Chapter 108

Serena’s POV
I watched with satisfaction as panic flickered across Ivy’s face.
Perfect.
“What’s this nonsense about an ex-husband?” I leaned forward, tapping my manicured nails against the desk. “Another actor you hired from some second-rate talent agency?”
I laughed, not even trying to hide my contempt. “All these pathetic schemes only prove how desperate and incapable you both are.”
Ivy’s face contorted with rage. Her body actually trembled as she stood there, completely blindsided.
I know she’d walked in here expecting to shatter my confidence, but instead found herself cornered and exposed.
“You! You bitch!” she shrieked, her voice cracking with fury.
The jealousy and hatred in her eyes exploded into something dangerous. Before I could react, she lunged across my desk, hands outstretched like claws aiming for my face.
I jerked backward, my chair rolling awkwardly against the wall. If I hadn’t been pregnant, I’d have taught this psychopath a proper lesson. My hand instinctively covered my stomach, protecting my baby.
“STOP RIGHT THERE!”
Julian burst through my office door, grabbing Ivy’s wrist mid-lunge and yanking her away from me. I hadn’t even heard him arrive.
“Do you know where you are?” His voice was ice cold as he dragged her up by her arm. “You dare try to attack Serena?”
He threw her aside like she was nothing more than trash, then immediately pulled out his phone to call the police.
“What are you doing? You can’t call the police!” Ivy shrieked, flailing wildly as she tried to grab his phone.
Julian shoved her away again, his expression disgusted. “Stay away from me. You’re filthy.”
The commotion had drawn attention. My office door burst open again as Maya charged in like a protective mother hen, instantly positioning herself between me and Ivy.
“Ivy Hart, you green-tea bitch!” Maya spat. “You actually came here to physically assault someone? Have you lost your mind? Serena, are you okay?”
I shook my head calmly, my face betraying none of the adrenaline pumping through my veins. “Since the police have been called, let them handle it.”
“Don’t worry,” Maya said, glaring at Ivy. “I’ve already sent someone to pull the security footage. We’ll get the best lawyers too. Enjoy prison, honey.”
Ivy’s face drained of color. The reality of her situation was finally sinking in.
“Stop trying to scare me!” She backed against the wall, suddenly defensive. “I never actually hit her! But you—” she jabbed a finger toward Julian, “you manhandled me! I’m going to sue you for harassment!”
She was like a rabid dog, biting at anything within reach. Julian didn’t even dignify her accusations with a response. He just positioned himself protectively in front of me, creating a human barrier between Ivy and myself.
The police arrived within fifteen minutes. Julian explained the situation calmly, handing over a copy of the security footage.
Ivy tried repeatedly to interrupt, but Maya kept nudging her aside.
“Officer,” Maya said with convincing concern, “this woman impersonated a major client to gain access to our premises. I’m worried she might have concealed weapons on her. She seems mentally unstable.”
Between Maya’s persuasive words and the clear security footage, the officers looked increasingly stern.
“Ma’am, do you have any dangerous items or prohibited weapons on your person?” one officer asked Ivy, his expression dead serious.
That sent Ivy into a total meltdown.
“What dangerous items? What weapons? I just came to deliver a message! I got angry, but I didn’t hurt anyone! You can’t arrest me for that!”
“Ma’am, please watch your tone and cooperate with our investigation,” the officer warned.
His partner nodded. “Take her in.”
Ivy struggled briefly against the officers, earning herself even more suspicious looks.
“Serena, you sneaky bitch! You’ll regret this!” she screamed as they escorted her out.
I stood behind Maya, watching her with cool detachment. Her threats meant nothing to me.
After they took her away, I returned to my desk as if nothing unusual had happened and continued working on my designs. Maya stayed close, hovering anxiously.
“Are you really okay?” she whispered, rubbing my shoulder. “Don’t believe anything those sisters say. They’re clearly just trying to upset you.”
I nodded, my pen moving steadily across the page. “I know. You heard what I said to her while watching the security footage, right?”
“Sophie’s making such a spectacle of herself that eventually Julian will be the one to send her packing.”
Maya let out an impressed whistle. “Damn, Serena! You’re so clear-headed now!” She paused, looking thoughtful. “But why not just tell Ryan directly about these sisters and their true colors?”
I stopped sketching for a moment, carefully considering my answer.
“Sophie will always be someone special from Ryan’s past,” I finally said, looking up at Maya. “If he’s going to truly see who she really is, he needs to discover it for himself.”
I absently stroked my growing belly, feeling my babies kick in response.
“I don’t want him choosing me just because of our children. If he loves me, I want his whole heart. Not a single piece left for anyone else.”