On the same day, the actual leaders of two major giants in Aeston, one was the top scumbag, and the other was extremely gentle, immediately sparked a discussion. The comment with the most likes was — "Julian Lawson, learn from First Young Master Hawthorne!" Julian Lawson’s reputation completely collapsed, and it was rumored that the Frelia consortium also intended to tear up the agreement. All of a sudden, public opinion fermented even more intensely. Numerous stockholders had already queued overnight, just waiting to quickly get out the next day. Everything seemed impossible to reverse. However, there were undercurrents surging through the entire city. Silas Hawthorne sent Serena and Seraphina to the welfare institute before sending Serena home. Although he really wanted to walk her upstairs, he restrained himself in the end. He was still in the pursuit phase, she had not agreed yet, and it was not appropriate to go upstairs before confirming their relationship. Thinking about this, he gently smiled and said, "Then, let’s follow the plan we discussed before. For the rest, we can contact tomorrow." Serena nodded, waved to him after getting out of the car. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✦𝓷𝓮𝓽 They had already understood each other clearly before in the secret chamber at the Hawthorne Group. They had also discussed this before while playing with the cat at the Hawthorne house. As soon as the market opened the next day, Lawson’s stock price was bound to plummet. Then, there would only be two possible outcomes. First, a decline, and Lawson’s market value would evaporate. Second, they would try to salvage it, and in the meantime, many people would be tempted to move. Perhaps some people would have foolish ideas. Our country is different from overseas; the regulation is very strict. Many things must follow some basic rules. Otherwise, the consequences would be disastrous. "Sweet dreams," Silas Hawthorne said with a smile, "I’ll watch you go upstairs." Serena nodded and then walked into the elevator. As the numbers on the elevator panel climbed, Serena felt inexplicably emotional. When the elevator reached her floor, Serena opened the door and entered her home, then went to the balcony and saw the Bentley parked downstairs. He stood by the car, looking in her direction. "I’m home," Serena messaged him. "Yes, I see," he replied with a voice message, smiling. Then, neither of them sent more messages; they just looked at each other, one on the balcony upstairs, the other downstairs. Finally, he said, "Go back inside, the wind on the balcony is strong." Only after watching her go back inside, did he drive away. Standing at home, Serena thought about it and peeked out again, seeing that Silas Hawthorne’s car had already left. Before, she always waited for Julian Lawson to come home. Often waiting until very late. It was truly a peculiar feeling. Thinking about it, Serena washed her face at the sink, calming down a little. She changed into slippers and sat on the sofa, thought for a moment, and called Jasper Ford. Before long, Jasper Ford answered. These past two days, he had been busy dealing with the internal conflicts of the Ford Group. Since Irene had been revealed to be Serena, Serena’s championship win, and the massive success of "Heavenly Sound," Jasper Ford’s value kept rising, but the main and second branches couldn’t sit still, persistently causing him trouble. "Serena," Jasper Ford finally took a break, slumping on the sofa. "Jasper, did you see today’s news?" Serena turned on the TV and asked Jasper Ford. "It makes me so angry just talking about it!" Jasper Ford said irritably, "Julian Lawson, seriously. I’ve never seen such a shameless guy. He’s so protective of Vera Hansen, why doesn’t he just tattoo ’Vera Hansen’ on his forehead!" Serena felt a slight warmth in her heart. Even though Jasper Ford was often irritable and sometimes thought with his behind instead of his head, he was indeed a very kind person. Always firmly standing by his friends’ sides. Listening to him scold a little cheered her up quite a bit. After hearing Jasper Ford curse a few more times, Serena began talking about serious matters. "Jasper, I need your help with something," Serena started. "Tell me," Jasper Ford responded immediately. Serena carefully said to Jasper Ford, "Tomorrow, I want you to pay more attention to the Ford Family, especially the financial movements of your second brother." "Why pay attention to that?" Jasper Ford was a bit puzzled, "Usually, Alexander Ford spends money on many scattered things, various investments too, which he doesn’t even try to hide." Thinking about her plan, Serena replied, "Actually, I’m not sure, it’s just an option, not something suitable to talk about over the phone." "Alright, I’ll keep an eye on it. Trust me with this," Jasper Ford sat up straight; he knew Serena was not someone who acted without reason. Jasper Ford snickered sinisterly, recently Alexander Ford had set many traps for him, and it was time for him to fight back. "Alexander Ford, you better not do anything stupid, or else, hehehe..." After hanging up the phone, Serena thought for a bit, listed out, and organized her thoughts before going to wash up and sleep. This night was destined to be a sleepless night for many people. Various factions had their agendas; the three major giants of Aeston, secondary forces, and small factions were actively meeting, discussing with each other. Julian Lawson was also handling affairs on all sides, finally firming up all connections and collaborations further. And prepared contingencies for everything after the market opens. This way, even if the stock price plummeted when the market opened, as long as partners didn’t abandon en masse, no exorbitant divorce cases arose, and there were no quality issues with products, it would eventually recover. The problem, fundamentally, was just his personal gossip. The Lawson Corporation had indisputable technical support, that was beyond doubt. In the dim light of dawn, he looked at the sky outside the large office windows, rubbing his weary brow. How long had it been since he felt this exhausted? Before, with her by his side, he seemed to have endless motivation, able to believe everything would eventually improve. Now, although he could still deal with relevant matters, he felt physically and mentally drained. She wasn’t there by his side, nor was there the fragrant tea she brewed for him. Julian Lawson closed his eyes, his right hand clenched at his side. When all this was over, she would come back, everything would come back. The sky gradually brightened, and a new day began. Today, the stock market had everyone’s attention. Serena had already sent Seraphina to the kindergarten earlier, and now she opened her computer, observing the relevant screen. Jasper Ford discreetly contacted his covert personnel, whispering here and there, then started the targeted dissemination. Silas Hawthorne sat in his study, brewed a pot of tea, and quietly waited for the market to open. Julian Lawson sat in the massive CEO office, expression calm. Vera Hansen was in Vivian’s Floral Studio, applying makeup that looked frail but especially beautiful. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, nodding slightly. Everyone was already in position. In a flash, whether in entertainment or financial headlines, they were unanimously occupied by the same trending topic — #Today’s market opening, Lawson Group’s market value evaporated by billions#