CHAPTER 193: CHAPTER 193: HER HEART IS EMPTY

Felix Ford gave a cold smile, then turned and left.

Meanwhile, Serena stood still, maintaining a composed smile as she faced the journalists present.

The crowd was bustling with noise.

In a nearby corner, Julian Lawson sat inside a car, looking at the store from afar.

His eyes were deep and dark.

He vividly remembered that many years ago, when The Lawson Corporation had just transformed, she was by his side, helping him strategize and working tirelessly.

But now, all of that effort was for another man.

Julian lowered his eyes slightly, withdrawing his gaze, and instructed Secretary Chaucer to drive away.

Serena continued interacting with the journalists, unaware that a car had stopped behind her.

Silas Hawthorne sat quietly in the back seat of the car, watching her.

These days, although she agreed to meet him, he hadn’t seen love in her eyes—just the mutual feelings between partners and friends.

Despite enjoying the surprises he brought her, her eyes only briefly reflected joy, not him.

Even though Julian was no longer in her heart.

Yet, her heart was empty.

How could he truly enter her heart?

"It’s still too early," Silas Hawthorne said softly. "It needs to come slowly, step by step. At least right now, she doesn’t have anyone else in her heart."

That meant he had a chance, and she had already accepted his proposal.

He recalled an image of her at a port, carefully selecting spices with her head down, while his sales assistant patiently explained them and asked about her intended use.

He remembered when she said, "My boyfriend has trouble sleeping. I want to buy some calming spices to help him sleep better."

Her face then radiated beauty and her eyes were filled with love.

There was also that snowy night, when she threw herself into another man’s arms without hesitation.

"Don’t worry, Julian, you still have me," he distinctly heard her say to that man.

"I will always be by your side. Even if the whole world abandons you, you still have me."

At that time, he had just been shot by someone he thought he could trust the most and was nearly killed.

Only after being betrayed does one understand what is truly worth cherishing.

Silas Hawthorne closed his eyes, concealing the darkness in them.

Upon reopening them, his face had returned to its usual gentle and elegant demeanor.

Seeing Silas Hawthorne approach, Serena smiled slightly.

"Silas," she said, smiling.

Although it still felt a bit strange to call him that, she thought she would get used to it someday.

...

The Hawthorne Group’s new Blue collection was undoubtedly a success.

With extensive marketing, contrasting past failures, and Felix Ford’s taunts failing to stir trouble, many saw the final product, drawing significant interest.

Not to mention Serena’s little "tricks," which already had many placing orders to check it out during the evening when the lighting effect hit its peak.

The store was packed with people.

Beside it was a huge poster featuring Serena’s endorsement image.

She wore a blue dress, a large gemstone necklace around her neck, matching gemstone earrings, and her hair flowed gracefully.

While different from movie scenes, her necklace closely resembled the Heart of the Ocean.

Additionally, media promotions featured a song "Blue" as accompaniment.

The song, written and composed by Yan, was currently performed by the spokesperson Serena, although the single sold by Yan had slight differences in voice but was similar enough to be recognizable.

On trending searches, some claimed Yan mimicked Serena’s singing style.

Previously, when Vera Hansen released the Micro Love remake, Yan was tagged as trying to seize unnoticed opportunities.

But no one could dispute the success of the Blue collection.

Additionally, Yan’s "Blue" sold well, unexpectedly reaching the top 10 on new song charts.

Furthermore, by evening, an entertainment poll appeared online.

The poll asked: Who will win, Serena or Vera Hansen?

Each person could cast one vote daily for whoever they supported.

Though it offered no prizes and was purely for fun, it intrigued countless curious people.

The audience eagerly joined in and cast their votes.

Due to Serena’s success with the Blue collection today, her votes surged, quickly surpassing Vera Hansen.

This left Vera Hansen infuriated.

"So what if she sold some mid-range gemstone products? Even if her endorsement contract has related commission terms, how much does she think that’s worth—enough to surpass me?"

Vera Hansen paced angrily inside Vivian’s Floral Studio.

"And that Yan, collaborating with Serena!"

The attendant beside her seemed unnerved, quietly remarked, "Yan being part of Ford Entertainment, it seems normal to collaborate with Serena, right?"

Then Vera Hansen glared at the attendant.

The attendant fell silent, while Vera’s eyes reflected calculating gleams.

Since Yan was working with Serena now, it was clear they were tied on the same ship.

Finding errors in one person might be difficult, but errors in two people were relatively easier to find.

Eventually, she could expose Yan’s mistakes and drag Serena down!

Moreover, Yan was likely waiting for an opportunity to assert value.

She had noticed that Yan was not only considering Jasper Ford’s stance but also luring their group.

Perhaps Yan was now waiting for their bid.

Her collaboration with Serena may be a perk given to Yan by Jasper Ford.

Thinking of this, Vera’s heart found peace again.

"Today’s design wouldn’t have been anything without Silas Hawthorne preparing it and feeding it to you, Serena! You’re no match for me!" Vera Hansen huffed in resentment.

...

Meanwhile.

Elsewhere.

Inside the restaurant’s private room.

"Cheers!"

Everyone’s glasses clinked together.

Another celebration banquet.

This time, unlike previous ones, included three members of the Hawthorne Family.

Seraphina, after systematic hospital checks, was discharged, although she still needed proper care.

Therefore, this time everyone’s here.

"Serena, I always knew you could do it!" Bianca Lynch said happily, "You wouldn’t believe how many of our colleagues are planning to buy the products you endorsed today!"

Ethan Lynch took a large swig of alcohol, nodded, and said, "I can vouch for that—people in my department are considering buying some for their girlfriends too."

Everyone laughed heartily.

Yet the happiest one was Jasper Ford.

He laughed wildly, arms akimbo, in the private room.

"I truly don’t know if Alexander Ford has a brain at all," Jasper Ford exclaimed loudly. "How dare he go pester Serena and see how embarrassed he got!"

"Serena, let me tell you, when he slouched back defeated, I gave him a good mocking," Jasper Ford said gleefully. "He was also harshly criticized by the old man, who said he brought shame upon himself!"

"Certainly brought shame upon himself!" Orion Hawthorne agreed, making everyone laugh even more.