Chapter 53

Serena's POV I stood frozen, watching Ivy stared back at me. The air between us crackled with tension. "Well," I finally broke the suffocating silence, "this is uncomfortable." Ivy quickly composed herself, smoothing her dress with practiced nonchalance. "Serena. What a surprise." Her voice attempted casual pleasantness but landed somewhere between strained and artificial. I moved further into the room, keeping a safe distance between us. "Is it really a surprise? Ryan invited my design team personally." I kept my tone neutral while watching her carefully for reactions. "Of course he did," she muttered, fidgeting with her clutch. Her hands were trembling slightly. Something about her seemed off. The Ivy I remembered was always perfectly composed, calculating, and confident. This woman looked like she was barely holding it together. "You seem nervous," I observed casually. "Big plans for the evening?" Ivy's eyes darted to mine, then quickly away. "I don't know what you're talking about.