Inside the office, Lucian stood in the middle of the room, his back facing the door.
With a soft click, Scarlet closed the door behind her.
"You called me?" she asked, her voice calm.
Lucian didn't turn around immediately. "I hope you didn't misunderstand what you saw earlier," he said, sounding much calmer now.
Scarlet stared at his back, a little puzzled.
Why was he talking to her without facing her? Could it be that he was... ashamed?
No way. The cold and proud CEO of Sterling Group didn't care about anyone's opinion.
That wasn't like him at all.
Scarlet shrugged mentally. She had too many things on her mind to care about what happened earlier. Still, she had to make her position clear.
"What was there to misunderstand?" she asked coolly. It's not like she will change anything.
Lucian finally turned around to face her.
His sharp eyes met hers, but Scarlet was looking everywhere else — the table, the wall, the bookshelf — anywhere but him.
"What was there to misunderstand?" he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"Are you seriously trying to play dumb?"
Scarlet let out a soft sigh. "Sir, with all due respect, we are still within working hours," she said, standing straighter. "Whatever you do now should be related to your work. If you have any personal matters or appointments, that's your business to handle." She concluded.
Her words were polite, but the meaning behind them was clear: She had no intention of getting involved.
Lucian nodded to himself slowly, as if thinking it over.
"Fine," he said. "Get ready. We're going to your parents' house in thirty minutes."
He didn't wait for her reaction.
He simply walked back to his seat, picked up a document, and began flipping through it like nothing happened.
Scarlet stood frozen. Her face paled as her eyes darted to the clock on the wall. She hadn't realized how much time had already passed.
"Must it be today?" she muttered under her breath, more to herself than to him.
But Lucian, sharp as ever, caught her words.
He lifted his head and looked at her.
"Why?" he asked simply.
Scarlet swallowed hard. "I haven't gotten a change of clothes ready for you," she confessed, her mind racing with panic and questions.
Lucian's gaze dropped to his own suit — a pristine, handmade, custom piece that screamed power and wealth.
The luxury watch on his wrist glittered under the office light.
He let out a deep sigh. "Alright," he said after a pause. "You get ready. We'll go shopping first."
His lips twisted slightly as he added,
"You'll be my shopping guide. I have no idea where to find... inferior products."
Scarlet almost choked on her breath at his words, but she said nothing besides she had asked for it and she had no choice but to follow his lead — at least for now.
Scarlet adjusted her bag nervously as she stood waiting near the CEO's office. She was still thinking about how to avoid being seen walking out together. After all, it would be bad enough if the gossip started — worse if the rumors spread.
When Lucian came out, she immediately said, "I'll go first. I'll wait downstairs."
But Lucian didn't even give her a chance to move. Without a word, he grabbed her wrist firmly and pulled her toward the private elevator at the side of the office.
Scarlet stumbled slightly, surprised by his sudden action.
The secretaries in the CEO's office all lifted their heads at the same time, exchanging quick glances. No one dared to say a word, but the shock was clear in their eyes.
Scarlet felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment, but she couldn't shake free. Lucian's grip was firm — not painful, but strong enough to show he had no intention of letting go.
The elevator doors closed behind them with a soft ding, cutting them off from everyone else. Inside, the space was quiet. She pulled her wrist out of his grip. Her lips pressed together tightly as she glared at him.
Lucian stood calmly beside her, acting like nothing unusual had happened.
His cool scent filled the small space, making Scarlet even more uncomfortable.
"Relax," he said finally, breaking the silence.
"No one will dare to gossip."
Scarlet scoffed softly under her breath.
She wasn't so sure about that. People always talked — especially when they saw something strange.
The elevator descended smoothly, and soon they were stepping into the underground parking lot.
Lucian led her straight to a sleek black car without waiting for her to argue, he opened the door and motioned for her to get in. Scarlet had no choice but to follow.
As the car started moving, she folded her arms and turned to look out the window, pretending to admire the scenery. Even though her heart was pounding a little faster than usual.
