The CEO and the Country Wildflower chapter 62

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The CEO and the Country Wildflower
Chapter 62: The CEO’s Unexpected Weakness


The morning after their victory against Leo Brown, Emelly Clus arrived at York Group with a spring in her step. The office buzzed with whispers about Linda Crow’s suspension, and for once, no one dared to shoot her the usual disdainful looks. Even the elevator ride felt lighter—until the doors slid open to reveal Lucas York, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. “You’re late,” he said, voice cool. Emelly checked her watch. “By thirty seconds. Should I grovel or just accept my impending doom?” A muscle in Lucas’s jaw twitched. “Follow me.” She trailed behind him into his office, where he dropped a thick file onto his desk. “This is Brown Group’s latest proposal. Find every flaw in it by noon.”


Emelly flipped it open, scanning the dense legal jargon. “You want me to dismantle Leo’s entire strategy in three hours?” “Problem?” His smirk was infuriating. She matched it with one of her own. “Only if you’re afraid I’ll do it too well.” Lucas leaned back in his chair, watching her with an unreadable expression. “Prove it.” --- By 11:45 AM, Emelly marched back into his office and dropped the annotated file in front of him. “Leo’s hiding a 12% cost inflation in subcontractor fees, and his projected revenue is based on outdated market data. Also, page forty-seven has a clause that would let him seize York assets if the project fails.” Lucas’s brows lifted slightly. “Impressive.” “I know,” she said sweetly. “Now, about my reward—” “Reward?” “Yes. Like, say, not being given another soul-crushing task before lunch?” His lips quirked. “Fine. But only because I’m hungry.”


Emelly blinked. “Wait—are you asking me to eat with you?” “I’m stating that I’m going to lunch. You can come if you stop talking.” She grinned. “Deal.” --- The café down the street was quiet, the hum of the city a distant backdrop. Lucas ordered black coffee; Emelly, a caramel latte and a croissant big enough to hide behind. “You eat like a starved raccoon,” he remarked as she tore into the pastry. “And you drink like a vampire who hates joy,” she shot back. A flicker of amusement crossed his face before he winced, fingers pressing against his temple. Emelly’s teasing died instantly. “Migraine?” He gave a tight nod. Without thinking, she reached across the table and covered his hand with hers. The tension in his shoulders eased almost immediately, his breath evening out.


They both froze. Lucas stared at their joined hands, then at her. “How do you do that?” “I—I don’t know,” she admitted, pulse racing. “But you’re welcome.” For a long moment, neither moved. Then Lucas turned his hand, threading his fingers through hers. “Stay.” The single word sent warmth flooding through her. --- Meanwhile, Jane Claudias was mid-rant in the office break room. “Tony Bright is literally a brick wall. I flirt, he talks about spreadsheets. I wear a new dress, he asks if it’s ‘workplace appropriate.’” Tony walked in just in time to hear that. “It was a genuine question! Dress codes matter.” Jane groaned. “I give up.” Emelly, returning from lunch still flushed from Lucas’s touch, caught the tail end of the drama. “Tony, just take her to dinner. Jane, stop being subtle. You’re bad at it.” Tony blinked. “Wait—you like me?” Jane buried her face in her hands. --- Back in his office, Lucas stared at the documents Emelly had dissected, a strange tightness in his chest. She was infuriating, brilliant, and somehow… necessary. His phone buzzed—Bruno. “Serritary’s family is pushing for a public appearance. Think you and your ‘wildflower’ can handle a charity gala?” Lucas smirked. Oh, this would be fun.