CHAPTER 127: A GIRL WHO LOOK LIKE HIS LATE WIFE

Lucas’s primary purpose for coming to the company today was to interview the renowned designer Drake had recommended—a rising star in the domestic design scene.

Assistant Lena entered his office, placing the candidates’ profiles neatly on his desk.

"President Lucas, here are the resumes of the three applicants for your review."

Lucas’s gaze immediately locked onto the photo of a woman with a high ponytail.

Her faint smile bore an uncanny resemblance to his ex-wife, Amelia.

His chest tightened imperceptibly.

His eyes flicked to the name section—*Nathalie*.

The characters were written with bold, fluid strokes, the handwriting strikingly elegant.

A flicker of surprise crossed his mind.

He hadn’t expected someone who studied abroad to wield a pen so masterfully.

The more he read her resume, the more intrigued he became.

With a refined appearance, an impressive academic background, and a year of internship at a prestigious design firm in the U.S., she was undeniably the strongest candidate for the position.

A quick glance at the other resumes confirmed it—though they were all graduates of elite institutions, their professional experience paled in comparison.

Picking up the office phone, he spoke coolly, "Send in Nathalie.

The others may leave."

Such was the corporate world—only the most capable survived.

Lena slipped her phone into her pocket and cast an indifferent glance at Nathalie.

"Only you made it to the second round.

The others can seek opportunities elsewhere."

The two other candidates exhaled in quiet defeat, their eyes lingering enviously on the woman dressed in a sleek black-and-white professional suit.

"Thank you, assistant Lena."

Nathalie met her gaze with a composed smile, relief washing over her in a silent wave.

Though she had been introduced by an acquaintance, Nathalie was well aware of how difficult it was to secure a position at Marson Corporation—especially when her interviewer today turned out to be the CEO himself.

Her fingers fluttered nervously over her chest as she took light, measured steps toward the office door.

She hesitated before knocking, and the icy response that followed—"Come in"—sent a tremor through her legs.

It took her a couple of seconds to steady herself before she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The moment her eyes met Lucas’s fathomless gaze, her heart raced like a startled deer.

She forced a calm smile after a brief pause.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Marson." He remained silent, his dark eyes scrutinizing her with unnerving intensity.

Unlike the high ponytail in her resume photo, Nathalie now wore her jet-black hair loose over her shoulders, her makeup meticulously applied.

There was something in her delicate features—a faint resemblance to Amelia.

When he still didn’t speak, she offered another smile and extended her hand.

"Hello, Mr. Marson.

My name is Nathalie Anthony."

Lucas gave a slight nod and gestured for her to sit.

"Your resume says you’ve been in Paris all this time.

What made you decide to return to California now?" he asked, cutting straight to the point.

As if anticipating the question, she met his gaze and answered smoothly, "After so many years abroad, I suppose I grew a bit weary of it.

Besides, the domestic market is booming even faster than overseas these days.

I wanted to come home—to be closer to family."

A reasonable answer.

Lucas nodded before delving into technical questions about design.

Their conversation lasted nearly an hour.

"Wait for my assistant’s notification," he said coolly, glancing at his wristwatch.

"Of course. But, Mr. Marson," she ventured, "there’s one personal question I’d like to ask, if you don’t mind."

Nathalie gave a slight nod, biting her lower lip with a shy expression.

Lucas raised an eyebrow coolly.

"Go ahead."

"I never expected someone as accomplished as President Marson to be so young.

I was wondering... are you still single?"

"And what does that have to do with you?"

Lucas countered, his gaze flickering with an inscrutable light as he looked down at her, his lips parting slightly.

"If I pass the interview, I’ll be part of Marson Corporation.

Of course it matters," Nathalie straightened her posture, mustering her courage to voice her thoughts.

"I just wanted to know if a man as outstanding as you in every way is already taken."

To her surprise, Lucas suddenly smirked—a smile so captivating it sent her heart racing again.

He took a step forward, lowering his head to study her slightly flushed face.

"Still single," he said deliberately, his tone casual.

"Does that answer satisfy you?"

"Very much so..." Nathalie blinked, her cheeks warm, before quickly turning and fleeing the office, her heart fluttering with delight.

Who would’ve thought her very first interview after returning to the country would stir such emotions?

Ever since she was little, anything Nathalie set her sights on, she had to have—even if it meant resorting to underhanded tactics.

And she could clearly sense that Lucas had some interest in her.

Though his gaze held a certain emptiness, as if he were looking past her face at someone else entirely.

Even so, she was determined to fight for herself.

The Marson Corporation was the largest multinational company in the country, and Lucas, as its chairman and CEO, was undoubtedly the most influential figure in California—precisely the kind of man Nathalie had set her sights on.

After Nathalie left, Lucas summoned Lena and Sarah into his office and placed the resume on the desk.

Sarah picked it up, her gaze lingering on Nathalie’s photo.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly.

"Mr. Marson, this Miss Nathalie.. she actually resembles—" She abruptly cut herself off, swallowing the rest of her words.

Lena wasn’t very familiar with Amelia, and after all these years, her memory of the woman had nearly faded.

But seeing Sarah hesitate, she took a closer look at the photo of the gentle-smiling girl.

Her breath hitched, and she turned to Lucas in astonishment, lips parting slightly but no words coming out.

"You think she looks a bit like Amelia, don’t you?"

Ever since Amelia left, no one had dared mention her name in front of Lucas—it was an unspoken rule everyone followed.

Hearing him bring her up now, especially voluntarily, left them stunned.

Suddenly, the air grew heavy with silence.

Sarah was the one to break it.

"Miss Nathalie does bear some resemblance to Amelia, but Amelia had a much purer aura.

Lucas, you’re not... planning to treat her as a substitute, are you?"

This time, she called him by his name, instantly closing the distance between them.

At work, she always addressed him formally as "Mr. Marson or Mr. Lucas."

Only outside the office, in private, did she ever call him Lucas.

Lucas leaned back in his chair, legs crossed, idly toying with a small hourglass as countless thoughts flickered in his eyes.

After a brief pause, he finally spoke.

"Amelia is gone.

I won’t develop feelings for someone just because they resemble her.

I simply think she meets all the company’s hiring criteria.

From now on, Sarah, you’ll be responsible for Nathalie."