The CEO and the Country Wildflower chapter 7

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The CEO and the Country Wildflower


Chapter 7 Summary: The Double Cross


Emelly Clus, still recovering from her injuries, puts her risky plan into motion—infiltrating Brown Group under the guise of a disgruntled York Group employee to expose Leo Brown’s sabotage. Lucas York, torn between his growing feelings for her and his instinctive distrust, reluctantly agrees but secretly assigns David to shadow her. Meanwhile, Lucas grapples with the undeniable truth: his chronic migraines vanish only when Emelly is near, a realization that unsettles him more than any corporate crisis. As Emelly gains Leo’s trust, she uncovers damning evidence, but the trap snaps shut—Leo knew she was coming. Cornered and outmaneuvered, Emelly’s quick thinking saves her from immediate danger, but not before Leo leaks fabricated proof of her “betrayal” to the media. Lucas, watching the news in horror, must choose between his company’s reputation and the woman who might be his only cure—in every sense of the word.


Chapter 7: The Double Cross


The sterile hospital room felt like a cage. Emelly flexed her fingers, testing the limits of her bandaged wrist, and glared at the IV line tethering her to the bed. She hated feeling weak. Worse, she hated that Lucas York had seen her like this—bleeding, vulnerable, his arms around her as if he cared. The door creaked open, and there he was, silhouetted against the fluorescent hallway lights. Lucas looked as immaculate as ever, his tailored suit hiding the tension in his shoulders. But his eyes—those sharp, calculating eyes—were darker than usual.


“You’re supposed to be resting,” he said, voice clipped. Emelly smirked. “And you’re supposed to be firing me. The board must be thrilled I’m still breathing.” Lucas’s jaw tightened. “They don’t know you’re awake yet.” “How considerate.” She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, ignoring the dizziness.


“But we don’t have time for bedside manners. Leo’s already moving. I need to get into Brown Group before he covers his tracks.” Lucas stepped forward, his hand twitching as if to stop her. “You can barely stand.” “And yet, here I am.” She wobbled, but her grin was defiant. “Unless you’ve got a better plan, Mr. CEO?” He didn’t. That was the infuriating part. Lucas exhaled through his nose, his migraine pulsing behind his temples—until he stepped closer, the scent of her shampoo cutting through the antiseptic hospital air. The pain dulled instantly. His breath hitched. Emelly tilted her head. “What?” “Nothing.”


He turned away, shoving his hands in his pockets. “You’ll go in as a disillusioned York employee. David will tail you.” “David?” She snorted. “Your driver? Subtle.” “He’s ex-special forces.” “Of course he is.” Emelly rolled her eyes. “Fine. But if I’m doing this, I’m doing it my way.” --- Three days later, Emelly walked into Brown Group’s lobby, her heels clicking with feigned confidence. She’d traded her usual thrift-store blazer for a sleek black dress—Linda Crow’s idea of “corporate espionage chic,” borrowed under duress. Leo Brown greeted her with a shark’s smile. “Emelly Clus. The woman who survived Lucas York’s wrath.” “Barely,” she said, injecting just enough bitterness into her voice. “York Group doesn’t appreciate talent.” Leo’s grin widened. “Lucky for us.” Over the next week, Emelly played her part perfectly—flattering Leo, “accidentally” leaving files open on her computer, even bonding with his assistant over shared disdain for corporate bureaucracy.


All the while, she catalogued every detail, her photographic memory storing passwords, server locations, and damning emails. But something felt off. Leo was too accommodating. The security too lax. On Friday night, as she copied the final files onto a flash drive, the office lights blazed on. “Looking for something?” Leo leaned against the doorframe, flanked by two security guards. Emelly’s pulse spiked, but she forced a laugh. “Just finishing up. You work your employees hard, Mr. Brown.” “Cut the act.” He tossed a folder onto the desk—photos of her meeting with Lucas outside the hospital. “Did you really think I wouldn’t check York’s pet genius?” Emelly’s mind raced. She could deny it, but Leo’s smirk said he’d already won. So she switched tactics. “Oh, I knew you’d find out.” She leaned back, twirling the flash drive. “But did you know York Group’s lawyers are already drafting a lawsuit with this?” Leo’s confidence flickered. She pressed on.


“You framed me for the leaks. Lucas has proof. The only question is—do you want to be ruined publicly, or will you settle quietly?” For a heartbeat, she thought it worked. Then Leo laughed. “Cute bluff.” He nodded to the guards. “Take her phone. And call the press—tell them we’ve caught York’s spy.”


Lucas saw the news alert on his car screen: Brown Group Exposes York Corporate Sabotage—Employee Arrested. Emelly’s face, pale but defiant, filled the screen. David gripped the wheel. “Boss?” Lucas’s phone buzzed—a board member demanding Emelly’s immediate termination.


Another migraine spiked, worse than ever. Then his screen lit up with an unknown number. A text: Server room B. 20 minutes. Bring popcorn.


Emelly. Lucas exhaled. She wasn’t caught. She’d let herself be caught. And now, they were both in way over their heads.


To Be Continued… Will Lucas risk everything to help Emelly? What’s waiting in Server Room B? And with Leo’s trap sprung, who’s really playing whom? Find out in Chapter 8: The Server Room Gambit.