CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46 INTERESTING SEGMENT

Serena’s POV

I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down my white evening dress one last time.

Tonight was Eliza Quinn’s first jewelry showcase, and I’d be damned if I didn’t look my absolute best. Professional rivalry demanded nothing less.

When Julian picked me up, I couldn’t help but notice how striking he looked in his white suit. The matching outfits weren’t planned, but the coincidence worked perfectly.

"Well, don’t we look like salt and pepper shakers—except both salt," I joked as he helped me into his car.

"Yeah," Julian replied with that easy smile of his. "We’re going to turn heads tonight."

As we approached the entrance to the exhibition hall, Julian leaned in close. His cologne—subtle but distinctly masculine—tickled my senses.

"Take my arm," he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. "Trust me, it’ll keep the wolves at bay. Especially your ex."

I didn’t hesitate, sliding my hand through the crook of his elbow. It felt natural, like we’d been doing this for years.

"Oh, so you’re my bodyguard now?" I teased, but I was grateful for his foresight. The last thing I needed was unwanted attention or, worse, Ryan creating a scene.

The moment we entered, Eliza’s presence was impossible to miss. She wore a fire-engine red dress that screamed for attention against the more subdued colors around her.

When she spotted us, she made a beeline through the crowd, her eyes locking onto Julian with undisguised interest.

"Serena! You made it!" She air-kissed both my cheeks, her perfume almost overwhelming.

Then she turned her megawatt smile on Julian. "And who’s this handsome man you’ve brought with you?"

Julian took her extended hand with perfect politeness. "Julian Clarke. I’m one of the designers at Dreamland Studio."

"A designer! How fascinating," Eliza practically purred. "I’ve heard such wonderful things about Serena’s team."

"All well-deserved, I assure you," Julian replied smoothly.

As we made small talk, Eliza casually dropped her bombshell. "This showcase wouldn’t have been possible without Ryan’s help, you know. He’s been absolutely incredible in making all this happen so quickly."

My smile remained fixed while internally I rolled my eyes. Of course he had been. I’d expected nothing less from Ryan "I-Move-Mountains-For-Pretty-Women" Blackwood.

"That’s wonderful," I replied, my voice perfectly modulated. "Ryan has always had an eye for talent."

Julian sensed my discomfort and smoothly steered the conversation elsewhere. We excused ourselves moments later to mingle with potential clients.

As we worked the room, I felt the weight of someone’s stare.

Looking across the crowd, I locked eyes with Ryan.

His expression turned icy in an instant—as he took in the sight of Julian and me, arm in arm, looking every bit the perfect couple—even the air around seemed to drop several degrees.

I sighed internally. What right did he have to look so possessive? We were divorced, for God’s sake!

Julian, ever perceptive, noticed my discomfort and the direction of my gaze. He deliberately pulled me closer, his arm sliding around my waist.

"Your ex is heading this way," he murmured. "Stay cool."

I stiffened slightly at Julian’s touch—it was more intimate than our usual interactions—but I didn’t pull away. Ryan’s approaching figure made that impossible.

Before Ryan could reach us, Eliza tapped her champagne glass with a spoon, commanding everyone’s attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen," she announced, her voice ringing clear across the room. "We have a special treat tonight! The renowned designer Serena Quinn has honored us with her presence. Serena, would you please come up and share your thoughts on our collection?"

The spotlight swung to find me in the crowd. Shit. Every eye in the room turned expectantly toward me. Refusing would make me look petty and unprofessional. I squeezed Julian’s arm once before letting go and making my way to the stage.

"Thank you, Eliza," I said, taking the microphone with practiced ease. "Your collection shows remarkable vision and craftsmanship. The integration of traditional techniques with modern aesthetics is particularly striking."

I meant what I said—her work was genuinely impressive. Professional courtesy demanded acknowledgment of talent, regardless of personal feelings.

I was just about to gracefully exit when Eliza’s voice rang out again.

"And now, for our pièce de résistance! Serena, would you do us the honor of modeling our signature ruby necklace? And to help her, we need none other than Ryan Blackwood himself!"

Fuck. My. Life.

Ryan appeared beside me as if by magic. Before I could protest, he was standing behind me, taking the magnificent ruby necklace from Eliza’s hands.

I felt his fingers brush against my neck as he fastened the clasp, sending unwanted shivers down my spine.

"Now, Serena," Eliza continued, her smile dripping with false innocence, "would you help Ryan with this matching ring? It completes the set so beautifully."

I took the ring, knowing damn well every bit of this had been orchestrated.

Ryan extended his hand, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made my stomach flip.

With deliberate precision, I slid the ring onto his index finger rather than his ring finger—a subtle but clear statement that this was not symbolic of anything romantic.

"These pieces truly represent the pinnacle of Eliza’s artistry," I said smoothly to the audience, professional to the core.

"For those interested in discussing potential collaborations, I strongly recommend scheduling a private viewing. The craftsmanship deserves to be appreciated up close."

With that redirection, I carefully removed the necklace and handed it back to Eliza, making my escape from the stage as quickly as dignity would allow.

Her smile tightened slightly at my quick removal of the jewelry, but she recovered fast, thanking me for my participation.

As the event wound down, I was heading back toward Julian when Ryan stepped directly into my path.

"Serena," he said, his voice low and urgent. He pressed something into my palm—a small velvet box. "This is for you.

Eliza designed it specifically at my request. It’s a symbol of my sincerity and my desire to make things right."

Before I could tell him where he could stick his symbolism, he stepped back.

"All I ask is for one chance to prove myself to you. One chance to show you things can be different." And then he was gone, disappearing into the crowd like a goddamn ninja.

I stood there frozen, the box feeling like it weighed a ton in my hand. My legs suddenly felt wobbly beneath me. What the hell was I supposed to do with this?

Julian appeared at my side, eyeing the box with thinly veiled displeasure.

"Need help disposing of that?" he asked, nodding toward the box in my hand. "There’s a particularly deep trash can right outside. Or I could accidentally drop it down a drain on our way to the car."