The CEO and the Country Wildflower chapter 22

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The CEO and the Country Wildflower
Chapter 22: The Intruder’s Shadow


The moment Jane’s frantic call ended, Emelly’s blood ran cold. Someone had broken into their apartment—and it wasn’t a random burglary. Leo Brown’s retaliation had begun. Lucas, who had been standing beside her, immediately sensed the shift in her demeanor. His migraine, which had been absent in her presence, threatened to resurface as tension coiled in his muscles. “What’s wrong?” he demanded, his voice sharp. Emelly clutched her phone tighter. “Someone broke into my apartment. Jane’s there—she’s hiding, but—” Before she could finish, Lucas was already striding toward the elevator, pulling her along. “David,” he barked into his phone, “bring the car around. Now.”


The drive to Emelly’s apartment was tense, the silence between them heavy with unspoken fears. Lucas’s grip on the steering wheel was white-knuckled, his jaw set. Emelly, usually quick with a sarcastic remark, sat frozen, her mind racing through worst-case scenarios. When they arrived, the apartment door was slightly ajar. Lucas pushed Emelly behind him, his protective instincts flaring. “Stay close,” he muttered. Inside, the living room was in disarray—cushions slashed, drawers overturned.


Jane emerged from the bedroom, her face pale but unharmed. “They left just before you got here,” she whispered. “I heard them talking—they were looking for something.” Emelly’s stomach twisted. “What?” Jane hesitated. “Files. Something about York Group’s merger plans.” Lucas’s expression darkened. Leo wasn’t just targeting Emelly—he was after corporate secrets. And now, Emelly was caught in the crossfire. Before they could process the implications, Lucas’s phone buzzed. Linda’s name flashed on the screen. “Sir,” she said, her voice strained, “the board is demanding an emergency meeting. They’re questioning Emelly’s loyalty after the press conference.” Lucas’s patience snapped. “Tell them I’ll handle it.” He hung up and turned to Emelly. “You’re not staying here.


Pack what you need—you’re coming with me.” Emelly bristled. “I’m not some damsel in distress, Lucas. I can handle myself.” “Really?” Lucas shot back, gesturing at the wrecked apartment. “Because this isn’t a game. Leo’s dangerous, and you’re in his way.” Their usual banter was absent, replaced by raw urgency. Jane, sensing the gravity, nudged Emelly. “He’s right. You’re not safe here.” Grudgingly, Emelly grabbed a few essentials while Lucas called David to arrange security for Jane. As they left, Emelly couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. At Lucas’s penthouse, the tension between them simmered. Emelly paced, her mind racing. “Leo’s trying to frame me,” she muttered. “First the press, now this? He wants the board to turn against me—and you.”


Lucas watched her, his gaze unreadable. “Then we beat him at his own game.” She stopped, frowning. “How?” A slow, calculating smile curved his lips. “We leak false information. Let him think he’s won, then trap him.” Emelly’s eyes lit with reluctant admiration. “You’re devious.” “And you’re reckless,” he countered. “But together, we might just survive this.” Their moment of camaraderie was shattered by a notification on Emelly’s phone. An anonymous message: “You should have stayed out of this, wildflower.” Attached was a photo of her childhood home in Birbinghums. Her breath caught. Leo wasn’t just threatening her—he was targeting her past. Lucas snatched the phone, his expression turning lethal. “That’s it. No more playing defense.” As he stormed off to make calls, Emelly sank onto the couch, her bravado crumbling. For the first time, she felt truly outmatched. Leo had resources, influence, and no qualms about crossing lines. And now, he’d made it personal.