Chapter 337

Author’s POV

Just three days after her hospital discharge, Rancy was bouncing with excitement, her recent illness seemingly forgotten.

"Vi-vi birthday!" Rancy exclaimed, clapping her small hands together. Her pronunciation was still developing at two and a half years old, but her enthusiasm needed no translation. "Me come!"

Vivian beamed down at her younger friend. "You really will come to my party, Rancy?"

"Yes!" Rancy nodded emphatically, her chestnut curls bobbing. "Bring p’esent too!"

Vivian’s smile widened, revealing a gap where her front tooth had recently fallen out. "You don’t need to bring anything. Just you coming makes me happy."

The two girls exchanged delighted grins, their friendship untainted by the complex adult world surrounding them.

Across town in the European headquarters of ARt Design, Sophie Hart Anderson was considerably less cheerful. The sleek corner office did nothing to improve her darkening mood as she tapped manicured nails against her glass desk.

"So Maya Carter managed to finalize a deal between Elegant Realm and LUXE," she said, voice tight with controlled frustration. "Wasn’t it just three years ago that Elegant Realm terminated their contract with LUXE?"

Her assistant, Jennifer, nodded cautiously. "Yes, Mrs. Anderson. After that plagiarism scandal we... informed Mrs. Lancaster about." She carefully avoided using the word ’fabricated.’ "The relationship between the companies was quite strained afterward."

"And yet here they are, partners again." Sophie’s lips thinned into a hard line. "This has Blackwood involvement written all over it. LUXE alone wouldn’t have been enough to tempt Elegant Realm back into business."

She drummed her fingers against the desk, mind calculating rapidly. The competition between LUXE and ARt Design had grown increasingly fierce over the past three years, with both companies vying aggressively for market share. Despite ARt’s best efforts—including some that operated in morally gray areas—LUXE remained firmly in the top position, with ARt perpetually second.

Elegant Realm’s emergence as a rising star in the design world had initially seemed like the perfect opportunity for ARt to gain leverage, but that opportunity was slipping through their fingers.

"Have you managed to schedule a meeting with Mrs. Lancaster yet?" Sophie asked.

Jennifer shook her head apologetically. "Her assistant keeps deflecting. Apparently, her daughter was hospitalized recently, so she’s been working limited hours."

Sophie’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Her daughter? What preschool does she attend?"

"Bright Horizons Preschool, the same as—"

"The same as Ryan’s daughter," Sophie finished, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Perfect. If we can’t reach Mrs. Lancaster at her studio, we’ll intercept her at pickup time. A mother who prioritizes her child enough to reduce work hours will certainly be handling school pickup herself."

Within thirty minutes, Sophie had convened an executive meeting, directing her team to prepare an aggressive proposal for Elegant Realm’s upcoming collection.

"This second contract is critical," she emphasized, studying the faces around the conference table. "I want terms that Mrs. Lancaster can’t possibly refuse."

After the meeting, Sophie retreated to her office, twirling a pen between her fingers as she gazed out at the city skyline. The European branch of ARt Design had become her personal kingdom since she’d effectively separated from her husband, David Anderson, who remained at the Canadian headquarters. Their marriage existed now primarily on paper, a fact that suited Sophie perfectly.

Why play the role of a trophy wife begging for allowance when she could wield actual power? The irony that she’d once abandoned a promising relationship with Ryan Blackwood for exactly the kind of wealth and status she now possessed independently wasn’t lost on her.

When pickup time approached, Sophie’s chauffeur delivered her to Elite Preparatory’s ornate entrance. She’d visited this exclusive preschool numerous times before, always with the ulterior motive of orchestrating "accidental" encounters with Ryan through his daughter. Vivian, however, had proven surprisingly resistant to Sophie’s charms.

Sophie checked her reflection in a compact mirror before exiting the car. Her appearance was flawless as always—chestnut hair styled in soft waves, designer sunglasses perched on her perfectly sculpted nose, and a casual-yet-expensive outfit that screamed "successful businesswoman."

She arrived early, positioning herself near the entrance where parents would congregate. Through the decorative iron gates, she spotted Vivian in the playground, her distinctive black hair immediately recognizable.

"Vivian!" Sophie called, removing her sunglasses and flashing her most winning smile.

The little girl turned, her expression instantly transforming from carefree to guarded. Sophie waved, but Vivian deliberately turned away.

"Miss Jenkins," Sophie heard the child say to her teacher, "I don’t know that lady. Can you please ask her to go away?"

Sophie’s smile faltered. Children’s instinctive perception had always been frustratingly accurate, especially this particular child. The teacher approached the gate, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.

"I’m sorry, ma’am. Vivian is still in class. Perhaps you could wait quietly until dismissal time?"

Sophie glanced at her watch. "How long until they’re released?"

"About fifteen minutes."

With a barely concealed huff, Sophie replaced her sunglasses and stepped back. That little girl was just as difficult as ever, but she wasn’t Sophie’s primary target today anyway.

"Where might I find Rancy?" she asked pointedly.

The teacher’s expression grew even more uncomfortable. "I’m sorry, I need to return to my students now. Dismissal will begin shortly."

As the teacher retreated, Sophie was left with no choice but to wait with the gathering crowd of nannies, parents, and drivers. She scanned the assembly, suddenly freezing when a familiar silhouette caught her attention. Her heart skipped several beats as she pushed forward, desperate for a clearer view.

Before she could make progress, the school doors opened and children began streaming out to their waiting guardians. Sophie found herself temporarily blocked by the surging crowd of excited children and adults.

Nearby, Serena knelt down to embrace her daughter as Rancy rushed toward her.

"Mama!" the little girl cried, throwing her arms around Serena’s neck.

"Hello, sweetheart," Serena replied warmly, brushing back a strand of Rancy’s unruly hair. "Did you have a good day today?"

Rancy nodded enthusiastically. "Vi-vi birthday party! Me go!"

"Is that so?" Serena smiled, straightening her daughter’s little cardigan. "Then we should prepare a nice gift for Vivian, shouldn’t we?"

"Make cake?" Rancy suggested hopefully, her eyes wide with excitement. "Pink cake for Vi-vi!"

"That sounds wonderful," Serena agreed. "Lucy can help you bake something special."

As mother and daughter prepared to leave, Sophie finally managed to push through the crowd. When she caught sight of Serena’s face clearly for the first time, she froze in disbelief.

"Serena?" she whispered, stunned. "How is this possible?"

Before she could process the shocking resemblance, someone bumped into her from behind, sending her designer earring tumbling to the ground—directly at Serena’s feet.

"Hold on, Rancy," Serena said, stooping to retrieve the glittering . She straightened and extended her hand toward Sophie.

"Excuse me, I believe this is yours?"