CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 47: SHE HAS LET GO, HE LIGHTS THE SKY LANTERN

Serena took a deep breath and looked up at the vast starry sky.

That’s right, she had already let go.

Looking down again, everything returned to calm.

Serena withdrew her gaze and smiled, "Sorry, President Lawson, I’ve spoken too deeply for our shallow acquaintance."

She drained her glass, "The intermission is almost over. I’m going down first."

After saying that, Serena walked past Julian Lawson.

"No need to follow." Just as Serena was about to reach the corridor, Julian’s voice came.

How many times had he pleaded for Vera Hansen in her presence, advocating for Vera’s interests?

He would truly do anything for Vera Hansen.

Serena didn’t pause or look back, heading straight into the passage.

Leaving Julian alone watching her departure.

The evening breeze blew, and in the next moment, Julian’s figure also vanished at the end of the corridor.

In the small garden, the voices of discussion carried with the wind.

"... I’m putting 5 million on 888 to win!"

"Wow, you’re betting quite big."

"Have you seen who holds the 888 paddle? Whatever he wants, he’ll definitely get!"

"True, it’s almost meaningless this way."

"It’s interesting. How about a different bet, on how many times 823 dares to follow if Julian enters the fray?"

"That’s good, I bet 0 times!"

"I bet 1 time!"

...

"Anything else?"

"You’re being funny, apart from maybe gritting teeth and matching once more, I can’t imagine any more."

Everyone laughed heartily, not taking it seriously.

Meanwhile, Vera Hansen was messaging someone with a small account.

Hw: What’s Old Master Ford’s attitude towards Irene now? I heard she seemed composed after talking with him, are you out of the game?

TipTop: What are you talking about? A man can’t be out of the game!

TipTop: Rest assured, that Jasper Ford fought after seeing Irene out, indicating instability.

TipTop: Moreover, I know the old man, he won’t change his mind easily. Irene opposing Julian like this, she will suffer! Just wait for Jasper’s downfall and then you’ll have your fun, clean up whoever you want then.

Vera smiled slightly and sent her reply.

Hw: You saying this makes me relieved. I was a bit nervous hearing that Old Master Ford was seeing her.

TipTop: Silly.

...

The two continued their intense chat as Julian returned and glanced over.

Vera sensed it and immediately put away her phone.

"Brother Julian, you’re back." She said with a smile.

Julian didn’t think much, just nodded.

He’s not one to peep at others’ conversations, so he only glanced briefly.

Only, the avatar Vera used...

This wasn’t the account Vera usually used to message him, perhaps a small account.

But that avatar felt inexplicably familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere.

Elsewhere, on a certain dark seat on the second floor, a man from the Hawthorne family was happily watching everyone, muttering to himself.

A beautiful woman sitting next to him couldn’t bear it, kicking him in the face directly.

"Ow ow! Sis, why are you hitting me!"

He shouted, holding his face.

The woman’s response was — another kick.

Scared, he hurriedly ran and mumbled as he ducked into the corner.

Only then did the woman roll her eyes and continue sipping tea.

He felt very wronged, their family, as one of the three giants, was very harmonious.

They weren’t like the Lawson family, where Julian Lawson single-handedly upheld the whole Lawson Group nor like the Ford Family with its brotherly competition creating a leader. Rather, the three siblings had a very harmonious relationship.

It was already decided in the family, with the most capable elder brother managing the company, but he and his sister were also valued by their elder brother, partaking in many company affairs.

One could say the whole family worked together, which made the Hawthorne family one of the three giants in Aeston City.

However, as the youngest, he was truly sometimes scared of getting beaten.

"Customer privacy is secret, and if there’s something you shouldn’t say, then don’t say it, Hawthorne. If you don’t understand this, you better get out of the Hawthorne Group early, don’t drag down the average IQ." The beautiful woman said, sipping her tea.

Hawthorne nodded, clearly understanding.

He was just too excited because it had been so long since he had seen something so interesting.

"Sis, I won’t dare next time." He mumbled.

The beautiful woman finally nodded slightly, letting him off.

And throughout witnessing everything, someone sat in the shadows, no one could see his expression.

Time flew by, and as everyone’s gaze remained focused, the intermission finally ended.

Everyone gathered here again.

The auctioneer once again stepped on stage, presenting the tanzanite to everyone.

"Good evening, gentlemen and ladies, the long intermission has passed. Now, let’s continue the thrilling and intense bidding session!"

The auctioneer pointed to a board, "In the first half, this tanzanite reached a high bid of 1.5 million by bidder number 823, now, let’s continue the bidding!"

On the second floor.

Vera listened intently, her eyes flickering slightly, but said nothing.

She just wrote down the latest bid, then revealed paddle number 888 along with her bid.

"After bidder number 823 made the bid in the first half, bidder 888 has also joined the fray with a bid of 1.8 million!"

The auctioneer immediately announced Vera’s new bid.

In an instant, it stirred up the crowd.

"I guessed right, Julian Lawson chose to continue raising the bid. Now it’s no longer about the tanzanite but about Julian Lawson’s face!"

"Yeah, what about 823? What’s her thinking? With Julian’s wealth, will she still raise the bid?"

"I don’t know, I really don’t understand her reason for increasing the bid in the earlier rounds."

Meanwhile, in Julian’s private box, Vera smiled and said to Julian, "Brother Julian, I didn’t bring enough money today, I’ll make up for the missing funds later, this still counts as my purchase."

But Julian wasn’t looking at her.

"No need." Julian spoke, but his eyes were only directed towards the seat originally belonging to Irene and Jasper Ford.

But the person across was hidden in the dark, and Julian couldn’t see their expression.

Vera followed his gaze.

Knowing they were waiting to see if the other person would increase the bid, Vera looked triumphantly towards them.

But in the next moment, that white hand appeared again.

In her hand was paddle number 823.

"Bidder number 823 bids again, offering 2 million!"

Vera’s smile froze on her face.

The crowd’s buzz resumed noisily.

Everyone was frantically discussing.

"My God, 823 really dares!"

"I also think from the first half to the second half, with an intermission to ease tensions and private contact, where does 823 get the confidence to keep challenging Julian?"

"Is there something we don’t know in between!"

"I’m really curious, please tell me!"

Amidst the buzzing discussions, as Vera looked at Julian inquiring if he wanted to bid again, he suddenly stood up and walked slowly to the railing of the second-floor seat.

"Julian Lawson has moved, he stepped out, look everyone!"

Julian stood by the railing, lifted his right hand, and everyone saw his right ring and pinky fingers curled, forming the shape of a handgun.

Sky Lantern!

It meant no matter how much others bid, he would follow.

He was determined to win!