Chapter 361

Serena's POV The storm woke me at dawn, slamming into the windows like nature had declared personal war on London. Rain lashed the glass in furious sheets while wind howled through the streets below, making our penthouse feel like a ship in a hurricane. My bare feet hit the cold hardwood just as Rancy's terrified wail pierced through the thunder. "Mommy, I'm scared!" I was across the hall in seconds, scooping my trembling daughter into my arms. Her small body shook against mine, hot tears soaking into my pajama shirt. "Shhh, baby. It's just noise. Mommy's right here," I whispered, stroking her silky hair. "The storm can't hurt us inside." As her breathing gradually steadied, my mind was already spinning through today's impossible to-do list. The Fashion Week sketches needed final approval, three prototypes required last-minute adjustments, and working from home would slow everything to a crawl. Plus, home meant security risks—fashion spies, leaked designs, corporate espionage disguised