The CEO and the Country Wildflower chapter 79

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The CEO and the Country Wildflower


Chapter 79: Shadows and Secrets


The penthouse was eerily quiet, the city lights of Lasmington flickering beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. Emelly sat curled up on the couch, her fingers tracing the rim of a half-empty teacup. Lucas stood by the window, his jaw tight, his usual commanding presence shadowed by tension. "You should get some rest," he said, his voice low. Emelly scoffed. "Right. Because sleep is so easy when someone’s been spying on me." Lucas turned, his dark eyes softening just slightly. "You’re safe here." "Safe?" She arched a brow. "You mean until the next hidden camera or mysterious break-in?" Before Lucas could respond, his phone buzzed. Bruno’s name flashed on the screen. He answered, putting it on speaker. "We’ve got a problem," Bruno’s voice crackled through. "Tony just left Jane’s place in a hurry. Serritary followed him—he’s heading toward the docks." Emelly shot to her feet. "Why would Tony go there?" Lucas’s grip on the phone tightened. "Because he’s not working alone." --- The docks were shrouded in mist, the scent of salt and damp wood thick in the air. Emelly stayed close to Lucas as they moved silently between shipping containers, Bruno and Serritary flanking them. Then they saw him—Tony, standing near a dimly lit warehouse, speaking to a shadowed figure. Linda. Emelly’s breath hitched. "I knew it." Lucas’s hand found hers, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "Stay behind me." But before they could move, a sharp voice cut through the darkness. "Looking for something?" Leo Brown stepped into the light, flanked by two armed men. His smirk was razor-sharp. "I thought you’d be smarter than to walk into a trap, York." Lucas didn’t flinch. "You’re out of moves, Leo. The police already have everything they need to bury you." Leo laughed. "Do they? Because last I checked, your little spy—" He jerked his chin toward Tony. "—just handed me everything I need to dismantle York Group from the inside." Tony’s face paled. "That’s not—" "Save it," Jane’s voice rang out as she stepped from the shadows, her eyes blazing. "I recorded every word you said to her, Tony. You’re done." A beat of silence. Then chaos erupted. --- Back at the penthouse, Emelly paced, her mind racing. Lucas was in his study, finalizing the evidence to ensure Leo’s arrest. Bruno and Serritary had left to handle the legal fallout. Jane slumped onto the couch, exhaling hard. "I can’t believe Tony was working with Linda this whole time." Emelly stopped pacing. "I can. He always acted too perfect." Jane smirked. "Says the woman dating the CEO who used to make your life hell." Emelly threw a pillow at her. "Shut up." The door opened, and Lucas walked in, his expression unreadable. "It’s over. Leo’s in custody. Tony’s cooperating in exchange for leniency." Emelly crossed her arms. "And Linda?" "Fled the country," Lucas said. "But she won’t get far." Jane stood, stretching. "Well, I’m going to bed before this turns into another dramatic monologue." She winked at Emelly before disappearing down the hall. Silence settled between them. Lucas stepped closer, his gaze intense. "You okay?" Emelly sighed. "Just tired of people betraying us." His hand cupped her cheek, his touch warm. "Then it’s a good thing you have me." She rolled her eyes but didn’t pull away. "Don’t get cocky, York." He smirked. "Too late." And then he kissed her—slow, deep, and full of promises.