Chapter 332

Serena’s POV I tossed and turned all night, Ryan Blackwood's strange call running through my mind on repeat. His offer was extraordinary—the kind most designers would kill for—but something about our interaction left me deeply unsettled. By morning, I'd convinced myself to at least talk to Sally before making any decision. If anyone could give me an honest perspective on this LUXE situation, it would be her. "You look like hell," Sally greeted me when I walked into the office, pushing a cup of coffee across her desk. "Bad night?" I sank into the chair opposite her, gratefully accepting the caffeine. "You could say that." After taking a long sip, I cut straight to the point. "What do you know about LUXE? And specifically about this designer they keep mentioning—Lazuli?" Sally's eyes lit up instantly. "Lazuli? She was a legend at my Academy." "So you're familiar with her work?" I pressed. "Familiar?" Sally laughed, spinning in her chair to pull a worn portfolio book from her shelf. "She