CEO's Regret After I Divorced-Chapter 368 Save The Show

Serena’s POV

I sighed, finally looking up at Ryan’s face. I bit my lip and nodded reluctantly.

"Mr. Blackwood, I’ll take the ruby with me now. My finance department will arrange the payment."

I stood up and grabbed the velvet box, eager to leave his presence. The gemstone inside radiated a mesmerizing brilliance that almost hurt to look at.

Yet... why did my chest ache so strangely?

Frowning, I muttered a hasty goodbye and practically fled from his office. Only after I was safely in my car did my breathing return to normal. I pressed my hand against my chest, trying to calm my inexplicably racing heart.

Opening the box again, I examined the ruby and finally smiled with genuine satisfaction. Whatever emotional turmoil Ryan Blackwood caused me, this gem would make our showcase piece absolutely spectacular.

Back at Elegant Realm, I handed the ruby to Sally, who gasped the moment she saw it.

"Serena! How did you manage this?" she exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief. "A pigeon-blood ruby this size is... my God!"

"Enough gawking," I cut her off firmly. "Fashion Week is almost here. Let’s focus on finishing the piece."

I pressed my lips together, clearly signaling I wasn’t interested in discussing how I’d acquired it.

Sally’s eyebrows furrowed as she studied my face. "Serena, something’s wrong. Did Blackwood harass you again?"

I couldn’t help but laugh weakly as Sally had already jumped to wild conclusions. I waved my hand dismissively.

"Just go work on what matters. How I got the stone isn’t important."

Sally stuck out her tongue playfully before happily departing with the ruby. With the centerpiece secured, our showcase creation came together remarkably quickly.

By the eve of Fashion Week, everything was finally ready. As one of the organizers, I was swamped with logistics, delegating most production details to Sally. I specifically instructed her to guard our pieces with her life, especially the showstopper. If anything happened to that pigeon-blood ruby, Elegant Realm couldn’t possibly cover the loss.

Sally understood the stakes completely. She personally monitored everything, observing each detail with meticulous attention. The other designers pitched in too - this event would make or break our studio’s reputation.

Finally, the opening day of Fashion Week arrived. The venue buzzed with London’s elite as guests streamed in for the most prestigious event of the season.

I wore a champagne-colored gown that caught the light as I moved through the crowd, greeting guests. Just as I was making headway through my networking list, my assistant pulled me urgently toward the backstage area. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Mrs. Lancaster, one of our models hasn’t shown up. She’s not answering her phone."

I quickened my pace. "Have you contacted our backup?"

"We’re trying, but the no-show was meant to wear our finale piece. Nearly every notable model in London is already booked for today’s events."

I felt a headache forming. Opening the door to the makeup room, I found Sally still frantically calling the missing model.

The other models were already prepped, but switching one of them to the finale would require completely redoing their makeup and styling. We didn’t have time, and it wouldn’t achieve the impact we needed.

"Serena, I found a local model," Sally reported. "She’s not well-known, but in this situation—"

"We can’t just ’make do’ with our showpiece," I interrupted sharply.

"Then what do we do?"

Taking a deep breath, I made a decision. "Keep preparing. I’ll ask Mr. Alvin if he has any solutions."

I hurried to find the event coordinator, when suddenly I remembered the ART Design disqualification. One of the models I’d been following had committed to ART’s show and had likely kept her schedule open. With ART’s sudden removal, she might be available.

As I instructed my assistant to track down her contact information, I spotted Mr. Alvin chatting with none other than Ryan Blackwood, who had just arrived.

Steeling myself, I approached them. This emergency left me no choice.

"Mr. Alvin, excuse me, but I need your help with an urgent matter."

"Mrs. Lancaster! What’s happening?"

Ryan’s gaze shifted to me, making my pulse quicken involuntarily.

"One of Elegant Realm’s models canceled last minute—for our finale piece—so we’re in a difficult position..."

"Would Eiffel work?" Ryan interjected smoothly.

I froze momentarily, processing his suggestion. Eiffel was an internationally renowned model currently collaborating with the Blackwood family and staying in London.

"She would be perfect," I admitted.

"I’ll have her contacted immediately," he said, already signaling his assistant.

Mr. Alvin smiled broadly. "Mrs. Lancaster, you should thank Mr. Blackwood properly. Without him, your show might have been in serious trouble."

I nodded, looking at Ryan with reluctant gratitude. "Mr. Blackwood, thank you for your assistance."

"Don’t mention it," he replied with a slight smile. "Just don’t forget you still owe me dinner."

His assistant returned promptly. "Mr. Blackwood, I’ve reached Miss Eiffel. She’ll be here in twenty minutes."

That would give us just enough time for makeup and fitting. I nodded gratefully.

"I’ll go prepare the team. Please excuse me, gentlemen."

I rushed back to the makeup room with the good news. "Eiffel will be here any minute. Get ready!"

The makeup artists and Sally practically bounced with excitement.

"Serena, how did you pull that off in just minutes?" Sally gasped. "Eiffel could walk out there without makeup and still outshine everyone!"

I sighed, momentarily allowing myself to feel relief. "Next time, we need better contracts with these models. The one who bailed is blacklisted from working with us again."

Sally nodded firmly. "After Fashion Week, I’m personally handling the breach of contract settlement with her."

"Focus on preparations now," I instructed, taking a final look around before heading back out.

The show began right on schedule. The venue glittered with jewelry displays from major brands and visiting designers from around the world. Mr. Alvin had strategically placed Elegant Realm’s collection as the grand finale.

As the lights flashed and music pulsed, a dazzling array of jewelry pieces made their way down the runway. I carefully timed my return backstage.

"Everything’s ready, Serena," Sally reported with visible relief. We’d been working toward this moment for months.

I nodded, composing myself as the music shifted to our segment. Our models began their carefully choreographed entrance, and immediately I could hear the appreciative murmurs from the audience.

Elegant Realm’s designs captivated everyone’s attention. Not only did our jewelry sparkle magnificently, but the models’ gowns and styling perfectly complemented each piece.

When Eiffel finally emerged wearing our pigeon-blood ruby centerpiece, the audience gasped audibly. The deep red stone seemed to generate its own light against her throat, radiating pure luxury.

In that moment, Elegant Realm secured its reputation in London’s competitive fashion scene. We had arrived.