Claiming His Heart (English Version)

Chapter 39

A sophisticated woman strode toward Lucy, her every movement precise and deliberate. Flanked by two imposing bodyguards, each walking with a commanding presence, she exuded a confidence that seemed to fill the entire hallway. The guards fell back slightly as she stopped, and Lucy couldn’t help but notice the faint click of her heels echoing on the marble floor. The woman’s gaze swept over her like a scalpel, assessing, calculating. That smile... polite, practiced, but with a hint of challenge, made Lucy’s irritation flare beneath the surface. This was Drake’s meeting partner, the one he had been expecting, and she wasted no time making her presence known.

Lucy straightened her back, smoothing her blouse and forcing her irritation into a polite smile. “Good afternoon, Ms. Felicity. My boss is expecting you inside his office. Allow me to guide you,” she said, her voice measured.

Felicity’s eyebrow arched imperceptibly, her gaze skimming Lucy from head to toe as if deciding whether she was a trivial obstacle, or worse, irrelevant. Lucy’s chest tightened. She had learned to ignore judgmental stares, but this one felt like a personal challenge. She forced herself to remain calm, leading the way through the office corridors with a poised step, heels clicking in rhythm. The bodyguards flanked Felicity obediently, their stoic expressions unchanging, as if daring anyone to interfere.

When they reached Drake’s office, Lucy paused, knocking lightly on the doorframe. Inside, Drake sat behind his polished desk, pen tapping lightly against a stack of papers. His sharp eyes lifted briefly to acknowledge her, calm and collected.

“She’s here, Ms. Felicity, boss,” Lucy announced, keeping her tone neutral, though a twinge of annoyance prickled at her.

Felicity brushed past her without acknowledgment, slightly bumping into Lucy as she glided forward. Lucy’s teeth clenched instinctively, a flash of irritation crossing her features. She wanted—oh, how she wanted to straighten that perfectly curled hair or flick a finger at her designer heels, just to assert her presence. But she didn’t. She held her ground, her jaw tight, pretending the bump hadn’t happened.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Anderson. Sorry for the delay. I had a little emergency, but it’s all sorted now,” Felicity said smoothly, her voice honeyed with confidence. She circled Drake’s desk with a grace that was almost predatory, offering a perfunctory cheek-to-hand gesture that was half flirtation, half formal courtesy.

Drake rose, ready to shake her hand, but she moved past the ritual, lingering just a little too close for comfort. Lucy’s eyes narrowed, noticing the subtle, calculated dance between them. Felicity was flirting, and it was under the guise of professional charm.

“It’s okay, Ms. Felicity. Please, have a seat. Let’s start discussing business,” Drake said, his voice level, professional, betraying nothing.

“Oh, you know what? Why don’t we just use first names? We’re young, and I hear you’re single. No need to be so formal,” Felicity cooed, casually letting her fingers hover near Drake’s shoulder as she leaned in slightly.

Lucy’s patience snapped like a taut wire. She jabbed lightly at both of them with her eyes, ready to intervene.

“Excuse me for interrupting, but my boss values his time. Ms. Felicity, perhaps we should focus on the purpose of your visit?” Lucy interjected, voice firm and unwavering.

Felicity spun to glare at her, a flicker of irritation crossing her perfect features. “Why do you care? For your information, I’m not speaking to you. Why are you even here? Leave us alone!”

Lucy didn’t flinch. If this were a battle of wills, she was ready to fight to the last breath.

“I’m his secretary. It’s my job to keep track of everything discussed here. And business is what you came for, so that’s what you should focus on,” she said sharply, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Felicity scoffed, the movement deliberate and theatrical. “So you’re just a cheap secretary? Why act like Drake’s girlfriend?”

Drake’s calm voice finally cut through. “Okay, that’s enough. Lucy, leave them alone. I’ll handle this.”

Felicity’s lips curved into a mocking smile. “Oh, girl, you heard him, right? Go on, leave us. Shoo!”

Lucy’s glare could have burned through glass, but she had no choice. She pivoted sharply and stormed out, returning to her post outside the office. Her fists clenched, and her teeth gritted as she muttered under her breath.

“I swear, if I could chase those two down right now… Especially that shameless flirt! Makeup or not, I’m way prettier than her!”

Her anger boiled. Drake’s quiet amusement, or at least his lack of visible annoyance was like salt in the wound. Her earlier plan with Daryl had executed perfectly, yet she hadn’t anticipated Felicity’s boldness. If she could, she would’ve set the office on fire just to make Felicity’s intrusion spectacularly fail.

“Hey, why does it feel like heaven and hell collided on your face?” Lucy muttered to Daryl, who had followed her outside, a wry smirk on his own face.

“I think I owe her one, Lucy. That girl’s asking for trouble,” Daryl replied, peeking toward the office.

Lucy’s jaw tightened. “What’s so good-looking about that overcooked dough covered in layers of makeup? Her cleavage’s fake, and those legs are all glute implants!”

Daryl raised his hands, chuckling. “Relax, Lucy. You’re better than her. But Boss is clever, he notices everything. He’s probably playing along with you. Are you going to let him?”

“Ha! Not in my vocabulary! That shameless girl has no right! She dares interfere with my love story. She’s the antagonist, but just like in the movies, the villain never wins! She won’t take him. What’s mine is mine, and he’s still mine!” Lucy slammed her hand on the desk, determination blazing in her eyes.

Her heart raced, not just with anger, but with a possessive fire she couldn’t deny. She wouldn’t let anyone touch Drake... not her, not anyone. If Felicity wanted a battle, Lucy was ready. Stubborn, possessive, utterly determined. She would protect what was hers, no matter the cost.