CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42: JULIAN LAWSON: WHY HASN’T SHE TEXTED ME YET?

Meanwhile, the photos and videos of Julian Lawson and Vera Hansen that were taken outside have already been uploaded online.

In an instant, the hashtag #JulianLawsonTakesVeraHansenToGala# shot to the top of the trending list—

"Damn, even President Lawson attended, and his car is a Bugatti Centodieci!"

"I knew his date would be Vera Hansen!"

"Yeah, last time he went to a ’Heavenly Sound’ live stream was for Vera Hansen. Now, two years later, he’s attending the charity gala again with Vera Hansen by his side. What’s the motive? Everyone knows it!"

"The motive is Vera Hansen!"

"He just wants to show up with Vera Hansen, just to spite Serena Sterling! Hahaha, am I right or not?"

"I’ve shipped them... Haven’t you guys noticed how beautiful Vera Hansen looks today?"

Soon, another term appeared in the trending searches—

#VeraHansenBlackGothicWeddingGown#

"Boohoo, I almost forgot, Vera Hansen only has six months left. This outfit she’s wearing could almost be considered a wedding dress, a black wedding dress, and I’m crying."

"Yeah, Vera surely wants to marry Julian Lawson, but unfortunately, there’s an obstacle beside Julian!"

"Please, really, Serena just leave, didn’t you see? Vera Hansen fainted last night due to her recent intense schedule, but even so, she still wants to raise awareness and show her kindness for those sick children. Serena, how can you compare?"

For a moment, the praises for Vera Hansen were overwhelming, earning numerous tears.

...

Inside the charity auction gala.

Jasper Ford was fuming as he looked at the online comments.

"This is ridiculous," Jasper said to Serena Sterling, "I’m telling you, the group did not invite Vera Hansen at all!"

"How could a proper charity gala like ours invite a mistress?"

"Look at what she’s marketing outside. What’s with the wedding gown? It’s disgusting! Our theme is clearly focused on raising funds for severely ill children, promoting awareness so more people notice these children’s plights, and now it’s all this gossip about her and Julian Lawson!"

The more Jasper spoke, the angrier he became.

In such elite galas, it’s common for people to market beauty contests and relationship news, as long as they actually donate money, it’s usually not a big deal.

After all, actions speak louder than words.

But Vera Hansen’s operation is just nauseating.

The wedding gown, and then Julian Lawson, all over spreading how he’s breaking all kinds of rules for Vera Hansen.

Are they trying to kill Serena?

"I’ve truly never seen someone being a mistress so shamelessly!"

Serena Sterling was grateful for Jasper Ford’s indignation on her behalf.

Yet, there was nothing they could do.

Because Vera Hansen carried an invincible card—[Vera Hansen only has six months to live].

As long as that remains, many things would be tolerated without limits.

On the other side, Julian Lawson was also looking at his phone.

Glancing at the trending words, Julian Lawson confirmed the marketing outside was already overwhelming.

So, he opened the messaging app and took a look.

No new messages from her.

Julian Lawson slightly furrowed his brows, is the network bad?

The last time when he and Vera Hansen left Lawson Tower, Serena Sterling was putting on an act with Bianca Lynch and Ethan Lynch.

This time, as he brought Vera Hansen to the charity gala, how will she react?

The message page still stayed at what he sent her—[Grandfather is not well and wants to see you.]

He scrolled up slightly, still no new messages.

His fingers paused briefly, Julian exited the chat, but the next moment, the messages continuously refreshed.

The network was perfectly smooth.

She hadn’t sent him any message.

Julian Lawson’s lips pressed into a thin line.

"Brother Julian?" Vera Hansen noticed his odd behavior from one side and called him, "Is something wrong?"

Julian Lawson closed his eyes, put away his phone, and when he opened them again, his gaze returned to calm.

He shook his head, but the hand hidden under the table slightly clenched.

...

Time slowly passed, one auction item after another was brought up and then bid off by buyers.

The donors can decide their donation percentage, and Ford Group’s auction likes to put all items under the same percentage in the same session, so in this charity auction gala, except specially marked items, all donation percentages were 70%.

Therefore, only the first piece, a Ming Dynasty antique used to warm up the event, had a percentage of 50%, all others were 70%.

This is an auction hosted by Ford Group, any item that makes it to the auction stage here is immensely valuable.

Vera Hansen watched as item after item was brought up, she didn’t make bids because they were too expensive.

She intended to establish an independent self-reliant image in front of Julian Lawson by using her own money, but she didn’t want to go overboard.

Finally, near the break, an item appeared.

"Next in line is a Tanzanite, specific data... After evaluation, this Tanzanite is valued at least at one million. It’s..."

The auctioneer narrated as the blue Tanzanite was presented.

The lighting at the Ford Group’s auction venue was perfect, and as this dark blue Tanzanite appeared, it captured everyone’s attention.

This Tanzanite was of extremely high quality and incredibly beautiful.

In the setting of ’Titanic,’ the heroine’s ’Heart of the Ocean’ was a blue diamond, but in the movie props, Tanzanite was used.

This Tanzanite, although uncut and unpolished, instantly reminded anyone of that ’Heart of the Ocean.’

As everyone looked at it, Serena Sterling also glanced over.

This was the gemstone she provided.

She had first sold it to Jasper Ford, who then handled the personal details for auctioning.

From the moment she decided to come over, Serena knew she had to bring something.

Because this was a charity gala.

If she just came without any contribution, it would be hard to get approval from Old Master Ford.

And her purpose this time was to win over Old Master Ford.

Although this Tanzanite wasn’t as expensive as most auction items, it barely held up, suitable for her status as a new generation artist.

Furthermore...

Serena slightly lowered her eyes.

This had once been the birthstone she prepared for a child that no longer was.

When she got this Tanzanite, she eagerly anticipated the child’s birth.

But now...

Upon learning that the charity gala’s donation targets were sick children, she decided to bring out this Tanzanite.

Just to do something good in memory of the child she lost.

Wishing for its well-being on the other side.

Under the lights, the deep blue gem sparkled vibrantly.

"This Tanzanite, starting bid is 700,000, each increment..."

As the auctioneer finished speaking, a paddle was raised, with a number displayed on the accompanying board.

"Bidder number 888 offers 800,000."

As the auctioneer announced, everyone turned to look at bidder number 888.

[888] This bid number is not something anyone can easily obtain.

Then, the crowd saw Vera Hansen holding that numbered paddle.