CHAPTER 232: CHAPTER 232: PLEASE, DON’T LEAVE

Serena looked over and saw those drones gradually forming a giant circle.

Then, beneath the circle, other drones lit up, forming the profile of a smiling woman.

"Boom boom!"

As the fireworks sounded, bundles of fire bloomed from the edges of the drone circle.

They were white and blue fireworks, burning like tassels in the sky, partially obscuring the woman’s face below. It looked as if she were wearing a veil, dazzlingly beautiful.

With the whooshing sounds, countless fireworks rushed skyward from the ground, blooming in various colors around the veiled woman’s profile.

At the same time, fireworks began to rise from various parts of the city.

The immense booms reverberated throughout all of Aeston.

Across the city’s skies, one only needed to look up to see fireworks and, amidst them, countless drones rising one after another. They formed diverse patterns in the air, beautiful and surreal.

This drone and fireworks show was unprecedentedly grand, arguably the most majestic in recent years.

It was even more magnificent than the fireworks on the day of The Lawson Corporation’s President, Julian’s wedding.

It filled the skies above all of Aeston.

Countless citizens of the city raised their heads, marveled at the fireworks’ beauty, and took out their phones to take pictures and videos.

Jasper Ford had just driven his car onto the road, and glancing at the distant fireworks in the sky, he instinctively looked toward the rooftop garden over there.

"Buzz buzz."

His phone vibrated.

[Interested in discussing collaboration?]

It was a message from Orion Hawthorne.

Jasper didn’t immediately respond.

[My brother asked me to contact you. Rest assured, it’s definitely reliable! Our two families have many commonalities, and we can naturally collaborate well.]

[My brother said, the Ford Family, supports you.]

Jasper helplessly smiled.

Is this the hush money Silas is offering him?

To silence his expressions of love for Serena.

But Silas had overthought it; as long as she was happy, he didn’t need to be silenced at all.

However, if it’s just a matter of discussing collaboration, that’s doable.

Not pursuing business is foolish.

Thinking of this, Jasper replied to Orion’s message, then turned the car around.

Meanwhile, Bianca and Ethan’s car also started heading out.

Ethan was driving the car; the traffic light ahead was red.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Bianca looked at the fireworks in the sky and then at Ethan beside her.

"Brother," Bianca spoke worriedly.

"Hmm?" Ethan responded.

Bianca sighed heavily, eventually speaking up, "It seems Serena and Silas are truly together now, you..."

"I’m going to Cygnus for a meeting next weekend." Ethan interrupted before Bianca could finish.

Bianca opened her mouth, wanting to offer some words of advice, but ultimately, though countless things came to mind, she couldn’t find anything appropriate to say.

"Don’t worry." Ethan didn’t look at Bianca, instead focusing on the fireworks ahead.

"My trip to Cygnus was finalized a long time ago and won’t change," he said. "Regarding Serena, I will also take action."

Bianca shook her head helplessly.

"I understand what you’re trying to say." The light turned green, and Ethan started the car and drove forward. "Even if it’s for the sake of the childhood bond you share and her calling me ’brother,’ I have to do this."

He would focus on the task at hand, and later, who she liked or whom she’d be happy with could be discussed.

"Hmm," Bianca nodded in agreement.

Watching the still-blooming fireworks, she asked, "Then will you still cook for her?"

Serena thought the new chef at her house was actually Ethan himself.

"Silly girl," Ethan chuckled. "Do you think just because we’re not together, our families won’t continue to interact?"

"Your brother isn’t that petty."

Bianca breathed a sigh of relief, a bit embarrassed.

Ethan patted Bianca’s head and continued to drive.

The fireworks were still exploding in the sky, while in a room at an international hotel, Xander Linton held a glass of red wine, and on the table beside him lay the wooden fox sculpture.

He had watched the livestream during the day and knew about Serena’s engagement decision.

Now, he chuckled helplessly.

"Coming back home a bit late, and everything is out of reach."

"Serena, is this choice the right one?"

"Will he be the right person for you?"

"And what about me? Who will be my right person?"

...

Rooftop garden.

In front of her was brightness; Serena’s eyes reflected the city’s endless drone fireworks.

Watching the fireworks veil cover what was probably her profile, and the distant flowers, as well as the ring brought by the approaching giant whale.

And the large screen showed "Serena."

"Is that me?" Serena spoke.

Silas nodded, reaching out to hold her hand.

"Just as I hoped before," he said, "Serena, I hope, I can erase everything between you and him."

"All the wounds he gave you, let me heal them."

He gripped her hand tighter than usual, holding her firmly.

"From now on, when you think of fireworks, think of the ring, think of the person you love, they will always be me."

This was the first time, in so long, he spoke with a possessive tone.

Serena shifted her gaze from the fireworks and looked at him.

She noticed his eyes were slightly reddened, his dark eyes filled with her reflection.

Her heart seemed to miss a beat.

She recalled the time he took her to the studio to see the artwork.

He really has loved her for so many, many years.

And waited for her for so many, many years.

Her eyes grew slightly warm, and Serena smiled.

"Okay," she replied.

Silas smiled, with a hint of moisture in his eyes, holding her tightly as if no amount of looking at her was enough.

His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and then he held her head and leaned in to kiss her.

Unlike any other time before.

He dominantly consumed all her breaths, embraced her tightly, seemingly wanting to merge her into his body.

The fireworks continued to explode in the sky; Serena suddenly felt lost in place.

Only aware of his scorching body and searing breaths.

And now, below the building.

In the car, Julian Lawson looked up, watching the fireworks in the sky and the couple kissing beneath them. He almost couldn’t resist going up to break them apart.

Yet, in his mind, Vera Hansen’s words repeatedly echoed.

He honored the agreement, and she promised not to speak a word about what happened back then.

The steering wheel nearly crushed under his grip, heart aching to the point of suffocation, he pulled out his phone and found Serena’s conversation box.

[I’ll give you everything from the Sheridan Family unconditionally, I’ll uncover the truth about your father’s death, I’ll treat you well, Serena, don’t be with him, don’t get engaged, wait for me, okay?]