Chapter 66: Anger and Embarrassment

Lucas shot her a sidelong glance, dismissing her without a second thought. "And that means I'm supposed to thank you?" he replied, dripping with sarcasm. Lauren, however, was blissfully unaware of Lucas's delicate situation regarding his health—Roy, her husband, had shared it all with her, inadvertently turning her curiosity into knowledge of the intensely private.

"Oh, no need for thanks," Lauren replied with a mischievous grin. "But you could throw in a double-sized wedding gift if you're feeling generous." The glimmer in her eye made it clear she wasn't above poking fun or eyeing Lucas's bank balance.

Lucas had grown used to her brashness by now. From the moment Roy had introduced him to Lauren, Lucas had been struck by her no-filter attitude, a characteristic that had initially jarred him but now felt almost predictable after years of encounters. But even Roy, with his naturally affable grin, sometimes took it a bit far. 

"Roy, what are you two whispering about over there?" Lucas asked, his eyes narrowing as he caught Roy leaning a little too close to Lauren. Though Roy was his best friend and top executive, Lucas didn't enjoy seeing him act all cozy with his wife around him.

"Oh, nothing serious," Lauren said breezily. "Lucas just suggested that I take Claire out for a little shopping."

Roy raised an eyebrow, momentarily glancing between Lucas and Lauren with surprise. It was rare for Lucas to agree to such outings. And yet, Lucas didn't object to her fabrication. Instead, his gaze lingered on Claire, who was trailing ahead, her cheeks dusted with a soft blush in the summer sun.

"Oh, this is going to be fun to watch," Lauren muttered with an amused smile as they all trailed Claire and Lucas through the downtown streets.

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Soon enough, they were an odd sight on the bustling city sidewalk—two women window-shopping as two very striking men followed close behind, catching glances from passersby. Roy's broad grin, friendly and warm, earned him appreciative looks, while Lucas, despite his usual charm, was somehow exuding a chill that only made people glance and then look away, wary of getting too close.

"Hey, Roy, you could look even more idiotic if you tried," Lucas grumbled, hoping Roy would tone down his over-the-top grin.

"Oh, come on, don't be so harsh," Roy replied, only half hurt. "You're directing all your toxic energy my way now instead of Claire's? I thought she was your personal target."

Lucas just glared at him, but before Roy could tease him any further, Lucas's gaze darkened, something catching his eye up ahead. He stiffened, and his jaw set in barely concealed anger.

"Uh, did you see a ghost or something, Lucas?" Roy followed Lucas's line of sight and paled. Both Claire and Lauren had vanished from view.

"Wait... where did they go?" he asked in growing panic.

"They went in there," Lucas ground out, his voice low and icy, nodding toward a shop with vibrant displays and massive flower arrangements on either side of the doorway.

Roy looked closer at the shop, his eyes squinting in the bright afternoon sun. "Looks like... a florist, right?" he guessed, only slightly uncertain.

Lucas's voice, now laced with menace, grew even colder. "You might want to check that sign again before jumping to conclusions. Does that look like a flower shop to you?" His eyes flared with unrestrained fury, veins bulging at his temples.

Roy gulped, turning back to examine the store sign. He had to do a double-take. The sign above the door, lit up in bright purple neon, read "Purely Intimate"—a specialty store for, well, *adult products.*

No wonder Lucas looked ready to explode.

"Oh... God." Roy had to fight the urge to bolt. He'd never seen Lucas this mad before, and Lauren was directly responsible.

"Mind explaining this little adventure, Roy?" Lucas's voice was like steel, each word laced with barely concealed rage. "Why, exactly, would Lauren think it's appropriate to drag my wife into a store like that? And another thing—she doesn't even know about the... 'situation,' right?" Lucas's piercing gaze met Roy's, demanding a truth he couldn't evade.

Roy gulped again, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead. He had tried so hard to keep Lauren's curiosity in check, but when she'd brought up the topic one too many times, he had... slipped. "Look, Lucas, she made me swear she wouldn't say a word to Claire," he stammered, hoping his reassurance would be enough.

"You better hope for your own sake that she sticks to her promise," Lucas replied, his voice simmering with barely contained anger.

"Wait, look, they're coming out!" Roy exclaimed, hoping to change the subject. Sure enough, Lauren and Claire emerged from the shop. Lauren was laughing loudly, while Claire kept her gaze firmly on the sidewalk, clearly mortified. It was almost comical how the two of them looked—one reveling in her antics and the other trying to escape the moment.

"See, Lucas? Relax! Their hands are empty. They didn't buy anything," Roy whispered urgently, hoping this small fact would keep him from Lucas's wrath. "Lauren might be a little wild, but she's not about to let your wife walk out of there with anything that'd... you know, cause issues."

Lucas finally exhaled, his fists slowly unclenching. But his eyes stayed fixed on Claire, who was still averting her gaze, her cheeks flushed a deep red. She looked like she wanted to disappear—and knowing Lucas, that meant he'd have something to say once they got home.