Chapter 299 Is it because… you don’t want to see him?

Chapter 299 Is it because… you don’t want to see him?

"Trouble?"

Lancelot laughed, his tone so casual it was as if nothing had happened. "The Medici family isn't worthy of causing me trouble."

Simple words.

But beneath them lay unmistakable arrogance and ruthlessness.

From beginning to end, Lancelot had never considered the Medici family a threat.

He'd initially shown Brielle courtesy out of good manners.

When they'd run into each other at the hotel, he'd torn down her lies as a warning.

Just now, he'd humiliated her without holding back.

Anyone who dared go after someone under Lancelot's protection would meet that fate—a warning to others.

Emotions Sophia couldn't quite name swirled inside her.

How could she not be drawn to a man like this?

But how could she drag him into her mess for the sake of feelings that might not even last?

She lowered her eyes, hiding what she felt.

"Mr. Clifford, since the problem's solved, can I clock out now?"

Clock out.

The fastest way to put distance between them.

Lancelot's eyes narrowed as he studied the woman beside him.

She seemed docile on the surface, but her stubbornness ran bone-deep.

He sighed silently and told Ryan to drive to Luxe Living.

They rode the elevator up together in silence.

When Sophia unlocked her door, she quickly said, "Goodbye, Mr. Clifford."

Without giving him a chance to respond, she slipped inside and shut the door in one smooth motion.

As if afraid that one second's delay would give Lancelot the chance to stop her.

Lancelot stood there for a long moment before sighing softly and leaving.

Leaning against the door, Sophia heard his door close. Only then did her taut nerves finally relax.

She changed her shoes, walked into the bedroom, and threw herself onto the soft bed. Her temples throbbed uncomfortably.

Wasn't it inevitable to admire a hero?

Especially when Lancelot had rescued her from disaster every single time. Even if it was just dopamine, she couldn't stop it.

"Why put such a perfect man right in front of me if I can't have him and can't even fight for him? What's the point?"

Sophia groaned and pulled the blanket over her face, trying not to think about Lancelot, trying not to be drawn to him.

If feelings could be controlled, there probably wouldn't be so many questions.

...

The next day, Sophia arrived at the office early as usual.

The project teams had resolved their issues, but the Hilton Hotel matter was now on the agenda. She couldn't just pretend not to know.

What she didn't expect was to be grabbed the moment she got out of her car. She nearly jumped out of her skin.

Before she could shout "Security," she heard a voice thick with tears.

"Please, help me."

The voice was somewhat familiar, yet strange.

Sophia studied the woman in front of her—sunglasses, face mask—trying to place her.

After a long moment, she spoke with surprise. "Brielle?"

Gone was Brielle's initial radiance, let alone her innate arrogance.

Even with most of her face covered, the defeat radiating from her was palpable.

"It's me, Ms. Percy. I was just jealous, that's all. I didn't really want to hurt you. Please, help me."

Didn't she?

When Brielle had spread rumors that Sophia stole her boyfriend, she'd thrown Sophia directly into the line of fire.

Now she was denying her intentions, looking pitiful. Was this...

"Ms. Medici."

Lancelot's voice cut through suddenly, making Brielle's body jerk.

He stepped forward, pulled Sophia to his side, and continued.

"The world doesn't revolve around your tears and who's most pitiful."

"Ms. Percy's photos came from you. You know better than anyone what you were thinking at the time."

"Now you're here playing the victim. But yesterday, when you tried to strip her clothes off in front of everyone—what exactly were you trying to do?"

Lancelot's emotionless voice betrayed no feeling, yet conveyed his heart of stone with perfect clarity.

He had zero sympathy for Brielle. Only disgust.

His words stabbed into Brielle's heart like knives.

She let out a wounded animal's cry. "I—I was just jealous! I'm better than her in every way. Why would you rather have a divorced woman than even try with me?"

By the end, her voice was desolate.

She'd grown up with everything going her way. When had she ever faced such defeat?

And at the hands of a woman she saw as damaged goods, inferior in every way!

"Because you're not worthy."

Lancelot dropped that line and pulled Sophia past Brielle, coldly ordering, "Notify security. Not just anyone can enter the Clifford Group."

"Yes, sir!" Aiden acknowledged, thinking security was in for it this time.

Still, the more outside interference, the stronger the bond—weren't the boss and his future wife clearly growing closer?

As Aiden mused, Sophia stood in the elevator corner, keeping maximum distance from Lancelot.

"Ms. Percy," he said, lips curving though his eyes held no smile, "you're getting better and better at burning bridges."

"..."

How was she supposed to respond to that?

Sophia felt like lately, being alone with Lancelot always came with crushing pressure.

She kept her head down, avoiding his eyes. "Mr. Clifford, thank you for helping me yesterday and today. In return, I'll get a handle on the Hilton situation as quickly as possible and get the hotel running smoothly."

Lancelot actually laughed in exasperation. "You really are the model employee. Will you take on anything within your job description?"

"I—"

Before Sophia could try to smooth things over, the elevator doors opened.

He spoke coldly. "My office. Fifteen minutes."

"Huh?"

"What, don't you want to handle the Hilton issue? Having second thoughts?"

"No, I'll go prepare right away!"

The previously deflated Sophia perked up immediately and hurried out of the elevator.

Watching the doors close, Lancelot's expression turned helpless. How had he gotten involved with such a workaholic?

"Sophia."

The moment the elevator doors shut, Elowen stepped forward to block her path.

Sophia's brow furrowed slightly.

She and Elowen had been at odds since Sophia joined the company. At least now they were equals, unlike before when she'd always been subordinate.

Sophia gave a slight nod. "I have something to do. Did you need something?"

Completely professional. But to the recently demoted Elowen, it felt like mockery.

"What, think you're the director now that I've been demoted?"

"Don't get too cocky, Sophia!"

"Taking the CEO's private elevator so brazenly—do you have no respect for company rules at all?"

Had she finally found something concrete to attack?

Sophia's lips curved in a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "If you have a problem, why don't you take it up with Mr. Clifford?"

"After all, Mr. Clifford just asked me to ride the elevator with him."

"Instead of asking him, you're blocking my way. Is it because... you don't want to see him?"