The CEO and the Country Wildflower chapter 3

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The CEO and the Country Wildflower


Chapter 3: The Prank War & The Poisoned Deal


Emelly Clus had never been one to back down from a challenge, especially when it involved infuriating Lucas York. Her first act of revenge was subtle—replacing his imported coffee with a bitter, cheap substitute. Lucas took one sip, grimaced, and immediately summoned his assistant. "Linda," he said, voice dangerously calm, "who touched my coffee?" Linda Crow, ever eager to throw Emelly under the bus, smirked. "The new intern, sir. She insisted on preparing it herself." Lucas's jaw tightened. He should have been furious. Instead, a reluctant smirk tugged at his lips. She’s bold. Emelly, meanwhile, was busy memorizing every detail of York Group’s latest project—a high-stakes merger with a European tech firm.


Tony Bright, her only ally in the office, had slipped her the files, whispering, "Lucas wants this done by Friday. It’s impossible. He’s testing you." She grinned. "Then I’ll pass with flying colors." Her next prank was more daring. She reprogrammed Lucas’s office smart system so that every time he entered, the lights flickered and the temperature dropped to freezing. The first time it happened, Lucas stood in the middle of his office, arms crossed, while his breath fogged in the air. "Emelly," he muttered. She was hiding behind a potted plant outside his door, stifling laughter—until his hand shot out and yanked her inside. "You think this is funny?" he growled. She blinked up at him, feigning innocence. "I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mr. CEO. Maybe your office is haunted?" His migraine, which had been creeping back all morning, vanished the moment her fingers brushed his wrist. His grip loosened. "You’re infuriating." "And yet," she said sweetly, "you can’t fire me." Before he could retort, David burst in, face pale. "Sir, we have a problem.


Brown Group just leaked our merger terms. The European investors are pulling out." Lucas’s expression darkened. "Sabotage." His gaze flicked to Emelly. "You. With me. Now." --- The Poisoned Deal In the emergency board meeting, tensions ran high. Leo Brown, York Group’s smirking rival, had struck where it hurt most—exploiting an insider leak. Lucas’s cold gaze swept the room. "Someone in this company betrayed us." His eyes lingered on Linda, who stiffened, then on Emelly. She met his stare unflinchingly. "I didn’t do it." "Prove it." Emelly’s mind raced. She had seen the original files—memorized every clause.


"The leaked terms are outdated. The final version had a hidden contingency plan." She turned to the panicked investors. "If you walk away now, you’ll lose the real deal." Lucas’s eyes flashed with something akin to admiration. "She’s right." But as the room erupted into arguments, Emelly noticed Linda slipping out, phone in hand. She followed. Outside, Linda hissed into the receiver, "Leo, she’s onto us—" Emelly’s blood ran cold. Linda’s the traitor. Before she could react, a hand clamped over her mouth, dragging her into a shadowed alcove. Lucas’s breath was warm against her ear. "Don’t move." Her heart pounded.


They were inches apart, his body shielding hers. For once, neither of them spoke. Then—footsteps. Leo Brown’s voice, dangerously close. "Find them." Lucas’s grip tightened. "Trust me?" he whispered. Emelly swallowed. Did she? --- To Be Continued... Will Emelly and Lucas escape Leo’s trap? Who else is working against York Group? And why does Lucas’s touch send sparks through Emelly—despite her resolve to hate him? Find out in the next explosive chapter!