The Hawthorne Group joined as an advertiser before the fourth live broadcast. Serena had heard Jasper Ford mention that the company would also participate in subsequent artist development. So, confirming ads now is quite normal. But... Serena kept thinking about what happened in the morning. Serena glanced back at Beatrice Sawyer, who had already looked away. "Is it because of the Hawthorne Group?" Serena asked. Beatrice gritted her teeth. Seeing that the other knew, she didn’t hide it. "Do you dare say you don’t want to cooperate with the Hawthorne Group?" Beatrice said. "The Hawthorne Group controls the jewelry and luxury goods industry. It greatly benefits our business. Usually, other staff come to the venue, but this time the eldest personally came to supervise. It shows how much importance they attach!" "Also," Beatrice gave Serena an odd look, "You know very well, right? Although the Hawthorne Group is just one of the top three giants in Aeston, they’re very mysterious. I should stop explaining so much anyway!" Serena smiled, noncommittal. For all of this, Serena was indeed more aware than Beatrice. Not just the Hawthorne Group. The Lawson Corporation and Ford Group all have their aces up their sleeves. Otherwise, why would they stand firm in Aeston? "I won’t withdraw from the competition," Serena said to Beatrice, knowing that a series of events had changed Beatrice’s mentality, which was understandable. "For the finals, let’s rely on our abilities." Serena said. "You!" Beatrice said angrily, trying to reach for Serena’s mask, seemingly wanting to see the face beneath it. Serena caught Beatrice’s intention first and knocked her hand away. "That’s too much." Serena warned. Beatrice’s lips stayed tightly pursed, fixedly staring at Serena. "I’m not as excessive as you." Beatrice said, "Aren’t you backed by Jasper Ford? Right now, everyone in the circle knows you’re Jasper Ford’s person!" Serena looked at Beatrice. Previously thinking she was a quite adorable person. But, she realized, she had misjudged her. Without absolute interest involvement, everyone might treat each other courteously. But once interests conflict, there will be discord. "Jasper Ford and I are just in cooperation," Serena explained calmly, regardless of whether Beatrice believed her. But Beatrice merely sneered. Obviously not convinced. "My stage matches my standing." Serena didn’t bother with Beatrice’s attitude, but she had words to clarify. "Even if you want to argue, it’s useless." Beatrice sneered, "Irene, you can’t shake off the name for donation fraud and trading for power and favor; your reputation is ruined." "You might be able to manage Jasper Ford, but the Hawthorne Family and the eyes of internet users are crystal clear." "The Hawthorne Family intervened halfway this time, focused on the show’s potential and the contestants’ abilities." "You can’t always rise through crooked means. The Hawthorne Family’s resources, I’m definitely going to seize them!" Serena looked at Beatrice compassionately. Securing second place was Beatrice’s ability. But she was blindly speaking lies. "Irene, everything’s ready here. You can come to rehearse." A staff member called. Serena took her equipment, glanced at Beatrice again. "You know perfectly well, I’ve been suppressed in the previous two rounds. Is this what you call my rising through crooked means?" Having said that, Serena went to the stage to calibrate. You can never wake a person playing dumb. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by Nov3lFɪre.ɴet If someone walks into a dead end, saying more is futile. Vera Hansen was also there. This time, though, Vera didn’t come over to speak to Serena or trouble her. This surprised Serena. Vera simply looked at her with a smug and disdainful look, glanced once, and then headed backstage. When Vera reached backstage, she saw Beatrice in a low mood. But she wasn’t concerned about Beatrice. Normally, she would’ve belittled that dead woman Irene a few times. But after the extortion incident surfaced, she dared not speak recklessly anymore. Who knew if there were hidden recording devices nearby? So what if Irene didn’t withdraw? Irene’s reputation was utterly destroyed. As long as Irene dared step on stage, she dared let Irene taste the bitterness of online bullying! A small canary like her dare challenge her! Previously, she had considered cooperating to suppress Serena, so temporarily spared her. Thinking she could always stay lucky? The entire day was busy indeed. Serena managed her schedule tightly. She needed to do so many things, indeed unable to handle everything. She knew, in a few days, after removing the mask, she would effectively start a frontal declaration of war with Julian Lawson and Vera Hansen. The words of Silas Hawthorne continually surfaced in her mind. Despite having planned countless times, would it really proceed smoothly? Serena understood the power of The Lawson Corporation better than anyone. After rehearsals, she didn’t go to greet Silas Hawthorne either. Within moments of leaving, she noticed him looking her way. Thinking a bit, the Hawthorne Group was an advertiser, so Serena nodded slightly out of politeness, then turned and left. Courtesy when appropriate, a regular greeting. Placed anywhere, no one would know he had proposed to her just hours before. Silas Hawthorne chuckled silently. Really quite distant. But it doesn’t matter, he’s not in a rush, he can take his time. Nearby staff and contestants flocked over to greet after rehearsals, each warmly. Silas Hawthorne responded calmly. Vera Hansen and Beatrice Sawyer also came to say hi. But Silas Hawthorne’s attitude didn’t change much, only when he raised his head again, he realized Serena had disappeared around the corner. Serena knew Silas Hawthorne was watching her. But she didn’t want to stay. Since she’d already temporarily declined in the morning, there was no need for vague entanglements. Thinking of relaxing herself for a while came to mind. Lately, she was too wound up. Having been overly tense from the divorce matter, now it was settled, she should unwind. Thinking this, Serena opened her phone, seeing the location set by Jasper Ford in the group for the evening. Jasper Ford: Celebrating being single, how about a night at PIH? Book a private room, we can drink and chat in the room, dance at the downstairs floor. Bianca Lynch replied immediately: Sure, sure, I’ve wanted to go for ages. Heard the guys there are high quality, but my brother never let me go! Ethan Lynch: Bianca Lynch! Bianca Lynch: Brother, we’re going with so many people, not just me alone, besides, I never said I’d call anyone, just mentioned it casually. Quinn: Yep, I wanna go too! Lastly, Jasper Ford asked: Serena, what do you think? You’re the protagonist this time. Serena nodded, thinking PIH tonight was fine, everyone wanted to go and they were all in their 20s, as long as there were no underage kids. Thus, she replied in the group: Sure, see you at PIH tonight! Meanwhile, on the other side, Julian Lawson’s phone vibrated. After a busy day, Julian Lawson checked his phone, seeing Ian Yates’ message— "Mate, divorced? Coming for drinks at PIH?"