Vera Hansen said, as she took out a file folder, "I’ve already brought all the necessary documents." "I specially put on some makeup. Does it make me look a bit better?" Vera Hansen asked. The temperature in the CEO’s office was pleasant, and Vera Hansen’s smile was lovely. Indeed, she looked a bit more spirited. Not as pale as before. She seemed very expectant. Whether it was because he was too tired or not, Julian Lawson didn’t feel the urge to get the marriage certificate. "Another day." Julian Lawson slightly lowered his eyes, not wanting to see Vera Hansen’s disappointed expression. "Today, I’m quite tired," he said, reaching up to rub his forehead, "Getting married also requires some preparations." Vera Hansen looked at Julian Lawson’s unshaven appearance, knowing he was indeed tired, so she didn’t rush him. However, she really wanted to confirm it as soon as possible, so she would become Mrs. Lawson. She couldn’t wait to throw the marriage certificate in Serena Sterling’s face, and couldn’t wait to see Serena’s mixed look of anger, sadness, but helplessness! Thinking about this, Vera Hansen spoke, "Brother Julian, I don’t need those complicated ceremonies, no need for a wedding, you know I just want to marry you, nothing else." Julian Lawson still didn’t look at her. "I know you’re very tired today, a lot has happened lately," Vera Hansen continued, "I can wait." "But Brother Julian, don’t let me wait too long, don’t let me be disappointed, okay?" Vera Hansen’s voice came word by word. It made Julian Lawson feel helpless. In the end, he gave a slight "hmm." Considered it a promise. "Then, Brother Julian, have a good rest, I won’t disturb you any longer," Vera Hansen said with a light-hearted smile, "Shall we have dinner together tonight?" Julian Lawson nodded, agreeing. Only then did Vera Hansen leave. As Julian Lawson watched her departing figure, his mood was inexplicable. Again, he thought of when his grandfather was critically ill, kneeling at his bedside with Serena Sterling. Julian Lawson touched his pocket and took out that wedding ring. Under the light, this ring reflected a cold glimmer. This was bought at the store on the way back to the old house. Rushed to decide, he slipped the other wedding ring onto Serena Sterling’s finger. But she was still so happy. She took the other one from his hand and carefully put it on him. "This way, it seems we’ve made a lifelong promise," she had said then, holding his hand with the ring on, smiling at him. Thinking back now, he hadn’t seen her smile like that for a long, long time. Thankfully, although she had taken off the wedding ring, she still kept it. When they remarry, he believed she would put it back on him. After Serena Sterling left Silas Hawthorne’s place, she went directly to Ford Entertainment. She first made one last check on the stage costumes needed for the finals, as agreed with the designer earlier. After putting it on, Serena Sterling donned the corresponding mask. Looking at herself in the mirror, she was very satisfied. The designer also nodded. "Move around a bit and see if there are any problems at the joints," the designer said. Serena Sterling danced a prepared piece, and the joints were very flexible. Both were very satisfied. "Great, I’m looking forward to seeing you on stage in this outfit in a few days," the designer said expectantly, looking at Serena Sterling. Serena Sterling also nodded, indicating her anticipation. "But Irene, there’s a huge backlash against you online now, is everything really okay?" the designer asked worriedly. Serena Sterling patted the other’s arm, reassuring them. Chapters first released on novelFirｅ.net "I will handle it," Serena Sterling said. The finals will also be the time to reveal the truth, and by then, no one will doubt her. After confirming the costumes, Serena Sterling rested for a while before heading to the rehearsal of "Heavenly Sound" that afternoon. To ensure the live broadcast effect, every show had rehearsals, but before the first one, Serena Sterling was still bedridden and unable to attend that time. Later, Jasper Ford even used her medical records to ask for leave, only changing the dates, making it appear she was ill 10 days earlier. This was also why Vera Hansen suspected that Irene was Jasper Ford’s kept woman. Previously, everyone did their tasks to confirm their stage effects during rehearsals, but this time, something had changed. While waiting backstage, one of the contestants, Beatrice Sawyer, walked over. Beatrice Sawyer sat on Serena Sterling’s dressing table, looking down at her. "Irene, I didn’t expect you’d dare to come," Beatrice Sawyer said with a laugh. Serena Sterling, wearing a simple mask, only glanced at Beatrice Sawyer. "Why wouldn’t I?" Serena Sterling replied. "Have you not been online these days?" Beatrice Sawyer laughed exaggeratedly, "Haven’t you seen what’s being said about you online?" "What are they saying?" Serena Sterling wanted to know what Beatrice Sawyer was thinking. Everything had gone smoothly with previous live broadcasts; now she wanted to give her a hard time? Beatrice Sawyer didn’t say directly but took her tablet, pulled up a page, and handed it to Serena Sterling. Serena Sterling glanced at it, and it was filled with negative news about Irene— #IreneGetOutOfTheMusicIndustry# #WhyWon’tDisgracedArtistIreneWithdraw, What’sHerBackground# #IfIreneDoesn’tWithdraw, RefuseToWatchHeavenlySound# Serena Sterling just glanced at it and looked away. She continued to check her equipment. "Saw it?" Beatrice Sawyer asked with a smile. "Yeah," Serena Sterling replied. "If I were you, I’d withdraw from the competition meekly," Beatrice Sawyer mocked, "Save the trouble for the production team." Serena Sterling paused her actions momentarily, scrutinizing Beatrice Sawyer’s expression. She asked, "So, are you here to warn me to save the production team?" "Yes," Beatrice Sawyer said righteously. Serena Sterling laughed. "That’s quite a façade," Serena Sterling directly exposed her. The contestants who came were all backed by agencies. The news that the program was kept was known to all agencies. So Beatrice Sawyer must know too. Isn’t it laughable to come and say these things now? Beatrice Sawyer was the runner-up last time. The votes between her and Irene widened significantly; if Irene withdrew, Beatrice Sawyer could likely win. After all, the semifinals had already selected the top three; although eliminated singers were invited to add richness to the show, it’s mainly about the three of them. Exclude Irene, and the chances are fifty-fifty between the remaining two. "We’re all in this circle, let’s be candid," Serena Sterling spoke directly. Beatrice Sawyer didn’t say anything, just subconsciously glanced towards the audience. Following her gaze, Serena Sterling saw Silas Hawthorne sitting in the audience, with a program staff member liaising with him.