Chapter 4

Lily's POV

"The Sterling family must think you're just a stray cat begging at their door. I can't imagine their expressions when they eventually discover you're actually a lion," Lucas said.

I laughed at his words, the expensive whiskey warming my throat as I sat comfortably in the quiet corner of the bar.

For a moment, it felt good to relax, to return to that familiar rapport with my right-hand man.

We'd weathered countless business crises together, and his straightforward approach was exactly what I needed after two days at the Sterling mansion.

"You should have seen Elizabeth's face when she first saw me," I told him, mimicking her tight expression. "Like she'd smelled something particularly foul."

Lucas grinned.

"Can't blame her for feeling threatened. You're definitely not what they were expecting."

"That's exactly the point," I swirled the amber liquid in my glass. "Let them underestimate me. In the long run, it makes everything easier."

Lucas excused himself to the restroom, leaving me alone at the table. I scrolled through my phone, checking the latest data from Azure's R&D department.

The prototype was progressing well, which meant our stock could rise another fifteen points by the end of the quarter.

Of course, the Sterling family knew nothing about this.

To them, I was still just a country girl who somehow had the good fortune to have an arrangement with their precious family.

I didn't notice his approach until the unpleasant scent hit me and a man's shadow fell across my table.

"Hey, beautiful," he slurred, clearly several drinks in.

His expensive watch and designer clothes couldn't mask the sleaziness that practically oozed from him.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

I didn't bother looking up.

"No, thank you."

He missed my hint and instead sat directly in Lucas's empty seat.

"Come on. I'm just trying to be friendly."

His eyes roamed over my black floral dress in a way that made my skin crawl.

"A pretty girl like you shouldn't be drinking alone."

"I'm not alone," I replied coldly. "And I'm not interested."

Then added, "Especially not in you."

His smile twisted into something ugly, possibly from the alcohol, or maybe just the testosterone.

"Playing hard to get, huh? Listen, don't act so high and mighty with me. Coming to a place like this, dressed like that..." he gestured at my outfit, "we both know what you want."

I finally looked directly at him, my expression flat.

"And what exactly is it that I want?"

"The same thing all gold diggers want."

He leaned closer, his alcohol-laden breath hitting my face.

"Don't act so noble. Name your price, sweetheart. I've got plenty of money."

I felt a flash of anger but kept my voice steady.

"Not interested. Walk away. Now."

"Bitch, don't give me that. Nobody says no to me. How much do you want? Just say it."

I dodged his hand as he reached for my wrist—being grabbed by a man like this would leave psychological scars—while quickly grabbing an empty bottle from the table and smashing it against his head. Not hard enough to cause serious injury, but enough to make my point crystal clear.

He yelped, his hand flying to his temple where a small wound had formed.

"I don't want your money," I said, my voice dangerously soft.

"I want your life. Still interested in making an offer?"

The commotion drew attention, with several patrons turning to stare and security beginning to move in our direction.

At the same time, William on the second floor noticed the situation.

William's friend Theo Jennings saw his concerned expression and raised an eyebrow, teasingly remarking,

"Wow? Is our William finally showing interest in someone? Do you like her?"

"She's certainly beautiful. Want me to get her contact information for you?"

William's voice was cool as he replied: "You talk too much."

In truth, he had been watching the situation from the beginning, and had decided to go down to help Lily the moment he spotted the sleazy man. Not because he liked her, but simply because his father had instructed him to look after her.

He hadn't expected Lily to act so decisively, which made him pause as he was standing up.

At the same time, he saw Lucas returning and sat back down.

Theo was shocked. "Is that... Lucas?"

William looked at him curiously.

Theo explained, "Lucas is the Chief Operating Officer of Azure. The company is very mysterious, powerful, but few people know who the chairman behind it is."

"William, you're much better than Lucas. You could definitely win over this beautiful girl."

William didn't respond, just stared at Lucas and Lily.

Lucas returned and immediately assessed the situation. His expression turned serious.

"What's going on here?" he positioned himself between me and the man, who was still clutching his head.

"This crazy woman is insane!" the man slurred, pointing at me.

"She attacked me!"

Lucas narrowed his eyes.

"That 'crazy woman' happens to be my friend, and I highly doubt she would attack you without good reason." He straightened his posture, and I saw recognition dawn on the man's face.

"Wait... you're Lucas Wright. Azure's COO?"

Lucas smiled coldly. "That's right. And you are?"

The man visibly paled. "I... I didn't know she was with you. Look, this was just a misunderstanding..."

"A misunderstanding that ends now," Lucas cut him off.

"Get out before I decide to make this incident very public and extremely problematic for whatever reputation you think you have!"

The man mumbled apologies while hastily retreating, just as security arrived to check on the situation. Lucas deftly handled them, explaining that everything was under control.

"Well, that ruined my mood," I sighed, grabbing my handbag.

"I think we're done for tonight."

Lucas nodded.

"Want me to take you home?"

"No, I'll call my own car. You stay and finish your meeting."

I knew he had another business partner to meet later.

"I'm perfectly capable of getting home by myself."

"That," Lucas smiled, "I've never doubted."

Walking out of the bar, the night air felt cool against my skin.

I called a car on my phone and lit a cigarette while waiting, taking a deep drag.

The familiar ritual calmed me, the smoke spiraling into the night sky as I leaned against the lamppost.

"Dad, are you doing okay over there?" I thought silently.

"Is this arrangement really what you wanted? I could almost hear his laughter, see the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

"You'll always find your own way of doing things, Lily," he would say.

Sometimes I missed him so much it was a physical ache.

Car lights approached, and I flicked away my cigarette, crushing it with my heel before reaching for the door handle. Only after I'd already opened it did I realize my mistake—this wasn't the car I'd called.

William Sterling sat in the back seat, his sharp gray-blue eyes meeting mine with slight surprise.

"Damn, sorry," I said, preparing to close the door.

"Wrong car."

"Get in," he said simply.

I felt a little nervous, suddenly realizing the implications of my earlier confrontation at the bar. Had he seen it? Was he at the same bar? My mind raced through these possibilities.

If William had been there, he might have seen me with Lucas. That could complicate things.

But why should I feel nervous? I straightened my shoulders and slid into the back seat next to him.

"What a coincidence," I said lightly.

"I was just out with a friend. You too?"

William nodded once, his expression unreadable in the dim light.

I turned to look out the window, my mind working overtime. Had he been watching me all along?

Had he seen Lucas?

What would he make of our relationship?

William Sterling wasn't a fool. He must be wondering how I, a supposed country girl, already knew Lucas Wright, the representative of one of New York's most mysterious tech companies.

The silence between us stretched on, and I could feel his occasional gaze on me, calculating and intense.

William might act like a cold, disinterested CEO, but I was beginning to suspect there was more hiding behind those steely eyes.

The question was, what exactly did he want from me?