Chapter 186: Playing Tricks on the Jealous CEO

"Blaine, do you know? Even though I've changed so much from who I used to be, my feelings for him have never wavered. In fact, as time passes, they've only grown stronger. I miss the days we spent together. But I know… there's no going back for us," Claire leaned against his shoulder, her voice soft and melancholic. 

"So that's why you didn't even hesitate when I suggested we return to the States?" 

"… Blaine, do you think I'm foolish?" 

"Not just foolish, but downright silly," Blaine replied with a wry smile, though deep down, he felt even sillier for believing her unwavering resolve. "So, what are you planning to do now?" 

"I don't know. Seeing him again has me all mixed up inside. Do you know what's worse? Around him, I feel like I've become that clumsy, naive girl from the past. I hate to admit it, but it's like being near him transports me back in time." 

"… You've already seen him?" 

"Yes. Sarah invited me out for lunch yesterday, and on my way home, I found him burning up with a fever and collapsing right in front of me. I took him home…" Claire recounted the previous night's events in brief, then added, "But I was truly shocked—why hasn't he signed the divorce papers?" 

"You mean to say Lucas and Sarah live near each other? They're neighbors?" Blaine raised an eyebrow at the sheer coincidence. 

"Strange, right? I asked them, and they both said they had no idea who their neighbor was when they moved in." But whether it was coincidence or not, Claire no longer cared. 

"If you can't forget him, and he's tried explaining the past, isn't this a good thing? Shouldn't I be congratulating you two on finding your way back to each other?" Blaine remarked. He hadn't expected Lucas to make a move so quickly—not even a full day after Claire returned to the country. 

"But I don't think he's truly remorseful." 

"What do you mean? Are you saying you don't want to reconcile with him?" Blaine studied her closely. It didn't seem that way. The subtle smile that crept onto her face whenever she mentioned Lucas was telling—Lucas was etched into her heart, immovable. 

"Blaine, you know me best. Of course, I can't just let it go! Why should I? He wanted space, so I listened. Now, he says he misses me, and I'm supposed to just fall back into his arms? No way. I can't stand the smug look on his face. And honestly, if I went back to him so easily, wouldn't that make me look like I have no self-respect?" 

"… Since when did you become so vain?" Blaine teased. "So, you want to play the same pride game he does? Leave your love hanging for the sake of appearances?" 

"This isn't about appearances! I just refuse to let him win me over with a few sweet words." 

"Fine, then. Don't go back to him. Go ahead and divorce him." 

"Blaine, I'm being serious here. Stop joking around!" Divorce? She could barely contain her glee when she discovered he hadn't signed the papers—there was no way she'd suggest divorce now. If she told Lucas they couldn't be together, it was only because she couldn't swallow her pride! 

Blaine furrowed his brows in thought, then nodded as if struck by an epiphany. "I see what you mean now. You love him and want to be with him, but you're upset he hasn't shown enough sincerity. What you're really saying is—you want to mess with him." 

"Wow! Blaine, you really are the one who understands me best!" Claire beamed, hugging him tightly. 

Blaine sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips. "So, you're hoping the one who understands you best will help you figure out how to mess with that jealous CEO of yours?" 

"Can you?" Claire's eyes sparkled with anticipation. 

"Ha…" Blaine chuckled mischievously, a glint of mischief flashing in his eyes. His smirk was sly—almost devious. "Don't worry. Leave it to me." After all, it was that same jealous CEO who had cost him his own chance at love. So… this was the perfect opportunity for some payback. 

"Blaine, you're the best." 

"Hold off on the compliments. I'm going to need your cooperation." 

"Huh? Cooperation? What do you need me to do?" 

"You'll find out soon enough." 

And with that, a mischievous plan to tease the jealous CEO was set into motion. 

---

**The next day…** 

Lucas Zeller stumbled out of the conference room, his head throbbing. His temples felt like they were about to burst. 

"Mr. Zeller, are you okay?" Tara quickly approached him, her face full of concern. 

Lucas glanced at her sideways, exhaling heavily. "I'm fine. It's just this nasty cold that hasn't fully cleared up." 

"Oh, no wonder you kept rubbing your temples during the meeting." Tara hesitated before continuing, "By the way, I heard from Shauna that you spent over an hour in the factory's cold storage?" 

"Don't you have work to do? The cosmetics campaign proposal we discussed earlier—I want it on my desk tomorrow." 

"What? Tomorrow? But there are over a thousand products in the portfolio! Can't I have a week?" Tara's jaw dropped. 

"By the end of the day," Lucas said, his tone ice-cold. 

"Got it… tomorrow it is," Tara muttered under her breath, wisely dropping any further complaints. Still, she couldn't help but wonder—what had she done to deserve the CEO's wrath today? 

Collapsing onto his sofa at home, Lucas barely had a moment's rest before his phone started ringing. 

"… Lucas, why did it take you so long to answer? Were you chewing someone out again?" Roy's teasing voice came through the line. 

"Roy, do you have a death wish?" Lucas growled, his eyes blazing with frustration. 

"Easy, man. With a temper like that, you're gonna ruin your eyesight and your health—if you know what I mean," Roy joked shamelessly. 

"You're full of crap!" Lucas barked, his throat searing with irritation. "Speak now, or I'm hanging up." 

"Relax! Lena called me earlier about some perfume endorsement deal. I told her I'm on vacation and don't want to discuss work. Told her to go straight to you instead." 

"You're not planning to move abroad permanently, are you?" 

"Actually, I might. Haha!" Roy's laughter echoed through the line before Lucas hung up, his mood worsening by the second.