The CEO and the Country Wildflower chapter 73

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The CEO and the Country Wildflower
Chapter 73: The Silence Between Words


The world around them had dissolved into nothingness—just the warmth of Emelly’s hand in Lucas’s, the quiet hum of the city beyond the office windows, and the unspoken weight of everything they hadn’t yet said. His migraine, ever-present and relentless, had vanished the moment their fingers intertwined, leaving behind only the sharp clarity of the moment. Emelly was the first to break the silence, though she didn’t pull away. "You’re staring," she murmured, her voice softer than usual, lacking its usual teasing edge. Lucas didn’t deny it. "You’re the only thing in this room worth looking at." She scoffed, but the flush creeping up her neck betrayed her. "Did you rehearse that line, or did it just slip out?" "Would you believe me if I said both?" His thumb brushed lightly over her knuckles, and he watched, fascinated, as her breath hitched. Before she could retort, the office door swung open, and David cleared his throat loudly. "Apologies for interrupting, but the legal team is waiting. Brown Group’s latest motion just hit the system." The spell shattered. Emelly yanked her hand back, and Lucas immediately missed the contact, the dull throb of his headache creeping back in. He exhaled sharply. "Tell them we’ll be there in five." As David retreated, Emelly busied herself with gathering files, her movements brisk. "We should go. The sooner we crush Leo’s latest attempt, the sooner I can go back to plotting your downfall." Lucas smirked. "Still pretending you hate me, Clus?" She shot him a glare, but there was no real heat in it. "I don’t pretend anything, York. I just have standards." He stepped closer, deliberately invading her space. "Liar." Her lips parted, but whatever sharp retort she’d prepared died on her tongue when his phone buzzed. Bruno’s name flashed on the screen, followed by a message: Emergency. Serritary locked me out of the house. Again. Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose. "I need to take this." Emelly waved him off, already heading for the door. "Go save your friend from his wife. I’ll handle the lawyers." --- Across town, Bruno Halthorn stood on the manicured lawn of his—technically their—mansion, glaring up at the second-floor window where Serritary lounged with a glass of wine, looking far too pleased with herself. "You can’t keep doing this," he called up. She took a slow sip. "Watch me." Bruno groaned. "What did I even do this time?" "You ate the last chocolate croissant." "That was yesterday!" "And yet," she said sweetly, "the betrayal still stings." He dragged a hand down his face. "Serritary, I bought twelve more this morning. They’re in the kitchen." There was a beat of silence. Then the window slammed shut. Bruno muttered under his breath as he heard the front door unlock. By the time he made it inside, Serritary was already in the kitchen, happily devouring a croissant. "You’re impossible," he grumbled, though there was no real anger in it. She grinned, crumbs at the corner of her lips. "And yet you married me." He stared at her, the words slipping out before he could stop them. "Best decision I ever made." Her chewing slowed. For once, she had no clever comeback. --- Back at York Group, Emelly faced off against Brown Group’s legal team with her usual sharp wit, dismantling their arguments one by one. Tony, watching from the sidelines, nudged Jane. "She’s terrifying. I love it." Jane sighed dreamily. "I know, right?" Tony blinked. "Wait—you’re not jealous?" "Of Emelly? Please." Jane rolled her eyes. "I’m just impressed. Also, mildly concerned for Lucas’s sanity if he thinks he can handle her." Linda, lurking nearby with a scowl, muttered something under her breath. Emelly caught it and turned, smiling sweetly. "Something to add, Linda? Or are you just here to admire my work?" The room erupted into stifled laughter. Linda stormed out. --- Later, as the sun dipped below the skyline, Lucas found Emelly on the office rooftop, her arms braced against the railing as she stared out at the city. "Legal team’s packing up," he said, coming to stand beside her. "We won." She didn’t look at him. "Of course we did." He studied her profile—the stubborn set of her jaw, the way the wind tugged at her hair. "What’s really bothering you?" For a long moment, she didn’t answer. Then, quietly: "What happens when all of this is over? When Brown Group’s gone, and there’s no more crisis to force us together?" Lucas turned fully toward her, his voice low. "Then we find out what’s left when the dust settles." Emelly finally met his gaze, her eyes searching his. Neither of them moved. The moment stretched, fragile and charged—until her phone buzzed. Jane’s name lit up the screen with a single message: Tony just asked me out. I panicked and said yes. HELP. Emelly burst out laughing, the tension broken. Lucas raised an eyebrow. "What?" She shook her head, still grinning. "Nothing. Just… life." He smiled faintly. "Life," he agreed. And for the first time, it felt like they were on the same page. --- Summary of Chapter 73: Lucas and Emelly share a charged moment before being interrupted by work. Bruno and Serritary’s playful marriage antics continue, revealing deeper affection. Emelly dominates in court against Brown Group, humiliating Linda in the process. Tony finally asks Jane out, sending her into a panic. The chapter ends with Lucas and Emelly on the rooftop, the future between them uncertain but undeniably intertwined.