CEO's Regret After I Divorced Chapter 294 Jax Holloway

Serena’s POV

"Cedric," I greeted him, setting down my portfolio. "I didn’t expect to see you here today."

His smile was warm, familiar. "I thought you might need reinforcents on your first day taking charge."

I walked around my desk, keeping it strategically between us. "How did you even know I’d be here today?"

"Eleanor called ," he admitted, standing up. "She thought having the Lancaster family visibly supporting you might help discourage any... internal resistance."

Smart move by Eleanor, though I wasn’t sure Ryan would appreciate it.

"Have you considered Jax Holloway?" Cedric asked, moving to stand beside . His cologne – subtle but expensive – reminded of our university days.

"The major shareholder?" I frowned. "Eleanor ntioned him. Apparently, he’s been making noise since Father was hospitalized."

"He’s been circling like a vulture," Cedric confird. "Lancaster Industries has had so dealings with him in the past. He’s ruthless, opportunistic... and very well connected to the Parkers."

That caught my attention. "How well connected?"

"His daughter is engaged to Edward Parker’s son."

Well, shit.

"That complicates things," I muttered, making a note. "If he’s rallying the other shareholders..."

"You need to call a shareholders’ eting," Cedric suggested. "Get ahead of whatever he’s planning."

I nodded, already typing an email to the board secretary. "I was hoping to stabilize operations first, but you’re right. Better to confront this head-on."

Cedric smiled, moving a step closer. "That’s the Serena I rember. Never running from a fight."

"I should call Ryan," I said, reaching for my phone. "He’s investigating Ethan’s accident, and he should know about Lin’s connection to the Parkers."

I noticed Cedric’s smile tighten just slightly at the ntion of Ryan’s na.

"Of course," he said smoothly. "Though I imagine Mr. Blackwood is quite busy with his own company. I wouldn’t want to distract him if there’s anything I can help with instead."

"Ryan’s made Quinn Enterprises a priority right now," I replied firmly. "He’s as invested in finding answers as I am."

Cedric raised his hands in surrender. "Just offering. The Lancasters stand with the Quinns, that’s all I wanted to make clear."

Before I could respond, my office door opened, and Ryan walked in, his expression darkening montarily when he spotted Cedric.

Ryan crossed the room in a few purposeful strides, coming to stand beside . His hand rested possessively on the back of my chair.

"Lancaster," he acknowledged with a curt nod. "I didn’t expect to see you here."

"Just offering my support to Serena," Cedric replied easily. "These first days in charge can be challenging, especially under such circumstances."

Ryan’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "How thoughtful."

I cleared my throat. "Cedric was just telling about Jax Holloway’s connection to the Parker family. His daughter is engaged to Edward’s son."

That caught Ryan’s attention. "Interesting timing for a family rger."

"Indeed," I agreed. "I’m calling a shareholders’ eting to get ahead of whatever they’re planning."

Ryan nodded. "Good call. I’ve been looking into Ethan’s accident. The brake lines were definitely tampered with."

My blood ran cold. "So it was deliberate."

"Without question," Ryan confird grimly. "The question is who had access to his car."

"Could be anyone," Cedric interjected. "Corporate sabotage is hardly a specialized skill these days."

"Cedric, thank you for coming by. I’ll let you know when the shareholders’ eting is scheduled. Your public support would an a lot to Quinn Enterprises right now."

Cedric took the hint gracefully. "Of course. I’ll make myself available whenever you need , Serena. Day or night."

Ryan’s hand tightened on my chair.

After Cedric left, Ryan closed the office door and turned to , his expression unreadable.

"He’s certainly eager to help," he said carefully.

I sighed. "Ryan, please don’t start. Cedric and the Lancasters are powerful allies. We need them right now."

"I know," Ryan admitted, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Just keep your guard up around him."

"My guard is always up these days," I replied tiredly, rubbing my temples. "Except with you."

That softened his expression. He ca around the desk and turned my chair to face him, kneeling down so we were eye-level.

"How are you holding up?" he asked, his voice gentle now. "Taking over as CEO isn’t easy even under normal circumstances."

"I’m okay," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Just worried about Ethan. And Father. And the company. And whether soone’s going to try to kill next."

"That’s not going to happen," Ryan said fiercely. "I’ve already doubled security for everyone in your family. And you’re not going anywhere without bodyguards."

I wanted to argue, but the determined look in his eyes stopped . "Fine. But they better be discreet. I can’t walk into a shareholders’ eting looking like I need an army to protect ."

"They’ll be invisible," he promised. "Speaking of which, when is this eting?"

"I’m scheduling it for tomorrow morning," I said, turning back to my laptop. "No point giving Lin ti to organize opposition."

Ryan smiled, that dangerous smile that reminded he was a predator in the business world. "Striking first. I like it."

"I learned from the best," I replied with a small smile of my own.

"Listen," Ryan said, suddenly serious again. "Zoe said sothing to you last night that made you uncomfortable. Want to tell what it was?"

I hesitated. "It wasn’t important."

"Serena." His tone made it clear he wasn’t buying it.

I sighed. "She’s worried I might rely on you too much. That I need to stand on my own as a Quinn."

Understanding dawned in his eyes. "She’s afraid I’ll take advantage of the situation?"

"More like she’s afraid I won’t be able to handle things without you," I clarified. "The Quinns have always been proudly independent."

Ryan considered this for a mont. "She has a point."

That surprised . "She does?"

He nodded. "This is your family’s company. You need to establish yourself as a leader in your own right, not as an extension of or Blackwood Enterprises."

"So... you’re okay with handling this on my own?" I asked cautiously.

"I didn’t say that," he replied with a half-smile. "I’ll still be here, supporting you, protecting you. But in that boardroom tomorrow? That’s all you, Serena. Show them why the Quinns have survived for generations."

His confidence in was overwhelming. "What if I ss up?"

"You won’t," he said simply. "But even if you did, your family would still stand behind you. And so would I."

I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against his. "How did I get so lucky?"

"I ask myself the sa question every day," he murmured, his hands coming up to cup my face.

Our mont was interrupted by my phone buzzing. I checked it reluctantly.

"It’s the board secretary," I sighed. "The shareholders’ eting is confird for 9 AM tomorrow."

Ryan stood, pulling up with him. "Then we have work to do tonight. We need to identify every potential ally and enemy in that room."

I nodded, suddenly feeling the weight of responsibility settling heavily on my shoulders. "Holloway won’t go down without a fight."

"Neither will you," Ryan said confidently. "You’re Serena Quinn. It’s about ti London rembered that."