Lyra’s heart trembled at his words.

Was it that red didn't look good on her, or that Lucien only liked her when she dressed like a copy of Sylvie?

Lyra closed her eyes and said nothing more.

Seeing her silence, Lucien’s expression turned cold as well, and he stared straight ahead, driving the rest of the way in stony silence.

Back home, Lyra went straight to the study.

She was going to Germany soon and needed to brush up on her German. Thankfully, she had a foundation, so picking it up again wasn't too difficult.

She didn't try to hide her studies from Lucien, but he never asked. He seemed completely uninterested in what she was doing.

The next day, the first phase of the Sterling Aerospace deal was officially settled.

Lyra organized a cocktail party to celebrate, inviting several big names from the financial world. It was a huge success, and for the first time, she got drunk at a work event.

Her friend, Chloe, frowned with concern. "You guys didn't stop her? You really let her get this wasted. What now?"

The others looked at each other, clueless.

"Does Lyra have a boyfriend?"

"I don't think so. Hey, maybe we should let that guy have a shot. You know, the one who's into her. Ask him to take her home."

Chloe clicked her tongue, about to offer to take Lyra home herself when Lyra’s phone rang.

The name on the screen was "Lucien."

Chloe answered and put it on speaker.

A cool, detached male voice came through the line.

"Lyra, where are you? Why aren't you home yet?"

Though the man's tone was cold, it confirmed his identity.

Lyra really had a boyfriend!

Everyone was stunned.

Only Chloe frowned at the coldness in his voice. "Hi, I'm Lyra's colleague. She's drunk right now. Can you come pick her up?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

Then, the man's voice turned inexplicably colder. "Address."

Someone quickly gave the address, and the call was disconnected.

The colleagues were even more shocked, whispering among themselves.

"I've known her for years. I never heard Lyra had a boyfriend."

"I know, right? She's worked so much overtime, and I've never seen anyone pick her up."

Only Chloe looked at Lyra, flushed and unconscious, and sighed for reasons she couldn't quite explain.

By the time Lucien arrived, Lyra’s drunkenness had faded slightly. She was just sitting on the sofa, staring blankly into space.

Lucien walked up to her, but she only gazed at him dumbly, saying nothing.

He gave her a quick, thorough once-over, then asked coldly, "Was it necessary?"

*Was it necessary to get this drunk for a job?*

Lyra’s mind was foggy, but she instinctively wanted to retort, "Of course it was."

But she could sense Lucien’s displeasure, so she held her tongue. Instead, she just tugged at his sleeve and mumbled like a child, "Let's go home."

A strange tightness constricted Lucien’s chest. He gave a curt nod to Chloe, who was sizing him up, then lifted Lyra into his arms and carried her out.

The moment they were in the car, Lyra fell asleep in the passenger seat.

Lucien glanced at her unconsciously.

He saw that under her trench coat today, she was wearing a white blouse. His brow instantly relaxed.

*Much better.*

At least it was better than red. Not so… alluring.

Back at the apartment, Lucien took Lyra into the bathroom, intending to sober her up. Instead, she grabbed his tie and pulled him down.

Haphazard kisses fell on his face, his throat.

Desire flared in Lucien’s eyes. Finally unable to restrain himself, he cupped the back of her head and kissed her back fiercely.

When everything finally settled into stillness.

Lyra lay face down on the bed, her mind finally clear, but her body was too weak to even turn over.

Lucien emerged from the bathroom, dressing slowly. Sated, his features were uncharacteristically gentle.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

Seeing Sylvie’s name on the caller ID, he answered immediately.

Sylvie’s panicked voice came through the line. "Lucien! I was cooking and I accidentally set the pan on fire! What do I do?"

Lucien’s expression changed drastically. "I'm coming over right now!"

He hung up and started changing. Noticing Lyra staring at him, he reflexively made an excuse. "There's an emergency at the lab. I have to go out. Don't wait up for me tonight."

Without waiting for her reaction, he finished dressing and rushed out the door.

With the sound of the door closing, the apartment fell silent once more.

Lyra hadn't said a word. She just closed her eyes in shame.

They had just been entwined, the warmth of their bodies still lingering, and he was already rushing off to another woman…

She didn't know how much time had passed.

Lyra’s phone rang.

She picked it up. It was the same person. Sylvie.

Lyra had a sudden intuition. This was Sylvie’s power play.

She listened to the insistent ringing, then finally pressed answer. Sylvie’s intimate voice floated from the other end.

"Lucien, let's get back together."

"You still love me, don't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have left Lyra to come to me with just one phone call."

Lyra’s breath caught.

She couldn't help but clutch her phone tighter.

Lucien’s hoarse voice came through, clear as day. "I do still love you."