Chapter 82

Right. She was here to deliver the documents.

Vanguard’s project was the priority—everything else was secondary.

She needed to stay focused.

Besides, it had only been a fleeting glimpse.

Maybe she had seen wrong.

But then again… could she really mistake a face like Lucas’s?

A sudden thought struck her.

Vanguard’s chairman also had the last name Carter.

The same one as Lucas.

Aurora’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The coincidences were piling up.

She recalled the extravagant gesture Lucas had made at her mother’s birthday banquet—the genuine antique bottle he had gifted.

Even Julian, who had spent a fortune, had ended up with a fake.

Yet Lucas had easily produced the real deal.

She always knew the Carter family was well-off, but this level of extravagance wasn’t common.

Her thoughts swirled as she arrived at the 15th-floor conference room.

Maybe she really did see wrong…

But the moment the elevator doors slid open, her breath caught.

Standing in the center of the crowd outside was a familiar figure.

It was Lucas.

Dressed in a tailored black suit, he exuded an air of sharp precision and understated power.

He looked even more refined and imposing than usual, carrying himself with an effortless authority.

The moment he noticed her, his gaze locked onto hers—warm, intense, filled with an emotion she couldn’t quite decipher.

Aurora froze.

“You—why are you here?”

She was the first to break the silence.

Lucas, appearing at Vanguard Group—was this really just a coincidence?

Or was there something more?

Her gaze darkened, sharp with curiosity.

Just who was he in relation to the other Lucas at Vanguard?

As if he had guessed Aurora’s thoughts, Lucas’s gaze darkened slightly.

With an almost imperceptible glance, he gave the people around him a silent warning.

Understanding the cue instantly, Desmond, his assistant, quickly sent a message to their internal group chat: “Do NOT reveal the boss’s identity.”

If their CEO enjoyed playing roles with his wife, then as dedicated employees, they would, of course, cooperate without hesitation.

Lucas stepped forward, weaving through the small crowd, and stopped directly in front of Aurora.

His voice was cool and composed. “Our company happens to have some dealings with Vanguard. I’m just here for formalities.”

He was tall, his posture effortless, and as he explained, his entire focus was on her.

Aurora looked up, meeting his deep-set eyes.

In those narrow, captivating eyes, she saw only herself—

His unwavering gaze was too much, a quiet intensity that unsettled her.

Trying to shake it off, she asked, “Then why didn’t you tell me before?”

He knew all along that she was working on Vanguard’s project.

Lucas caught the slight accusation in her tone and let out a small, amused breath.

“It’s because our company’s involvement in this project is limited to the media and promotional aspects,” he explained naturally.

“My family’s main business is media, not construction. We don’t have much expertise in that field.”

Then, his lips curled slightly as he looked at her, voice dropping into something more teasing.

“What’s wrong? Is my dear wife afraid we’re competitors?”

Aurora blinked, momentarily stunned before narrowing her eyes.

Her voice carried a hint of irritation. “Of course not. Walton Corporation is going to win this project on merit. Even if you were my competitor, I wouldn’t go easy on you.”

When it came to work, Aurora had always been strict and professional.

Marriage or not, business was business.

Lucas noticed the fierce determination in her eyes and, this time, responded seriously.

“I know, Rora. You always take your work seriously.”

Chapter 83