CEO’s Regret After I Divorced (Serena and Ryan) novel Chapter 193

Chapter 193: Chapter 193 Secrets Across the Sea

Serena’s POV

I wiped my face with a cool towel when Maya’s video call lit up my screen. Perfect timing.

"Girl, where have you been hiding? You’ve only sent those quick updates on WeChat," I teased as her beaming face appeared.

"How’s everything going with Mr. Quinn?" I couldn’t help asking, curiosity getting the better of me. Maya and Ethan had been spending an awful lot of time together in London.

Maya’s smile grew impossibly wider as she flipped the camera around without warning. There sat Ethan Quinn in all his glory—impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, focused entirely on cutting a steak with surgical precision.

"Wow, candlelit dinner already? You two move fast," I whistled, watching the soft glow of flames dancing between them.

Before Maya could respond, I witnessed something that made my eyebrows shoot up. Ethan slid his plate across the table toward her, a gentlemanly smile warming his usually serious face.

"Miss Carter, your steak is ready," his deep voice carried through the speakers.

Maya flipped the camera back to her face, grinning so wide I could barely see her eyes. "Gotta go! This steak isn’t going to eat itself!"

"Wait—" I started, but she’d already hung up.

"Who was that?" Ryan called from the other room, his voice still carrying that satisfied edge from our bath.

"Just Maya," I replied, running a comb through my damp hair. "She’s having dinner with Ethan Quinn."

"Quinn?" Ryan appeared in the doorway, a towel hanging dangerously low on his hips. "Interesting development."

If he only knew how interesting it really was.

Author’s POV

Lucian’s assistant had finally tracked down the two witnesses Ryan had provided, compiling their testimonies into a comprehensive report.

"Mr. West, here are the statements from both individuals," his assistant said, placing a folder on Lucian’s mahogany desk. "I’ve cross-referenced them, and they’re remarkably consistent."

"They should be reliable then," Lucian responded absently, his attention already focused on the documents.

He studied the papers with laser precision, noting the witnesses’ employment histories which confirmed their involvement in the suburban development project from years ago. Their testimonies clearly implicated Ryan’s parents in the scandal—almost too clearly.

The more Lucian read, the more his suspicions grew. These accounts contradicted several key details from his previous investigation. And the remarkable consistency between the two testimonies raised red flags—suggesting Ryan might have coached them thoroughly.

"Have there been any unusual deposits in their bank accounts?" Lucian asked, looking up from the papers.

His assistant shook his head. "I’ve checked, sir. Nothing suspicious."

"Sophie, they’ve destroyed me!" she wailed to her sister, pacing anxiously around the living room of Sophie’s luxury apartment. "Not only did I fail to clear my name, but now my career is completely ruined!"

"What am I supposed to do now?" Ivy collapsed onto the sofa, genuine fear in her eyes. "People have already figured out roughly where I live. I’m terrified to leave the apartment—what if some unstable fan decides to confront me?"

Sophie’s patience was wearing thin. Her younger sister’s constant whining and complete lack of strategic thinking had always frustrated her.

"Celestial Gems wouldn’t have cut ties so abruptly without Serena pulling strings behind the scenes," Sophie said coldly, carefully planting seeds of resentment. "Are you really content to let her continue stepping on you like this?"

Sophie gave a contemptuous laugh. "I’ve realized that New York has no place for women like us anymore. And it’s all because of Serena Quinn."

"Without her interference, you’d still be the celebrated design prodigy," she continued, watching Ivy’s expression darken. "She stole your spotlight, your opportunity to work with Lucian West, everything. The Jewelry Season showcase should have been your triumph."

Each calculated word stoked the flames of Ivy’s hatred. Her previous admiration for her own talent transformed into bitter resentment.

"That bitch!" Ivy spat, her hands clenching into fists. "If it weren’t for her, I’d be the one making headlines with Celestial Gems right now!"

"I swear I’ll make her pay for this!"

"What good are empty threats?" Sophie taunted. "She’s pregnant and still untouchable. You’re powerless against her."

Ivy’s face flushed with anger. "Just watch me, Sophie. I’ll make sure she’s humiliated at the Jewelry Season showcase. I’ll destroy everything she’s worked for."