Chapter 48

Serena's POV The testosterone-fueled standoff between Ryan and Kane instantly dissolved, both men plastering on practiced smiles as they turned toward her. The silent animosity lingering in the air remained palpable, but at least they weren't about to lunge at each other's throats. I followed closely behind Ryan as we made our way to the dining room, accidentally catching Kane's gaze. The cold mockery in his eyes sent a chill down my spine. There was something reptilian about the way he looked at me—calculating, as if measuring exactly how useful I might be in whatever scheme he was hatching. Ryan must have sensed it because he suddenly shifted position, putting his body between Kane and me. "Don't even think about it," he muttered to Kane, voice barely audible but sharp as a blade. Kane's wheelchair glided smoothly across the polished floors as he laughed. "Think about what, dear nephew? I was merely admiring how... devoted you've become. Sophie would be so surprised to see how quickl