The CEO and the Country Wildflower chapter 48

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The CEO and the Country Wildflower
Chapter 48: The Trapdoor’s Secret


Lucas’s grip on Emelly’s wrist was iron-tight as they dangled above the yawning darkness beneath the warehouse’s trapdoor. The police sirens wailed outside, but the real danger was the creaking hinges above them, threatening to give way at any second. Emelly’s breath came in short gasps, her fingers digging into Lucas’s forearm. “If we fall, I swear I’ll haunt you forever,” she hissed, though her voice lacked its usual bite. Lucas’s lips twitched despite the situation. “If we fall, I’ll fire you for insubordination.” Emelly rolled her eyes, but before she could retort, the trapdoor groaned ominously.


Lucas’s free hand shot out, grasping a rusted metal bar jutting from the wall. With a grunt, he swung them both sideways just as the door collapsed inward, sending debris crashing into the abyss below. Emelly yelped as her foot slipped, but Lucas hauled her back against him, his body shielding hers as they clung to the bar. The dim light from above revealed a narrow maintenance ladder a few feet away—rusted but intact. “Move slowly,” Lucas ordered, his voice low. Emelly didn’t argue this time. Inch by inch, they shifted toward the ladder, their muscles straining. When her fingers finally closed around the rung, she exhaled in relief—until the metal groaned under their combined weight. Lucas’s jaw clenched. “Climb. Now.” She scrambled up, Lucas right behind her. The ladder shuddered but held. As they reached the top, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the warehouse. Emelly peeked over the edge. “Cops?” Lucas shook his head. “Too quiet. Leo’s men.” A shadow moved near the exit. Emelly’s mind raced. Then, with a sudden grin, she grabbed a loose pipe from the ground and hurled it across the room. The clatter drew the men’s attention, and Lucas didn’t hesitate—he pulled her toward a side door, slipping out just as shouts erupted behind them. Outside, the cold night air hit them like a slap.


Emelly’s legs wobbled, but Lucas steadied her, his hand warm against her back. “You’re insane,” he muttered. She smirked. “And yet, you keep me around.” Before he could reply, his phone buzzed. Bruno’s name flashed on the screen. Lucas answered tersely, his expression darkening. “York Group’s servers have been hacked.


Bruno’s handling it, but—” “But?” Emelly pressed. “Serritary insisted on going with him.” Emelly blinked. “Serritary? The same Serritary who threatened to set Bruno’s car on fire last week?” Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose. “Apparently, she’s ‘exceptionally skilled at cybersecurity.’” Emelly burst out laughing. “This I have to see.” --- Meanwhile, at York Group’s headquarters, Bruno stood frozen in the server room as Serritary typed furiously on a keyboard, her brows knitted in concentration. “You’re telling me you can trace this?” Bruno demanded. She didn’t look up. “I’m telling you to shut up and let me work.”


Bruno scowled but obeyed. He had seen her temper in action—best not to provoke her now. Lines of code flashed across the screen. Serritary’s lips curled in triumph. “Got it. The breach came from inside the company.”


Bruno stiffened. “Who?” She turned the monitor toward him. The IP address led straight to Tony’s workstation. Bruno’s stomach dropped. “That’s impossible.” Serritary arched a brow. “Evidence doesn’t lie.” Before Bruno could respond, his phone rang. Tony’s voice was frantic. “Bruno, you have to listen—Linda set me up. She—” The line went dead. --- Back in the warehouse district, Tony stared at his phone in disbelief. Linda’s smirk from across the office sent a chill down his spine. “Poor Tony,” she cooed. “Always so trusting.” He clenched his fists. “What do you want?” She leaned in, her voice a venomous whisper. “Leave York Group. Or Emelly pays the price.” Tony’s blood ran cold.