CHAPTER 221: CHAPTER 221 KANE’S THREAT

Serena’s POV

I closed the car door behind me, feeling a small wave of satisfaction as I left that nasty woman standing there fuming on the sidewalk. My bodyguards quickly settled in, one in front with the driver and one beside me, both watching me with concern.

"Are you alright, Mrs. Blackwood?" one of them asked, his eyes scanning my face for any signs of distress.

"I’m fine," I assured him, smoothing my hand over my baby bump. "Some people just don’t know when to shut their mouths."

The encounter with Tiffany Vergara had been unexpected but not surprising. I’d heard about Kane Blackwood’s fiancée—the spoiled daughter of the Vergara family who was supposedly only marrying him for business connections between their families. Looking at her venomous personality up close, I understood why they matched so well.

"Should we inform Mr. Blackwood about the incident?" my bodyguard asked, already reaching for his phone.

I waved him off. "No need. It was just a catty exchange over a dress. Nothing worth bothering Ryan about."

But as we drove away from the International Tower, I replayed her words in my mind. That thinly veiled threat about Ryan not being in power for long... was that just bitter talk, or did she know something I didn’t?

My phone buzzed with a message. Ryan.

"How was the fitting? Did the dress work out?"

I smiled, deciding not to mention my run-in with Tiffany. Why give her the satisfaction of becoming a topic of conversation?

"Just needs a slight adjustment for my growing bump. Should be perfect after that."

Three dots appeared immediately, followed by his response: "Can’t wait to see you in it. How was the appointment before that? Everything okay with our little princess?"

My heart warmed as I typed back: "Everything’s perfect. She’s right on track, strong heartbeat. Doctor says I’m doing great."

I hesitated, then added: "By the way, ran into Kane’s fiancée at the designer’s. Charming woman... if you find vipers charming."

His response came instantly: "What happened? Did she say something to you?"

"Nothing worth repeating. Just some comments about my pregnant body in formal wear. And vague threats about you losing control of Blackwood."

This time, the three dots appeared and disappeared several times before his message came through: "I’m calling Simon. I want security footage from the store. And I’ll be having a conversation with Kane about keeping his fiancée in line."

I could practically feel his anger through the phone. "Ryan, it’s really not necessary—"

"It is," he cut me off with another text. "No one speaks to my wife that way. Especially not while you’re carrying our child."

His protectiveness made me smile despite the unpleasant encounter. It was still strange sometimes, having someone care this much about my wellbeing. After years of being overlooked and undervalued—first during my amnesia and then during our previous marriage—Ryan’s fierce attention felt both foreign and wonderful.

"Your wife, huh?" I texted back. "The wedding planner hasn’t even started yet."

"Technicality," came his immediate response. "In my mind, you’re already Mrs. Blackwood again."

I felt a flutter in my chest that had nothing to do with the baby. "Careful, Ryan. People might think you’ve gone soft."

"Only for you," he replied. "And our daughter. Everyone else still thinks I’m a heartless bastard."

"As they should," I texted back with a smiling emoji. "Keeps them on their toes."

When we arrived at the penthouse, I found Simon waiting in the lobby, looking anxious.

"Mrs. Serena," he said, stepping forward to take my bags. "Mr. Blackwood asked me to check on you personally."

I rolled my eyes. "He texted you the moment I mentioned Tiffany, didn’t he?"

Simon’s expression confirmed it. "He’s... concerned."

"He’s overreacting," I corrected, but couldn’t help smiling. "It was just a catty exchange between women, Simon. Nothing I couldn’t handle."

"I don’t doubt that, ma’am," Simon said, escorting me to the elevator. "But Mr. Blackwood also asked me to inform you that he’s moved up his return. He’ll be back from Chicago tonight instead of tomorrow."

I raised my eyebrows. "Because of this? Simon, that’s ridiculous. He has important meetings—"

"Which he’s rescheduled," Simon said firmly. "His exact words were ’nothing is more important than making sure Serena and the baby are safe.’"

The elevator doors closed, and I leaned against the wall, a mixture of exasperation and affection washing over me. "He really has gone soft," I muttered.

Simon pretended not to hear, but I caught the small smile on his face. "The wedding planner will be here at ten tomorrow morning. Mr. Blackwood has cleared both your schedules for the entire day."

"Of course he has," I sighed, but couldn’t suppress my smile.

Author’s POV

Tiffany Vergara watched Serena’s car disappear from sight, grinding her teeth with rage. Her perfectly manicured nails dug into her palms as she spat out her command.

"Take me to Kane’s villa. NOW."

Twenty minutes later, she stormed into Kane Blackwood’s private residence, her heels clicking violently against the marble floor. She flung her designer bag onto the glass coffee table with such force it nearly shattered.

"Kane!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the minimalist space. "What happened to all your big talk? Why hasn’t Blackwood Enterprise been affected at all by your schemes?"

Kane sat in his wheelchair near the window, his expression darkening as she continued her tirade.

"You’re completely useless! Do you honestly think I still want to marry you? Let’s just cancel this engagement altogether!"

Tiffany was redirecting all the humiliation she’d suffered from Serena straight at Kane. Her words became increasingly cruel. "A useless cripple! You’re nothing but a waste of my time!"

Kane’s face hardened. The spies he’d planted within the company had nearly all been removed. The internal situation at Blackwood was becoming increasingly opaque to him, and now this woman had the audacity to burst in and throw a tantrum?

"Tiffany, SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" he roared suddenly.

She froze momentarily, shock flashing across her features before her voice rose even louder. "You dare tell ME to shut up? Have you forgotten what you promised me initially? If you can’t deliver, and still won’t cancel our engagement, are you planning to drag me down to hell with you?"

Kane’s lips curved into a sinister smile that didn’t reach his cold eyes. "You’re absolutely right, Tiffany. If I can’t take control of Blackwood Enterprise, I’ll absolutely drag you down with me." He leaned forward in his wheelchair, his knuckles white against the armrests. "Don’t forget, we’re engaged now. You’ll never break free from this arrangement... ever."

Tiffany stood paralyzed, genuinely frightened by the darkness she saw in his expression. "What exactly do you want?" she asked, her voice slightly less confident.

Kane drummed his fingers impatiently against the table beside him. "I’ve heard the Vergara family has connections with Dr. Vans, the retired surgeon. If he’s willing to help, my legs might actually have a chance of recovery." His eyes narrowed as he stared directly at her. "Tiffany, help me stand on my own two feet again, and my odds of success increase dramatically." He paused, his words calculated. "Unless you enjoy being known as the fiancée of a cripple?"

Something flickered in Tiffany’s eyes. Despite her reluctance, her future prospects demanded she comply. Self-interest eventually won out.

"Tiffany, our partnership continues. Instead of throwing tantrums, focus on what matters," Kane said coldly.

The memory of Serena’s smug face floated into Tiffany’s mind, fueling her anger further. She desperately wanted to crush that woman beneath her heel.

"I can contact Dr. Vans for you," she finally conceded, "but don’t forget what you promised me."

Kane’s face broke into a smile that never reached his eyes. "Of course. We’re a team, Tiffany. As long as you help me secure Blackwood Enterprise, I’ll give you everything you desire."

Tiffany gave an indignant snort, snatched her bag, and stormed out without another word.

The moment she left, Kane’s expression transformed into one of utter contempt.

"Stupid woman!" he muttered, turning to his butler who stood silently by the door. "The next time she comes, don’t let her in to see me directly."

The butler’s face showed discomfort. "Sir... Miss Vergara forced her way in."

Kane shot him such a frigid glare that the man immediately lowered his head, not daring to offer any further explanation.