CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 45: I THOUGHT YOU DIDN’T PLAN TO TAKE OFF THE MASK

Serena Sterling smiled at the old man in front of her and said, "Good evening, Grandpa Ford, I’m Serena Sterling."

Old Master Ford, Percival Ford, looked at Serena as she took off her mask, his expression only slightly surprised, not shocked.

Seeing this, Serena understood.

She held the bag of premium tea Jasper Ford had prepared for her and walked to Old Master Ford’s tea spot, slowly unpacking the tea leaves.

"Jasper says this is the Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao you love. Shall I brew some for you?" Serena asked.

"Hmm," Percival responded.

Then, there was no other sound in the room except for the sound of Serena pouring and brewing tea.

Her movements were fluid and seamless.

The fragrance of the tea filled the room.

Finally, Serena handed the tea to Percival.

Percival reached out to take it, savoring it carefully.

He said, "Over the years, there have been few who can brew tea this well. All that craftsmanship, he passed it on to you."

Serena lowered her eyes slightly, fiddling with the tea set.

She said, "Yes, if he doesn’t pass it to me, then who else? After all, I am his biological daughter."

They all knew that the "he" she referred to was her late father.

The once proud and brilliant man had forever stayed back in that rainy day.

"I originally thought you didn’t plan on taking off the mask," Percival continued.

Serena chuckled, looking at Percival, and said, "How could my little trick possibly fool you, Grandpa Ford? Didn’t you know from the start?"

Serena calmly looked at the old man before her.

From the moment she received the invitation, she knew there was no avoiding this.

Even though she and Jasper Ford had signed a confidentiality agreement and were usually very cautious,

many things couldn’t withstand scrutiny, let alone if Old Master Ford wanted to investigate.

Take the origin of today’s tanzanite, for example. It might be difficult for other families to trace, but if Percival wanted to, he could find out immediately.

After all, it was their own business.

So she had no intention of continuing her disguise once she entered.

"What’s going on between you and that kid Ford the third?" Percival asked directly.

Serena replied, "I’m not sure which aspect you’re referring to, Grandpa Ford."

"All of it," Percival said with immense pressure.

Serena wasn’t angry, just smiled and said:

"Firstly, Jasper and I are not in a romantic relationship; we currently have a cooperative relationship that is mutually beneficial."

"Then, I didn’t let Jasper fight a battle with Julian Lawson, but he got caught up in it anyway."

"Hmph!" As soon as Serena finished speaking, Percival slapped the armrest, looking very angry.

But Serena just calmly looked at him and said, "Watch your hand, Grandpa Ford."

However, Percival still roared in anger, "You know the Lawson Family’s status in Aeston, and you dragged Ford the third in. Are you trying to drag our Ford Family down too?"

"You’re overthinking it, Grandpa Ford. I don’t have that intention," Serena responded calmly, unflustered.

Percival, seeing that his tactic didn’t intimidate Serena, stopped pretending: "The Ford Family doesn’t need to get involved in matters between you and Julian Lawson. I don’t want to offend Julian."

Serena finally smiled again.

"You’re teasing me, Grandpa Ford," Serena concluded, not saying more.

And Percival just stared at her, his eagle-like eyes fixed on Serena, exerting immense pressure on her.

The empire Percival had established with the Ford Group wasn’t clean, and he was quite ruthless in his early years.

It was only after his proud eldest son was lost at sea that he slightly restrained himself.

Even so, that trace of ruthlessness still lingered in him.

From how he let his three grandsons compete and scheme against each other, it was clear he was still as ruthless as ever.

Someone like him wouldn’t back down just by hearing Julian Lawson’s name, would he?

"How am I teasing?" Percival finally spoke again.

Serena softly said, "It’s precisely because someone dares to challenge the Lawson Corporation that you, Old Master, are pleased."

After saying this, she flashed a beautiful smile.

"Master, you have your grandsons scheming for the family’s prosperity. If you retreat just at the mention of Julian Lawson, the family’s decline is inevitable."

"Moreover, the Ford Group is not easily manipulated. The risks have long been within your control."

