Chapter 329

Serena Lancaster arrived at Blue Moon Restaurant precisely at 2 PM—punctual, as always, for her meeting with Maya Quinn. The waiter led her upstairs to a private room on the second floor with practiced efficiency. Serena expected to find the LUXE representative waiting. Instead, she was greeted by an empty room. "Would you like me to call Mrs. Quinn?" her assistant, Sally, asked softly, already reaching for her phone. Serena waved the suggestion away, irritation simmering beneath her composed exterior. "She's the one who requested this meeting. Basic punctuality should be a given." Her voice sharpened. "If LUXE can't even manage that, perhaps this partnership isn't worth pursuing." Despite her annoyance, she took a seat in the plush chair, crossing her legs and checking her watch while skimming through emails on her phone. Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen. Her patience evaporated with every tick of the second hand. "This is ridiculous," Serena muttered, fingertips tapping against the p