CHAPTER 201: REFINEMENT

Beauty’s face turned pale as she lifted her gaze to meet Lucas’s, her heart fluttering wildly like a startled deer.

"Lucas, do you really have to be like this?

Can’t you at least save me some faces in front of my friend?"

Her brows furrowed in displeasure, and she pouted at him like a wounded little rabbit, making Hannah stifle a laugh.

A faint smirk tugged at Lucas’s lips as he murmured in a low voice, "My dear wife, how exactly would you like me to save your face?"

Beauty’s eyes sparkled with sudden boldness.

Rising onto her tiptoes, she pinched his ear—so abruptly that Hannah nearly collapsed in shock.

Clearly, even Lucas hadn’t expected her to dare provoke the tiger.

He froze, letting her tug at his ear, his expression darkening dangerously.

"There! That’s better!"

Though emboldened, Beauty only dared a light pinch before quickly releasing him.

Hannah, terrified of getting caught in the crossfire of their marital war, mentally cheered for her friend but quickly made up an excuse to flee.

She knew full well that the formidable CEO Marson wouldn’t want a third wheel lingering around.

No matter how much Beauty accused her of betrayal—even threatening to cut ties—she pretended not to hear a word.

The moment Hannah left, Lucas’s expression darkened further.

His icy glare sent shivers down Beauty’s spine, prompting her to feign illness immediately.

Clutching her forehead, she groaned pitifully, "Lucas, my head hurts again.

Maybe I should lie down for a bit."

"Let’s lie down together."

No sooner had she settled onto the bed than his weight pressed down on her, his gaze predatory.

His pitch-black pupils seemed to devour her whole.

"Lucas... Lucas, what are you doing?"

"Accompanying my wife to sleep.

Didn’t you say you were tired?"

As he spoke, Lucas pulled her into his arms, his chin lightly brushing against her hair.

His deep, husky voice sent a shiver down her spine.

"I suddenly don’t feel like sleeping anymore."

Beauty tried to sit up, but he pinned her back onto the bed, his gaze intense and predatory.

"If you don’t want to sleep, then let me see what you’ve been working on today."

She bolted upright, reaching out to stop him, but Lucas was quicker.

In one swift motion, he snatched the design sketches from the desk and began examining them with quiet focus.

Since he’d already seen them, she gave up hiding.

She settled beside him, silent and obedient, watching his reaction.

His sharp brows furrowed slightly at first, then gradually relaxed.

Finally, a faint smile tugged at his lips, revealing two shallow dimples on his cheeks.

Time ticked by in the hushed room, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Beauty held her breath, nerves twisting with a sliver of anticipation as she waited for his verdict.

"It’s not fully polished yet, but the overall concept is clear.

Jennifer also submitted two designs today, but they lack originality—nothing groundbreaking compared to previous years.

Yours, on the other hand, stands out.

It’s fresh, eye-catching, and leaves room for imagination."

Whenever Lucas spoke to her about work in that serious tone, she couldn’t help but be captivated.

There was an innate nobility about him, an effortless authority in every gesture, as if he were born to command.

When she remained silent, he added, "One thing to remember—all our past ring collections share a common thread: timeless elegance and grandeur.

Our clients are at the pinnacle of society.

Their taste in beauty and fashion far surpasses the ordinary.

Don’t measure their standards on your own."

Beauty flushed with embarrassment.

Was he implying in this roundabout way that her design was too low-end to appeal to the wealthy elite?

Clearing her throat, she frowned in displeasure.

"I wonder if this diamond ring I designed meets the exacting standards of our esteemed CEO, Mr. Marson?"

Lucas held the sketch between his slender fingers, studying it with an air of solemnity for a long moment before finally setting it back on the table.

He arched a brow and remarked leisurely, "The design is innovative, but it lacks grandeur.

It’s a decent piece, but it still needs refinement."

Beauty pressed her lips together and let out a quiet, disgruntled huff.

So, in the end, he still didn’t think her ring was good enough.

Not that she had held out much hope anyway.

After all, she was just a newcomer.

Noticing her deflated expression, Lucas’s lips curled slightly.

"Once all the design drafts are finalized, we’ll hold a meeting for voting.

Shareholders from other companies will also participate.

It’ll be up to you to rally support for your work."

Oh... That wasn’t exactly her forte.

But if she wanted to excel in this job, she’d have to give it her all.

"There’s also the matter of an ambassador for this jewelry gala," Lucas continued at a measured pace, his deep eyes lingering on her delicate face, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

"If your design is selected, you’ll need to prepare to personally represent it at the promotional event."

Beauty’s expression darkened.

She had never been one for public appearances.

Why on earth would they pass over all those international supermodels in the company and insist on making her the face of the jewelry campaign?

"Why me?" she protested.

"Hasn’t Laura always handled endorsements?"

"She’s on leave until the end of the year," Lucas replied, his tone cool and unreadable.

"So, I’m afraid this responsibility falls to you, Mrs. Marson."

The words sent a ripple of surprise through Beauty’s heart.

Normally, Laura would be the first to jump at such a major event—why would she suddenly take such a long break this time?

Could it be because of what happened last time?

Beauty pondered silently, just about to ask when Lucas arched a sharp eyebrow, his gaze darkening slightly.

"Don’t overthink it.

She’s just tired and needs some rest."

"Oh." Well, Lucas’s affairs had nothing to do with her anyway.

With her gone, it was all the better—out of sight, out of mind.

Night deepened, and the city outside glittered with lights.

The warm glow of the pendant lamp cast a hazy, dreamlike ambiance across the room.

Lucas stood tall and straight by the floor-to-ceiling window, his eyes fixed on the neon-lit skyscrapers beyond, an inscrutable melancholy swirling in his gaze.

A man like Lucas, born as if touched by divinity, carried burdens and responsibilities ten times heavier than an ordinary person’s.

Nearly the entire city of paris was his domain, so every step he took was measured, his mind razor-sharp even in sleep.

Being someone so exceptional must be exhausting, right?

A pang of sympathy tugged at Beauty’s heart.

Watching his chiseled profile, she suddenly stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her cheek gently against his back.