CHAPTER 294: CHAPTER 294 JAX HOLLOWAY

Serena’s POV

"Cedric," I greeted him, setting down my portfolio. "I didn’t expect to see you here today."

His smile was warm, familiar. "I thought you might need reinforcements on your first day taking charge."

I walked around my desk, keeping it strategically between us. "How did you even know I’d be here today?"

"Eleanor called me," he admitted, standing up. "She thought having the Lancaster family visibly supporting you might help discourage any... internal resistance."

Smart move by Eleanor, though I wasn’t sure Ryan would appreciate it.

"Have you considered Jax Holloway?" Cedric asked, moving to stand beside me. His cologne – subtle but expensive – reminded me of our university days.

"The major shareholder?" I frowned. "Eleanor mentioned him. Apparently, he’s been making noise since Father was hospitalized."

"He’s been circling like a vulture," Cedric confirmed. "Lancaster Industries has had some dealings with him in the past. He’s ruthless, opportunistic... and very well connected to the Parkers."

That caught my attention. "How well connected?"

"His daughter is engaged to Edward Parker’s son."

Well, shit.

"That complicates things," I muttered, making a note. "If he’s rallying the other shareholders..."

"You need to call a shareholders’ meeting," Cedric suggested. "Get ahead of whatever he’s planning."

I nodded, already typing an email to the board secretary. "I was hoping to stabilize operations first, but you’re right. Better to confront this head-on."

Cedric smiled, moving a step closer. "That’s the Serena I remember. Never running from a fight."

"I should call Ryan," I said, reaching for my phone. "He’s investigating Ethan’s accident, and he should know about Lin’s connection to the Parkers."

I noticed Cedric’s smile tighten just slightly at the mention of Ryan’s name.

"Of course," he said smoothly. "Though I imagine Mr. Blackwood is quite busy with his own company. I wouldn’t want to distract him if there’s anything I can help with instead."

"Ryan’s made Quinn Enterprises a priority right now," I replied firmly. "He’s as invested in finding answers as I am."

Cedric raised his hands in surrender. "Just offering. The Lancasters stand with the Quinns, that’s all I wanted to make clear."

Before I could respond, my office door opened, and Ryan walked in, his expression darkening momentarily when he spotted Cedric.

Ryan crossed the room in a few purposeful strides, coming to stand beside me. His hand rested possessively on the back of my chair.

"Lancaster," he acknowledged with a curt nod. "I didn’t expect to see you here."

"Just offering my support to Serena," Cedric replied easily. "These first days in charge can be challenging, especially under such circumstances."

Ryan’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "How thoughtful."

I cleared my throat. "Cedric was just telling me about Jax Holloway’s connection to the Parker family. His daughter is engaged to Edward’s son."

That caught Ryan’s attention. "Interesting timing for a family merger."

"Indeed," I agreed. "I’m calling a shareholders’ meeting to get ahead of whatever they’re planning."

Ryan nodded. "Good call. I’ve been looking into Ethan’s accident. The brake lines were definitely tampered with."

My blood ran cold. "So it was deliberate."

"Without question," Ryan confirmed grimly. "The question is who had access to his car."

"Could be anyone," Cedric interjected. "Corporate sabotage is hardly a specialized skill these days."

"Cedric, thank you for coming by. I’ll let you know when the shareholders’ meeting is scheduled. Your public support would mean a lot to Quinn Enterprises right now."

Cedric took the hint gracefully. "Of course. I’ll make myself available whenever you need me, Serena. Day or night."

Ryan’s hand tightened on my chair.

After Cedric left, Ryan closed the office door and turned to me, his expression unreadable.

"He’s certainly eager to help," he said carefully.

I sighed. "Ryan, please don’t start. Cedric and the Lancasters are powerful allies. We need them right now."

"I know," Ryan admitted, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Just keep your guard up around him."

"My guard is always up these days," I replied tiredly, rubbing my temples. "Except with you."

That softened his expression. He came around the desk and turned my chair to face him, kneeling down so we were eye-level.

"How are you holding up?" he asked, his voice gentle now. "Taking over as CEO isn’t easy even under normal circumstances."

"I’m okay," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Just worried about Ethan. And Father. And the company. And whether someone’s going to try to kill me next."

"That’s not going to happen," Ryan said fiercely. "I’ve already doubled security for everyone in your family. And you’re not going anywhere without bodyguards."

I wanted to argue, but the determined look in his eyes stopped me. "Fine. But they better be discreet. I can’t walk into a shareholders’ meeting looking like I need an army to protect me."

"They’ll be invisible," he promised. "Speaking of which, when is this meeting?"

"I’m scheduling it for tomorrow morning," I said, turning back to my laptop. "No point giving Lin time to organize opposition."

Ryan smiled, that dangerous smile that reminded me he was a predator in the business world. "Striking first. I like it."

"I learned from the best," I replied with a small smile of my own.

"Listen," Ryan said, suddenly serious again. "Zoe said something to you last night that made you uncomfortable. Want to tell me what it was?"

I hesitated. "It wasn’t important."

"Serena." His tone made it clear he wasn’t buying it.

I sighed. "She’s worried I might rely on you too much. That I need to stand on my own as a Quinn."

Understanding dawned in his eyes. "She’s afraid I’ll take advantage of the situation?"

"More like she’s afraid I won’t be able to handle things without you," I clarified. "The Quinns have always been proudly independent."

Ryan considered this for a moment. "She has a point."

That surprised me. "She does?"

He nodded. "This is your family’s company. You need to establish yourself as a leader in your own right, not as an extension of me or Blackwood Enterprises."

"So... you’re okay with me handling this on my own?" I asked cautiously.

"I didn’t say that," he replied with a half-smile. "I’ll still be here, supporting you, protecting you. But in that boardroom tomorrow? That’s all you, Serena. Show them why the Quinns have survived for generations."

His confidence in me was overwhelming. "What if I mess up?"

"You won’t," he said simply. "But even if you did, your family would still stand behind you. And so would I."

I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against his. "How did I get so lucky?"

"I ask myself the same question every day," he murmured, his hands coming up to cup my face.

Our moment was interrupted by my phone buzzing. I checked it reluctantly.

"It’s the board secretary," I sighed. "The shareholders’ meeting is confirmed for 9 AM tomorrow."

Ryan stood, pulling me up with him. "Then we have work to do tonight. We need to identify every potential ally and enemy in that room."

I nodded, suddenly feeling the weight of responsibility settling heavily on my shoulders. "Holloway won’t go down without a fight."

"Neither will you," Ryan said confidently. "You’re Serena Quinn. It’s about time London remembered that."