CHAPTER 266: CHAPTER 266 THE DINNER GUEST

Serena’s POV

I checked the time nervously, smoothing down my navy silk dress as I entered The Pierre’s elegant restaurant. The maître d’ guided me to a quiet corner table where Cedric was already waiting, his familiar smile widening as he spotted me.

"Serena," he said, standing to greet me with a warm embrace. His eyes traveled appreciatively over my appearance. "It’s been far too long."

I smiled, feeling a strange mix of nostalgia and awkwardness. "Indeed it has. I don’t think I even saw you during my last London trip."

Something flickered in his expression. "Your birthday celebration, yes." He lowered his gaze briefly. "I was actually there, but..."

I remembered then—the night Ryan had surprised everyone with his dramatic proposal. The night that had changed everything.

"I heard about your daughter," Cedric continued, his voice softening. "I’ve been meaning to visit sooner, but work’s been relentless. You don’t hold it against me, do you?"

"Don’t be ridiculous," I waved dismissively. "If anything, I should be thanking you properly for that surveillance footage. It changed everything."

Cedric nodded, his expression turning serious. "Was it really Olivia behind it all? I could hardly believe it when I heard."

"Yes," I sighed, feeling that familiar ache of betrayal. "Given our history, I didn’t push for the harshest penalties, but she’ll face legal consequences regardless."

"It must be difficult," he said gently. "You truly considered her a friend."

"I still don’t understand her motives," I admitted, shaking my head. "But let’s not dwell on unpleasantness."

Cedric brightened. "You’re right. Actually, I brought a few things." He gestured to his assistant, who approached with several elegantly wrapped packages. "Just some small tokens."

My eyes widened as gift after gift appeared on our table—luxury wellness products for me, designer toys for Vivian, and more. "Cedric, this is too much! Your visit alone is gift enough."

His expression grew earnest, almost desperate. "Serena, you disappeared for three years. After everything—" He paused, a hint of jealousy coloring his tone. "Don’t tell me marriage has made you forget old friends?"

"Of course not!" I protested, laughing. "You’ve always been there for me since university. How could I forget you?"

His smile returned, relief evident. "Well then, as your just-arrived British friend, don’t I deserve a proper welcome dinner?"

"Absolutely," I agreed. "Anywhere specific you’d like to go?"

"I trust your judgment completely."

I was about to suggest my favorite bistro when I felt a familiar presence. Looking up, I saw Ryan approaching our table, his expression carefully controlled but his eyes scanning Cedric like a threat assessment.

"Sorry I’m late," Ryan said, his voice deceptively casual as he slid into the seat beside me, his hand immediately finding mine on the table. "Traffic was brutal."

I squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Ryan, this is Cedric Lancaster, my friend from university I mentioned. Cedric, my husband, Ryan Blackwood."

The two men sized each other up like circling wolves, their handshake lasting a beat too long.

"Pleasure," Ryan said, his tone suggesting it was anything but.

Cedric’s smile remained fixed. "Likewise. Serena and I were just catching up on old times."

"Were you?" Ryan’s thumb stroked the back of my hand possessively. "I’d love to hear these stories."

Cedric’s eyes flickered to our joined hands. "Well, Serena and I go way back. Practically childhood friends, really. We’ve known each other since prep school before university."

I frowned slightly. That was stretching the truth—we’d met at a summer program before university, hardly childhood friends.

"Is that so?" Ryan’s eyebrow arched perfectly. "Interesting how Serena’s never mentioned that particular detail."

"Well, a woman’s entitled to her secrets, isn’t she?" Cedric replied smoothly.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Was this really happening?

"So, Mr. Lancaster," Ryan continued, his voice dangerously polite, "what brings you all the way to New York? Business or... pleasure?"

"Purely personal," Cedric answered, looking directly at me. "When I heard Serena had resurfaced after all this time, I had to see for myself."

Ryan’s hand tightened almost imperceptibly around mine. "How considerate. And how long do you plan to stay?"

"Open-ended, actually," Cedric replied. "I might have some business opportunities developing here."

The waiter arrived with menus, providing a brief respite from the testosterone-laden atmosphere.

"I hear congratulations are in order," Cedric said after we ordered. "Though I understand you two haven’t actually had a proper wedding ceremony yet? Second time’s the charm, I suppose?"

I nearly choked on my water. Ryan’s jaw tightened, but his expression remained coolly composed.

"Actually," Ryan replied, his voice like silk over steel, "we’re planning an intimate ceremony this winter. Just family and close friends." The emphasis on ’close’ was subtle but unmistakable.

Cedric’s smile faltered slightly. "How lovely. I do hope my invitation isn’t lost in the mail."

"Depends on how long you stay in New York," Ryan countered. "We wouldn’t want to inconvenience you with transatlantic travel for something so... intimate."

I cleared my throat loudly. "The sea bass here is exceptional. Cedric, you should try it."

Neither man seemed to hear me.

"I’ve always made time for Serena’s important moments," Cedric said, his eyes challenging. "Even when others didn’t."

Ryan’s expression darkened. "Is that right? And yet, where were you during those three years she was missing?"

"Remember that weekend in Brighton?" Cedric asked, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "After finals?"

I frowned slightly. "That was a group trip with at least eight people, Cedric."

"But we ended up watching the sunrise together on the beach," he pressed.

"Because everyone else was too hungover," I clarified, feeling Ryan stiffen beside me.

"Still magical though, wasn’t it?" Cedric persisted.

Ryan set down his wine glass with deliberate care. "Serena and I watched the sunrise in Santorini last month. Just the two of us. Magical doesn’t begin to describe it."

I bit back a sigh. This dinner was turning into a ridiculous competition, and I was apparently the prize.

When dessert arrived, Cedric leaned forward conspiratorially. "So Serena, I hear you had quite the dramatic reconciliation with Ryan. After the divorce and everything."

The temperature at our table seemed to drop ten degrees.

"I’m not sure that’s appropriate dinner conversation," I said carefully.

"Just curious," Cedric continued blithely. "I heard something about a previous girlfriend?"

The words hung in the air like a grenade with its pin pulled. Ryan’s entire body tensed beside me, and I felt a flash of genuine anger at Cedric for deliberately bringing up Sophie.

"Cedric," I said firmly, "that’s enough."

Ryan’s hand covered mine.

"Mr. Lancaster," he said, voice dangerously soft, "while I appreciate your concern for Serena’s happiness, our relationship—past and present—is not up for discussion. Especially with someone who’s been absent from her life for years, only to reappear the moment she’s in the spotlight again."

Cedric’s face flushed. "I’ve always cared about Serena’s welfare—"

"As evidenced by your extensive search efforts when she disappeared?" Ryan cut in smoothly.

"Ryan," I murmured in warning, though part of me was secretly impressed by his restraint.

Cedric rallied quickly. "At least I never broke her heart."

I’d had enough. "Stop it, both of you." I set my napkin on the table and stood. "I need some air."