Chapter 92: Unexpected Encounters

"Claire!" 

A cheerful male voice called out from behind her, its bright tone cutting through the quiet of the shaded walkway. Before she could turn around, the voice came again, this time from her left. "Congratulations!" 

Claire Grace paused mid-step, her brows knitting in confusion as she turned to face Roy Lin, one of the team leaders at the company. "Roy? What are you congratulating me for?" she asked, puzzled. Her arms were full of product samples and files, which she was supposed to deliver to the cosmetics production facility. But what was Roy doing here? 

Seeing her confusion, Roy scratched his head sheepishly and broke into a boyish grin. 

"Well, the CEO assigned me to handle the preparations for the 'Liquid Diamond' launch," Roy explained. "I came to the factory to pick up some fragrance samples. I just didn't expect to run into you here." 

It was clear from his tone that the encounter pleased him immensely. After all, any moment spent away from Lucas Zeller's stern glares and in the presence of Claire was a welcome reprieve. Of course, he sighed inwardly at the cruel twist of fate—*the woman he admired was already taken.* 

Claire tilted her head, noticing Roy's exaggerated sigh. "Are you okay? You seem a bit down," she remarked as they walked along the stone-paved path toward the factory entrance. 

"Oh, I feel much better now," Roy said, his grin returning. He gestured toward the stack of files in her hands. "Are you heading to the production facility too?" 

"Yes," Claire replied. 

Roy's brow furrowed slightly. "But this isn't really your job, is it? Shouldn't an assistant handle tasks like this?" he asked, gesturing toward the files. 

Claire laughed nervously. "Well… it's complicated." 

"You didn't even look at the files I gave you last time, did you?" Roy teased with a knowing smirk. 

"Uh… about that…" Claire's expression turned sheepish, her eyes darting away. Then she remembered Roy's earlier comment. "Wait, why did you congratulate me?" she asked, quickly changing the subject. 

"Oh, about that—" Roy's playful grin vanished, replaced by an exaggerated expression of despair. "Oh no! I messed up!" 

"What? What happened?" Claire asked, alarmed by his sudden shift. 

"I called you by your name," Roy groaned dramatically. "I should have addressed you as Mrs. Zeller! You're married to the CEO now—I should've remembered!" 

"Roy!" Claire exclaimed, exasperated. "Don't tease me like that!" 

It was true, though. Ever since Lucas had publicly revealed their relationship, her colleagues had started treating her with a mix of awe and reverence, addressing her as "Mrs. Zeller" at every turn. The change was overwhelming, and she found herself longing for the simpler days when her status wasn't under constant scrutiny. Even her friends Shauna Mills and Coco, who had once been so close, now treated her with a distant politeness that stung more than she cared to admit. 

"I'm not teasing you, Claire," Roy said sincerely, extending a hand toward her. For once, his expression lacked its usual playfulness, replaced with genuine warmth. "Whether you're Mrs. Zeller or the shy, kind woman I first met, I truly wish you all the happiness in the world." 

Claire stopped, surprised by his earnest tone. She took his hand hesitantly, her confusion evident. "Roy, are you okay?" 

Roy chuckled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "What could possibly be wrong? I'm just saying goodbye to an unrequited crush." His words were lighthearted, but there was a bittersweet undertone. 

He held onto her hand for a moment longer than necessary, lost in thought. It was a moment of quiet reflection, one he knew would be short-lived. And, of course, it was. 

From the factory entrance, Lucas Zeller leaned casually against the wrought iron doors, his arms crossed over his chest. The sunlight glinted off his dark hair, each strand catching the light like polished obsidian. His sharp, narrow eyes were fixed intently on the pair, a mixture of amusement, jealousy, and irritation simmering just beneath the surface. 

Claire shivered, a strange unease creeping over her as she felt a pair of familiar, piercing eyes boring into her. She turned her head, her gaze landing on Lucas. 

"Lucas!" she cried, startled. She quickly pulled her hand from Roy's grasp and hurried toward the factory entrance, forgetting to even bid Roy farewell. 

"Why are you waiting outside in this heat?" Claire asked, noticing the beads of sweat forming on his brow. "The sun's so strong!" 

Lucas's dark eyes flicked to her, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "If I hadn't come out, would you two have stood there holding hands until sunset? Or were you planning to stay until the end of time?" 

"What?" Claire blinked, not understanding his cryptic words. 

"I sent you to deliver some documents, and here you are, chatting and holding hands with someone else," Lucas said flatly. His narrowed eyes turned to Roy, who was slowly approaching. 

Roy flinched under the intensity of Lucas's glare, realizing the CEO's possessive streak was now directed squarely at him. 

"I was just wishing her well," Roy explained quickly, his hands raised in surrender. "Besides, I've got a blind date tonight." 

Lucas arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. "A blind date? So you've 'turned over a new leaf,' huh?" 

Roy's face reddened. "Yes, exactly! I've 'reformed,'" he said hastily. "In fact, I was just on my way to pick up some fragrance samples. I'll head back now!" 

Claire watched Roy retreat hastily, muttering under her breath, "He's acting so strange today." 

Lucas let out a low scoff, taking the documents from Claire's hands. Without another word, he turned and walked into the factory, leaving Claire to follow in his wake.