CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54: ARE YOU READY TO DIVORCE SERENA STERLING?

People had just started to come out of the villa when they were immediately surrounded by those outside.

Flashlights kept going off, and the crowd jostled and shoved, accompanied by the noise.

"Hello, may I ask what just happened inside?"

"Can you tell us what happened inside today? Why could we hear cheering from outside, and what’s the story behind the drone lanterns over the villa? Can you explain?"

"Excuse me..."

Countless reporters were blocking the people coming out, eager to get the latest news from them.

Many of those who came out were clueless. Although they’d anticipated being intercepted, which is quite common, they didn’t expect so many people!

The entire outside of the villa was packed with people, dressed in all sorts of attire, and there were even dogs!

"Woof woof!"

The dog seemed to notice it was being watched and began barking incessantly.

"Click click!"

Flashlights flashed continuously, making it look like daylight.

Serena Sterling and Jasper Ford saw this chaotic scene as they came out.

Serena’s eyes widened behind her mask.

Before she could react, a large group of reporters swarmed over, some even with dogs.

"Woof woof!"

The dog barked twice, catching Serena’s gaze.

"This is Irene!"

"Irene, what just happened inside?"

"President Ford, what exactly did your group do at this charity auction dinner to make such a commotion?"

...

Countless people swarmed over, Jasper Ford furrowing his brows as he pushed them away, protecting Serena.

Jasper Ford picked up his phone and called for the bodyguards to come over quickly.

In fact, even within all the noise inside, security measures had already been strengthened, and reinforcements were called from nearby areas.

But they were all blocked halfway.

And The Hillside Villa was completely surrounded.

Jasper Ford looked at the sea of people and practically rolled his eyes.

"Get the helicopter to transport people! Heard me! Get the helicopter here, the three-tier rooftop garden can accommodate it!" Jasper Ford shouted into the phone while guarding Serena.

He knew that once questions arose about the Sky Lantern and the bidding between Irene and Julian Lawson, they’d be completely surrounded here.

Meanwhile, someone was screaming—

"Found out, found out, Julian Lawson lit a Sky Lantern for Vera Hansen!"

"Also, Irene and Julian Lawson bid on stage together, and a piece of Tanzanite worth 1 million was auctioned for 25 million!"

"Quick, Irene’s here, I see her, hurry over!"

...

Then, more people swarmed towards Serena like zombies.

Serena and Jasper Ford quickly tried to move back into the villa.

But it was already too late, as they were blocked from behind too, packed with people and dogs.

"Woof woof woof!"

Just when Jasper Ford was roaring loudly, suddenly—

"Julian Lawson came out! And he’s with Vera Hansen!"

"Here they are, seize the spot!"

"Block the door, don’t let them back in!"

Thus, countless people surged towards Julian Lawson and Vera Hansen.

People blocking this way gritted their teeth: "Ah, damn, I blocked Irene, not Julian Lawson!"

Jasper Ford was practically amused and furious: "You want to block him, go over there, not here, what’s the damn issue!"

The scene was chaotic.

"Woo—woo—woo—"

To guide order, the villa emitted loud horn sounds.

But it couldn’t be stopped at all.

This was the Sky Lantern!

Julian Lawson lit the Sky Lantern for Vera Hansen!

And there was also a contestant from Heavenly Sound, Irene, bidding alongside!

Isn’t there a huge scoop here?

But isn’t Irene standing beside Jasper Ford?

So immediately someone asked: "Irene, why did you bid against Julian Lawson today? Is it because you have feelings for Julian Lawson? What does that make Third Young Master Ford then?"

Jasper Ford was exasperated, what does it mean, ’what does that make him’?

As if he was just an accessory.

Jasper Ford had never been so wronged!

"If you don’t know how to ask, don’t! Get lost!" Jasper Ford shouted irritably.

But nobody paid attention to him.

Leaving him to rage furiously.

Everyone’s cameras, microphones, and flashlights focused on Serena Sterling.

Serena knew that unless she spoke, there was no way to leave today.

So she said, "I was bidding against President Lawson because I wanted that item, nothing more."

But nobody believed her.

On the side, Jasper Ford directly shouted: "Believe it or not!"

"Irene just saw Julian Lawson from afar during an episode of Heavenly Sound a few days ago, and apart from that day, there’s been no meetings or exchanges these days, how can you just make things up?"

The person immediately retorted, "Third Young Master, have you lost your cool?"

Darn!

Jasper Ford was practically ready to punch someone.

As chaos reigned here, on the other side.

In the blocked center where more people surrounded, Julian Lawson emanated a cold aura of ’keep away,’ due to his identity and status, although crowded, no one dared to squeeze too close, maintaining some space.

Julian Lawson protected Vera Hansen in front of him.

"President Lawson, just got word that you lit a Sky Lantern for Vera Hansen and bid on stage with Irene, ultimately securing the item at a price of 25 million; is this news true?"

"President Lawson, did you light the Sky Lantern as an act of defiance for your beauty?"

"President Lawson, appearing with Vera Hansen at this charity auction dinner, is this a public announcement of your relationship with Vera Hansen?"

"President Lawson, do your actions indicate you’re ready to divorce Serena Sterling?"

...

Several questions were thrown at him, Julian Lawson furrowed his brows slightly.

Julian Lawson didn’t answer, but Vera Hansen certainly wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

The reason she was here for this charity auction was precisely for this moment!

"Brother Julian, let me handle it," Vera Hansen looked at Julian Lawson understandingly, then stepped out from behind him.

All the lights and cameras immediately focused on Vera Hansen.

"Everyone." Vera Hansen’s face bore an appropriate and somewhat fragile smile.

"I came to this charity auction dinner with Brother Julian to offer a token of love for children suffering from illness."

"As for whether it’s flamboyant or low-profile," she said, glancing at each camera with a light smile, "actually, as long as Brother Julian appears, even low-profile becomes high-profile, there’s no need to fret over it."

"Regarding that Tanzanite, indeed, initially I wanted to bid for it, its estimated value was 1 million, later Brother Julian lit the Sky Lantern, securing it for 25 million, it was purely to donate to charity, please don’t overthink."

"This time it was me who asked Brother Julian to accompany me, purely to raise awareness for sick children, nothing more, please don’t speculate excessively."

She weakly smiled, saying, "After all, I’m already a dying person, just wanting to exert some final warmth before passing."

"As for Irene, we just happened to like the same Tanzanite, please don’t create conflict or attacks over this."

Vera Hansen spoke very eloquently, and after speaking, she even bowed to everyone.

Only when she stood back up did she suddenly collapse, fainting.