CEO’s Regret After I Divorced (Serena and Ryan) novel Chapter 311

Chapter 311: Chapter 311 Back to Reality

Serena’s POV

I walked into Dreamland Studio Monday morning feeling like a completely different person than the one who’d left for Vegas. The glass doors slid open, revealing the sleek, open-concept workspace I’d poured my heart into creating. Light poured through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating design stations where my team was already buzzing with activity.

"She’s back!" Lucy called out, her brown bob swinging as she rushed over to hug me. "How was Vegas with Mr. CEO? Did you actually see anything besides your hotel room?"

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. "We actually spent most of our time at the International Jewelry Expo."

"Well, whatever happened there, you’re practically glowing," she said, stepping back to assess me.

The rest of the team gathered around, peppering me with questions about Vegas, the expo, and yes, my time with Ryan. I found myself describing the displays with animated gestures, my words tumbling out faster than I could control them.

"I need everyone in the conference room in fifteen," I announced suddenly, my mind racing with ideas. "We’re about to shake things up."

Lucy appeared at my side as if materialized from thin air, tablet in hand. "I’ve already pulled the quarterly projections and our current client roster. What else do you need ready?"

God, I loved her efficiency. "Pull our supplier contracts and the partnership proposals we’ve shelved in the last six months. All of them."

Thirty minutes later, I stood at the head of our glass conference table, feeling a surge of confidence I hadn’t experienced in years.

"Vegas wasn’t just a trip—it was an awakening," I began, pacing slowly. "We’ve been thinking too small. Playing it safe. Creating beautiful pieces, yes, but staying in our comfort zone."

I projected images from the expo onto the wall screen. "The market is evolving. Luxury consumers don’t just want pretty jewelry anymore—they want stories, sustainability, innovation. And we’re going to give it to them."

For the next hour, I outlined my vision: restructured design teams working in specialized pods rather than individually, direct partnerships with ethical mining operations, a completely revamped client consultation process, and an aggressive expansion into digital custom design experiences.

"This is... ambitious," Celeste said carefully when I finished. She adjusted her glasses, studying the workflow chart I’d sketched. "We’d need to completely overhaul our production timeline."

"And triple our marketing budget," Lucy added.

"I know it’s a lot," I acknowledged. "But we have the talent in this room to make it happen."

"You seem different, Serena," Celeste observed. "Like you’ve been fighting a war we didn’t even know was happening."

I smiled. "Maybe I have been. But I’m done fighting myself. The question is, are you all in?"

The room erupted in excited chatter.

---

That energy carried me through the week as we began implementing changes. I was deep in discussion with our website developers when Lucy appeared at my office door.

"Mr. Lancaster is here to see you," she announced, a curious look in her eyes.

"Send him in," I said, quickly clearing sketches from my desk.

Cedric walked in with the same confident stride I remembered. "Serena," he said warmly. "Still the most talented designer I know."

"Cedric," I stood to hug him. "What brings you to New York?"

"Business expansion," he replied, settling into the chair across from me. "Lancaster Design is opening a New York office."

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