CEO’s Regret After I Divorced (Serena and Ryan) novel Chapter 116

Chapter 116: Chapter 116 Small gathering

Serena’s POV

"Why don’t you go find Sophie instead?" I snapped, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"After all, she’s so sweet and accommodating to you. She never gives you a hard time like I apparently do."

I glared at him, my patience completely spent. "Move. I need to rest."

Ryan reluctantly stepped aside, and I slammed my door shut with enough force to nearly hit his nose.

The loud bang was immensely satisfying - almost as satisfying as the shocked expression on his face before the door closed.

For the next few days, I personally handled all communications with Lucian for our partnership. Sometimes he’d come for face-to-face meetings, other times he’d be busy with other matters.

It was refreshing to work with someone who treated me with consistent respect, unlike a certain ex-husband who couldn’t decide whether he wanted me in his life or not.

Once all the details of our collaboration were finalized, Lucian hosted a small gathering.

He invited not only my team from Dreamland but also several of his friends from the New York.

Despite being the host, Lucian seemed surprisingly detached from the festivities, simply sitting on the private room’s sofa, casually sipping champagne.

I only brought Maya and Celeste with me. The three of us sitting together drew quite a bit of attention - I caught several men stealing glances our way throughout the evening.

A few even approached us for conversation, but I maintained my professional demeanor, keeping my responses polite but brief.

Maya and I chatted quietly in our corner, deliberately avoiding the lively crowd in the center of the room. Lucian was surrounded by people, clearly the focal point of the gathering.

I watched as he took a few sips of his champagne, his eyes scanning the room before landing on our little corner.

Then Lucian stood up and made his way toward us. I noticed several of his friends following his gaze, exchanging whispers and curious looks.

"Those ladies look familiar. Who are they?" I overheard one man ask.

"They’re from Dreamland Jewelry, Lucian’s new business partners," another answered.

"Just business partners?" someone else added with a suggestive tone.

A few of them followed in Lucian’s wake, approaching our table with obvious interest. I straightened my posture slightly, switching into professional mode.

"I’m the founder of Dreamland Jewelry," I introduced myself smoothly. "We’re currently collaborating with Mr. West. I take it you’re all friends of his?"

They exchanged knowing glances before nodding in unison. The conversation that followed was polite enough, though sprinkled with subtle flirtation that I expertly deflected.

I kept things cordial but distant - the last thing I needed was to give anyone the wrong impression.

Lucian sat nearby but remained silent, his eyes roaming the room with an unreadable expression. He seemed content to observe rather than participate, which I found intriguing.

Most powerful men I knew couldn’t resist being the center of attention.

Once his friends finally moved on to mingle elsewhere, Lucian turned his attention to me.

"How are you finding this sort of gathering?" he asked. "Those were some of my friends, by the way."

I nodded, putting on my most professional smile. "Tonight’s quite enjoyable. Very fitting for something you’d host, Mr. West."

"If you find it too noisy, you’re welcome to leave early," he offered unexpectedly. "I’ve noticed you seem a bit tired."

Was my exhaustion that obvious? I’d been working overtime all week to prepare for our collaboration.

"That’s very kind of you," I replied with a small laugh, "but I couldn’t possibly leave early from your event. That would be terribly rude."

Lucian raised an eyebrow, his tone surprisingly casual. "It’s no trouble. Actually, I’m feeling somewhat tired myself. Perhaps I could drive you home?"

Maya, who’d been silently observing our exchange, suddenly perked up at his suggestion. I could practically see the alarm bells going off in her head.

"It’s cold tonight," he said, his voice laced with something that sounded suspiciously like jealousy. "You shouldn’t be out dressed so lightly."

I knew what he was thinking. My formal outfit, the exclusive venue, the recent news... it wouldn’t take a genius to figure out I was meeting with Celestial Gems’ CEO.

"I’m not cold," I lied, reaching up to remove his jacket. "Take your coat back."

Ryan caught my hand, holding it firmly but gently in place. "Serena, stop being stubborn. What if you get sick?"

I looked up at him, refusing to let my expression soften any further. "If I get sick, it’s none of your concern."

His brows furrowed with frustration as he opened his mouth to say something, but the sound of a car horn interrupted whatever explanation he was about to offer. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Maya rolled down her window, calling out to me from the curb. "Serena, come on!"

I felt an overwhelming sense of relief, quickly shrugging off Ryan’s suit jacket and thrusting it back at him before turning away.

I practically flew into Maya’s car, closing the door and fastening my seatbelt in one fluid motion.

"Drive," I commanded, not even looking back as Maya hit the gas, leaving Ryan standing alone on the sidewalk.

"So," Maya ventured as we pulled away, "want to tell me what that was about?"

"Nothing worth discussing," I replied tightly, staring straight ahead. "Just Ryan being Ryan."

But as the city lights blurred past us, I couldn’t help wondering why he’d been there tonight.

Was it truly a coincidence? Or had he somehow known I’d be there?

The thought that he might be checking up on me was both infuriating and... something else I wasn’t ready to acknowledge.

I leaned my head against the cool window glass, closing my eyes briefly.