Chapter 187: Teasing the Jealous CEO (Part 2)

Staring at the number he had gotten from Sarah, Lucas Zeller hesitated endlessly, unable to press the call button.

*She's probably with Blaine Jackson now, right?* he thought. *Back to being his assistant?*

In just a year, Claire Grace had transformed drastically. Once sweet and innocent, she had reemerged as a stunning and fashionable woman, radiating an elegance that had nearly blinded him the moment they crossed paths at the airport. Her change was disconcerting—he missed the old her, the shy and lovable "Snail Girl." But no matter how much she had changed, his feelings remained steadfast.

*Should I call her anyway? Invite her to dinner?* Lucas debated. *Even if she says no, I have to try, right?*

With a deep breath, he pressed the button. The phone rang briefly before the call connected.

"It's me," he said in a raspy tone.

"Who's this?" Claire's voice was casual, almost indifferent, though Lucas could tell she recognized him immediately.

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" he replied, his tone tinged with frustration. "There's no way you don't know who I am."

"Sorry, my memory's not great, and my hearing's even worse. If you don't say who you are, I'm hanging up." She made a show of preparing to disconnect.

"Lucas Zeller!" he snapped, his voice rising in exasperation.

"Ohhh," she drawled, dragging the sound out. A mischievous smile tugged at her lips as she continued, "So, it's Mr. Big-Time CEO. What's the occasion? Why are you calling me?" Her tone was deliberately distant, a formality that made Lucas frown deeply.

"Snail Girl, do you really have to act like we're strangers? You never used to call me that," he grumbled.

"Well, what do you want? I'm about to finish work in a minute, so make it quick."

"Do you have plans tonight? Let me take you out for dinner."

"No, thanks." Her refusal was immediate.

"You're getting off work, aren't you? How can you not have time?" Lucas's voice betrayed his disbelief. *Is she deliberately avoiding me?*

"Because I already have plans," she replied nonchalantly. "I have a date."

"A date?" Lucas's voice shot up several octaves, a surge of anger welling up inside him. He clenched his fists, his composure unraveling. "Snail Girl, have you completely forgotten who you are? You're still my wife! The only person you should be dating is me—do you hear me?"

"What gives you the right?" Claire's voice grew colder. "Who I see is my business. Or do I not even have that freedom?"

"Freedom, my foot!" Lucas roared, his temper snapping. "I don't care what you say—you're not allowed to date anyone but me! Not even women!" His raspy voice carried an undeniable authority, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Sorry, Mr. CEO," Claire said coolly. "Your minute's up." Then, with a decisive *click,* the line went dead.

"Snail Girl, you—" Lucas stared at his phone, stunned. His chest heaved with anger, his temples throbbing as his fury built.

*She hung up on me! And she's going on a date? With someone else?* The thought made his blood boil. If Claire thought he'd let her date someone else without a fight, she was sorely mistaken. Lucas Zeller didn't know the meaning of the word "quit."

---

"Nicely done," Blaine Jackson said, stepping into the room with a sly grin. "I could hear him yelling from the other end of the call."

"It wasn't that bad," Claire replied, putting her phone away and letting out a long sigh.

"What's wrong?" Blaine asked, raising an eyebrow. "Second thoughts already? Feeling bad for him?"

"Of course not," Claire said, though her voice softened. "It's just... his voice sounded hoarse, like he's been sick. I wonder if his fever's completely gone. He must be furious, though. I've never turned him down like that before."

"If you're already worried about him, how are we supposed to pull this off?" Blaine teased, shaking his head. "Should we just call the whole thing off tonight?"

"No way!" Claire said quickly. "I'm just talking. I'm not actually worried about him." Despite her words, her thoughts lingered on Lucas. *Still, I can't back out now. I have to see how he reacts.*

"Then what are you standing around for?" Blaine asked, giving her a gentle shove. "It's time for your date."

---

Lucas rushed back to his apartment complex, his heart racing with a mixture of frustration and determination. As he arrived, he froze in place. There, near the elevator, was Claire—her arm linked casually with Blaine's as they laughed together.

Pain shot through Lucas's chest, and his vision blurred with rage. "Snail Girl! Stop right there!"

Claire and Blaine turned to look at him, exchanging a knowing glance before smiling innocently.

"Oh? Isn't this Mr. Zeller? What a coincidence meeting you here," Blaine said, feigning surprise.

Lucas ignored him, striding forward until he was standing directly in front of Claire. His voice dropped to a hoarse whisper as he asked, "The date you mentioned... it's with him, isn't it?"

"Do you have a problem with that?" Claire asked coolly, her gaze unwavering. "Mr. Zeller, we're busy, so if you'll excuse us." She turned away and pressed the elevator button.

Lucas stood rooted in place, stunned by her icy demeanor. As the elevator doors began to close, he lunged forward, forcing them open with his hands and stepping inside.

"Mr. Zeller, what are you doing?" Blaine asked, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Don't tell me you live here too."

Lucas met his gaze without flinching. "Where I live is none of your business." His voice was low, steady, but filled with an unspoken challenge. *She's my wife, and I'll do whatever it takes to bring her back to me.*