CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46: PRESIDENT LAWSON, ARE YOU FEELING SORRY FOR ME?

Serena Sterling’s expression remained calm.

This information is easy to find within the Hawthorne Group, and it doesn’t mean anything.

"Do you know Serena?" the second Hawthorne suddenly asked.

"No." Serena calmly replied.

"Then I can’t figure it out." The second Hawthorne scratched his head.

Serena smiled, turned around, looked at the second Hawthorne, and said, "It’s normal. Maybe she once liked that Tanzanite, then passed it on to someone else, and after several turns, it finally appeared at this auction."

"It’s different." The second Hawthorne said seriously, "I’ve heard she really liked this Tanzanite, heard that someone else fell for it at the same time, and she paid a price to get it, so it’s impossible for her to let it go easily."

Serena looked at the second Hawthorne for a long time.

Her gaze unsettled him.

Finally, Serena chuckled and said, "In the end, hasn’t she already let it go?"

The fact that the Tanzanite entered the charity auction phase means that whether it was Serena or several subsequent buyers, they all decided to sell the Tanzanite.

The second Hawthorne was dumbfounded.

He thought her reasoning made a lot of sense.

He couldn’t find any reason to argue.

"Excuse me." Serena said, nodding slightly, turning to walk down the corridor.

But after only a few steps, she ran into Vera Hansen.

Serena felt quite at a loss and wanted to avoid her, but Vera deliberately approached to block her path.

"Irene!"

Vera finally spoke first.

Serena halted, calmly looking at Vera Hansen in front of her, unsure of what she wanted to say.

"I advise you to stop." Vera’s eyes were filled with threats. "You’re just Jasper Ford’s companion, you should show some respect to Julian Lawson. What you’re doing will only harm yourself and Jasper Ford!"

Serena ignored Vera’s words, instead, she just scrutinized Vera’s black gown.

The gown indeed carried a bridal design, with intricate layers of lace embracing her, looking very beautiful.

The online rumors were accurate.

Julian Lawson, usually a low-key person, was making such a high-profile appearance this time, and brought Vera Hansen dressed like this.

What was he thinking?

Was he unaware, or was he deliberately condoning it?

Or was he eager to make it official with Vera Hansen?

Neglecting their cooling-off period?

Thinking of this, Serena slightly lowered her eyes and turned away.

"Vera, there’s no need to say that to me."

"If you want to buy that Tanzanite, it’s your business. If I want to bid, it’s mine. You and I, let’s see who’s more skilled."

She spoke softly.

Vera laughed coldly: "More skilled? Irene, what you said is boring."

"You and I both rely on men to be here, naturally we’ll look at the men behind us. Julian Lawson is stronger than Jasper Ford, so I’m stronger than you."

Serena was fed up with Vera’s attitude, didn’t want to deal with it, and proceeded to leave.

"Irene, this is your last chance from me!" Vera’s voice came from behind, "You will lose, and it will be a crushing defeat! I’ll be waiting for you to beg me!"

Serena paused briefly, but that’s all.

Not wanting to meet anyone else in the corridor, Serena turned towards the small rooftop garden on the third floor.

The garden was bustling with people – business elites, collectors, movie stars were all gathered there.

They held wine glasses, their champagne bubbling with colorful sparkles, achieving some kind of unspoken agreement with each nod and toast.

The lighting in the rooftop garden was elegant and romantic, the piano music floated with the breeze.

Glasses clinking.

Bright lights and revelry.

Perhaps that’s the scene being depicted right now.

Serena walked alone to a corner, took a sip of champagne, and stood there in the wind.

All around, bits of conversation kept coming.

"Today’s third item is also good; it’s a diary of a seriously ill little girl specially found for the auction, I think it can be well kept."

"Actually, I also feel that many children’s paintings show a hint of artistic talent, but circumstances prevent them from growing well."

"Hope this charity auction can bring them warmth."

"The Ford Group’s charity auction dinner is good, they mandatorily allocate huge funds yearly to support charity, no need to worry about the money not being used properly."

"That’s good, any bids you’re looking forward to in the second half?"

"Forget the bids, I just want to see who wins between 888 and 823!"

"Me too, me too, so exciting!"

"Shall we make a betting pool on who will win?"

...

Everyone was eager to place bets, and those who were quietly chatting suddenly became enthusiastic.

Each and every one, itching to try.

The person involved, Serena, just leaned against the edge, letting the noise continue.

At this moment, suddenly, a shadow blocked the light.

Serena slowly turned around and saw Julian Lawson frowning and looking at her.

Behind him was the endless noisy betting, his eyes dark as night.

Then Julian Lawson spoke: "Why do it?"

Both knew they were referring to the bidding on the Tanzanite.

Serena didn’t answer, just looked into his dark eyes, and questioned back: "What about you? Why do it? For Vera?"

Julian Lawson didn’t answer, his lips clenched tightly.

Before being asked this question, he never really contemplated his own motivation.

Like his life in general, often he just thought about what he ought to do and then did it.

It was enough for him.

But when the woman in the mask mentioned Vera, his heart didn’t resonate.

In fact, he just didn’t want the Tanzanite to fall into anyone else’s hands.

That’s all.

As for why he didn’t want that, he didn’t know.

The woman in front of him had a thin figure, the wind upstairs was strong, looking at her frail form like paper, inexplicably, he said: "Has it always been like this?"

Seeing the woman’s questioning gaze, he said: "Regarding your physical condition without consideration, letting you go out to work."

Serena slightly raised an eyebrow, not understanding Julian Lawson’s meaning.

After thinking for a moment, she replied, "President Lawson is... sympathizing with me?"

Not "concern," but "sympathy."

Julian Lawson’s lips pressed slightly, he said nothing.

Serena lowered her head, suddenly, she chuckled, but her nose was filled with bitterness.

Having stayed by his side day and night, all she got was a "She’s dying, give way to her," and now in front of him as Jasper Ford’s woman, he appropriately offered concern.

How ridiculous.

"Since President Lawson considers me as Jasper Ford’s woman, then what’s the point now?" Serena lowered her head, her voice gentle, "Why say these words to me?"

Julian Lawson looked at the woman in front of him, her head slightly lowered, the half-face moon-white mask perfectly hid her emotions.

He couldn’t figure it out.

He didn’t understand his own heart.

So he could only remain silent.

As emotions surged within him, Serena finally lifted her head to look at the man frowning silently before her.

"President Lawson, don’t show excessive concern for those who aren’t your own, because it’s unfaithful to her." Serena paused slightly, then her lips curled up as she softly said, "This way, she’ll be sad."

Inexplicably, an image of eyes appeared in Julian Lawson’s mind.

Sad eyes.

Serena crying.

"President Lawson, some people are dispensable."

"But some, once they decide to leave, will never look back."

The woman in the mask spoke gently, standing there, her red lips moved gracefully.

She was smiling, but somehow he felt she seemed... to be crying.