Avery followed Lucien out of the elevator, the hem of her dress brushing against the cold white floor with a faint rustle. Her fingers clenched around her phone, palm damp with sweat.
She didn't know why she was following him. All she knew was that when Lucien, cold and unyielding, had said, "Come with me," it was as if something in her mind had snapped.
The car was silent, save for the low hum of the air conditioning.
Lucien gripped the steering wheel with one hand, long fingers tapping lightly against it. The streetlights carved sharp shadows across his face, highlighting the deep set of his brows and the cold line of his lips.
"Why didn't you explain?" he asked suddenly, his voice low, carrying the chill of the night.
Avery turned her gaze to the passing lights outside the window. Her voice was soft. "Explain what?"
"At the banquet. Leah's comment. You just let it slide?"
He stepped on the brakes, the car jerking slightly.
Avery was forced to turn, meeting his icy gaze, sharp as glass and pressing down on her until it hurt to breathe.
"Mr. Lucien, I'm just an employee at G Group. Whatever she says has nothing to do with me." Her voice wasn't loud, but it was clear, steady, unyielding.
Lucien stared at her for a few seconds before letting out a cold laugh. "Do you really think you can stay out of it just because you work at G Group?"
Her heart jolted, lips parting as if to speak, but she fell silent.
The air in the car tightened around them, thick with the mix of sandalwood and cold air.
After a long moment, Lucien restarted the car, his voice lower. "Next time something like this happens, tell me immediately."
Avery turned her face away, eyes fixed on the window, but her fingers gripped the fabric of her dress tightly.
From the corner of his eye, Lucien glanced at her, something unreadable flashing across his gaze, his knuckles whitening on the steering wheel.
Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of Avery's small apartment building.
Lucien didn't turn off the engine, watching as she opened the door and stepped out. The night breeze lifted the hem of her dress, and she pressed it down as she turned to him. "Mr. Lucien, good night."
He was silent for a few seconds. "Go upstairs."
Avery turned and quickly walked into the building, her figure disappearing into the light at the end of the hallway.
Lucien stared after her, his fingers slowly rubbing against the steering wheel, his eyes dark and unfathomable.
"Avery…"
He whispered her name, so softly it was almost a promise, a claim.
That night, Avery stood by the door of her apartment, taking deep breaths until her heartbeat calmed.
She checked her phone, seeing a message from Grace:
Avery, I felt pretty good after dialysis today. Don't tire yourself out.
Avery's nose stung as she typed her reply:
Mom, I'm fine. Get some rest.
When she saw the "Read" notification appear, her eyes reddened before she let out a quiet smile.
Whatever Lucien's reasons were for dragging her to the banquet, whatever his reasons were for questioning her, she couldn't lose her focus.
She had to keep this job at G Group, no matter what, so her mother could continue to receive the best treatment.
In the city of Starlight, the night traffic never stopped.
When Lucien returned to the G residence, the housekeeper stepped forward. "Mr. Lucien, welcome back."
He didn't respond, walking straight to his study, the black coat draped over his shoulders making his figure look cold and distant.
On the desk lay a small note Avery had dropped at the banquet, a scrap of paper with a sketch and a few project notes, the edges curled, her handwriting neat and precise.
Lucien's fingers brushed over the words, his eyes darkening as he pressed his lips into a thin line.
This game, he had once thought he could pick up and drop at will. But somewhere along the way, without even realizing it, he had trapped her in the palm of his hand.
And now, he wouldn't let her go.
And he wouldn't let her run.