The CEO and the Country Wildflower chapter 28

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The CEO and the Country Wildflower
Chapter 28: The Gala Gambit


The victory against Leo Brown’s forged documents had bought York Group a temporary reprieve, but Lucas knew better than to let his guard down. The injunction had been lifted, but the damage to their reputation lingered like a stubborn stain. The annual Lasmington Business Gala—an event where alliances were forged and rivals circled like sharks—was just days away, and Leo would undoubtedly use it to strike again. Emelly, meanwhile, was still riding the high of her triumph.


Jane had practically thrown a mini-celebration in their tiny apartment, complete with cheap wine and a victory dance that nearly knocked over their rickety coffee table. But beneath the laughter, Emelly couldn’t shake the way Lucas had looked at her when she’d uncovered the forgery—like she was the only person in the room. It terrified her. So when Lucas summoned her to his office the next morning, she braced herself for another round of their usual sparring. Instead, he dropped a bombshell. “You’re attending the gala with me.” Emelly blinked. “Excuse me?” Lucas leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “Leo will be there. He’ll try to undermine us, and I need someone who can think on their feet.” “So bring Linda,” Emelly shot back, crossing her arms. “She’d probably love to hang off your arm all night.” A muscle twitched in Lucas’s jaw.


“Linda lacks your… unique talent for chaos.” Emelly narrowed her eyes. “Was that a compliment?” “It was an observation.” She scoffed but couldn’t suppress the flicker of amusement. “Fine. But I’m not wearing one of those suffocating ball gowns.” Lucas’s lips quirked. “I’ll have David pick you up at seven.”


The night of the gala arrived, and Emelly stood in front of her cracked full-length mirror, adjusting the emerald-green dress Jane had somehow convinced her to wear. It was elegant but understated, with a slit that made her feel daring and a neckline that didn’t plunge into scandalous territory. Jane whistled. “Leo Brown won’t know what hit him.” Emelly groaned. “This is a business event, not a battlefield.” “With you and Lucas? Everything’s a battlefield.” David arrived promptly, and Emelly’s stomach twisted as the car glided toward the glittering venue. When she stepped inside, the opulence of the gala hit her like a wave—crystal chandeliers, champagne towers, and the city’s elite mingling like characters in a high-stakes drama. Then she spotted Lucas.


He stood near the entrance, his black tuxedo tailored to perfection, his sharp features even more striking under the soft lighting. Their eyes locked, and for a heartbeat, the noise around them faded. Then he was beside her, his hand brushing the small of her back as he leaned down. “Try not to start a fire,” he murmured. Emelly smirked. “No promises.” --- The evening unfolded with a tense rhythm. Lucas played the charming CEO, while Emelly used her sharp wit to deflect veiled insults from competitors. But the real test came when Leo Brown sauntered over, a smug grin on his face. “Lucas,” Leo drawled. “I see you’ve brought your… assistant.” His gaze raked over Emelly. “How… unconventional.” Lucas’s grip on his champagne glass tightened, but Emelly stepped forward before he could respond. “Mr. Brown,” she said sweetly. “I heard you’ve been busy lately. Filing lawsuits, forging documents—must be exhausting.” Leo’s smile faltered. “Careful, Miss Clus. Accusations like that could land you in legal trouble.” “Only if they’re false.”


She tilted her head. “But we both know they’re not.” The air between them crackled. Lucas’s hand found hers, his fingers intertwining with hers in a silent show of solidarity. The contact sent a jolt through her, and for the first time all night, she noticed his migraine hadn’t resurfaced. Leo’s eyes flicked to their joined hands, and a slow, calculating smile spread across his face. “How interesting.” Before Emelly could retort, the lights dimmed, and the host announced the evening’s keynote speaker.


The crowd shifted, but Leo leaned in, his voice a venomous whisper. “Enjoy your victory while it lasts, York. The game isn’t over.” As he melted into the crowd, Emelly exhaled. “He’s planning something.” Lucas’s thumb traced circles on her palm, his voice low. “Then we’ll be ready.” But neither of them anticipated what came next. Midway through the speeches, the screens around the room flickered—then displayed a damning email chain, allegedly between Lucas and a rival CEO, discussing insider trading. The room erupted in gasps. Emelly’s blood ran cold. The dates were wrong—she’d memorized Lucas’s correspondence for the past year—but the damage was instant. Reporters surged forward, cameras flashing. Lucas’s face was granite. “This is a setup.” Emelly’s mind raced. “We need to prove it’s fake—now.” But before they could move, security approached, their expressions grim. “Mr. York, we’ve been asked to escort you out.” The gala had become a trap. And Leo Brown was watching from the shadows, his smirk triumphant. ---