CHAPTER 116: TAKING A PICTURE

At the mention of Chicago, a faint smile finally flickered across Beauty’s lips.

At this time of year, Chicago must be awash with crimson maple leaves! That cozy little town with its simple, honest folk has been gaining popularity, nearly becoming an annual tourist hotspot.

"Chicago?

I’ve heard about it but never had the chance to visit.

Could you take me along?" Cynthia, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up, her eyes crinkling with a smile as she fixed her gaze on Lucas, as if awaiting his decision.

"What’s the big deal? I’ll take you with me.

Big brother is going to Chicago to pay respects at Grandpa’s grave.

Let me tag along too!"

Though Laura and Emily had little regard for Lucas’s maternal relatives, she still put on an act of filial piety in front of him, sweetly referring to his grandfather as if she truly cared.

After a brief silence, Lucas lifted his cold gaze to Laura.

"You Beauty and I are going to Chicago to visit Grandpa’s grave and tidy up the old house.

What business do you have there?"

"I just wanted to see Chicago.

I heard it’s quite beautiful.

If Mr. Lucas doesn’t want to take me, that’s fine too."

Cynthia’s eyes dimmed with visible disappointment, her smile fading as her fingers twisted nervously in her lap.

In the end, Lucas decided to bring both Laura and Cynthia along.

Though Beauty wasn’t thrilled about their company, she didn’t voice any further objections.

As soon as they stepped off the plane, a heavy downpour greeted them, shrouding the entire town in a curtain of rain.

The timing couldn’t have been worse.

Their driver was already waiting at the airport, loading their luggage into the trunk of the van.

Since Chicago was quite a distance from paris, Lucas planned to stay overnight and return to the company the next morning.

Inside the car, Laura and Cynthia chatted animatedly, their faces alight with excitement as they watched the torrential rain outside.

Beauty turned her head to gaze outside, her heart awash with mixed emotions.

The rain seemed to welcome her arrival, just as it had on the day her grandfather passed away, washing the entire city of Chicago into pristine clarity.

So many years had slipped by in the blink of an eye.

The old family estate stood in the most picturesque part of Chicago, nestled beside the ancient moat.

Back then, her grandfather would often take her for leisurely walks along its banks, where they’d watch people fishing and catching shrimp.

Even now, the moat remained unchanged—timeless, as if untouched by the years.

To her, it was an ageless guardian, steadfast and unmoved no matter how many people came and went.

The old butler greeted Lucas with unusual warmth, his smile deepening the creases on his face.

After Grandpa’s passing, they should have all been let go, but Lucas, mindful of their long service and the hardship of sudden unemployment, had allowed them to stay on to maintain the estate.

Their treatment remained just as it had been under Grandpa’s care, and for that, they held a special affection for Lucas—almost as if he were family.

The housekeeper had prepared a feast of local delicacies.

At the sight of the familiar dishes spread across the table, Beauty nearly choked back tears.

Lucas insisted that everyone in the household join them at the table, turning the meal into something resembling a family reunion.

Though grandpa was no longer with them, everything around them felt just the same.

After dinner, Cynthia accompanied them to pay respects at Grandpa’s grave.

Thankfully, the rain had stopped, leaving the small town veiled in a misty haze, the sky clear and endless.

Grandpa’s grave was nestled on the mountainside, surrounded by lush greenery.

At this time of year, the maple trees were in full splendor, their fiery red leaves stretching across the hills like clusters of flames.

The moss-covered bluestone path felt soft underfoot, its emerald hue muted yet vibrant.

Along the way, Beauty had gathered a large bouquet of wildflowers—something she always did whenever she visited her grandfather.

The blossoms were a riot of colors, vivid and striking, though many were varieties she still couldn’t name.

Lucas carried a flask of liquor.

Drinking had been Grandpa’s greatest joy in life, and whenever Lucas traveled for work, he made sure to bring back a bottle of the finest local brew for him.

"Grandfather, I’ve brought Beauty to see you," Lucas said, his voice low and steady, though a shadow seemed to pass over his face, obscuring the emotions in his eyes.

The mountainside was utterly still, save for the occasional chirping of birds.

"Grandpa, are you doing well over there?"

Beauty murmured as she laid the bouquet before the bluestone tombstone.

Her fingers traced the photograph embedded in the stone—a portrait of her grandfather in his military days, dignified and full of vigor.

"I dreamed of you just the other night.

You looked exactly the same—not a day older, smiling just as kindly as ever.

I’ve grown up now, and I’m even working at Marson Corporation.

I think... you’d be happy to know that."

Meanwhile, Laura pinched her own arm hard,

forcing out a couple of tears.

She played the devoted granddaughter flawlessly in front of the late grandpa, addressing him as "Grandfather" with saccharine sweetness—as if she’d never once referred to him as "that old man" alongside Emily.

After descending from the mountain cemetery, Beauty remained unusually quiet.

Cynthia, on the other hand, occasionally tried to strike up conversations with Lucas, only to receive curt, indifferent responses, his face clouded with an unreadable expression.

The driver parked the car at the foot of the mountain.

The previously overcast sky had unexpectedly cleared, and the sun now shone brightly.

Sunlight filtered through the lush foliage, glistening off raindrops that clung to the leaves like dazzling diamonds.

Upon returning to the ancestral home, Cynthia suggested Laura show her around the scenic spots nearby.

She had initially invited Lucas to join them, but he flatly refused.

When she feigned politeness by extending the invitation to Beauty as well, the latter also declined without hesitation.

With visible irritation, Laura grabbed Cynthia’s arm and dragged her outside.

