Chapter 332

Serena’s POV
I tossed and turned all night, Ryan Blackwood’s strange call running through my mind on repeat. His offer was extraordinary—the kind most designers would kill for—but something about our interaction left me deeply unsettled.
By morning, I’d convinced myself to at least talk to Sally before making any decision. If anyone could give me an honest perspective on this LUXE situation, it would be her.
“You look like hell,” Sally greeted me when I walked into the office, pushing a cup of coffee across her desk. “Bad night?”
I sank into the chair opposite her, gratefully accepting the caffeine. “You could say that.”
After taking a long sip, I cut straight to the point. “What do you know about LUXE? And specifically about this designer they keep mentioning—Lazuli?”
Sally’s eyes lit up instantly. “Lazuli? She was a legend at my Academy.”
“So you’re familiar with her work?” I pressed.
“Familiar?” Sally laughed, spinning in her chair to pull a worn portfolio book from her shelf. “She was my absolute idol. The reason I got into jewelry design in the first place.”
She flipped open the book, revealing meticulously collected magazine clippings and photographs. “Look at this piece—the Midnight Cascade. The way she integrated those raw sapphires with the platinum weave? Nobody was doing anything remotely close to this ten years ago.”
I leaned closer, studying the designs. There was something hauntingly familiar about them—almost like déjà vu.
“And you’re sure she wasn’t just ripping off someone else’s style?” I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.
Sally looked genuinely offended. “Absolutely not. Lazuli was an innovator, not a copycat. Her work was too… personal. Too distinctive.” She shook her head firmly. “Those accusations were complete garbage, if you ask me.”
The conviction in her voice gave me pause. Sally wasn’t easily impressed, and she had impeccable taste. If Lazuli was her design hero…
“What happened to her?” I asked quietly.
Sally’s expression darkened. “Nobody really knows. She just… disappeared. Some say she was forced out by competitors. Others think she had some kind of breakdown.” She shrugged. “The design world lost a genius, that’s all I know.”
I sat back, processing this information. LUXE’s eagerness to work with me—could it be they saw something of Lazuli in my work? Was that what Ryan Blackwood meant when he said my aesthetic reminded him of someone?
“I got a call from Blackwood Enterprises yesterday,” I admitted finally. “They want to distribute Elegant Realm across North America.”
Sally nearly spit out her coffee. “Ryan Blackwood himself called you? Holy shit, Serena!”
“So you think I should accept?”
“Are you seriously asking me that?” She stared at me like I’d lost my mind. “This is the opportunity of a lifetime. Blackwood’s endorsement would put us on the map in ways we couldn’t achieve in ten years of grinding.”
She was right, and I knew it. Business was business, and my personal discomfort with Ryan Blackwood shouldn’t override what was clearly best for my brand.
After finishing with Sally, I went back to my office and picked up my phone. My finger hovered over Maya’s number for a long moment before I finally pressed call.
“Serena!” she answered immediately, hope evident in her voice. “I’m so glad to hear from you.”
“I’m calling about Mr. Blackwood’s proposal,” I said, keeping my tone strictly professional. “I’ve decided to accept his offer, with conditions.”
“Of course,” Maya said quickly. “Anything.”
“First, I only deal with you—not Mr. Blackwood. Second, no contracts will be signed until after my London studio launches successfully. And third,” I added, feeling suddenly protective of my work, “I maintain full creative control over all designs. Non-negotiable.”
I could practically hear Maya’s smile through the phone. “Those terms are completely acceptable. Mr. Blackwood will be thrilled.”
“Great,” I said, feeling oddly hollow despite securing such an incredible deal. “Send over the preliminary paperwork, and we’ll move forward.”
After ending the call, I sat staring at my computer screen, wondering why success suddenly felt so complicated.
I was reviewing the budget for our London location when Cedric burst through my office door without knocking. One look at his flushed face told me everything I needed to know—word traveled fast.
“LUXE?” he demanded, slamming both hands on my desk. “After everything I told you, you’re working with LUXE?”
I deliberately took my time closing my laptop before meeting his gaze. “I’m working with Blackwood Enterprises, which happens to have connections to LUXE. It’s a business decision, Cedric.”
“BLACKWOOD?” He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up in frustration. “We need to leave, Serena. Come back to Thailand with me—with Rancy. Today. It’s not safe here anymore.”
I stood up slowly. “Not safe? What exactly are you afraid of, Cedric?”
“You can’t know yet, Serena,” Cedric’s expression shifted, softening into concern that felt calculated rather than genuine. “I’m trying to protect you, Serena. And Rancy too.”
“By keeping me in the dark? By controlling every aspect of my life?” I shook my head. “That’s not protection, Cedric. That’s imprisonment. Sometimes I even wonder if we’re really husband and wife. You’ve never given me enough trust.”
Something flashed in his eyes—anger, perhaps, or fear—before he carefully composed his features.
“You’re right,” he said, his voice suddenly gentle. “I’ve been… overbearing. I just worry about you.”
The abrupt shift in his demeanor only raised more red flags. This wasn’t the first time Cedric had switched tactics when confrontation failed.
“Listen,” he continued, perching on the edge of my desk with practiced casualness. “I respect your decision about Blackwood and LUXE. Just… be careful around anyone connected to the Quinn and Blackwood family. Especially Ryan Blackwood—he’s a notorious playboy who abandoned his wife for his first love, only to start pursuing her again after discovering his ex-wife was heir to the Quinn family fortune.”
Thinking about Blackwood’s conversation with me, I couldn’t help but frown. “I understand. I won’t show up for this collaboration—I’ll have Sally handle the contract signing instead.”
He studied me for a long moment, clearly not believing me but choosing not to push. “Just watch your back, okay? And remember—I’m only ever looking out for your best interests.”
As I watched him leave, his parting words echoed in my head. If Cedric was truly looking out for my best interests, why did I feel increasingly like a pawn in a game I didn’t understand?