Chapter 342

Ryan Blackwood glanced at his watch, his expression darkening. The scheduled meeting time had already passed, and there was still no sign of Mrs. Lancaster from Elegant Realm studio. This was unusual and irritating. Throughout his career, others waited for him—never the reverse. Ryan Blackwood didn't wait for anyone, especially not for meetings they had requested. His gaze drifted toward the window just as Cedric Lancaster's car pulled away from the curb. Their eyes almost met through the glass, but the vehicle accelerated past, carrying away the woman who should have been sitting across from him right now. Inside the car, Serena clutched her handbag tightly, her mind consumed with worry for her daughter. The meeting with Ryan Blackwood had completely vanished from her thoughts. "Cedric, what's wrong with Rancy? Say something!" Her voice trembled with maternal panic. Cedric kept his eyes on the road, his knuckles white against the steering wheel. "Her teacher called me, so I came to fi