Chapter 11

Ryan's POV My fingers drummed restlessly against the polished mahogany desk as I reviewed the quarterly reports. The numbers were solid, our company's assets growing steadily under my leadership, yet something felt... off. I couldn't place this nagging sensation that had been haunting me for weeks. A knock at my door interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I called without looking up, my focus still locked on the document before me. The familiar scent of expensive perfume—too strong, too deliberate—filled the room as Ivy entered. I didn't bother giving her more than a passing glance as she approached my desk, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor with calculated precision. "Ryan," she purred. "Have you seen the latest news? Everyone online is calling me a design genius! My career is finally reaching its peak!" She thrust her phone in front of my face, displaying a social media post that had apparently been shared millions of times. Her eyes shone with expectation, clearly waiting f