جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 330

Serena's POVThe sunlight streaming through my kitchen window caught the gold rim of my teacup as I absently stirred my peppermint tea. After being discharged from the hospital, I'd returned to Quinn Manor to recover, only to face Mom's lectures about my terrible sleep schedule and eating habits. Mom had insisted on making breakfast herself this morning - "You need proper nutrition, not those sad excuse for protein bars you call food," she'd declared while whisking eggs."How's my precious grandbaby doing?" Mom asked.My heart swelled with love thinking about my fourteen-month-old daughter, her chubby cheeks and infectious giggles that somehow made even the hardest days worthwhile."Growing more stubborn by the day," I laughed. "Just yesterday, according to Margaret, she refused to wear anything but her purple onesie. I swear she's inherited Ryan's iron will."Mom's laugh was like warm honey. "That child is the perfect blend of you both - your creativity and his tenacity. Heaven help u

Ryan's POVThe moment I arrived back in the States, all they showed me was a damaged surveillance video from the police.In the grainy footage, Serena's car gets violently rear-ended, slamming straight into a concrete wall. My chest tightened as I watched, my eyes burning with unshed tears. Blood roared in my ears as the video cut to black right after the impact—conveniently right when you'd be able to see who approached her car."Mr. Blackwood, the investigation is still ongoing," the detective said, his voice carefully neutral.My body trembled slightly. I couldn't process this. Serena, missing. The very thought made my stomach drop to my feet. The police station's fluorescent lights suddenly seemed too bright, the air too thin."There must be other leads," I said, my voice rough. "Traffic cameras? Witnesses? Anything?""I'm very sorry, sir." The detective's face showed nothing but professional regret. No real answers, just empty sympathies.When I stepped outside the station, the Qu

Author's POVThe golden sunset painted the Bangkok skyline in hues of amber and crimson as Serena stood at her floor-to-ceiling window, staring out at the view that had become so familiar yet somehow never felt like home. Three years had passed since she'd awakened in Thailand with no memory, three years of rebuilding a life from scratch while living with constant questions about her past."Mrs. Lancaster," her assistant's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, "regarding the international project, we've narrowed it down to the top European partners. LUXE and ARt studio are both strong contenders.""Both companies have sent representatives hoping to score cooperation with Elegant Realm. What's your gut feeling on direction?"Serena nodded absently, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the glass. "Dig deep on both companies. I want complete backgrounds before making my decision.""Yes, Mrs. Lancaster."As her assistant departed, Serena's gaze drifted to the framed photo on her desk

Author's POVLondon welcomed them with its signature gray skies and light drizzle as Serena stepped off the plane, herding her exhausted design team and clutching Rancy's tiny hand. The air felt different here—heavier somehow, like it was charged with secrets she couldn't remember.Cedric Lancaster was already waiting at the arrivals gate, immaculately dressed in a tailored charcoal suit that emphasized his tall frame. When Rancy spotted him, she let out an ear-splitting squeal and broke free from Serena's grasp, racing toward him like a tiny missile."Daddy!" The toddler's excited voice practically echoed through the entire terminal.Cedric scooped her up effortlessly, his usually stone-cold expression melting as Rancy planted sloppy kisses on his cheek. Serena watched the interaction with a twisted knot of emotions swimming behind her carefully neutral expression.Her design team wasn't nearly as subtle with their feelings. They nudged each other, stage-whispering just loud enough fo

Serena Lancaster arrived at Blue Moon Restaurant precisely at 2 PM—punctual, as always, for her meeting with Maya Quinn.The waiter led her upstairs to a private room on the second floor with practiced efficiency. Serena expected to find the LUXE representative waiting. Instead, she was greeted by an empty room."Would you like me to call Mrs. Quinn?" her assistant, Sally, asked softly, already reaching for her phone.Serena waved the suggestion away, irritation simmering beneath her composed exterior. "She's the one who requested this meeting. Basic punctuality should be a given." Her voice sharpened. "If LUXE can't even manage that, perhaps this partnership isn't worth pursuing."Despite her annoyance, she took a seat in the plush chair, crossing her legs and checking her watch while skimming through emails on her phone. Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen. Her patience evaporated with every tick of the second hand."This is ridiculous," Serena muttered, fingertips tapping against the p