CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: HER INTIMACY WITH LIN MAKES JULIAN JEALOUS

A single sentence attracted everyone’s attention.

"My gosh, it’s really him, and that’s the Bugatti, the limited edition Bugatti Centodieci of which only 10 exist worldwide!"

"I’ve rarely seen him drive it before, the starting price is 60 million, and according to rumors, Julian Lawson’s is worth over 100 million!"

"In the past seven years, Julian Lawson personally attended three banquets two years ago, four years ago, and seven years ago. At other times, he sent representatives to attend and buy auction items, and he basically hasn’t attended such events in recent years."

"It’s normal for him not to attend; the Lawson Group’s own charitable activities have always been top-notch domestically, and he’s always generous in charity."

"What’s his purpose for coming today?"

"Did he come alone today or bring someone?"

"Who did he bring? Serena?"

"I don’t know, it certainly can’t be Vera, he hasn’t divorced Serena yet, it’s impossible to bring Vera to such an occasion."

"Yes, that’s true."

...

The crowd was abuzz with chatter, and Serena and Jasper also looked toward the slowly arriving car.

Jasper gritted his teeth, glanced at his own 26 million Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta, and suddenly felt embarrassed.

Serena watched as the Bugatti parked in the lot, and a swarm of journalists and paparazzi approached like sharks smelling blood, snapping photos from all angles.

The click-click of the cameras was incessant, turning the area into a scene as bright as day.

The surrounding socialites were also attracted, all eyes turned in that direction.

The villa’s bodyguards immediately went over to maintain order, and as the car door opened, Julian Lawson stepped out first.

Instantly, the crowd was filled with gasps.

If there had been any doubt before about it being him, seeing him was now beyond question.

He was seen walking around the car to open the passenger door, attracting even more attention.

Who could it be?

Who could make the usually low-key Julian Lawson appear so flamboyantly!

As the car door opened, the first thing to appear was a high heel.

Jimmy Choo Averly

The unique butterfly design attracted everyone’s gaze.

Next, Vera Hansen, dressed in a black evening gown, appeared in everyone’s sight.

The gown fit perfectly, seemingly a regular style, but upon closer inspection revealed elements reminiscent of a wedding dress.

She stood by Julian’s side, smiling at him, the two looking like a perfect couple.

"Oh my god, it really is Vera!"

"This time Julian Lawson came high-profile to bring Vera out?"

"What about Serena then? It seems Serena is really going to be abandoned."

"Or maybe she can tolerate it? It’s not the first day Serena knows about this."

...

The crowd discussed animatedly, Jasper was practically seething.

"How can he..."

Jasper had never imagined Julian Lawson would dismiss Serena so blatantly!

It was partly his fault; he had been running an entertainment company for so long, and this being a charity banquet, he had only asked the stylist to pair Serena with an outfit borrowed from the brand for the occasion.

Jasper turned to look at Serena, his eyes full of concern.

Serena just smiled lightly, indicating she was fine.

Serena thought it was good; she needed to prepare to buy out the old Sheridan Family assets, and now with borrowed clothing from the brand, she could save what she could.

Serena didn’t feel she lost.

This was a charity auction banquet, not an event selling tickets or a celebrity fashion charity gala, just being appropriate was enough.

As for who Julian brought to attend, it was none of her business.

Over there, reporters crowded forward to ask questions to Vera and Julian, while Serena turned her gaze to Jasper beside her.

"Let’s go in," she said.

"Okay." Jasper nodded and then guided Serena into the villa.

On the other side, Julian suddenly seemed to sense something and looked up, then saw the man and woman slowly walking towards the villa.

He directly ignored Jasper, his gaze fell upon the woman beside Jasper.

The moonlight shone on her like water, giving her a pure white aura that isolated her from the people around.

Her slightly wavy black hair was loosely pinned up, with much of it casually falling behind her, making her fair skin even more striking.

She was talking to Jasper about something, her slightly upturned red lips making her look even more enchanting.

It was Irene.

"Brother Julian?" Vera, who had been basking in the thrill of surprising everyone, noticed Julian’s slight distraction.

What was he looking at?

Vera followed Julian’s gaze but saw nothing there.

"Hmm."

Julian withdrew his gaze, looked at Vera beside him, and said, "Let’s go in."

"Alright." Vera smiled sweetly, then followed Julian into the villa.

...

The paparazzi wanted to follow but were blocked by the villa’s gates.

They couldn’t enter the venue.

So they reluctantly watched the people go in.

However, today they got big news of Vera attending the banquet with Julian, and that was enough!

"It looks like Serena is really done for."

"I think it’s okay; isn’t Vera supposedly only able to live for half a year?"

"That’s true, now we’ll see if Serena can endure this half-year."

They murmured, each quickly contacting their own people to spread the news.

The villa belonged to the Ford Family, divided into three floors: the first is a hall, the second is for more private guests, and the third is split into a lounge and a rooftop garden.

Inside the venue.

Julian’s entrance caused a stir, with everyone wanting to talk to him.

After all, the Lawson Group is the leading company in Aeston among the three giants, and Julian controls the Lawson Corporation!

Julian usually doesn’t attend such banquets!

But after signing in, Julian and Vera went directly to the second floor.

There were few seats on the second floor, and many could only shake their heads in disappointment.

Serena and Jasper had already taken their seats.

When Julian and Vera came up, they saw the two not far away.

Vera glanced at the masked woman sitting over there, and her brows furrowed.

Irene was actually here!

Immediately, Vera relaxed.

Irene should have been brought by Jasper, not invited.

She felt quite good about it; both were brought, but she was Julian’s companion!

The difference was significant.

As time passed, the host officially announced the start.

With the host’s opening, the auction items were displayed one by one.

"The first item is a Ming dynasty antique, with the donor giving 50% to charity, starting bid is..."

Soon, the room was lively, and people bid on suitable items.

Meanwhile, Julian looked at Vera sitting beside him.

Vera was looking at the catalog.

"If you like something, bid on it," Julian said.

He even pointed to his number, clearly indicating he would pay for her.

Vera looked up, smiled, and said, "No need, Brother Julian, I have some savings myself; I don’t need anything too expensive, I just want to fulfill my intention."

Julian said nothing.

But hearing Vera say those words, he inexplicably recalled the day at the civil affairs bureau, when Serena handed him the asset division agreement.

The agreement clearly stated that during the divorce cooling-off period, any money they each earn belongs to themselves.

He thought of her again.

In his mind was the scene behind the water-pattern glass door, of her leaning against Ethan Lynch.

Did she see him bringing Vera to the banquet?

Julian’s eyes dropped slightly, the bottom of them pitch black, his right hand clenched, a floating emotion within him he couldn’t discern.