Serena’s POV
I just saw those ridiculous headlines.
"BUSINESS OR PLEASURE? LAZULI AND WEST’S INTIMATE DINNER CONVERSATION RAISES EYEBROWS!"
"POWER COUPLE ALERT: DREAMLAND STUDIO’S LAZULI FALLS UNDER CELESTIAL GEMS CEO’S SPELL!"
"MATCHING OUTFITS AND ANINGFUL GLANCES: JEWELRY INDUSTRY’S NEW POWER COUPLE?"
"IS DREAMLAND’S LAZULI TRADING MORE THAN JUST BUSINESS DEALS WITH CELESTIAL GEMS’ WEST?"
"These entertainnt vultures are absolutely shaless! How can they twist sothing so innocent into this... this tabloid fantasy?" fud Celeste, one of the designers who had accompanied to the event. Her normally composed face was flushed with indignation as she scrolled through her own phone.
"Mrs. Lazuli, it’s just internet gossip-mongers having their fun. No one with half a brain takes this seriously," another designer tried consoling while the others were already drafting statents, insisting we should issue an imdiate clarification before the story spiraled further.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a throbbing headache building behind my temples. "Let’s just head back to the studio first. We’ll figure out our response there."
The driver had already opened the car door, my escape route tantalizingly close, when I heard hurried footsteps behind .
"Serena, wait!"
Lucian West was rushing across the parking area, his normally impeccable appearance slightly disheveled, tie askew as if he’d bolted from whatever eting he’d been in.
"I just saw those online reports," he said, slightly breathless.
I turned slowly, narrowing my eyes. I’d thought Lucian had turned over a new leaf, that he wouldn’t try using as publicity fodder again. Was this all just another calculated move in whatever ga he was playing?
"Just now, Mr. West?" My voice dripped with sarcasm. "With how quickly that buzz is spreading, I almost suspected you might have orchestrated the whole thing yourself." The words hung in the air between us, creating a palpable tension.
Lucian’s expression darkened, jaw tightening visibly. "Serena, I didn’t arrange this. Soone’s clearly trying to manufacture headlines at our expense. I’ve already contacted my PR departnt to issue an imdiate clarification."
I studied his face for any hint of deception before offering him a thin smile. "If that’s truly the case, then thank you, Mr. West."
"I’m rather exhausted from all this," I added, turning away. "I should go." Without waiting for his response, I climbed into the waiting car, not bothering to look back.
By the ti we returned to the studio, my phone buzzed with notifications. Celestial Gems had already published a forceful clarification. The statent unequivocally declared our relationship as strictly professional with perhaps a touch of friendship—nothing more, nothing less. It also included a not-so-subtle legal warning to bloggers who had maliciously edited videos to delete them imdiately or face consequences.
Under Celestial Gems’ aggressive pushback, the rumors were rapidly collapsing. The comnt sections exploded with backlash against the original bloggers:
"Could you maybe VERIFY YOUR FACTS before posting clickbait? You got invested in a non-existent power couple for NOTHING!"
"You unethical hacks deserve every lawsuit coming your way!"
"When will this online cesspool ever improve? Anyone with a keyboard can spread garbage for clicks!"
"Oh please, stop pretending you all weren’t eating this up hours ago!"
The internet had moved on to its next outrage cycle, but more importantly, the rumors linking Lucian and had effectively been quashed. Watching this swift and decisive response, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders.
Had I misjudged Lucian? If he’d truly orchestrated this dia circus, why would he so aggressively shut it down?
Maya peeked over my shoulder at my phone, whistling low. "Well, well... Lucian actually stepped up and acted like a genuine adult this ti. Color impressed."
When I finally arrived at the Blackwood mansion that evening, Ryan had just walked through the door himself, his expression unreadable.
"I saw today’s news," he stated flatly, his tone giving nothing away.
I nodded, slipping off my heels with a sigh of relief. "Just irresponsible reporters manufacturing drama out of nothing. It’s been thoroughly debunked already."
Ryan made a dismissive sound in his throat. "You shouldn’t have attended that event in the first place. That Lucian West clearly still harbors ulterior motives."
"Ryan," I shook my head wearily, "if he truly had sinister intentions, he wouldn’t have clarified things so decisively. He could have easily let twist in the wind under all that pressure and speculation."
"I genuinely don’t think today’s incident was Lucian’s doing."
Ryan’s jaw tightened at hearing defend Lucian. "How can you be so certain? His track record hardly inspires confidence."
"Call it intuition or maybe just... observation." I moved closer, my voice softening. "Ryan, what if the situation between you and Lucian is one massive misunderstanding? Wouldn’t it make more strategic sense to turn a potential enemy into an ally?"
Ryan’s expression softened as he reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Let worry about Kane. He’s not worth your energy or concern."
"As for Lucian West..." His jaw tightened slightly. "I’ll consider what you’ve said about potential collaboration. But I want you to minimize direct contact with him."
I couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto my face. "Are you still jealous? After everything that happened today?"
"I’m not jealous," Ryan replied with a scoff that didn’t quite hide the truth. "I’m cautious. There’s a difference."
"Sure there is," I teased, nudging his shoulder playfully.
He caught my hand, his expression suddenly serious. "I don’t trust his intentions toward you, Serena. Those rumors didn’t co from nowhere."
"Ryan—"
"Just humor on this," he interrupted, his thumb tracing circles on the back of my hand. "Let Maya or soone else handle the direct communications with him when possible."
"Fine," I conceded with an exaggerated sigh. "I’ll keep interactions professional and minimal. Happy?"
He nodded, visibly relaxing. "Very."
We sat in comfortable silence for a mont before I broached the subject again. "About Kane though... what’s he been up to lately? I haven’t heard you ntion him."
Ryan waved his hand dismissively. "Nothing worth discussing. His latest pathetic attempt involves trying to sway so minor board mbers with ridiculous promises. It’s laughable, really."
"You seem awfully confident."
"Because I know exactly who I’m dealing with," Ryan replied, his voice carrying that cool certainty that both impressed and sotis frightened . "Kane’s always been predictable—greedy, short-sighted, desperate for validation. He doesn’t have the patience or intellect for long-ga strategy."
I nodded slowly, though sothing still nagged at . "Just... be careful. Even predictable enemies can be dangerous when cornered."
Ryan’s expression softened as he looked at , sothing tender replacing the coldness that had been there monts before. "You worry too much." His hand moved to rest gently on my still-flat stomach. "You should be focusing on taking care of yourself and our baby, not concerning yourself with Kane’s petty sches."
The touch sent warmth spreading through . It still felt surreal sotis—that we were going to be parents, that this complicated, intense man beside could show such gentleness.
"How are you feeling today?" he asked, his voice lower now, intimate.
"Tired," I admitted. "The morning sickness isn’t as bad, but everything exhausts lately."
Ryan imdiately shifted, pulling closer against him. "You’re doing too much. The doctor said you need to rest more."
"I’m fine, Ryan," I protested, though I couldn’t help leaning into his warmth. "Pregnant won work all the ti. I’m not made of glass."
"Maybe not," he murmured, his lips brushing against my temple. "But what you’re carrying is precious to . You both are."
My heart squeezed at his words. These monts—when the controlling, jealous businessman lted away to reveal the man who genuinely cared—these were the monts that reminded why I was here, why I’d chosen this complicated life with him.
"I promise I’ll be careful," I whispered, closing my eyes as fatigue washed over . "Both of us will be fine."
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