Chapter 276
This was their second meeting. Since their initial blind date, they had kept in touch exclusively through text.
Sophie Sutherland realized just how effortless it was to spend time with Bacchus. He was the perfect blend of emotional intelligence and striking good looks-and she had always been a sucker for a handsome face.
He clearly did not mind her company, either. She could not say for sure if it was love
at first sight, but she was entirely satisfied with the comfortable, subtly flirtatious dynamic they shared.
Switzerland.
Lucy stared at the jewelry bag on her desk. It contained the necklace she had previously sent back, returned to her untouched, now accompanied by a children’s toy.
The toy was perfectly tailored to Seven’s interests—a rare model car missing from his prized collection.
She shook her head with a helpless sigh. Kingsley Sherwood had millions, and if he insisted on sending gifts, she could not be bothered to go through the hassle of returning them again.
Near the end of the workday, Jules Holt pushed the door open, dressed in a sharp navy suit.
His gaze swept over the desk, and he raised an eyebrow. “Is that from him?”
Lucy did not look up, offering a simple hum of confirmation.
“Well, that won’t do,” Jules said, pulling up a chair and sitting across from her, his tone tinged with competitive determination.
“I will have to pick out a new toy for Seven later. Otherwise, he is going to squeeze me right out of the little guy’s heart.”
Lucy finally lifted her eyes, laughing softly. “Stop it. He has enough toys as it is. Your place in his heart is perfectly secure, don’t worry.”
Jules smiled, radiating confidence. “Of course it is. My bond with Seven isn’t something just anyone can replicate.”
His gaze shifted back to the jewelry bag as he changed the subject. “You aren’t skipping the celebration tonight, are you?”
Lucy kept her hands moving, fingers flying across her keyboard.
“No, I am the lead designer for this project. It is only right that I attend.”
Jules nodded approvingly. “We could not have secured their approval without you.”
He paused for a moment before asking, “Do you have any plans to take on domestic projects in the new year?”
het
“I could. There is nothing holding me back now,” Lucy replied, her mind already racing with plans. She needed to return to the country at the end of the month anyway. As the second-largest shareholder of the Lynwood Group, she had to make an appearance eventually.
Jules stood up, a warm smile in his eyes. “Then you will definitely exceed your goals for the year.”
“Yes, the first-quarter targets are already exceeded,” Lucy said softly, though she did not think much of it Most of these collaborations had fallen@ght into her lap all she had to do was spend a little extra time sketching.
Jules just smiled knowingly.
He was well aware that the clients flocking to them were deliberately sent to the Holt Group by Kingsley, and every single one of them had specifically requested Lucy
After Jules left, Lucy stood up and walked over to the window.
The sky outside had darkened, blurring the city’s skyline. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to the nanny.
Almost immediately, a voice message came back. It was Seven’s sweet, soft voice: “Mom, please come back early and don’t drink too much.”
A second later, another adorable message chimed in: “Mom, I love you!”
A smile naturally touched Lucy’s lips. She held the phone and whispered back, “I love you too!”
Message sent, she stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the streetlights flicker on one by one. Despite her best efforts, her thoughts drifted far away.
She did not snap back to reality until the reminder alarm to return a client’s call rang, pulling her back to her desk.