CHAPTER 13: CHAPTER 13: VIOLENT COLLISION AND ABDOMINAL PAIN

The other side.

Inside the recording studio.

Serena Sterling is preparing the piece she wants to perform at the first live broadcast of "Heavenly Sound."

But no matter how she tries, she can’t quite feel it.

So, she simply changed clothes and went to the adjacent dance studio to prepare some simple dance moves.

Although "Heavenly Sound" is mainly a music show, a little dance can enhance the effect.

The practice building, which integrates dance, vocal training, multifunctional areas (including a dressing room, cafe, changing room, and storage area), is owned by Ford Entertainment.

Ford Entertainment is a famous entertainment company in Aeston, with many related industries, and their respective facilities are excellent.

Many artists, even those not under Ford Entertainment, come here to practice or rent the space.

After marrying Julian Lawson, Serena Sterling mainly has three daily tasks.

First, taking care of her grandparents’ health and visiting them often.

Second, managing Julian Lawson’s personal schedule and handling many confidential Lawson Corporation files, which she deals with alongside the secretary office staff.

Especially after the Sheridan Family’s incident, which led to Lawson Corporation taking over everything from the Sheridans, there is still a department managing the contents that were assumed back then.

Although the people and many things are no longer the same old ones since the Sheridan Family’s collapse, she handles those matters efficiently.

Third, frequently visiting the practice building under Ford Entertainment, publicly stating it’s her long-time passion for music.

But in reality, Serena Sterling is recording demo samples here under the stage name "Jennifer."

So, Serena Sterling coming to this practice building is not surprising.

Because she was preparing for dance, her hair was already tied up, and she wore the same old clothes, so she didn’t look much different from before.

She just didn’t notice that, compared to before, there was an extra pair of eyes outside the dance studio.

Serena Sterling tried several choreographies but felt none was right.

Today, for some reason, everything felt off.

Whether it was the song or the dance.

She felt a strange sense of agitation in her heart.

It seemed like something was about to happen, an inexplicable anxiety filled her.

This greatly disrupted her thinking.

Serena Sterling took a deep breath, closed her eyes to calm herself down.

After trying for a while, she decided to discard everything planned for today.

Looking at the time, it was already 9 PM.

Serena Sterling shook her head, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and intended to go back and rest, continuing tomorrow.

Too many things happened today; Serena Sterling felt exhausted, so she didn’t change clothes or shoes, just put on a jacket and headed to the parking lot.

It’s April now, and Aeston has begun to warm up.

At 9 PM, the nightlife is just starting.

The endless flow of traffic outside contributes to the city’s weary yet energetic vibrancy.

Serena Sterling rode the elevator down from the practice building and arrived at the parking lot.

Even before reaching her car, she felt an inexplicable sense of palpitations.

Without any reason.

Her heart beat like a drum, pounding loudly in her brain.

Adrenaline surged, Serena Sterling immediately reacted and jumped into the nearby flower bed.

The next moment, a car grazed past her.

Very close, the wind from the car lifted her jacket, rustling loudly.

Suddenly, cold sweat poured down Serena Sterling’s face.

If she hadn’t jumped into the flower bed just now, that car would have hit her squarely.

Before Serena Sterling had time to feel fear, she saw that the black car, having failed to hit her, was now turning around, heading straight for the flower bed again.

This flower bed has knee-high concrete barriers; now the car’s intentions were clear.

It was coming for her.

Who was it?

What was the goal?

What should she do?

How long had this person been waiting here?

Was the stalker watching her in the dance studio earlier?

Or did the practice building have an accomplice?

One person inside the building and one in the parking lot just to hunt her?

How should she respond to this?

In half a second, all these thoughts flashed through Serena Sterling’s mind.

Then, she made a quick decision.

Seeing the black car speeding toward the flower bed, she immediately dodged to the side.

The black car charged into the flower bed.

"Rumble..."

The black car crazily revved its engine.

While the other car was stuck in the flower bed, Serena Sterling quickly ran towards her car.

There could be someone waiting back at the practice building, returning there might be dangerous.

The distance to the crowded plaza was significant, and the surrounding terrain had little cover; if she ran there, she could be hit before arriving.

The optimal solution was to run to her car and drive to the police precinct for help.

Luckily, Serena Sterling was already close to her car.

Driven by the survival instinct, her pace was incredibly fast, she dashed to the driver’s seat in a few strides.

But just as she closed the door—

"Bang!"

The black car slammed into Serena Sterling’s car.

The entire car body shook violently, causing the driver-seat bound Serena Sterling to feel dizzy.

"Ugh..."

Serena Sterling felt nauseated.

"Roar..."

The black car backed off again and quickly moved to collide once more.

Suppressing the nausea, Serena Sterling started the car.

She stepped on the gas pedal.

"Bang!"

Serena Sterling’s car sped forward, causing the black car to crash into the vehicle beside her.

Without hesitation, Serena Sterling steered rapidly but crookedly towards the main road.

In the rearview mirror, the black car chased again; she took out her phone and dialed 110.

The call was quickly answered.

"Hello, there’s a black Santana, license plate AB1234, following me. The driver just tried to hit me with the car. I’m driving down First Avenue towards the Eastown Police Precinct and need police protection!"

Serena Sterling succinctly conveyed the information to the police, looking at the opponent’s license plate in the rearview mirror.

The other party quickly responded, contacting the relevant precinct for related matters.

Down First Avenue, Serena Sterling floored the gas, racing toward the precinct.

Everything happened suddenly.

Her mind was a mess.

Who could it be?

Serena Sterling thought about the people or events related to her.

Julian Lawson, Vera Hansen, Lawson Family, Sheridan Family, and so on.

Too many people to pinpoint.

Serena Sterling repeatedly looked into the rearview mirror.

At the next intersection, the black Santana seemed to realize her destination and took the exit lane.

Watching the black Santana turn away, Serena Sterling finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Her call with the police remained connected.

Guided by the other party, Serena Sterling drove towards the Eastown Police Precinct.

Finally seeing the police precinct’s gate and the awaiting officers, she could relax.

According to instructions, Serena Sterling parked the car in the designated spot and completely unwound.

At that moment, the discomfort she had suppressed due to tension suddenly resurfaced.

"Ugh..."

A violent bout of nausea struck Serena Sterling, causing her stomach to ache.