CHAPTER 96: AN UNEXPECTED KISS

Thanks to the Marson family’s strict upbringing and Lucas’s years of domineering influence, she had developed an exceptionally patient temperament.

Especially when she was on the verge of exploding with rage, she always managed to rein herself in.

The voice on the other end of the line dripped with apology, but the gist was clear—because the chairman had a trusted insider to place, she was being unceremoniously shoved aside, told to go cool her heels somewhere else.

Who would have thought even a lowly intern assistant position could be subject to nepotism and backdoor dealings?

And why did it have to be *her* spot?

Though she was seething enough to curse up a storm, she bit it all back.

After all, she had no powerful connections—just a nobody, easily crushed by anyone with a bit of clout.

"Alright, got it... bye!"

She had meant to say "see you," but considering she’d rather walk through fire than step foot in Jason Corp again, "bye" felt more fitting.

Hanging up, Beauty was on the verge of tears.

Because of Jason Corp, she turned down offers from every other company.

Now, she couldn’t bring herself to crawl back and beg for scraps.

*Bang bang.*

Someone was knocking. Who’d come looking for her this late?

Could it be Laura, here to provoke her again?

Already fuming, she wasn’t in the mood for visitors—but the knocking escalated into violent pounding, shaking the door on its hinges.

"Who is it?"

Beauty yanked the door open, her face flushed with irritation.

Standing in the doorway was Lucas, dressed in casual blue loungewear.

He tilted his head slightly, a mocking smirk playing at the corners of his eyes as he studied her.

Her anger flared even hotter—she had no desire to see him right now.

She moved to slam the door shut, but a long, muscular leg blocked it before she could.

Before she could react, he had already strode past her and into her bedroom.

The door slammed shut behind him with a loud bang.

Beauty gritted her teeth, seething.

*Why does he always come back just to torment me?*

"What do you want?" she snapped.

"It’s late, and I’m going to bed.

Whatever it is, we can talk tomorrow!"

At home, she always walked barefoot on the plush, soft wool carpet.

Lucas’s gaze lingered on her porcelain-white feet before slowly trailing upward.

She wore only a thin, silky slip dress—comfortable enough that she hadn’t bothered with a bra.

The delicate fabric clung to her curves, faintly revealing the soft swell of her chest.

Realizing the heat of his stare, Beauty immediately crossed her arms over herself.

Her cheeks burned crimson as she pointed at him, teeth clenched.

"You—you *pervert*!

Get out!"

She was on the verge of losing it.

If there was one person in this world who could strip away her composure and reduce her to raw fury, it was Lucas.

A mocking smile played at the corners of his lips as his icy gaze settled on her face.

His eyes were like fathomless ocean depths—so dark and dangerous that one dared not meet them, lest they swallow you whole.

"Tell me," he said, his voice dripping with cold amusement, "is there any part of your body I haven’t touched?"

The words, arrogant and laced with scorn, shattered Beauty completely.

She snatched a throw pillow from the couch and hurled it at him, but he dodged effortlessly.

The air hung heavy for two tense seconds.

Lucas smirked, a wicked glint in his eyes.

"Should I take this as you venting your bad mood on me?"

"Damn right," Beauty shot back, tilting her chin up with a disdainful snort before flopping back onto the sofa, refusing to spare him another glance.

Then, after another beat of silence, she suddenly shot up from the couch as if struck by a thought.

Rising onto her tiptoes, she glared at him, her voice sharp and deliberate.

"Was it you?"

"Was what me?"

He grinned, flashing a row of perfect white teeth.

"Are you asking if I’m the one you love?"

The audacity of his reply left her speechless, nearly choking on her own indignation.

She coughed violently before snapping, "I was supposed to start at Jason Corp. tomorrow, but they just rejected me.

Did you have something to do with this?"

"Don’t you dare pin all the blame on me.

If they don’t want you, what can I possibly do about it?"

Lucas’s voice was as cool and detached as ever. He suddenly gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"What if I told you it was my doing?

What would you do about it?"

Well... She honestly hadn’t thought that far.

After all, he was the most influential figure in town, the kind who could turn the city upside down with a snap of his fingers.

What could she possibly do to him?

If he was determined to make her obediently work at Marson Corporation, then no other company in town would dare hire her.

What a complete control freak!

Beauty clenched her fists, her delicate lips pressed into a thin line of frustration.

Just as she was about to unleash her anger, a large hand cradled the back of her head, tilting her face up before his lips crashed down on hers.

No matter how hard she struggled, he refused to let go.

Only when she was nearly suffocating did those cool, arrogant lips finally release hers.

She gasped for air, her chest heaving.

The entire time, he had practically lifted her off her feet, adjusting her into a more comfortable position—though it felt more like he was trying to snap her neck in the process.

Honestly, kissing a man this much taller than her was no easy feat!

Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, and her lips still tingled from the lingering sensation.

Her flushed face twisted into an exaggerated eye roll directed at him.

"Are you really not considering joining the company?"

The sudden gentleness in his voice carried a faint smile, his clear eyes brimming with an alluring intensity that was almost too much to meet head-on.

Beauty clenched the hem of her little skirt tightly, her pink lips pressed into a thin line, the heat in her cheeks still lingering.

Her long, doll-like lashes lowered, casting delicate shadows over her porcelain skin—thick, dark, and unfathomable.

"Do I even have a choice...?"

As she spoke, she lifted her gaze, locking directly onto the depths of his shadowed eyes, her fingers twisting restlessly.

Inside, she had already cursed herself a thousand times.

*So what if he kissed you?

Are you really going to surrender just like that?

Where’s your dignity?

Your pride?

All of it had shattered in this moment.

The frantic flutter in her chest hadn’t settled, and the ghost of his warmth still lingered on her lips—sweet, soft, impossible to ignore.

"Report to the company tomorrow.

You’ll start as an assistant—no special treatment.

No new hire walks in as a designer right away, and you’re no exception."

Beauty nodded.

Right now, she had no choice but to accept her fate.

Otherwise, she’d truly be left jobless—not just in this town, but probably nowhere in the entire country would dare hire her.

Lucas’s move was ruthless.

She had no choice but to surrender—for now.

But she wasn’t defeated.

No matter where she was, she’d make sure he saw her in a whole new light.