Percival squinted his eyes and reassessed the woman in front of him.

For some reason, he saw a shadow of his proud eldest son in her.

He did have a plan, only it was a bit more ruthless than she thought.

The Lawson Family was vast, but the Ford Family wouldn’t easily fall. If Julian Lawson pursued the matter, he could throw Jasper under the bus to apologize, as Percival didn’t know Irene was Serena.

If Jasper manages to establish a firm footing, then he can lead the Ford Group to greater heights.

Winning the bet means furthering the Ford Group.

Losing means throwing Jasper under the bus to apologize, at Julian’s disposal.

He was ready to sacrifice a grandson.

The room was brightly lit, and the rising tea fragrance made the tea room even more elegant.

Serena waited for two seconds, then said: "So, Grandpa Ford, does this mean I’ve successfully passed this time?"

Percival glanced at Serena and chuckled lightly.

"I really don’t understand why you stayed with Julian Lawson for so long before."

Serena laughed: "Isn’t it true that I’m out now?"

Percival, a veteran, was long aware of the relationship between Serena and Julian.

Serena wasn’t put off; she continued to quietly watch Percival, awaiting his response.

The soundless psychological duel between them was tranquil.

In the end, Percival said, "I can only guarantee I won’t interfere in the matters between those three brothers. As for the rest, as you said, I’m raising roaches to see who will ultimately succeed."

Serena smiled.

The purpose of today’s visit was achieved.

Jasper had mentioned that all three of them had their industries, and the reason Alexander could extend his influence so far was mainly due to speaking ill of him in front of the old man, causing misunderstanding.

The old man’s attitude determined the subordinates’ attitudes, which was crucial.

Now that the old man wouldn’t interfere, with time, Jasper could completely control the situation.

Enough.

Serena exchanged a few more pleasantries with the old man, then put her mask back on.

As she was about to leave through the door, she heard a soft sigh from behind Percival: "What a pity he left too soon."

Serena gripped the door frame, wanting to rush back and ask Percival what really happened back then!

But it was only the remaining shred of reason that restrained her.

Today’s bluffing, feigning composure, and deep strategy had already reached her current limit; matters regarding her father would have to wait a little longer.

With this in mind, Serena loosened her grip, bowed to the old master before leaving the room, and closed the door.

"How did it go, how did it go?" Jasper Ford, outside the door, was nearly exploding with tension.

This room was well soundproofed, and he hadn’t heard a shred of noise, even with his ear to the crack.

The other two were still watching, and with a blank expression, Serena said only one thing: "Let’s go."

Then she was the first to head downstairs.

Meanwhile, Jasper flew into a rage and started bickering with Alexander, who was making snide comments.

Serena didn’t want to hear it, so she just calmly walked downstairs.

But, just as she turned a corner, someone blocked her way.

Serena looked up.

It was someone from the Hawthorne Family.

The three titans of Aeston were The Lawson Corporation, Ford Group, and Hawthorne Group.

Each controlled different lifelines of Aeston.

Hawthorne Group was the largest gemstone and jewelry entity in Aeston.

Back then, the piece of tanzanite she acquired was also purchased from a jewelry store under the Hawthorne Group.

"Irene?" The other party eyed her up and down, with a somewhat mischievous gaze.

"Second Young Master Hawthorne," Serena greeted calmly.

"You know me?" Second Young Master Hawthorne asked, intrigued.

Serena raised her eyes: "Your reputation precedes you, how could I not recognize you."

Second Young Master Hawthorne thought about it and found it plausible, but these details didn’t matter.

"Why did you and Vera Hansen compete for that tanzanite?" Second Young Master Hawthorne leaned in, "Can you tell me?"

Serena just smiled without saying a word.

"I checked with my store after you and Vera fought over that tanzanite. Can you guess what I found?"

Serena still said nothing, her eyes straight ahead, showing no emotion.

"Guess what I found out? That the Tanzanite you were fighting over was originally purchased from our gemstone store by Irene, who turned out to be Serena Sterling!"