Playtime's Over, CEO: She's Really Done With You-Chapter 424: Serena Sterling, a Stepping Stone?

Chapter 424: Chapter 424: Serena Sterling, a Stepping Stone?

It was Serena Sterling’s car.

Isla Lawson stepped on the gas pedal, then swerved in front of that car.

"Screech——"

Sitting in the back seat, Serena was thrown forward by inertia, steadying herself with her hands.

The driver-cum-bodyguard looked quite displeased, warily watching the car in front.

Serena raised her eyes, seeing the window on the other side go down, revealing Isla Lawson’s face.

Isla reached out her hand and knocked on Serena’s car window.

Serena pressed the button and looked over at Isla Lawson.

"Miss Lawson, while there are thousands of roads, safety comes first." Serena began.

Isla scoffed, laughing, "I’m in a good mood today."

Serena didn’t respond, just calmly looked ahead.

"Heard you rushed over just because I was having dinner with Jasper Ford?" Isla deliberately teased.

Serena didn’t answer that question, just glanced at the road to the side, saying, "Is there something you need? If not, please let us pass."

But Isla’s smile widened.

"Serena, how does it feel to be someone’s stepping stone?" Isla leaned against the car window, almost wishing she could stick her head into Serena’s car.

Serena ignored her.

"I stopped the car for no other reason than to see you looking so defeated." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Isla looked at Serena’s face with satisfaction and said, "Seeing your expression after realizing you’ve been used and toyed with is my source of joy today."

Serena suddenly chuckled.

"What are you laughing at?" Isla sneered, "Did your own foolishness amuse you?"

Serena raised her eyes, once again looking at Isla Lawson.

By now, the night had fallen, and behind Isla was the bustling and beautiful city nightscape.

Serena looked at Isla’s face, with the distinct features of the Lawsons, her well-maintained skin and hair matching her clothes and jewelry, giving Isla a noble beauty from years of a privileged life.

"I’m laughing because I feel like it," Serena said.

"What kind of answer is that?" Isla mocked.

"It’s nothing," Serena said, giving Isla another look, "Isla Lawson, I advise you to focus on your own affairs; obsessively watching others can easily lead you to be led by the nose."

Isla rolled her eyes.

"Want me to stay out of Aether’s business? Keep dreaming!" Isla snorted coldly, "Serena, your luck has run out!"

After saying that, Isla gave Serena a mocking look, reversed the car, turned around, and left.

Serena watched Isla’s departing car in the rearview mirror, her eyes holding an indescribable expression.

"Mr. Sheridan?" the driver spoke up.

Serena slightly lowered her eyes and withdrew her gaze.

"To the restaurant," Serena said.

The car started, and Serena arrived at the restaurant entrance, blocking Jasper Ford.

"Let’s talk," Serena said.

"It’s too late." Jasper impatiently waved his hand, "Nothing to talk about."

He then grabbed his girlfriend Gigi Sutton’s hand and left swiftly, ignoring Serena’s obstruction.

"Jasper Ford!" Serena called after him.

But Jasper didn’t look back, only Gigi Sutton turned her head to give Serena a victorious smile.

This scene was recorded by someone and posted online.

Along with it were rumors about Jasper Ford, Gigi Sutton, and Isla Lawson dining together, suggesting a potential collaboration between the Ford and Lawson Corporations.

This was quite rare.

The three giants of Aeston typically maintain their respective territories; it’s the first time there’s been a sign of collaboration.

Previously, even though Serena had a good relationship with Jasper, leading to collaboration talks with the Hawthorne Group, it was merely minor, involving only Ford Entertainment under the Ford Group.

This time is different.

Aether holds endless potential, not a small plate.

And Serena has become a famous stepping stone in Aeston.

Notably, a stepping stone for the notorious hot-head, big blabbermouth Jasper Ford.

Countless people laughed at Serena behind her back.

Serena’s expression wasn’t good either, appearing in front of others with an unapproachable demeanor.

However, compared to Serena, Desmond Wyatt looked even worse.

He had sent someone to inquire Jasper Ford about his intentions to give some shares of Aether to Isla Lawson.

Jasper, of course, didn’t answer, just said one sentence—"None of your business."

Then news came out that the two parties would officially meet again in a week.

Desmond Wyatt grew more anxious.

If there was no collaboration, there wouldn’t be a next meeting, since they’re meeting, it means there are discussions to be had.

At the Hawthorne Group, after the routine meeting had ended, Silas Hawthorne left with his people.

Desmond Wyatt and others remained in the conference room.

Someone from the opposition camp to Desmond Wyatt spoke up, "If our Hawthorne Group falls because of the Aether project, Director Wyatt, you’ll be responsible!"

The centrists, who initially aligned with Desmond Wyatt to maintain their dividends, also spoke up, "Yes, Director Wyatt, we trusted you to bring a brighter future for the Hawthorne Group, so we chose to pressure Silas Hawthorne with you. Look now, I’ve been implicated, Director Wyatt, you owe me compensation!"

Even the members within Desmond Wyatt’s faction seemed cautious, glancing at him intentionally or unintentionally.

Desmond Wyatt faced enormous pressure.

In the beginning, he thought Serena was getting more outrageous.

That way, Silas would always indulge her, clean up her mess, causing more discontent towards Silas within the Hawthorne Group, and they could effortlessly pressure Silas to yield some control.

But now...

Previously, seeing Serena flourish, he was annoyed, because it proved his decisions wrong.

Now that Serena was facing setbacks, with a heap of people laughing at her behind her back, he was even more upset.

Because this now proved his decision wrong, and the consequences might be beyond what he could bear.

"Director Wyatt!"

The pressure and urgencies from others kept coming.

"Arrange a meeting with Serena at the Hawthorne Group!" Desmond Wyatt gritted his teeth.

...

It was half an hour later when Serena arrived at the Hawthorne Group.

She was still accompanied by Raine.

As soon as she entered the meeting room, Serena got straight to the point: "Director Wyatt, have you made your decision?"

"Serena." Desmond Wyatt felt anger just by looking at Serena’s face.

Even if Serena’s expression was very calm.

"You can only choose to cooperate with our Hawthorne Group now." Desmond said gloomily, "Jasper Ford intends to cooperate with Isla Lawson. If you don’t collaborate with our Hawthorne Group, you will let them succeed. I believe this time, you need Hawthorne!"

Serena smiled; in the sunlight, her smile was dazzling and difficult to look at directly.

"Director Wyatt, I think you still don’t understand." Serena calmly said, "The only trading condition for my shares in Aether with the Hawthorne Group is a stock swap."

"This has nothing to do with my personal situation, with Jasper Ford, Isla Lawson, or anyone else."

Serena smiled, her earrings slightly swaying with her movements, sparkling under the sunlight.

"Director Wyatt, you only need to tell me your answer."