Chapter 216: Winning Her Heart

"Mr. Zeller, why did you suddenly decide to change the name of the perfume?" The head of the sales department raised the question during the meeting. "The promotional campaign and advertisements have already been completed. Wouldn't such an abrupt change impact the product's launch?"

"I know the answer to that," Roy Lin interjected confidently from his seat.

Lucas Zeller glanced at him, raising an eyebrow in a silent cue for him to continue.

Roy leaned in and whispered, "You're planning to use the name originally intended for last year's 'Liquid Diamond' launch, aren't you?"

"Roy, you've been getting better at reading me," Lucas replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Well, I've known you long enough," Roy said with a roll of his eyes. "Let me guess—you're doing this to win Claire over, aren't you? Who would've thought someone as sharp-tongued as you could be such a romantic?"

"Roy, it seems you've forgotten something important. You just told everyone here you had the answer. So, the rest of the meeting is all yours." Lucas stood, straightening his suit jacket. "I'll be heading out now."

"What? You can't just leave me with this!" Roy protested, grabbing Lucas's arm. "My wife's waiting for me, too, you know. How can you—"

"Lauren's a doctor; she doesn't need you hovering over her," Lucas replied with an air of finality. After all, he was the boss, and the boss could leave when he pleased. Subordinates, on the other hand, had to stay.

"You're insufferable!" Roy muttered under his breath as Lucas disappeared through the door.

Lucas, in high spirits, stepped out of the office, dialing a familiar number as he walked toward his car.

"Hello?" Claire's soft, tired voice came through, tinged with weariness.

"Honey, you sound a little out of it. Are you at home?"

"Yeah, I'm home. Are you off work?"

"I was in a meeting, but I handed it off to Roy. I want to take you out to dinner tonight."

"Huh? Dinner out?" Claire sounded surprised.

"Don't feel like eating out?"

"It's not that. I've been busy cooking at home for a while now," Claire explained.

"Honey, you shouldn't be overworking yourself like that. Didn't we agree that I'd handle the kitchen? Whatever you're craving, I'll either make it for you or pick it up on the way home."

"But it's been so long since you've had something I cooked. I just wanted to spoil you a little. So, let's stay in tonight, okay?" Claire's tone softened as she sought his opinion.

"You want to spoil me?" Lucas was momentarily taken aback, a smile spreading across his face. "Honey, I think you've been loving me even more since you got pregnant." Especially lately, she'd been unusually clingy, always seeking reassurance that he wouldn't leave her. As if he ever could! He wouldn't leave her even if she tried to push him away.

"I've always loved you," Claire said softly. "Alright, we'll talk more when you're back. I'm still busy."

"Okay, take it easy. I'm on my way home now." Lucas ended the call, started the engine, and drove home.

---

Claire stood before the massive wedding portrait hanging in their bedroom. Her eyes lingered on the image of Lucas, gazing at her with unbridled affection as they shared a kiss. Tears welled up, spilling over before she could stop them.

Taking a deep breath, she turned toward the bedside table. From a drawer, she retrieved a stack of photos from their wedding shoot. One by one, she flipped through them, each image evoking memories of that day. The flood of emotions only made her tears flow more freely.

"Claire Grace, pull yourself together!" she scolded herself inwardly. "If you cry yourself into puffy eyes, Lucas will be worried when he gets home."

Her inner voice offered some comfort. Yes, tonight, she needed to make him happy because she...

The sound of footsteps in the living room interrupted her thoughts. He was back.

Quickly wiping away her tears, Claire stepped out of the bedroom. Sure enough, there he was, changing his shoes at the entryway.

"Lucas, you're home," she called, hurrying to him and wrapping her arms around his waist from behind, pressing her cheek against his broad back.

"Honey, what did you just call me?" Lucas straightened, caught her hands, and turned to embrace her. His dark eyes shimmered with something unspoken.

"...Husband," she murmured, a little bashful. She leaned up to kiss him, intending a brief, feather-light touch, but Lucas deepened the kiss, parting her lips and drawing her into an intimate, passionate dance.

The fire of desire swept through them like a tidal wave, consuming them both. Yet Claire's gaze drifted to the slightly ajar bedroom door.

"Lucas, you didn't even close the door," she whispered breathlessly, trying to push him back.

Lucas chuckled lowly, his lips still against hers. Without breaking their embrace, he nudged the door closed with a well-aimed kick. The door shut with a definitive click.

Claire couldn't help but laugh at his smooth maneuver but accidentally bit his lower lip in her amusement. He hissed softly, his brows furrowing in mock pain.

"Honey, you're really in a hurry to devour me," he teased, his voice laced with playful gruffness. But his lips didn't let up, kissing her more fervently. His hands roamed freely, sending shivers down her spine.

"Honey, will this...hurt the baby?" he rasped against her ear, his voice heavy with desire.

The question hit her like a splash of cold water, dousing her passion entirely.

"Uh, the soup in the kitchen must be ready by now. I should check on it," she said, pushing him away and avoiding his gaze.

"Honey..." He caught her hand, his expression full of grievance. "You started this fire, and now you're just going to leave me like this? Isn't that a bit cruel?"

"If I don't turn off the stove, the real fire will be in the kitchen," she retorted, flashing him a mischievous smile. "Sit tight. Dinner's almost ready." With that, she headed for the kitchen, leaving Lucas staring after her, equal parts amused and exasperated.