Chapter 351

Author’s POV

The tension in the Blackwood Corporation headquarters was palpable as Ryan sat on the leather sofa, massaging his temples in frustration.

"Mr. Blackwood, we’ve gathered information about Serena Lancaster as requested. She definitely came from Thailand, but we can only trace back about three years. There isn’t much before that," his assistant reported.

"During these three years, Mrs. Lancaster established her own design studio and team, becoming—"

"Enough," Ryan cut him off impatiently. "I don’t care about these irrelevant details." His ice-blue eyes narrowed as he asked the question that had been haunting him. "When did Serena Lancaster and Cedric Lancaster get married?"

His assistant shook his head. "There’s no record of a wedding ceremony. As for a marriage license, we haven’t been able to confirm either way yet."

Ryan’s expression darkened as he dismissed his assistant with a wave of his hand. Once alone, he leaned back, consumed by his thoughts.

He trusted his eyes—there was no way he could have mistaken Serena. Yet her reaction suggested she had no recollection of their past. Not only that, her response to seeing him had been visceral, almost hostile. She’d even transferred her daughter to a different kindergarten, clearly to prevent any interaction with Vivian.

Could that little girl truly be Cedric Lancaster’s daughter with Serena? The mere possibility stabbed at his heart.

Whatever the truth was, he wouldn’t get answers from Cedric Lancaster. This would require more investigation. With sudden determination, Ryan stood up. He needed to see Serena at Elegant Realm Studio and settle this face to face.

When Ryan arrived at Elegant Realm, the receptionist immediately recognized the Blackwood name and escorted him to a waiting room.

"Mr. Blackwood, please wait a moment," she said deferentially before hurrying away.

Meanwhile, Serena was in her office finalizing details for fashion week when her assistant knocked on the door.

"Mrs. Lancaster, Mr. Blackwood is here to see you. He’s waiting in the reception area."

Serena’s expression instantly hardened. So Ryan had tracked her down after all.

"Tell him I’m not here," she replied flatly.

The assistant hesitated. "Mrs. Lancaster, you—"

"I have no interest in getting entangled with anyone from the Blackwood family," Serena sighed. "Just go tell Ryan I’m not here. Make up whatever excuse you need to."

The mention of Ryan’s name had visibly agitated her. Not understanding the underlying tension, the assistant left to deliver the message.

Fearing Ryan might not take no for an answer, Serena quickly gathered her things and slipped out through a side exit.

When Ryan heard the assistant’s message, his jaw tightened. So she still refused to see him? He stood abruptly, ignoring the assistant’s protests, and strode directly to Serena’s office, only to find it empty.

"Mr. Blackwood, as I told you, Mrs. Lancaster isn’t here," the flustered assistant insisted. "Please, if you have something important to discuss, I’d be happy to pass along a message."

Ryan surveyed the office, aware of the curious glances from employees around him. Just then, Sally emerged from the break room, stopping short at the sight of Ryan’s commanding presence.

"What’s going on?" she whispered to the assistant.

"Apparently the CEO of Blackwood Corporation wants to see Mrs. Lancaster," the assistant whispered back.

"Isn’t Serena in her office? I just saw her a moment ago."

Sally peeked into the empty office with confusion.

Ryan gritted his teeth, realizing Serena was deliberately avoiding him. Spotting Sally, his expression shifted slightly.

"Hello," he addressed her directly. "We met at the signing ceremony between Elegant Realm and LUXE."

Sally took a moment to register that he was speaking to her. "Oh! Yes, hello, Mr. Blackwood," she replied, stepping forward. "Are you here to see Serena?"

"I am," Ryan’s mouth quirked into a humorless smile. "Though she apparently doesn’t want to see me."

Sally looked bewildered."Mr. Blackwood, is there some kind of misunderstanding between you two, or...?"

Ryan nodded decisively. "Quite a significant one, actually. Would you help me contact her? Tell her I’m waiting here, and I won’t leave until she comes."

Without waiting for permission, Ryan walked into Serena’s office and sat down, making himself comfortable.

Sally and the assistant exchanged confused glances. As far as they knew, these two hadn’t even met since Elegant Realm entered the domestic market. Why did they suddenly seem so... intimately connected? And Ryan’s demeanor—it almost seemed like the aftermath of a lovers’ quarrel.

"Mr. Blackwood, I’ll see what I can do," Sally offered with an awkward smile before stepping out.

Once out of earshot, she quickly instructed the other employees to return to work. "Nothing to see here, folks. Back to your desks."

Back in her office, Sally called Serena.

"Serena, where did you go?" she asked when her friend answered.

Serena, who had pulled over to the side of the road, replied casually, "Just handling some personal business. Why?"

"Mr. Blackwood is waiting in your office. He says there’s been a misunderstanding and he wants to talk to you."

Serena rolled her eyes, feeling a headache coming on. "I don’t want to see him. Find an excuse and get rid of him."

"Get rid of him?" Sally gasped. "Serena, this is Ryan Blackwood! Elegant Realm might be successful, but we can’t afford to antagonize the Blackwood Corporation!" She paused, then asked more quietly, "What’s going on between you two that I don’t know about?"

Serena pressed her lips together, deliberately vague in her response. "It’s ancient history, Sally. If he wants to sit in my office waiting, let him wait. I’m busy right now." Without further explanation, she hung up.

Sally stared at her phone in disbelief. "She can’t be serious about leaving Ryan Blackwood sitting in her office..."

With a sigh, Sally considered what to do next. Serena was usually such a pragmatic businesswoman—why was she suddenly acting so irrationally about this?

She walked toward the office door, trying to formulate a diplomatic response, but hesitated before entering.

She sent Serena a barrage of text messages, essentially urging her to return quickly before the situation created office gossip.

The incessant pinging of her phone irritated Serena, but she finally relented.

"Fine, I’m heading back now," she texted Sally before making a U-turn toward the studio.

Inside, Ryan had calmed somewhat. When Sally explained that Serena was on her way, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Thank you, Sally."

"Mr. Blackwood, if I may ask—what exactly is this misunderstanding between you and Serena?" Sally ventured. "Serena and I are close friends; I understand her better than most. If she’s done something to upset you, I can apologize on her behalf."

Ryan gave her a measured look. "There is definitely a misunderstanding between us, but she’s not the one who needs to apologize."

Sally blinked, surprised. Was he suggesting that he was the one who should apologize?

"What do you mean?" she blurted out.

Ryan didn’t seem offended by her directness. Instead, he changed course. "You said you’re close friends with Mrs. Lancaster. Did you meet three years ago?"

Sally calculated mentally. "About two and a half years ago, not quite three."

"And how much do you know about her life before that?"

Sally paused, realizing that Serena rarely discussed her personal history. Their conversations had always centered around work.

"Mr. Blackwood, why are you asking this?"

Ryan’s next words landed like a bombshell.

"She has amnesia, doesn’t she?"