Chapter 296

Author’s POV
The morning light filtered through the curtains as Serena reviewed the final details for her board meeting presentation. She’d been up since dawn, determined to leave nothing to chance. A soft knock at the door interrupted her concentration.
“Ms. Quinn? There’s someone here to see you,” the hotel suite’s security guard announced through the intercom.
Serena glanced at Ryan, who was on a call in the adjoining room. They weren’t expecting visitors. With a cautious frown, she moved to the security monitor.
Jax Holloway stood in the hallway, his expensive suit impeccable, his silver hair perfectly coiffed. The predatory smile on his face sent a chill down her spine.
“Let him in,” she instructed, squaring her shoulders. “But stay close.”
As Jax Holloway entered, Serena remained seated on the sofa, deliberately making him come to her. Her posture was regal, controlled—the complete opposite of the nervous bride who had once cowered at fancy dinner parties.
“Mr. Holloway, what an unexpected surprise,” she said coolly, not bothering to rise.
Holloway’s smile didn’t reach his eyes as he took in the suite, no doubt calculating its cost. “I heard Serena has taken over the company. I came personally to offer my… congratulations.”
“Oh?” Serena arched an eyebrow, her expression neutral despite the anger bubbling beneath her surface. She’d been waiting for this confrontation.
“With Ethan and Liam both hospitalized, I’m concerned about Quinn Enterprises’ future.” Holloway settled uninvited into the armchair across from her. “A woman with your… limited experience might find the burden overwhelming.”
His condescension hung in the air between them. Serena studied him, noting the calculating gleam in his eyes.
“Whether I’m capable or not isn’t for you to determine,” Serena replied, her voice sharp as steel. “Or are you just unable to contain your excitement now that my father and brother are conveniently hospitalized?”
Holloway’s expression flickered momentarily before smoothing over. “I’m not sure what you’re implying. I merely came to express concern for the company we all value.”
“You certainly moved quickly for someone who’s merely concerned,” Serena noted. “Almost as if you were… waiting for an opportunity.”
She reached for the folder on the coffee table, deliberately letting him glimpse the Lancaster Enterprises logo on the documents inside. “Fortunately, I’ve already secured the partnership with the Lancaster family. The board will be pleased to hear the news at today’s meeting.”
The momentary widening of Holloway’s eyes confirmed what she suspected—he’d been planning to use his connections to snatch that deal himself, presenting her failure to the board as evidence of her incompetence.
“Serena,” he dropped all pretense of formality, “you might want to reconsider your position. That chair you’re so eager to sit in comes with targets on your back that you can’t possibly be prepared for.”
She leaned forward, eyes blazing. “Mr. Holloway, let’s be clear. I know exactly who arranged my brother’s accident.”
“Those are serious accusations,” he recovered quickly. “Especially from someone who has no evidence to support them. Ethan’s accident was unfortunate, but I had nothing to do with it. Yes, I was supposed to meet him that day, but whether he chose to attend that meeting was entirely his decision.”
He was too smooth, too rehearsed. Serena could tell he’d practiced this denial many times.
“Besides,” he continued with a dismissive wave, “what would I possibly gain from such an act?”
“A clear path to the CEO position you’ve coveted for years?” Serena suggested, her voice deceptively light. “Mr. Holloway, innocent people don’t typically offer unprompted alibis.”
Holloway’s jaw tightened. He hadn’t expected her to be so direct, so unafraid. He’d come to intimidate a grieving daughter temporarily playing businesswoman, not a formidable opponent who’d already outmaneuvered him.
“If we’re done here,” Serena said, rising to her feet, “I have a company to run. Unlike some people in this room, my agenda doesn’t include wasting time with thinly veiled threats.”
The dismissal was unmistakable. Holloway stood slowly, his expression darkening. “You’re making a mistake, Serena. That chair isn’t as secure as you think. It’s not just about ability—it’s about knowing which battles to fight and which enemies to avoid.”
“Is that a threat, Mr. Holloway?” Ryan’s voice cut through the tension as he emerged from the adjacent room, his call apparently concluded.
Holloway stiffened, clearly not having realized Ryan was present. The power dynamic in the room shifted instantly.
“Not at all,” Holloway replied, his smile brittle. “Just friendly advice between colleagues.”
Ryan moved to stand beside Serena, his hand resting possessively at the small of her back. “Then allow me to offer some friendly advice in return. Threatening the CEO of Quinn Enterprises who happens to be my wife, is not a path I’d recommend pursuing.”
The unspoken message was clear: Serena wasn’t standing alone.
“Serena will do what’s best for Quinn Enterprises,” Holloway said, retreating toward the door. “But this position isn’t for the faint of heart. Remember that.”
After he left, Serena exhaled slowly, the tension draining from her shoulders. “Old bastard couldn’t wait to make his move.”
“He’s testing you,” Ryan said, his thumb drawing soothing circles on her lower back. “And he just discovered you’re not the easy target he expected.”
Serena nodded grimly. “He truly believes the Quinn legacy died with my father and brother’s hospitalization. As if this family has no one left capable of fighting.”
She turned to her laptop, refocusing on her presentation. Quinn Enterprises had multiple fires that needed extinguishing—from declining stock prices to damaged client relationships resulting from the rumors about Liam. Most urgent was clearing Liam’s name and discovering who was behind Edward’s machinations.
While Serena battled Holloway at Quinn Enterprises, Silas Parker was orchestrating his own moves across town. The news from his assistant was not what he had expected.
“Mr. Parker, Blackwood Group was prepared. They’ve been protecting Quinn’s international interests,” his assistant reported nervously. “Our team couldn’t penetrate their defenses. Blackwood has formed alliances with several other companies to block our advances in the international market.”
Silas slammed his fist on the desk. “That damned Ryan again! Going to such lengths to protect a woman.”
His phone rang—Edward, demanding updates. Silas grimaced before answering.
“Mr. Parker, have you forgotten our arrangement?” Edward’s voice was tight with barely controlled rage. “Why are you merely watching instead of acting? I’m offering you a third of the company once this is done!”
Silas suppressed his irritation. Were it not for the substantial compensation, he’d never tolerate being addressed this way by someone of Edward’s standing. But business was business.
“The situation has changed,” Silas explained coldly. “Serena has Ryan’s full support. We can’t touch her right now.”
“Can’t touch her?” Edward hissed. “Then eliminate her! Create another ’accident’!”
Silas’s patience thinned. He’d already risked enough with Ethan’s incident. “Forget it. Ryan is already close to connecting Ethan’s accident to me. I won’t help you with Serena.”
He hung up without waiting for Edward’s response. The risk had become too great, especially with Ryan Blackwood personally involved in the investigation. The man had resources that even Silas found intimidating.
“What about the driver, sir?” his assistant asked carefully. “Ryan’s team has been asking questions. The man hasn’t implicated us yet, but the account may be traced eventually.”
Silas frowned. “We used anonymous accounts. Ryan shouldn’t be able to connect them to us yet.” He paused, considering. “But we can’t let this drag on. Take care of it.”
The assistant understood immediately. “Right away, sir.”