Only after the two had left did Beauty finally step into the courtyard.

To her, no scenery in the entire city of New York could compare to this old courtyard.

The trees she had once planted with her grandfather now stood tall and verdant.

Some of the flowers they had nurtured had already wilted, while others bloomed in full splendor—some as white as snow, others as red as fire—transforming the courtyard into a vibrant garden.

Beauty settled onto a bench beneath an osmanthus tree.

A gentle breeze stirred the air, carrying with it the delicate, intoxicating fragrance of the blossoms, mingling with the dampness of the wind—refreshing and soothing to the soul.

Meanwhile, Lucas leaned casually against a loquat tree, his deep-set eyes brimming with quiet intensity.

He plucked a leaf from the branch and studied it intently in his palm.

*Click.*

Beauty swiftly pulled out her camera from her bag, focused the lens on him, and pressed the shutter before he could react—as if fearing he might snatch the camera away at any moment.

Lowering the camera immediately, she checked the photo.

As expected, someone this handsome didn’t need careful framing—every angle was effortlessly perfect.

In the photograph, Lucas’s face was slightly turned, his chiseled features bathed in sunlight, radiating an unusual tenderness.

Dappled light filtered through the emerald leaves, casting delicate patterns atop his head.

She couldn’t help but imagine printing this photo and hanging it on her office wall—letting everyone witness his striking handsomeness and that rare, gentle side of him.

"You took a picture of me without asking."

Lucas lifted his gaze, his deep, star-like eyes settling on the camera in her hands.

For a fleeting moment, she thought she caught sight of the faint dimple on his right cheek—soft, subtle, and disarmingly warm.

"Well, you were the one posing so perfectly!

The scene was just too beautiful to resist.

Want to take a look?

I’d say my photography skills are pretty decent!"

Beauty waved the camera eagerly at her boss, her tone dripping with exaggerated flattery.

Ever since becoming his assistant, she had gradually realized he wasn’t quite the tyrant she’d once thought.

In fact, she found herself admiring him more and more—especially after he’d fiercely put that sleazy foreign businessman in his place for her sake.

Not that it meant anything beyond professional respect, of course.

She hadn’t forgotten how he used to torment her.

Lucas ignored her momentary admiration, his lips curling into a cold smirk.

"No need.

I’d rather just look in the mirror."

*Pfft—* That had to be the most shameless thing she’d ever heard.

But then again, he had the looks to back it up.

Truly, a man favored by the gods.

The midday sun grew fiercer, its warmth seeping through the osmanthus leaves and lulling her into drowsiness.

Before long, Beauty dozed off in her chair.

She even had a spring dream.

In the dream, Lucas held her hand as they wandered through every corner of Chicago.

Unlike his usual cold and aloof demeanor in real life, the Lucas in her dream wore a smile that made her heart flutter.

Suddenly, a plump green caterpillar dropped from a leaf and landed limply on Beauty’s nose.

Lucas sat beside her, his long fingers holding a book on business strategy.

When he turned his head and saw the tiny creature perched on the bridge of her nose, a faint smile tugged at his lips, deepening the dimples in his cheeks.

He pulled out his phone and snapped a photo.

Beauty, still asleep, wore a sweet smile, her eyes slightly crinkled, soft and gentle like a little white rabbit—nothing like her usual self when awake.

Only in sleep did she truly let her guard down and become her real self.

Unable to resist, he pressed a light kiss to her forehead, then carefully plucked the caterpillar from her nose and let it rest in his palm.

Sensing danger, the little creature immediately froze, playing dead without so much as a twitch.

With a quiet chuckle, Lucas placed it back on the leaf.

As if nothing had happened—yet everything had.

The world was peaceful, the sunlight warm, and having someone by his side made life feel complete.

Beauty slept for nearly two hours, lost in her dream, and he didn’t wake her.

Watching the dreamy expression on her face, his eyes gleamed with mischief, his smile deepening.

The butler, noticing the scene, couldn’t help but smirk knowingly.

When Grandpa passed away, his greatest worry had been Beauty—fearing no one would look after her in the future, especially since she had endured so much hardship since childhood.

Now, seeing how attentively Lucas cared for her, warmth filled his heart.

At least he wouldn’t have to worry about her being abandoned again...

By the time Beauty woke up, the glaring sun had already softened.

Fresh from sleep, her delicate face still carried a faint flush, like two streaks of rosy clouds settling on her cheeks.

Stretching lazily, she turned her head—only to find Lucas watching her with an amused smirk.

Instinctively, she wiped the corner of her mouth, relieved to find no drool there, and exhaled deeply.

"Seems like you had a pleasant dream," came his cool, composed voice, startling her slightly.

Suddenly recalling the rather... intimate dream she’d had, her cheeks burned even hotter.

"D-did I say anything in my sleep?" she ventured timidly, blinking rapidly, her bashful expression not escaping Lucas’s sharp gaze.

He paused deliberately for two seconds before replying flatly,

"No.

But I could tell you were in a good mood—borderline lovesick.

Don’t tell me you were dreaming about me?"

Leaning abruptly, he caught her off guard, making her jerk backward in alarm.

Her breath hitched, nearly biting her tongue, wide doe eyes locked onto his.

Then—her foot slipped on a dry twig, sending her stumbling backward.

Lucas reacted instantly, his strong arm snaking around her waist to steady her, pulling her tight against him.

Their height difference left them staring into each other’s eyes, breaths growing uneven.

Beauty’s already flushed face burned crimson all the way to the tips of her ears, her lips pressed together nervously.

Lucas, however, remained unreadable, his expression as inscrutable as ever.