Chapter 417: Chapter 417: What’s Your Ex-Husband’s Name?
Everyone stared in awe at the unfolding scene, watching as Serena Sterling walked towards them step by step.
Gasp.
The crowd gasped,
Oh...oh my, who exactly is this Serena Sterling? Look at her name badge, Prof. Sterling — is she... could she be... the legendary first person to decode the toxin strain, X!
X, turns out X is the shortened alias for Sterling!
X is Serena Sterling, Serena Sterling is X!
Oh my, save us, my legs are weak. X became famous five years ago. How old was Serena Sterling back then, 15? 16?
Now, Serena Sterling is only about 20 years old, and she’s already a professor, a medical professor!
Word is that Academician Qiu is retiring soon, so Serena Sterling is set to be the successor at the research center!
The most shocked of all were Old Man Knight and Pearl Nightingale. Old Man Knight’s pupils contracted dramatically, unwilling to believe the scene before him: Serena Sterling possesses an astonishing identity; she’s the legendary figure in the medical world, the formidable X.
Old Man Knight looked at Serena Sterling at this moment, as she led a group of people striding powerfully forward, cold wind fluttering her white coat hem, creating an extraordinary dazzling arc in the air. At this moment, Serena Sterling perfectly overlapped with the unparalleled beauty in his memory, Seraphina Linden.
It turns out Seraphina Linden’s daughter perfectly inherited her medical genius, born to be a favored child of the heavens!
Old Mrs. Rathborne’s eyes gleamed as she looked at Serena Sterling; her life was saved by Serena Sterling. She certainly knew how brilliant this girl was, nodding with a sense of pride and honor.
Julian Rathborne stood behind Old Mrs. Rathborne, gazing thoughtfully at Serena Sterling’s bright and clear eyes.
Zelda Willow was shocked, mouth agape. No, this couldn’t be Serena Sterling. She reached out to tug Jude Crawford beside her, whispering, "Jude, did you always know Serena Sterling was X?"
Jude Crawford glanced at Zelda Willow, "I didn’t know earlier or later, but just now found out."
Having said that, Jude Crawford looked at Julian Rathborne. In truth, everything was his guess. He guessed Serena Sterling might be Julian Rathborne’s biological daughter. If this is true, then Serena Sterling’s excellence is no surprise, as she inherited the strong and perfect genes of Seraphina Linden and Julian Rathborne.
Indeed, back then, Seraphina Linden felt she had played enough, wanted to be a mom, wanted a daughter, and her choice was correct.
Jude Crawford looked again at Serena Sterling. Back then, Seraphina Linden ruled Aethelgard, but her nature was carefree, failing to understand human hearts, raising tigers to her detriment. Her daughter, Serena Sterling, is thoughtful, brilliantly intuitive, better understanding people’s minds and strategies. This daughter has surpassed her predecessor.
She is more excellent than her mom.
At this moment, Serena Sterling walked over, her bright eyes softly scanning the room, then walked to the door for a retinal scan. "Ding," the large door opened inside.
Serena Sterling smiled, "Everyone, please."
Julian Rathborne graciously pushed Old Mrs. Rathborne inside, followed by Jude Crawford and Zelda Willow, then Old Man Knight and Pearl Nightingale, and finally Hayden Crawford approached.
Hayden Crawford stood before Serena Sterling, his deep and narrow eyes fixed on her face, dark and heavy, "Are you... Prof. Sterling?"
His gaze swept over the badge hanging from her chest.
Serena Sterling nodded calmly, "You can call me that."
"Besides that, is there anything else you want to tell me?" Hayden Crawford’s tone shifted.
"What?" Serena Sterling didn’t understand his meaning.
Hayden Crawford casually slipped a hand into his pocket, his gaze sharp like an eagle, seemingly intent on piercing through her, "You mentioned being married once before; why can’t I find any information on your ex-husband?"
Serena Sterling’s heart skipped a beat, her eyes flickered—he actually investigated her!
Given Hayden Crawford’s meticulous and suspicious nature, the inability to find her ex-husband was enough to arouse many doubts.
At this moment, Hayden Crawford advanced a step, his tall and handsome figure casting a silhouette over her. As their bodies drew close, the clean and brisk masculine scent enveloped her with a powerful, oppressive aura, cornering her, "I’m giving you one chance. Tell me, what’s your ex-husband’s name?"
Serena Sterling’s heart panicked; she didn’t know if he had found any clues. She could only lift her small face and look at him, "I... I won’t tell you!"
Hayden Crawford pressed his thin lips together upon hearing this; he’d always felt this girl was particularly unreliable, never uttering a real word to him.
Hayden Crawford advanced another step, this time pinning Serena Sterling’s slender body to the wall. Their bodies were tightly pressed together, separated only by thin fabric.
Serena Sterling’s small face flushed instantly, her hands pressing against his strong chest trying to push him away, "What are you doing? Hayden Crawford, you can’t act recklessly. This... is my territory, and believe me, I’ll have you thrown out!"
Serena Sterling did not yield in momentum; her bright eyes looked at him challengingly. Indeed, this was her territory, yet he dared to intimidate here!
Hayden Crawford slowly arched a corner of his thin lips. He extended his slender fingers, rudely poking her chest badge, "Alright then, why act like Prof. Sterling in front of me? Do your subordinates know that their Prof. Sterling is actually a perverse abuser, who forcibly took advantage of me?"
"..."
Serena Sterling’s pupils contracted; why did he keep bringing up past events? A dignified president of The Crawford Group being taken by a woman should be very humiliating, yet he wasn’t ashamed. On the contrary, he seemed proud, mentioning it repeatedly!
"Hayden Crawford, you’re shameless. I... I did force you once, but... but who pushed me down afterwards..." Serena Sterling’s face flared up like a cooked shrimp, unwilling to say more.
Hayden Crawford’s eyes suddenly darkened. That night, after someone was satisfied, she intended to escape. But he pulled her back.
In terms of the number of requests, she indeed was the victim.
Hayden Crawford’s gaze fell on her, assessing her white coat. His malicious and wicked look, tongue pressing against his cheek, he tugged at her coat collar, his voice deep and roguishly laughed, "You look quite good in this outfit."
"..."
Serena Sterling was sure his words weren’t a compliment, his mind filled with... improper thoughts.
Her long lashes fluttered. Serena Sterling felt she could never look at her white coat the same way again; it was over, she’d been sullied.
Serena Sterling attempted to push him away vigorously, but this time Hayden Crawford let go first and walked in.