| October 3, 2023 – 8:00 AM | Lin's Farm
Lin had just finished her lemonade, still turning over Ethan's words, when her phone buzzed.
Lucas.
She sighed. "Tell me you're not in a ditch somewhere."
Lucas's voice was flat, edged with barely restrained irritation."Worse."
Lin arched a brow. "Worse than a ditch?"
Lucas exhaled sharply. "Vivian called the team in early this morning. I walked into the penthouse, and we found her in the bathtub."
Lin blinked. "…Alive?"
"Alive, but she was waiting. And she called my name the second I walked in."
Lin rubbed her temple."Alright. Give me details."
Lucas's voice lowered like he didn't even want to say it out loud."She had candles lit, water steaming, a whole setup. Wearing the sheerest excuse for a robe I've ever seen. The moment she saw me, she smiled like it was all planned."
Lin winced."Please tell me there were witnesses."
"Three. Security and one of the maids."
Lin let out a breath."Alright, good. She can't spin this into 'we were alone together.'"
Lucas wasn't convinced."You underestimate her ability to twist reality."
Lin pinched the bridge of her nose."And what's Zhao doing?"
Lucas scoffed."Nothing. He's still in Japan, completely ignoring this mess. Meanwhile, his wife is playing out a scene from a bad drama, and I'm supposed to pretend it didn't happen?"
Lin tapped her fingers against her knee."Okay. You need an exit plan. Fast."
Lucas grunted."I know. That's why I called you."
Lin smirked. "Ah. So you do need me."
Lucas exhaled. "Not the time, Zhang."
Lin grinned, already opening her laptop."Relax, Fang. I'll figure something out. But if she escalates? You better be ready to act."
Lucas's voice dropped lower."Trust me. I already am."
| October 3, 2023 – 8:10 AM | Lin's Farm
Lin scrolled through her laptop, already looking into contract loopholes and legal exits for Lucas, when she spoke—casual, smooth, like she wasn't about to drop a bomb.
"Worst comes to worst, you can come work for me."
Lucas paused."...What?"
Lin smirked. "I always need extra hands on the farm. You know, lifting heavy things, fixing equipment, fighting off my contractors when they try to overcharge me."
Lucas huffed a laugh."So, what—you're offering me a job as a farmhand?"
"Technically, you'd be the head of farm security."
Lucas was silent for a beat.Then—"You made that up just now."
Lin grinned."Sure did. But it sounds good, doesn't it?"
Lucas exhaled, half amused, half exasperated."I think my skillset might be a little overqualified for chasing cows, Zhang."
Lin leaned back in her chair, watching the sun creep higher over her land."Don't underestimate farm life, Fang. You might actually like it."
Lucas's voice was wry."Doubtful."
Lin just smirked."You say that now, but if Vivian pulls one more stunt, we both know where you'll end up."
Lucas grunted."I hate that you're probably right."
Lin sipped her coffee, completely unbothered. "Get used to it."