Chapter 138

Author's POV Sophie stared at her phone screen, her eyes narrowing as she watched Ryan's press conference unfold. She hadn't expected him to go this far—kneeling down in front of all those reporters, presenting a ring to Serena, all to publicly defend her reputation. "Unbelievable," she muttered, watching Ryan's adoring gaze fixed on Serena. The familiar twist of jealousy coiled in her stomach, distorting her features into an ugly grimace. She couldn't bear to watch Serena's reaction, hitting the pause button before the clip finished. Her perfectly manicured nails dug crescents into her palm as she closed the browser window with a forceful tap. Finding a secluded corner in the busy café, Sophie quickly dialed Lucian's number, glancing nervously over her shoulder to ensure no one was within earshot. The call connected after three rings. Lucian's cool, measured voice came through clearly, though Sophie could detect the underlying tension. He too had seen the press conference—Ryan Blackwo