The CEO and the Country Wildflower chapter 31

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The CEO and the Country Wildflower
Chapter 31: The Trap and the Tension


Emelly Clus adjusted the strap of her bag as she stepped into the York Group boardroom, her pulse quickening under the weight of dozens of curious—and some outright hostile—stares. The Brown Group merger team had gathered, and she was the newest addition, thanks to Linda Crow’s not-so-subtle sabotage.


Linda sat at the far end of the table, her lips curled in a smirk as she tapped her manicured nails against the polished wood. “Ah, the celebrity has arrived,” she drawled, earning a few chuckles from the team. Emelly forced a smile. “Only here to make sure we don’t get swindled by Brown Group. But I’m sure you’ve got that covered, Linda.” The jab landed, and Linda’s smirk faltered. Before she could retort, Leo Brown strode in, his sharp suit and sharper gaze cutting through the room. His eyes locked onto Emelly, and a slow, calculating grin spread across his face. “Miss Clus. What an unexpected pleasure.”


She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Mr. Brown. Let’s hope the merger is just as pleasant.” The meeting began, and Emelly quickly realized why this assignment was a trap. Leo had buried loopholes in the contract, subtle enough to evade most scrutiny but devastating if overlooked. Her photographic memory caught every inconsistency, and she scribbled furious notes, her mind racing. Meanwhile, Lucas York sat in his office, his migraine throbbing despite the distance between them. He drummed his fingers against his desk, glaring at the clock. Emelly had been in that meeting for two hours. Too long. David, his ever-loyal driver, cleared his throat. “Sir, you’ve canceled three meetings to stare at the wall. Should I call Miss Clus?” Lucas scowled. “No.” A pause. “Yes.”


Before David could dial, Emelly burst into the office, her cheeks flushed and eyes blazing. “Leo’s trying to screw us over,” she announced, slapping her notes onto Lucas’s desk. He skimmed them, his frown deepening. “These clauses would give Brown Group control over our patents.” “Exactly. And Linda didn’t say a word.” Emelly crossed her arms. “She’s either incompetent or working with him.” Lucas’s jaw tightened. “Or both.” He stood, his towering frame looming over her. “You shouldn’t have gone in there alone.” She arched a brow. “Afraid I’d outshine your legal team?”


A reluctant smirk tugged at his lips. “I’m afraid you’d get yourself fired—or worse.” The tension between them crackled, neither willing to admit how much they cared. That night, Emelly recounted the day’s events to Jane over takeout. “I swear, Lucas acts like I’m made of glass one second and then throws me into a lion’s den the next.” Jane grinned. “Sounds like someone’s smitten.” Emelly choked on her noodles. “With him? Please. He’s insufferable.” “Uh-huh. And yet you’re grinning.” She wasn’t. Much.


The next morning, Leo Brown made his move. He “accidentally” bumped into Emelly in the hallway, his hand lingering on her arm. “You’re too clever for York,” he murmured. “Brown Group could use someone like you.” She yanked her arm free. “Thanks, but I don’t work with snakes.” His smile turned icy. “Pity.” Later, Emelly discovered her computer had been hacked—all her merger notes, deleted. Linda feigned sympathy, but the glint in her eyes was unmistakable. Lucas stormed into IT, his voice a dangerous growl. “Fix it. Now.” Emelly, however, simply pulled out a flash drive. “Already backed up.” She smirked at Linda’s stunned expression. “Super memory, remember? I rewrote everything last night.” Lucas stared at her, something unreadable in his gaze. Pride? Admiration? More? Before he could speak, Tony Bright rushed in. “Leo just called an emergency meeting. He’s bringing in a new investor—someone with enough leverage to force the merger.” Lucas’s expression darkened. “Who?” Tony swallowed. “His father. Richard Brown.”


The room fell silent. Richard Brown was a legend in the business world—ruthless, untouchable. And if he was involved, this merger was no longer just a trap. It was a war. As Emelly and Lucas exchanged a glance, the unspoken question hung between them: How do we fight an enemy who plays dirtier than we do?