Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 366

Chapter 366

Claire’s POV

I walked into Reynolds Real Estate Group’s headquarters at exactly nine a.m., my heels clicking against the marble with the kind of confidence I’d spent

years perfecting. The receptionist glanced up, recognized me immediately, and straightened in her chair,

“Miss Vanderbilt,” she said, her smile professional but wary. “Mr. Reynolds is expecting you?”

‘He should be,” I replied coolly, though Lucas and I hadn’t actually discussed my coming here today.

But after last night’s excruciating dinner with his mother–two hours of thinly veiled criticism about my family’s declining social status–I’d decided I needed

to establish my place in Lucas’s life more firmly.

Starting with an office. Right here. Where I could keep an eye on him.

The receptionist made a quick call, then nodded. “You can go up.”

I took the elevator to the executive floor, my stomach tight with anticipation.

I pushed through the double doors and stepped into the space that would soon be as much mine as his.

Floor–to–ceiling windows overlooked the city, the autumn sun casting everything in shades of amber.

Lucas sat behind his massive desk, a stack of documents spread before him, his reading glasses perched on his nose.

He looked up when I entered, his eyes narrowing slightly, but he didn’t speak. Just watched me with that cool, assessing gaze I both loved and hated.

“Claire,” he said finally, removing his glasses. “I wasn’t expecting you this morning.”

“I thought we should discuss my new role here,” I replied smoothly, settling into one of the leather chairs across from his desk. ‘I want to work here, Lucas.

With you.”

His expression darkened, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “Claire, this is my business. I don’t think-”

“We’re engaged,” I interrupted, keeping my voice level despite the flash of irritation in his eyes. It makes perfect sense for me to be involved in your company. I have an MBA from Wharton, remember? I’m not some decorative accessory.”

Lucas set down his pen with deliberate precision, his fingers drumming once against the mahogany surface. This isn’t a discussion we should be having

here.”

“Where else would we have it?‘ I stood and moved around the desk, trailing my fingers along the polished wood. “Besides, I’ve already made up my mind. I’m

not asking for permission, Lucas. I’m telling you what’s going to happen.”

The silence stretched between us, tense and charged. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders dropping slightly in resignation.

“Fine,” he said, his voice clipped. “But you’ll follow my rules. This is still my company.”

I smiled, leaning down to press a kiss to his cheek. “Of course. I wouldn’t dream of overstepping.”

1/2

11:04 am TN

Chapter 366

“Where is Sephia, by the way?” I asked, straightening. “Isn’t she your personal secretary? Why didn’t I see her when I came up?”

Something flickered across his face–too quick to read–but his voice remained neutral. “Her position has been terminated.”

My heart leapt. “So she’s really gone. Just like that?”

“She wasn’t particularly useful,” he said, his tone dismissive as he straightened the papers on his desk with precise, controlled movements. “I saw no reason

to keep her around.”

I leaned forward slightly, trying to read his expression. “Where did she go?”

“I don’t keep track of former employees whereabouts.” He picked up a pen, tapping it once against the mahogany surface—a small tell that meant he was

irritated with the line of questioning.

“And the baby?” I asked, keeping my voice carefully neutral.

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