Gossip?

After finishing their breakfast, Lucian and Scarlet rose from their seats. As they stepped out of the lounge, Scarlet instinctively paused at the entrance, her eyes quickly scanning the eatery.

Her heart pounded as she discreetly searched for any familiar faces. The last thing she needed was to run into her colleagues or, worse, someone who might gossip about seeing her having breakfast with him.

Lucian noticed her hesitation and smirked. "Are you searching for the paparazzi, or are you just planning an escape route?"

Scarlet shot him a glare before resuming her steps. "Neither," she muttered, her uneasiness showing in her rigid and forced steps.

Lucian chuckled. "You have to relax. If you're this nervous just from having breakfast with me, how will you survive should the truth be revealed."

Scarlet clenched her fists and took a deep breath. Revealing the truth? She didn't want to be the ladies enemy?

So many ladies will be ready to have her head should they know the golden bachelor of country M is in her possession.

As they headed to the car, she kept her head down, hoping she will slip away unnoticed and avoid the doom of workplace gossip.

Lucian, ever the gentleman, pulled open the car door and held it for Scarlet. She quickly slid in, eager to avoid any more awkward encounters.

Just as she settled in, Lucian leaned over, reaching for her seatbelt.

Her breath hitched, and her hand shot out instinctively to stop him. "What are you doing?" she blurted, her heart hammering against her chest.

Lucian paused, his lips curling into an amused smirk. "What do you think I'm doing? Just helping you buckle up," he snickered, his deep voice laced with mischief.

Scarlet's face burned in embarrassment. She averted her gaze, focusing on anything but the man sitting too close for comfort. "I can do it myself," she mumbled, quickly fastening the belt.

Lucian chuckled as he shut the door and strode to the driver's side, sliding in with an effortless grace.

As he started the engine, his tone turned serious. "We're heading to the company now. And by the close of work today we will visit your family."

Scarlet stiffened, her fingers tightening around the hem of her skirt. Visiting her family?

She swallowed hard, at the thought of it. The Winter family has always been dramatic and she is really afraid of what they might do.

Lucian smoothly maneuvered the car out of the parking lot. As he approached the main road, Scarlet caught sight of a few colleagues stepping out of the eatery. Her heart pounded at the close call and a deep sigh of relief washed over her that they hadn't seen her.

She let out a silent breath of thanks, grateful for the narrow escape.

As the car stopped briefly at the red light, she glanced at Lucian hesitating briefly before speaking. "You can drop me off a few blocks away from the company." She muttered in a quiet pleading voice.

Though, she had only spent one day working under Lucian, she knew he is decisive man who cannot change his decision without an objective reason.

Lucian's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. He turned to her, one brow arched. "Why would I do that when we're both going to the same place?"

Scarlet shifted uncomfortably, her mind racing with answers and reasons he wouldn't argue with him. Her chin resting on her palm and brow furrowed.

"Prevention is better than cure," she muttered. "I'd rather avoid unnecessary workplace gossip."

Lucian chuckled, his voice deep and sonorus but it sent shivers down her spine. She glanced at him, his face was expressionless but she caught the flicker of amusement in his eyes.

"Gossip?" Lucian asked, his tone light and teasing, yet firm. "Since when do I care about gossip?" he concluded.

Scarlet wasn't surprised at his response and her lips pressed into a thin line.

Of course, someone like him wouldn't Because It is clear nobody in his right sense will gossip about Lucian Sterling in his presence or when he is close by without facing the wrath of his barristers the Sterling barristers.

But she did care. And she wasn't ready to become the subject of office rumor especially not with this case that can be prevented.

Scarlet clenched her fists, her frustration bubbling dangerously close to the surface. She had made a simple request—just a few blocks away. But she doubt Lucian will listen looking at his countenance?

The drive continued in unbearable silence, and with every passing second, Scarlet's anxiety grew, her nerves tensed.

As the car approached with about 300 metres to the company, Scarlet looked at Lucian with a raised brow "Won't you stop me?" Her question was met with silence.

"You can stop me here!" she blurted out, a mix of desperation and irritation in her voice. Lucian only glanced lightly at her and didn't reply.

Within a few minutes, the car found its way to the towering gates of Sterling Group, the bold letters gleaming under the morning sun as the gates slowly parted to welcome them in.

Her pulse quickened. At the company's entrance were several workers who are hurrying in to clock in before it is late. While some stood in two's and three's chatting and waiting for the elevator.

This was exactly what she had wanted to avoid. "How do I alight this car with so many colleagues standing at the door step", she thought to herself.

Lucian didn't even flinch. He acted as though nothing had happened. Instead, his grip on the wheel remained firm, his gaze focused as he drove smoothly into the executive parking lot—a secluded area reserved for the top executives of the company.

Scarlet's jaw clenched. Her fingers twitched with the overwhelming urge to slap some sense into him, She inhaled deeply, trying to steady her nerves as he finally pulled to a stop.

With an infuriatingly smug smirk, Lucian leaned back in his seat and said, "We're here."

Scarlet gritted her teeth. Oh, how she wanted to wipe that smirk off his face.