Chapter 137

Serena's POV I felt the velvet box snap shut between my fingers, the satisfying "click" cutting off that blinding diamond sparkle. No way was I falling for this grand gesture crap. Not again. Not in front of all these people with their cameras and hungry eyes waiting to capture my reaction like vultures. I shoved the box back into Ryan's pocket and yanked him up from his ridiculous kneeling position. My smile never faltered—professionally pleasant and completely disconnected from the absolute hurricane raging inside me. "I believe the reporters have all heard what needed to be clarified today," I announced smoothly, ignoring Ryan's bewildered expression beside me. "I trust everyone will report the facts accurately going forward." I swept my gaze across the room, making deliberate eye contact with several journalists whose pens had frozen mid-air. "The reputation of Dreamland Studio and my personal character are in your hands. As for the private matters between Mr. Blackwood and myself—