The ride was quiet at first. After a few minutes, he glanced at her lightly "Where do you plan to take me?" he asked, breaking the silence.
Scarlet hesitated. She hadn't actually thought about where to go — she just knew they needed something fast and simple. After a quick thinking "There's a mall nearby, about ten minutes from here," she said finally. "They are decent stores and usually have... basic clothes."
Lucian gave a slight nod. "Good." Scarlet bit her lower lip, still feeling awkward sitting beside him. She couldn't help but think about how strange this situation was — her, a simple assistant, now responsible for choosing clothes for the cold and mighty CEO.
Soon, the car rolled into the parking lot of a modest mall. Scarlet hurried to open the door, not waiting for Lucian.
Lucian noticed and raised an eyebrow.
"In a hurry?" he asked lazily.
"I just... want to get this done quickly," Scarlet mumbled, pushing the door open before he could say anything else. Lucian smirked but didn't comment.
Together, they walked toward the entrance.
Scarlet kept a step ahead, making sure there was enough distance between them. She didn't want any passerby getting the wrong idea. He noticed and raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing.
Inside, she led him to a common men's store — no luxurious displays, no designer labels, just simple racks of shirts and trousers. Clearly, he was not used to such places. "This should be good enough," she said, stopping in front of the store.
Lucian gave the store a quick glance and then looked down at her, a smile on his lips as he walked in. "I'll trust your taste," he said, making Scarlet feel even more pressured.
The salespeople barely recognized him and treated them like normal customers as they approached him with smiles on their face.
Scarlet stepped aside, letting them take over, but Lucian stopped them with a raised hand. "She will pick," he said, nodding toward Scarlet.
The assistants looked surprised but quickly covered it up, turning expectantly toward her. Scarlet froze for a second. She could feel everyone's eyes on her — Lucian's calm but firm gaze, the assistants' polite curiosity.
She swallowed nervously and stepped forward. Going through the clothes on the rack she picked out a simple button-down shirt and a pair of plain trousers.
They were nothing compared to the tailored suits he usually wore. "This should be fine," she said.
Lucian took one look at it and frowned.
"This fabric is too rough."
She picked another shirt.
"This one then?"
Lucian pinched the material between his fingers and sighed heavily.
"Still cheap."
"Try these," she said, handing him a jean trouser and polo. Lucian took the clothes with two fingers, as if they were contaminated, and disappeared into the fitting room.
Scarlet sat on a small bench, trying to suppress her smile.
When Lucian came out, she nearly laughed.
The clothes fit his frame, but they looked... awkward.
The fabric was stiff, the sewing was rough — a far cry from the custom suits he usually wore.
"I can't wear this." He said colly while his eyes quickly scanned the racks and the rest of the clothes not on the rack.
Scarlet rolled her eyes internally.
Of course, the mighty CEO would complain.
Scarlet clenched her jaw. She wasn't about to spend the whole day pampering his expensive taste.
"Sir, we're not here to shop for a fashion show," she said, her voice patient but firm.
"Just something decent enough to meet my parents."
Lucian arched an eyebrow at her boldness but said nothing. Instead, he glanced around, picked a shirt and trousers himself, and disappeared into the fitting room.
Scarlet tapped her foot impatiently.
Minutes later, he stepped out.
Scarlet couldn't help but stare for a second.
Even in ordinary clothes, he looked like he had walked out of a magazine.
Effortless, stylish, intimidating.
"Will this do, Mrs. Lucian? You chose this shop. Remember that." Lucian asked coolly his gaze unreadable as he met her gaze.
Scarlet snapped out of it quickly.
"Fine. Let's just pay and leave."
Lucian smirked slightly at her flustered expression but said nothing. After paying, they walked back toward the parking lot.
Just as they were about to enter the car, Scarlet muttered under her breath,
"Who knew shopping for cheap clothes could take so long?"
Lucian, getting into the car, heard her perfectly. His lips curved slightly.
"Next time, I'll let you choose from the trash can. It might save us time."," he said casually, "
Scarlet glared at him, but before she could say anything, he started the car.