Chapter 618
It was almost noon, but Jonathan's advice hadn't yielded a solution. He could only tell Lucian, "Whatever you say or do, remember to temper your approach. Don't confront her directly."
Lucian frowned but readily agreed. After ending the call, he drove to Roxanne's research institute.
Meanwhile, Roxanne prepared to leave for the cafรฉ, most of her staff already gone. Before exiting, something occurred to her. She returned to her office to retrieve the roses. I might as well return these flowers since I'm meeting him, she thought. Relieved no one had seen her with them, she proceeded to the car park.
A Bentley sat at the entrance. Noticing her, Lucian immediately approached. Roxanne's expression hardened. Didn't I tell him to meet me at the cafรฉ? What is he doing here? He's still upset about this morning's flowers!
"It's noon; we should have a proper meal," Lucian explained, as if reading her thoughts.
Roxanne snapped back to reality. "No thanks. Just coffee," she replied, frowning. She wanted to avoid a lengthy lunch with him.
Lucian, however, seemed to ignore her. "What would you like to eat? I'll reserve a table now."
Roxanne stared, puzzled. Something felt different about Lucian.
"That's not necessary. I don't feel like eating. I'm meeting you to settle things," Roxanne stated icily, returning the bouquet. "Your flowers."
Lucian, previously scrolling through his phone, froze. A hard glint flashed in his eyes. He'd anticipated her returning the flowers, intentionally diverting her attention to prevent it. Her persistence, however, changed his strategy. She approached and placed the bouquet before him. "Here."
After a tense moment, Lucian took the flowers, his expression impassive. "I'm sorry you refused them. To make amends, please have lunch with me."
Roxanne searched his face, finding no sadness.
Before she could refuse, Lucian interrupted, "I didn't have breakfast. My stomach's growling." He feigned sympathy, frowning. "You want me to drink coffee on an empty stomach, Ms. Jarvis?" He met her gaze. The idea was spontaneous, a tactic suggested by Jonathan to appeal to her emotions. Lucian, normally disdainful of such methods, felt compelled to use them.
Roxanne hesitated, considering the man before her.