Lyra became absorbed in the strokes of her pencil. Line after line formed without pause, sharp, fast, and full of pressure. As if every pull of the pencil was her way of channeling everything she had been holding back.
She did not even realize that someone was now standing right in front of her.
"Miss," her assistant whispered softly, almost inaudible.
But Lyra did not respond. Her gaze remained fixed on the paper.
"It seems you're not very interested in cooperating with our company."
The man's voice sounded cold and calm, yet carried a clearly judging tone.
Lyra still did not react. Her pencil continued moving, as if the voice was not important enough to stop her.
In front of her, the man clenched his hand. His jaw tightened, holding back something that almost surfaced.
His patience was beginning to wear thin. Lyra's assistant swallowed, then hesitantly held Lyra's wrist, which was still moving.
The motion finally stopped. Lyra immediately turned, her gaze sharp toward her assistant.
"What?" she asked shortly, clearly annoyed.
Her assistant did not answer immediately. She simply moved her eyes forward, giving a subtle signal, informing her that the person they had been waiting for was already there.
Lyra frowned. "What's wrong with your eyes?" she asked, still not understanding.
"So, you really have no intention of cooperating with us?"
The voice sounded again. Closer, colder, and this time impossible to ignore.
The tone was too high. Too arrogant. Lyra finally turned her head. And in one second, she immediately stood up.
Too quickly.
Her eyes widened when she saw who was standing in front of her.
Reflexively, her body moved before her mind could catch up.
But that movement became a mistake. Her foot caught on the edge of the sofa where she had been sitting.
Her balance slipped. Her body tilted forward, nearly falling.
But before that happened, a hand quickly caught her.
Holding her arm. Pulling her back.
Lyra froze, right in front of the man.
So close, too close, and at that moment, she realized something. The man in front of her was not only the president director of Luxora Holdings, but also her longtime enemy—Lucien Whitmore.
Realizing who the man before her was, Lyra immediately pulled herself back.
She stood straight and kept her distance.
Her gaze hardened instantly. "Whitmore…" she said, almost in disbelief.
Lucien Whitmore curved his lips into a faint smile. A smile that looked more like mockery.
"Miss Valtieri," he replied casually, as if this meeting was merely a pleasant coincidence for him. "Long time no see."
His tone was light. But his eyes were not.
That gaze was too sharp and meaningful.
Lyra did not answer. She simply shifted her gaze to her assistant, as if asking for confirmation without words.
Really?
This irritating man in front of her, the president director of Luxora Holdings?
Her assistant could only give a small nod.
And that was enough.
"If you have no intention of cooperating," Lucien continued suddenly, his tone turning cold again, "the exit is over there."
He raised his hand, pointing toward the lobby door without the slightest hesitation, as if Lyra was nothing more than a guest who could leave at any time.
Lyra's expression changed instantly. Her anger rose at once. However, a small tug at the edge of her blouse made her stop.
Her assistant was giving her a subtle warning. Lyra took a slow breath, swallowing her emotions whole. Then gradually, a smile appeared on her face, perfect, and controlled.
"Who said we're not interested?" she replied lightly. "Of course we want to cooperate with your company."
Lucien looked at her for a moment, as if assessing her. Or perhaps enjoying the change in his enemy's expression.
"I haven't eaten," he said casually, as if the previous conversation meant nothing. "Let's have lunch first. After that, we'll talk about cooperation."
Without waiting for an answer, Lucien turned around and walked away. He was completely certain that Lyra would follow him.
Lyra closed her eyes.
One second.
Two seconds.
Her hands clenched tightly at her sides. She was annoyed—very annoyed.
She opened her eyes again, then lightly stamped her foot on the floor, channeling the emotions she could not release. With no other choice, she walked after him.
Outside the building, a black car was already waiting. Lucien had entered it first, as if the world always moved according to his rhythm.
Lyra briefly turned, intending to head toward her own car parked nearby. But her steps halted. Lucien's assistant stood near the car door, looking at her politely yet firmly.
"Please, Miss. Sir asked you to join the same car."
A request that sounded like an order.
Lyra fell silent for a few seconds. Her eyes narrowed slightly. But in the end, she stepped forward and entered the car without saying anything. The door closed, and the car moved, leaving the Luxora Holdings building behind, carrying two people who had never truly gotten along into the same journey.
Throughout the ride, not a single word was spoken. Only a pressing silence.
Lyra sat upright, staring straight ahead. But behind her calm demeanor, her hands could not stay still.
The tips of her fingers pressed against each other repeatedly, unconsciously. An old habit that always appeared whenever she felt uncomfortable. And right now, she was very uncomfortable.
Being in the same car, at this close distance, with someone who had always been her opponent, was not something she had ever imagined, or wanted.
Her thoughts kept turning, searching for possibilities and preparing herself.
What would Lucien do?
What would he say?
Remembering how their encounters in the past always ended in arguments, sarcasm, and attempts to undermine each other, Lyra was certain Lucien had not changed. Those sharp remarks would surely come again. And this time, she did not have the freedom to respond as she once did.
Because her current situation was different. She needed this cooperation.
One by one, doors had closed to her. Companies that once easily accepted her proposals now rejected them without hesitation.
Valtieri Group's reputation had already been tarnished. Market confidence had collapsed. And not many were willing to take the risk of getting involved. But Luxora was different, Lyra was sure of that.
The company was not only strong; they were at the top. A company that remained stable amid turbulence.
They were even growing while others began to falter. If there was one company that could restore investor confidence, it was Luxora Holdings.
Lyra let out a soft breath. Her gaze remained fixed forward. This time, she did not come as a rival. She came as someone who had to swallow her pride. And that felt far more difficult than facing Lucien as an enemy.