Chapter 56

Serena’s POV
“I don’t need your protection,” I told Ryan firmly, standing my ground beside his car. “I can take care of myself.”
His jaw tightened visibly. “Kane isn’t someone to underestimate, Serena.”
“Neither am I,” I replied, my voice steady despite the flicker of concern his warning had ignited.”Besides… the thought of living with you again makes me sick.”
Ryan’s eyes narrowed. A shadow passed over his face—surprise, frustration, and something else he kept carefully hidden.
“You… really feel that way?”
I steeled myself and nodded, forcing the words past the lump in my throat.
“Don’t come bothering me again, Ryan.”
Turning away, I walked off without looking back.
I heard him sigh heavily before the window rolled up and his car pulled away.
Part of me wondered if I was being stubborn for stubbornness’ sake, but returning to the villa would’ve sent the wrong message. To both of us.
***
The next few days flew by in a whirlwind of preparations. I threw myself completely into mentoring Julian and Celeste for the luxury showcase.
“No, the clasp needs to be more delicate,” I instructed Celeste, who was hunched over her workstation, squinting at the intricate golden piece. “Remember, when the wearer puts this on, it should feel effortless.”
Celeste nodded, her fingers already working to adjust the mechanism. Her talent was undeniable, but her perfectionism sometimes made her overthink the practical aspects.
Julian was working nearby on his centerpiece–a necklace inspired by ancient celestial maps.The stones caught the light perfectly, creating an illusion of stars twinkling against dark metal.
“That’s gorgeous,” I admitted, leaning in for a closer look.
Julian smiled, pleased with the praise. “I think we’re ready.”
“Almost,” I corrected him. “Let’s review the presentation concepts again. The story you tell is just as important as the piece itself.”
We worked late into the night, refining every detail. By the time I left, confidence had replaced my earlier anxiety. Dreamland Studio was going to make an impression no one would forget.
***
Ivy’s POV
Meanwhile, in another part of the city…
I gripped my phone tightly as Kane’s name flashed across the screen. Taking a deep breath, I answered with the sweetest voice I could manage.
“Kane? Is everything alright?”
His tone was sharp, clearly unhappy with the struggling Chicago operations he’d taken over.
Not surprising–those subsidiaries were financial disasters that would take months to turn around, if they could be saved at all.
“Kane, is there anything I can help with?” I asked carefully, trying not to trigger his infamous temper.
“The luxury jewelry showcase in the New York. You’ll attend. I’ve already secured a spot for you.”
My heart sank. My reputation was already in tatters after the gala incident. Competing would only invite more humiliation.
“You don’t sound pleased,” Kane noted coldly.
“No, no! I’m thrilled,” I rushed to assure him. “I’m just wondering… what exactly would you like me to do there?”
Kane made a disgusted sound. “Ivy, is your brain completely waterlogged? Can’t you think for yourself? Do I need to spoon-feed you every single instruction?”
I forced a light laugh, trying to appease him. “I just want to make sure I don’t mess up your plans. Maybe a little hint?”
After a pause, Kane’s voice lowered.”Ryan seems quite attached to that Serena woman. Her Dreamland Studio will be participating.I don’t expect you to beat her professionally–we both know you’re not capable of that–but surely you can find some way to humiliate her.”
My mind immediately started churning with possibilities. Serena Quinn was my sworn enemy. Making her miserable would be my pleasure.
“Consider it done,” I promised eagerly.
Kane seemed satisfied with my enthusiasm, gave a few more instructions, then abruptly ended the call.
I pulled out my old design portfolios, making hasty modifications to prepare something. As I worked, a particularly devious idea began taking shape.
By the time I finished, I was smiling to myself. Serena wouldn’t know what hit her.
***
Serena’s POV
The day of the luxury jewelry showcase arrived with all the fanfare such prestigious events command.
The venue buzzed with excitement as cameras were set up for the live broadcast that would stream to millions of fashion enthusiasts around the world.
Each designer would present their work on stage, explaining their inspiration and creative process.
Celeste was the first Dreamland representative to go on stage. Her theme, “Childhood Bonds,” resonated deeply with the audience as she shared a touching story about friendship from her youth.
The live stream’s comment section flooded with supportive messages. She’d built quite a following recently – quite impressive for an emerging designer.
Julian’s presentation was scheduled midway through the event. By then, the audience had grown somewhat restless, but the moment his handsome face appeared on stage, the live stream chat exploded with excitement.
His striking looks certainly gave him advantages in this industry. But when he announced his theme – “Confession” – the excitement reached fever pitch.
Julian took the microphone with easy confidence.
“My inspiration came from an unexpected source. I met a mysterious designer online whose work radiated a yearning for life’s beautiful moments. I imagined her as someone inherently positive and bright. Later, when I learned more about her, I discovered her life hadn’t always been filled with happiness.”
I sat frozen in my seat. An uneasy feeling crept up my spine as his words hit uncomfortably close to home.
Julian continued, his voice growing warmer. “When I returned to this country and finally met her in person, she reminded me of a pine tree – resilient, unyielding, refusing to surrender no matter the circumstances.”
“She’s led Dreamland Studio to new heights and is undoubtedly one of the most influential designers of our generation.”
The live stream was going wild, my name repeatedly flashing across the comments.
That ridiculous “Julian-Serena” shipping trend from a few weeks ago was suddenly roaring back to life, with fans claiming this as proof of our romance.
I realized with horror that cameras were now turning toward me, capturing every expression. I maintained a calm smile, though my heart was racing. What was Julian doing?
He smiled directly at me, his eyes sparkling under the stage lights. “I think everyone has guessed who I’m talking about. I want to tell her something—”
He paused dramatically, and I noticed a slight tremor in his hand.
“Serena Quinn, you are the most extraordinary woman in the world, and you deserve the best man. And I believe I qualify as a good man.”
The audience gasped collectively. The live stream comments went absolutely berserk:
“SCREAMING!!! IS THIS REAL??”
“This IS love! Julian is so elegantly romantic!”
“I’m dying! This ship is sailing
I maintained my composed expression, but internally I was in complete turmoil. Julian harbored feelings for me? How had I missed all the signs?