CHAPTER 287: CHAPTER 287: THINGS HAVE TAKEN AN UNEXPECTED TURN

Serena’s dinner gathering ended shortly.

Jasper Ford and the others didn’t stay long either, because they knew Serena was exhausted and needed rest, so they just had a meal and didn’t continue.

Before leaving, Serena hugged Bianca Lynch.

"Joy, keep an eye on Ethan," Serena said to Bianca Lynch.

Bianca Lynch, understanding the situation, nodded.

After speaking, Serena glanced at Ethan Lynch, then left with Silas Hawthorne.

Seraphina stood beside Silas, bouncing around, looking very happy.

Silas Hawthorne saw Serena coming over, naturally stretched out his hand to hold hers, then nodded to the others before heading to the car.

After Serena got into the car, she waved to everyone.

The car started, carrying them away.

Jasper Ford patted Xander Linton on the shoulder.

"They’re quite a good match," Jasper pointed out, "Silas will treat her well."

Xander glanced at Jasper Ford, agreeing silently, who missed his chance as Silas was quicker and more assertive.

Both of them looked over at Ethan Lynch.

Ethan Lynch lowered his head, lost in thought.

"How about we go to the second round?" Jasper Ford, a person who loves organizing gatherings, suggested, "It’s rare for us all to be together."

"Sure," Bianca Lynch spoke first, and she tugged Ethan Lynch to join them.

Ethan Lynch finally nodded.

So, the group began discussing where to go next.

...

Meanwhile, Seraphina dived into a large stuffed toy, also holding a plush doll which she hugged together.

Silas Hawthorne settled in, closing the door.

The car returning wasn’t the one Serena came from the concert in, but the long nanny car Mrs. Walsh used to bring Seraphina over.

It was cozily arranged, filled with things Seraphina liked.

This served as the dedicated vehicle for Seraphina’s daily commutes.

The car started.

Seraphina pulled a drink from a small cooler and handed it to Serena.

"Aunt Winters, here," Seraphina said with a smile, pushing it into her hands, then fetched some snacks for her to eat.

Seraphina was very familiar with this place.

Serena looked at the drink and snacks in her hands.

Suddenly she realized that in recent days, Seraphina had been going to school in this vehicle.

Sometimes Silas drove her, and sometimes it was Mrs. Walsh and the family picking her up.

Thinking about this made Serena feel a bit sad.

She reached out and hugged Seraphina.

Seraphina found it a bit strange but happily smooshed her face against Serena’s.

"Meow~"

The plush doll in Seraphina’s arms made a sound.

Serena patted the doll’s head.

"Don’t worry, Seraphina has already adapted well," Silas Hawthorne reassured.

"The pick-up service includes a driver and bodyguard for safety, so there’s no need to worry."

Serena nodded.

She had just noticed the person sitting in the passenger seat.

Serena looked up at Silas Hawthorne.

Behind him, through the car window, the scenery kept passing by.

He was watching them.

He is indeed very considerate.

In recent days, he had been with her.

"Silas," she called his name.

"I’m here," he said, gently holding her face and kissing her forehead.

The car drove back to Hawthorne Manor.

Serena first took Seraphina to have a bath, then attended to herself.

After the concert, then the dinner, by the time everything was done, night had deepened.

Serena looked at herself in the mirror.

For days she hadn’t observed herself so closely.

Now staring at this face, it felt somewhat unfamiliar.

She reached out and touched her face, and the familiar feeling returned.

She smiled slightly, and the reflection in the mirror smiled back at her.

After her shower, Serena was very tired and lay on the bed, quickly falling asleep.

...

The moonlight was like water.

PIH.

Jasper Ford and friends arrived here.

Earlier, they were discussing whether to grab barbecue skewers or come here for drinks.

Eventually, Bianca Lynch suggested, "Buy the skewers and go to PIH."

Everyone agreed immediately.

Jasper Ford quickly had his people handle the barbecue skewers while the group came to PIH.

This place was as lively as always.

The waiter soon brought the drinks to the private room.

Bottle after bottle popped open.

Ethan Lynch grabbed a bottle and gulped.

Jasper Ford and Xander Linton exchanged a glance.

They already knew what Ethan Lynch had done in Cygnus.

So they didn’t stop him.

Bianca Lynch shot her brother a look and seized the chance to snatch the bottle away when he took a breath.

"Take it easy, Ethan. If you drink yourself drunk, I can’t carry you home," Bianca Lynch scolded.

Ethan Lynch wiped his mouth corner, silently nodding.

At this moment, the person sent to buy barbecue skewers arrived.

"Come, have some skewers!" Jasper Ford invited them.

Then instructed his men to go buy more.

Seeing Ethan Lynch still despondent, Jasper Ford handed him a skewer.

"Didn’t the Hawthorne Group already start handling the situation in Cygnus? Bro, what stage are they at now?" Jasper Ford asked.

Ethan Lynch took the skewer and bit into it.

The laws in Cygnus differed from those at home.

"We’ve already reached consensus with the institution to withdraw the case, now discussing a private settlement," Ethan Lynch replied.

He informed Silas Hawthorne where he had previously hidden the files and other items and had returned them.

Currently negotiating the purchase of that medical record.

The institution in Cygnus was known for private dealings, and now both parties were negotiating prices.

Along with compensation.

He paused slightly and added, "We’re negotiating the price tug-of-war."

He likely won’t face prison.

Just might need a significant amount of money.

"As long as things are fine," Jasper Ford said, patting Ethan Lynch’s shoulder.

Ethan Lynch nodded too.

He just felt a bit defeated.

"Bro, don’t overthink it," Jasper Ford comforted, "At least you can obtain that medical record."

Ethan Lynch sighed, took another sip of his drink.

This time, he didn’t chug it, and Bianca Lynch didn’t say anything.

In reality, Bianca Lynch was happily eating skewers.

After saying a couple of things to Ethan Lynch, Jasper Ford stopped; everyone was adults, nothing unresolvable.

Like Jasper Ford, who now just wanted to do business.

Growing bigger and stronger was his goal!

Thus, the group started to have fun.

Across a wall, Ian Yates sat in a private room.

He called Julian Lawson, but after several attempts, the calls went unanswered.

Ian Yates sighed deeply.

Recently, developments had exceeded their expectations.

Especially with Vera Hansen.

He previously thought Vera Hansen, although a florist and online persona, was kind-hearted.

But over the past days, as more and more things came to light...

"Wonder how things will end," Ian Yates murmured softly.