The CEO and the Country Wildflower chapter 17

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The CEO and the Country Wildflower


Chapter 17: The Aftermath and the Trap


The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air as Emelly blinked awake, her vision blurry before sharpening on the white ceiling of the hospital room. Pain radiated from her shoulder, a dull throb that made her wince as she tried to sit up. “Easy there, wildflower,” a familiar deep voice murmured. She turned her head to see Lucas York sitting in the chair beside her bed, his usually immaculate suit wrinkled, his dark hair slightly disheveled.


His sharp eyes, however, were as intense as ever, watching her with an unreadable expression. “You,” she croaked, her throat dry. “Why are you here?” Lucas arched a brow. “You got shot saving my company’s shipment.


The least I can do is make sure you don’t bleed out.” Emelly scoffed, then regretted it as pain flared. “I didn’t do it for you. I did it because Tony was in danger.” A muscle in Lucas’s jaw twitched. “Tony’s fine. A graze on his arm. Jane hasn’t left his side.” She exhaled, relieved. Then her eyes narrowed. “Wait. How long have I been out?” “Eighteen hours.” “Eighteen—!” She tried to bolt upright, only for Lucas to gently but firmly push her back down. “You lost blood. You’re not going anywhere.” She glared. “I have work. Reports. And what about the stolen shipment? Leo Brown—” “Is being handled,” Lucas cut in, his voice icy. “You focus on healing.” Emelly opened her mouth to argue, but the door swung open, and Jane rushed in, her eyes red-rimmed. “Oh my god, Emelly!” She threw her arms around her carefully, sniffling. “I was so scared!” Emelly patted her back awkwardly. “I’m fine, really. Just a scratch.” Jane pulled back, scowling. “A bullet wound is not a scratch!”


Tony hovered behind her, his arm bandaged. “She’s right. You took a real hit.” Emelly rolled her eyes. “Dramatics.” Lucas stood abruptly. “I have a meeting. Rest.” He strode out without another word. Jane blinked. “Wow. He was… almost human for a second.” Tony chuckled. “Don’t let him hear you say that.” Emelly frowned at the door. Something was off. Lucas had been… different. Not his usual cold, infuriating self.


--- Meanwhile, Lucas stormed into his office, where David waited. “Leo’s men?” Lucas demanded. David’s expression was grim. “They’re getting bold. The police found the abandoned van, but the goods are gone.” Lucas clenched his fists. “He’s mocking us.” “And he’s watching Emelly,” David added quietly. Lucas’s head snapped up. “What?” “One of the nurses reported a suspicious man lingering near her room. He disappeared before security could question him.” A cold fury settled in Lucas’s chest. Leo was targeting her. Because of him. --- Back in her room, Emelly groaned as Jane fussed over her. “Stop hovering,” Emelly grumbled. Jane huffed. “You almost died!” “I did not—” A knock interrupted them. Linda Crow stood in the doorway, her lips curled in a smirk. “Aw, how touching.” Emelly stiffened. “What do you want?” Linda sauntered in, holding a file. “Mr. York asked me to deliver this. Since you’re incapacitated, he needs these reports analyzed by tomorrow.” Jane gaped. “She’s in the hospital!” Linda shrugged. “Not my problem.” She dropped the file on Emelly’s lap and left. Tony scowled. “That woman is—” “A snake,”


Emelly finished, flipping open the file. Her eyes scanned the pages rapidly, her photographic memory absorbing every detail. Then she froze. “This isn’t just reports,” she whispered. “It’s a trap.” Jane frowned. “What?” Emelly pointed to a line of coded text. “Leo’s next move. Lucas is baiting him.” Tony’s face paled. “And you’re the bait.” Emelly’s grip tightened on the papers. That stubborn, reckless CEO. He was using her as leverage to draw Leo out. And she was going to play along—but on her terms.


--- That night, Lucas returned to the hospital, only to find Emelly’s bed empty. His blood ran cold. A note lay on the pillow: "If you’re going to use me as bait, at least let me set the trap." Lucas cursed. She was going after Leo herself. And he had no idea where she was.