CHAPTER 12: CHAPTER 12: FOUND THE REASON—SHE’S PREGNANT

After the first comment mentioning Serena Sterling was liked to explode, more comments followed.

"Serena Sterling claims to be a musician, but after all this time, does she have any breakout songs?"

"I don’t know, but I do know that Serena quit the industry after marrying Julian Lawson, and it’s said she’s been a pampered wife at home, with no work capability whatsoever."

"I really don’t know what Julian sees in Serena when Vera Hansen is so much better!"

"Yeah, it’s such a tragedy for talent. Vera is so gifted, yet she only has six months to live, sob sob..."

"Vera is truly the only pure jasmine in the songwriting community."

"Get Serena Sterling out of here!"

"If Serena knows what’s good for her, she should just divorce herself and stop clinging onto Julian!"

"Yeah, I support Vera and Julian being together!"

"President Lawson belongs to Vera, Serena should get lost!"

...

The online praise for Vera and the insults against Serena continued to intensify.

Before Serena had much time to think, Jasper Ford’s call came in.

After thinking for a moment, Serena answered.

"Vera is just shameless!"

Jasper almost burst out cursing.

"Serena, did you see Vera’s short video! I’m so pissed..."

"Even though they gave us ten million, we only sold them the rights to use, how dare she claim it’s her original work!"

"Our country’s law grants natural persons copyright, the copyright of the song you wrote belongs to you, sue her!"

Listening to Jasper’s furious ranting, Serena responded with a grateful smile.

She reassured him, "Mr. Ford, don’t rush."

"How can I not rush?" Jasper was seething with anger, "You better not go online to look at comments these days, I just got news that Vera is guiding public opinion to attack you everywhere!"

"Being called ’the only pure jasmine in the songwriting community,’ it makes me sick!"

Feeling Jasper’s indignation on her behalf, Serena felt warmth in her heart.

"Jasper, let me explain."

Serena reassured, "First of all, she’s only claiming it as her original work right now, but if later it’s tagged with ’Ye’ or ’Ford Entertainment’ when online, then it’s just talk, not serious."

"Then, if we were to sue her, the plaintiff would be Ford Entertainment and Ye, and this would involve exposing my true identity."

"Jasper, I don’t want to reveal my true identity at the moment."

Upon hearing Serena’s reasoning, Jasper gradually calmed down.

He had to admit, Serena made valid points.

At least until the song is released online, nothing is certain.

Especially her current form of address, "Jasper," soothed him significantly.

"What’s said online is really nasty." Jasper remarked, "She’s bullying you."

Serena gazed at the cityscape outside the car window and chuckled lightly.

The outside world knew nothing about her, Serena Sterling.

Even Julian Lawson wasn’t fully aware of her abilities.

As the eldest daughter of the Sheridan Family, does her family only pamper her?

Is there no training at all?

Throughout these years of the Sheridan Family’s downfall, was Serena ever unaware of the thought of revival?

Too naive.

Serena didn’t say much, but her mind was very clear.

However, those words online were quite distasteful.

Even with her high tolerance, it’s somewhat unbearable.

And Julian Lawson...

Seeing Vera do all these things, what are his thoughts?

Or could it be...

Was this originally his intention?

...

Meanwhile, Julian Lawson was handling company affairs.

The Lawson Group is a company primarily controlling top-notch technology globally, while also involved in financial investments, hardware, design, entertainment, among other industries.

However, some might still remember that many years ago, The Lawson Corporation was in traditional industries.

After Julian Lawson took over, he adjusted the latest strategies.

He led, making decisions to steer the company in a more advanced direction.

Over the years, he gradually suppressed other forces.

Everyone bore witness to Julian Lawson’s capabilities.

Although the Lawson Family has only Julian as the sole heir, his ability can rival the strength of armies of other families.

After attending several meetings, Julian Lawson sat back in the executive office chair on the top floor, gently pressing his brows.

The large floor-to-ceiling windows of the president’s office offered views of the entire city of Aeston.

The Lawson Tower was located in Aeston’s city center, the whole building being Lawson’s property, with endless traffic on the overpass, a place countless people aspired to.

On the solid wood desk, Julian Lawson’s phone vibrated slightly.

He picked it up, seeing a message from Vera Hansen.

Vera Hansen: Brother Julian, can I come to your company tonight and keep you company after work?

...

Sitting on the studio sofa, Vera Hansen looked at everything online, feeling quite satisfied.

"Good job." She said to the person on the other end of the phone, "Keep suppressing Serena, and create a few trending topics. When we go live in a few days, it will elevate me even higher."

After hanging up, Vera noticed the companion nurse standing close by.

"Do you have something to say?" Vera directly asked.

The nurse looked very troubled.

"Miss Hansen, is it really alright to do this?" the nurse asked, "If there’s a copyright issue, what if Ford Entertainment pursues responsibility?"

Vera chuckled dismissively.

"Isn’t ten million enough for them?"

"But after all..." the nurse still worried.

Vera nonchalantly looked at her phone, waiting for a reply from Julian Lawson.

She said, "Ford Entertainment is one of the investors in ’Heavenly Sound.’ The higher I stir public interest now, the more beneficial it is for Ford Entertainment, they’ll get more revenue shares and will turn a blind eye to what I’m doing."

"Moreover, they have artists participating, so they’ll get more spotlight, and if push comes to shove, I’ll even collaborate with them to market their artists as an exchange."

The nurse hadn’t realized it could work that way, looking surprised.

Vera enjoyed seeing the nurse’s ignorant expression, as it made her feel an exhilarating superiority over others.

"Many things can be arranged this way." she noted somewhat reluctantly, advising the nurse.

She said, "Just like my Vivian’s Floral Studio, it started just like that. Do you guess how I got to where I am today?"

The nurse shook her head, indicating she didn’t know.

Vera wore an expression of pride mixed with cunning.

She didn’t reveal the answer directly but spoke mysteriously, "You go ponder yourself, and see what you can understand."

Of course, she rose to fame because of the "Top Wealth Villa Floral Presentation."

All her top wealth circle orders originated through Julian Lawson, either his orders, his friends’ orders, or orders from those wishing to please Julian.

So she had to maintain a strong hold over Julian Lawson.

The nurse couldn’t figure it out, but dared not ask more.

Vera continued to focus on her phone.

Watching the comments online attacking Serena.

Especially that one—"Serena’s 25 years don’t compare to Vera’s 25 seconds."

It made Vera laugh heartily.

"Thought you were so amazing." Vera sneered, "Serena, you’re just average."

At this moment, Vera’s phone vibrated again, with a new message arriving.

Vera looked at it briefly, her brow furrowing deeply.

The message was—

[Found out why Serena went to the hospital. She’s already over a month pregnant.]