CHAPTER 98: UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

Drake and Samantha were seated not far away, easily visible with just a glance.

Sarah’s gaze occasionally drifted in their direction, but she never lingered, quickly averting her eyes each time.

"That Drake sure goes through girlfriends like changing clothes," Beauty remarked casually, taking a bite of burger as her eyes settled on Drake, who was leaning in to whisper something to Samantha.

At first glance, they looked like the perfect golden couple, but something about their dynamic didn’t quite scream romance.

Beauty couldn’t put her finger on exactly what it was.

Sarah smiled faintly, her lips curling slightly.

"Drake’s never been short of female company, but the ones you’ve seen before were just flings.

Now that his ’official’ girlfriend is back, the others naturally faded away."

When she mentioned the "official" girlfriend, a barely perceptible bitterness flickered at the corner of Sarah’s mouth.

There was a time when she, too, had been Drake’s official girlfriend—when they were the golden couple everyone envied.

Back then, even Lucas had joked that someone had finally tamed the playboy.

Now, looking back, it all just felt absurd.

Memories had a way of weighing on the heart.

Beauty knew Sarah and Drake had once shared a deep, unforgettable love, but she had no idea what had torn such a perfect pair apart.

Now, when they crossed paths, it was as if they were complete strangers—living proof of the saying, "part ways and forget each other in the vast world."

After dinner, Sarah offered to drive Beauty back to the villa, but before they could leave, Lucas’s chauffeur called.

Sarah had no choice but to wait with her at the restaurant entrance for the driver to arrive.

The temperature difference between day and night in New York was stark.

The river wind howled across the water’s surface, making the thin dress she wore feel almost too light against the evening chill.

It’s October—scorching under the blazing sun during the day, yet pleasantly cool when night fell, with a gentle breeze whispering through the air.

The driver pulled up in front of the restaurant.

After bidding Sarah goodbye, Beauty got into the car and shut the door.

This was Lucas’s personal driver, a man whose demeanor was as sharp and aloof as his employer’s.

He rarely spoke, and even when Beauty asked him ten questions, he might only answer one or two—always brief and to the point.

"Did Mr. Lucas returns to the villa tonight?"

"Yes. He’s waiting for you there."

For the first time ever, the driver actually gave her a full sentence.

The unexpected response left her both flustered and uneasy.

If Lucas was back at the villa, it meant she would have to face him again.

Every time he returned, it felt like he was there just to torment her, as if he derived some twisted pleasure from it.

Maybe the solitude of that sprawling mansion was too much for him—too empty, too lonely.

Hah.

What a pathetic, lonely old man.

Beauty scoffed inwardly.

People always said women in their thirties were insatiable, but Lucas in his thirties?

He was worse than a beast.

The lingering ache and marks from their last encounter were still fresh on her skin.

At some point, she had grown accustomed to doing those things with him—a realization that sent chills down her spine.

Perhaps it was because she knew she couldn’t resist.

The moment he teased her, her mind would short-circuit, leaving her sprawled on the bed like a helpless little rabbit, surrendering to his whims.

Habits truly were terrifying.

As she stepped into the grand hall, her eyes landed on Lucas lounging on the sofa, a cigar between his fingers.

His body was tilted slightly, his head bowed to one side, revealing only the sharp lines of his profile and those long, elegant fingers—pale and finely shaped.

"You’re back."

Hearing her footsteps, he lifted his gaze slightly

. His cold, detached eyes flicked over her as he took a slow drag from the cigar, exhaling a wisp of smoke that curled between his fingers.

His entire face was soon veiled in a thick haze, obscuring any trace of expression.

Of course, even something as mundane as smoking looked mesmerizing when a man was this handsome.

Beauty had seen plenty of boys at school smoke—though none of them touched cigars.

Some preferred cocaine, but they always struck her as no different from the delinquent kids loitering in internet cafés, utterly lacking in grace.

It wasn’t until she watched Lucas smoke that she realized a man could make even this vice look alluring.

Suddenly, he stood and stepped closer, bending slightly to exhale a slow stream of smoke right in front of her.

The faint, intoxicating scent of tobacco made her cheeks flush.

Through the thick white haze of smoke, she could just barely detect the faintest trace of mockery in his icy gaze.

He stubbed out his cigarette and flicked the butt into the black ashtray before lifting his eyes leisurely.

"So, how was your first day at the company?"

"Not bad... aside from the utterly ridiculous workload."

Beauty didn’t bother hiding the disdain in her voice, her contempt for a certain someone crystal clear.

The chiseled line of his jaw twitched slightly, and a wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips—though it never quite reached his eyes.

"Which part exactly are you referring to?"

After a deliberate two-second pause, Beauty shot him a withering look. She scoffed.

"Who in their right mind would compile their personal habits and preferences into a rulebook thicker than a dictionary?

That’s just insane."

Suddenly, Lucas let out a low chuckle, the deep, velvety resonance of his laughter sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.

His voice was undeniably captivating—ten times more magnetic than any radio host’s.

But to her ears, it carried an eerie chill, more unsettling than the whispers of a ghost.

It was rare to see Lucas laugh like this.

There was nothing warm or hearty about it—just something dark and inscrutable.

"That manual was compiled by Lena.

She’s been by my side long enough to know my habits inside out.

From now on, you’ll be assisting me in the office.

That way, Lena won’t have to handle everything herself."

"Assisting?

With what, exactly?" How could a fresh graduate like her possibly assist the CEO of a multinational corporation?

He must be overestimating her abilities!

Lucas seemed to read her mind and let out a mocking chuckle.

"Fetching tea, massaging my shoulders when I’m tired, organizing documents—basically, running errands."

Damn it... Beauty had the urge to grab a cushion from the sofa and smash it over his head.

But she held back—after all, she wasn’t ready to throw her life away just yet.

"What’s wrong?

You don’t seem too thrilled," he remarked, his cold gaze flickering toward her.

The dark intensity of his eyes sent a shiver down her spine, the air around them turning icy.

Who in their right mind would be happy about playing the role of a lowly servant? "

Not at all.

It’s an honor to serve you, Mr. Lucas.

If there’s nothing else, I’ll retire for the night.

Early tomorrow, after all."

Though she was seething inside, Beauty forced a sweet smile, her words dripping with sycophantic charm—even if they were spoken through gritted teeth.

Lucas frowned slightly, studying her clear, defiant eyes for a long moment before a faint smirk tugged at his lips.

He slid his hands into his pockets and leaned in, murmuring in a low voice, "I’ll let you rest properly tonight."

Beauty felt as if she had just been granted a royal pardon—she could’ve dropped to her knees and cried, "Long live the king!"

Without wasting a second, she beamed and darted back to her room like a gust of wind, terrified he might change his mind.