CEO’s Regret After I Divorced (Serena and Ryan) novel Chapter 286

Chapter 286: Chapter 286 Collapse at the Boardroom

Serena’s POV

My world tilted on its axis. "Ethan!" I cried out. "What happened? Is he going to be alright?"

There was a moment of stunned silence before my brother responded. "Serena? You’re there too?"

"Yes, and I’m coming to London immediately," I said, already rising to my feet. "What hospital is he at?"

"Royal London," Ethan replied, his voice cracking slightly. "The doctors say it might be his heart, but they’re not certain yet."

"We’ll be on the Blackwood jet within the hour," Ryan interjected, his decision made instantly. "Have someone meet us at the airport."

After ending the call, I stood frozen for a moment, trying to process everything.

Ryan’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me against his chest. "He’ll be alright, Serena. Your father is strong."

I nodded against his shoulder, grateful for his strength even as anger still simmered beneath the surface. "You should have told me sooner."

"I know," he whispered against my hair. "I’m sorry."

Pulling back, I wiped away tears I hadn’t realized were falling. "We need to get home and pack. I need to arrange care for Vivian—"

"Already done," Ryan interrupted, his phone in hand. "I’ve texted Simon to prepare the jet and called Mrs. Bennett to pack an overnight bag for us. Margaret has agreed to stay with Vivian. We can leave within the hour."

Despite everything, I felt a surge of gratitude for his efficiency. "Thank you."

As we rode the elevator down to the lobby, Ryan kept his arm firmly around my waist, his presence both comforting and steadying. Yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that this crisis was only beginning to unfold.

Ethan’s POV

The rhythmic beep of hospital monitors echoed in my ears as I stared through the observation window at my father’s unconscious form. For a man who had always embodied strength and resilience, he looked unnervingly fragile against the stark white hospital sheets.

I pressed my palm against the cool glass separating us, my jaw tight with frustration. This was exactly what I’d been trying to prevent. This was why I hadn’t wanted Serena involved.

"Damn it," I muttered, running my free hand through my already disheveled hair.

Three weeks ago, when the first whispers of scandal began circulating around Quinn Enterprises, I had convinced myself it was nothing—just another attempt by competitors to undermine our position in the market. Family-owned empires like ours always attracted jealousy and speculation. I thought we could weather this storm as we had countless others before.

How naive I’d been.

The soft click of heels against tile announced my sisters’ arrival before I saw them. I turned to find Eleanor and Zoe rushing toward me, their faces etched with concern.

"Ethan!" Eleanor reached me first, her normally perfect composure slipping as she gripped my arm. "How is he? What happened?"

I guided them away from the nurses’ station, lowering my voice. "The doctors say it’s exhaustion complicated by elevated blood pressure. They’re keeping him sedated while they run more tests, but they believe he’ll recover." I swallowed hard, forcing confidence into my voice. "He’ll be fine."

Eleanor peered through the window, her knuckles white as she clutched her designer handbag. "How could this happen? He was perfectly healthy at Sunday dinner."

"Healthy people don’t just collapse during board meetings," Zoe interjected, she fixed me with a penetrating stare. "What really happened, Ethan? All of it."

I glanced around to ensure we weren’t overheard before responding. "The board meeting turned hostile. Grayson was leading the charge, demanding Father step down temporarily while the ’allegations’ are investigated." My voice hardened with contempt. "As if there’s anything to investigate beyond malicious gossip."

"Those ungrateful vultures!" Eleanor hissed, her elegant features contorted with rage. "After everything the Quinn family has done for them—the opportunities, the wealth we’ve created together. The minute there’s trouble, they circle like sharks."

Zoe remained calmer, though I could see the calculation in her eyes. "Have you identified the source of these rumors? Someone must be orchestrating this."

I leaned against the wall, suddenly feeling the weight of four sleepless nights. "It has Uncle Edward’s fingerprints all over it. The timing, the specific details about Grandfather’s will—information only family would know."

"But Edward’s been gone for decades," Eleanor objected. "Why return now?"

I sighed. "That was before Father collapsed. We need all hands on deck now—and Serena’s not just any hand. She’s a Quinn. Plus, Ryan’s influence extends even further than ours in certain circles."

Before my sisters could respond, my phone vibrated with an incoming call—Maya. Relief washed over me at the sight of her name.

"I need to take this," I said, stepping away from my sisters. "Maya’s been coordinating with our PR team."

I answered quickly, moving toward a quieter corner of the waiting room. "Hey."

"How is he?" Maya asked, her voice warm with concern.

"Stable," I replied, allowing some of my carefully maintained composure to slip. "But unconscious. The doctors are optimistic."

"I’ve finished at the office," she said. "Do you want me to come to the hospital?"

"Please," I whispered, surprised by the raw emotion in my voice. "I need you here."

Twenty minutes later, I spotted Maya hurrying through the hospital entrance, her red-brown hair pulled back in a hasty ponytail, eyes searching the lobby until they found mine. The sight of her—determined, loyal, unwavering—loosened something tight in my chest.

I met her halfway, pulling her into my arms without caring who might see. The familiar scent of her perfume—something citrusy and clean—grounded me in a way nothing else could.

"I’m so sorry about your father," she murmured against my shoulder, her arms tightening around me. "But he’s strong, Ethan. Like all of you Quinns."

I pressed a kiss to her temple, allowing myself this brief moment of comfort. "Thank you for being here. For everything you’ve done these past weeks."

She pulled back slightly, her gray eyes meeting mine with fierce certainty. "This is going to work out. We’ll fight through this together, I promise."

"Come on," I said, taking her hand firmly in mine. "My sisters are eager to update you on their plan. And knowing Eleanor, it’s already morphed into something terrifyingly effective."

Maya squeezed my hand, her smile brightening. "That’s what I’m counting on. The Quinn siblings united—heaven help whoever started this mess."