea, then said, "His health has always been poor. I remember years ago, he was on the verge of dying, and it was only after Julian Lawson married Serena Sterling to ward off bad luck that he gradually got better."
Percival Ford placed a piece on the chessboard and said, "Isn’t that right? The divorce between Serena and Julian was quite a blow to the old couple."
Hearing this, the old man from the Chaucer Family perked up and looked at Clara Huxley, asking, "Clara, is it true that Serena is going to marry Silas?"
Clara Huxley, dressed in a well-tailored cheongsam, smiled and nodded when she heard the kind inquiries from the old man, placing down the cup of Da Hong Pao tea she had been lightly sniffing.
"Yes, not long now," she said, "Silas has specially ordered the wedding dress, and everything is ready. Everyone must honor us with their presence then."
Saying this, she greeted everyone present.
The tea room was enormous.
Seated around tables and chairs made from precious wood were the power holders of each family.
Many of the attendees responded to Clara Huxley.
Finally, Clara Huxley gave a specific nod to the delegate from the Langley Family.
She still remembered someone once trying to matchmake the Langley Family’s young lady with Silas Hawthorne.
Mr. Langley, leaning on a cane, said nothing, but his expression was somewhat displeased, though he nodded his head.
"What’s Serena been up to lately?" the old man from the Chaucer Family continued to ask, "Have the wedding photos been taken? Where are they planning for their honeymoon trip? Are all the preparations done?"
He already knew the answers.
Serena had been causing quite a stir lately.
Especially with Jasper Ford’s widely spread "being a dog" theory; the news traveled fast among those present, making it nearly impossible for them not to be aware.
This time, before Clara Huxley could figure out how to respond, Percival Ford spoke up first.
"She’s involved in an Aether investment project," Percival Ford said as he placed another piece, "My third grandson is also participating."
"I’ve heard it’s more than just a small involvement," Mr. Langley commented.
Percival Ford chuckled, "I’m just being modest, and you took it seriously, Mr. Langley? Has the Langley Family fallen so much that you’re keen on marrying off your granddaughter to create investment bonds everywhere?"
Recently, there had been quite a bit of matchmaking for the Langley Family’s young lady.
Not just with Silas Hawthorne, but even with Jasper Ford, and other prominent families had heard similar buzz.
Old Mrs. Sutton chuckled, glanced at Mr. Langley, and then looked at Matriarch Quentin, who was savoring her tea.
She asked, "Mr. Quentin, didn’t you recently put on quite a show with Serena? How’s that little lady?"
Matriarch Quentin put down her cup again, lifted her eyes, and glanced around at everyone present.
Everyone watched her with keen interest at that moment.
Matriarch Quentin was still dressed in the simple outfit she wore to meet Serena earlier, yet at her sleeve, she wore a gemstone cufflink Serena had given as a gift.
Many present had interacted with Serena, but either they had interests tied to her, or they, like Clara Huxley as her future mother-in-law, did not provide unbiased opinions about her.
But Matriarch Quentin was different. Although she might have some biases, her opinions could serve as a reference.
Matriarch Quentin adjusted her cuff, then said, "She’s quite good, reminds me a bit of her father back in the day."
"A bit?" someone continued to inquire.
Matriarch Quentin smiled, looked at the person, and replied, "Three out of ten."
Three out of ten seemed like a failing score, yet the expressions of those present varied greatly.
"Really that impressive?"
"Evan Sheridan was a genius; can Serena even match three-tenths of his skills?"
"Matriarch Quentin, please don’t exaggerate about Serena. Evan Sheridan has long been dead, and Serena’s been aimlessly raised over the years, even living off Julian Lawson for quite some time."
Those words irked Clara Huxley.
"What’s with the comments? Serena is inherently capable; if Evan Sheridan hadn’t died young, you’d see now among the younger generation, few could compare to her." Clara Huxley immediately stood up for Serena.
Then someone looking to stir the pot turned to Percival Ford and remarked, "I heard Jasper Ford recently declared he wanted to be Serena’s dog?"
Now, that remark hit a sore spot.
Jasper Ford’s words might amuse himself, but sitting here now was Percival Ford, one of the three major power holders in Aeston and head of the Ford Family.
And those words offended two families: the Ford Family and the Sutton Family.
The Ford Family because of Jasper Ford, and the Sutton Family because Gigi Sutton was Jasper Ford’s girlfriend.
In these families, alliances through marriage were common, and "boyfriend and girlfriend" meant business partnerships; significant issues rarely caused a fallout.
Percival Ford coldly smiled, saying nothing.
Meanwhile, Old Mrs. Sutton sarcastically remarked, "Kids’ jokes are now being brought into serious discussions?"
Besides, Jasper Ford was already seen as unreliable, and this wasn’t the first joke he’s made over the years.
Bringing it up now was equivalent to publicly shaming them.
"I was just kidding; I really doubt Serena is all that impressive."
That person mockingly added, "If she were truly strong, why did Julian Lawson divorce her?"
"What do you mean by that?" Clara Huxley coldly laughed and retorted, "Are you implying my Silas is a fool?"
Saying this, her beautifully painted eyes stared directly at the person, as if challenging them to continue speaking!
"Oh come on, just joking around, Silas Hawthorne is a sentimental person; we all know that. Whether it’s with his siblings or Serena, it’s the same." The person responded.
Though saying this, the meaning was clear.
They were implying Silas Hawthorne was love-struck.
Smitten and deceived by Serena.
"Moreover, who knows..." The rest of the sentence was left unsaid, leaving room for everyone’s imagination.
