CHAPTER 130: BEAUTY IS JEALOUS OF NATHALIE

Returning to the regional branch, though not as expansive as the headquarters, it still stood as a titan compared to other domestic jewelry companies.

Beauty trailed closely behind Lucas as they made their rounds through each department.

Before long, everyone in the branch knew her as the CEO’s ever-present shadow.

Sarah remained silent the entire time.

The thought of how rarely she’d see Sarah once they returned to the main Marson Group weighed on Beauty’s heart, stirring a pang of reluctance.

"Hey... Sarah," Beauty murmured, leaning in with a faint smile, "to celebrate your promotion to branch president, let me treat you to dinner tonight!"

Her voice was soft, almost conspiratorial.

"How about we go to a quiet lounge instead?

My treat for drinks.

I know bars aren’t really your scene, so we’ll just relax there for a bit.

Lucas won’t mind, right?"

Beauty shook her head.

"Why would he? My time is my own after work.

It’s settled then—we’ll head straight there once we clock out."

The two whispered behind Lucas’s back as he discussed business with the company’s executives.

Every now and then, he’d glance over at Beauty, his gaze inscrutable.

The moment the workday ended, Nathalie approached Lucas with a radiant smile.

They exchanged a few words, their conversation appearing light and pleasant.

By the time Lucas turned to look for Beauty, she had already vanished.

"That little fox," he muttered under his breath, a cold smirk tugging at his lips as his eyes flicked toward Nathalie.

"Let’s grab dinner, then," he said flatly. "I could use a meal."

As Lucas and Nathalie stepped out of the elevator, Beauty and Sarah were already in a car, speeding toward the most serene lounge in the vicinity.

Seated in the car, Beauty turned her head for one last glance.

The streets were just beginning to glow with evening lights, and the towering skyscrapers had long since swallowed up the figure of that impeccably suited man.

The lounge bar was relatively quiet at this hour.

Sarah had chosen a secluded corner, ordering some snacks and cocktails.

A shadow of melancholy lingered between her brows.

"Beauty," she began softly, lifting her gaze as soon as they settled in, "there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you, but I wasn’t sure how to bring it up."

"Go ahead, Sarah.

What secrets could I possibly keep from you?"

Beauty replied breezily, her almond-shaped eyes glimmering with warmth.

"What exactly is your relationship with Lucas now?

Is it still just that of a guardian and his ward?"

Sarah met her cool, composed gaze as she spoke, her tone measured.

The question caught Beauty off guard.

No one had ever asked her this before—though she had posed it to herself countless times in her own heart.

In the past, she would have answered without hesitation that it was purely a legal guardianship.

But after everything that had happened recently, could their bond still be defined so simply?

Noticing her hesitation, Sarah offered a faint smile.

"Don’t think I’m being nosy, Beauty.

I’m only looking out for you.

Being around Lucas isn’t as straightforward as you might believe.

You know how deeply he once loved Amelia.

I just worry that you’re still young, and emotions can be tricky to navigate.

I don’t want you to get hurt.

That said, Lucas isn’t like Drake—he knows exactly what he wants."

The mention of Drake sent a pang through her.

Hadn’t she herself been the one left shattered by love?

She didn’t want Beauty to suffer the same fate—to reach her age still emotionally scarred, unable to trust or love again.

The waiter arrived, setting their drinks and snacks on the table.

Despite the spread before her, Beauty found she had no appetite.

"I don’t know what Lucas and I are anymore," she admitted quietly.

"But I’ve stopped trying to figure it out.

Once I graduate, he won’t be my guardian anymore.

And maybe... I won’t even stay at Marson Corporation."

Once, the mere thought of this would fill her with the exhilarating scent of freedom, bringing joy to her heart.

But now, it left a bitter aftertaste.

Sarah took a small bite of dessert, her lashes lowering slightly.

"Being under Lucas’s shadow for too long is exhausting.

Maybe leaving isn’t such a bad thing.

Will you stay in New York?"

She shook her head.

The future felt like a distant haze, impossible to grasp.

Once she left, she had no idea where she would go.

"Sarah, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you, but I didn’t know how to bring it up."

Beauty bit her lip, hesitating before meeting Sarah’s gaze.

"Are you asking about me and Drake?"

Sarah replied, a wry smile tugging at her lips. Beauty nodded, her eyes wide with curiosity. Sarah took a sip of her cocktail, the bitterness lingering on her tongue.

"That was ages ago—just a naive campus romance.

Back then, I was young, reckless, and lost myself in love.

In the end, I was shattered.

That’s why I warned you to keep your distance from Lucas.

He’s just like Drake—naturally charismatic, the kind of person who makes those around him lose themselves."

"Was it because of Samantha? I never liked her.

There’s something fake about her.

And Nathalie—" She caught herself mid-sentence, swallowing the words before they spilled out. Gossiping behind someone’s back wasn’t right, and worse, it might make her seem jealous of Nathalie.

But deep down, she knew her dislike for Nathalie had nothing to do with Lucas.

Some people, you just know from the first glance you’ll never like—like Samantha, Laura, and Nathalie.

Yet there are some people you instantly know will become your closest confidants the moment you meet them—like Sarah sitting across from me now.

"I won’t comment on Samantha—our history is too complicated.

But that Nathalie? I don’t like her either.

It’s obvious she has feelings for Lucas, so you’d better watch out, Beauty."

"Watch out for what?

I don’t even like that creepy old man!

Honestly, the sooner Nathalie waltzes in, the sooner I can pack my bags and leave."

Beauty’s delicate brows knitted tightly, a bitter taste rising in her throat at the thought.

But what right did she have—a mere orphan he’d taken in—to compete for his attention?

To fight other women for him? It was nothing but a fool’s delusion.

Sarah arched a slender brow, well acquainted with Beauty’s stubborn, defiant nature—unchanged since their school days.

The girl would sooner bite her tongue than admit defeat.

"I just hope you’ll be honest with yourself.

Whatever happens, I only want you to be happy.

Whether you stay by Lucas’s side or not, I’ll always be your Sister Sarah.

And I’ll always wish you joy."

"Same here.

I’ll look forward to that day."

With faint smiles, they lifted their cocktails and clinked glasses lightly.

Little did she know—the day she finally gained her freedom would also be the day she lost it forever.

Desperate to escape, she never imagined Lucas had already woven an inescapable web of desire around her.