CEO’s Regret After I Divorced (Serena and Ryan) novel Chapter 327

Chapter 327: Chapter 327 Back to London

Author’s POV

London welcomed them with its signature gray skies and light drizzle as Serena stepped off the plane, herding her exhausted design team and clutching Rancy’s tiny hand. The air felt different here—heavier somehow, like it was charged with secrets she couldn’t remember.

Cedric Lancaster was already waiting at the arrivals gate, immaculately dressed in a tailored charcoal suit that emphasized his tall frame. When Rancy spotted him, she let out an ear-splitting squeal and broke free from Serena’s grasp, racing toward him like a tiny missile.

"Daddy!" The toddler’s excited voice practically echoed through the entire terminal.

Cedric scooped her up effortlessly, his usually stone-cold expression melting as Rancy planted sloppy kisses on his cheek. Serena watched the interaction with a twisted knot of emotions swimming behind her carefully neutral expression.

Her design team wasn’t nearly as subtle with their feelings. They nudged each other, stage-whispering just loud enough for her to hear.

"Mrs. Lancaster and Mr. Lancaster look like they walked straight off a movie set," one sighed dreamily.

"And that precious daughter! Some women seriously hit the jackpot," another added with barely disguised envy.

"When will I find a man like Mr. Lancaster? The way he looks at her—like she’s the only person in the world!"

Serena pretended to be deaf, though irritation flickered across her features. If they only knew the reality behind that supposedly fairy-tale marriage. She approached Cedric, immediately switching into all-business mode.

"I need to meet with someone about the collaboration," she said, handing him Rancy’s small pink backpack. "Can you take her off my hands for now?"

Cedric’s smile vanished like someone had flipped a switch. "Right now? You literally just got off a plane. Surely you need to rest first?"

His brow furrowed with concern that didn’t quite reach his eyes. What Serena couldn’t see was the calculating look lurking behind that worry.

"No time to waste," Serena shook her head firmly. "I just found out LUXE’s studio got caught up in a plagiarism scandal. If they can’t give me a damn good explanation, I’m pulling the plug on the collaboration immediately."

As a designer whose entire reputation was built on originality, plagiarism was her personal third rail. The fact that LUXE’s founder was implicated made it even worse—it suggested a toxic culture that could destroy her own brand by association.

Something dark flashed in Cedric’s eyes.

"Their explanation will just be damage control bullshit," he said smoothly. "If they’ve plagiarized once, why waste your time meeting them at all? Cut your losses and be done with it."

Serena paused, chewing on his words. "There’s logic to that, but I still should meet them face to face. Basic professional courtesy, at minimum."

"Serena," Cedric’s voice dropped to that intimate tone that always made her skin crawl. "Your memories of Europe aren’t pleasant ones. Let me handle this LUXE mess for you." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The suggestion made every alarm bell in her head go off. "Absolutely not. This is Elegant Realm’s business, not yours. I’ll handle it myself." She softened slightly at his expression. "I won’t meet with LUXE this round, but I’ll contact their manager directly."

Relief practically radiated off him in waves. "Good. In that case, shall we get out of here? Rancy’s dead on her feet from the flight."

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