Chapter 192
In Chapter 191 of “The Day I Lost You and Found Myself,” titled “Wrapped Around My Finger,” the story unfolds in a tense workplace environment where Lucien, an Alpha male, defies expectations by lifting heavy furniture meant for a showroom. His physical strength starkly contrasts with Merlin, a more intellectual character who struggles with the task. Lucien’s calm demeanor and confidence in handling the situation impress those around him, while Claire, the protagonist, observes the scene with a mix of admiration and embarrassment, particularly when Lucien playfully teases her about her thoughts.
As the chapter progresses, Lucien invites Claire to dinner with his father, stirring a mix of excitement and confusion within her. She reflects on their evolving relationship, pondering the significance of the invitation. Meanwhile, Claire’s professional life begins to flourish without the toxic influence of her former colleague, Queenie. Encouraged by Merlin’s praise for her hard work, Claire starts to regain her passion for her job, further highlighting her growth and determination.
However, the chapter takes a sharp turn when Liam, a VIP client and former acquaintance, barges into Claire’s office. His arrogance and insistence on having her design a chair for his new girlfriend, Nora, provoke Claire’s anger. Liam’s smug demeanor and taunts about her past feelings for him only escalate the tension. Claire’s frustration boils over as she confronts him, leading to a dramatic moment where she throws coffee at him in a fit of rage, showcasing her refusal to be manipulated.
Liam’s dismissive attitude and threats to ruin Claire’s reputation if she doesn’t comply with his demands leave her feeling cornered and furious. As he exits, he revels in his perceived victory, further infuriating Claire. The chapter concludes with Claire’s fierce declaration to Merlin that she will not accept Liam’s order, emphasizing her resolve to stand her ground and not let Liam’s bullying dictate her career. This moment encapsulates her transformation, showcasing her strength and determination to reclaim her power in both her personal and professional life.
**The Day I Lost You and Found Myself p>
**Chapter 191: Wrapped Around My Finger p>
“Alpha Thorne! This—this is utterly unacceptable! You can’t lift that! You’re a client, not an employee of this company!” The instant Lucien grasped the heavy piece of furniture, Merlin dashed over, his face a mask of alarm, quickly bracing the other end as if to prevent a catastrophe.
“It’s perfectly fine. Just tell me where it needs to go,” Lucien replied, his tone calm and authoritative.
Merlin let out an exasperated huff but ultimately relented, recognizing that Lucien was not going to back down easily.
“This way, please! It’s just over there!” The two workers snapped into action, flustered, pointing toward a container truck about three hundred meters away that was in the midst of being loaded.
“Let’s move,” Lucien commanded, taking the lead and urging the workers into action. He shot me a glance that clearly told me to stay back, then effortlessly lifted one corner of the heavy piece and began striding forward alongside the workers.
I was acutely aware of Lucien’s physical prowess. He worked out regularly, and being a full-blooded Alpha male in his prime, this weight was a mere trifle for him.
Merlin, on the other hand, was clearly struggling. He was the quintessential desk-bound intellectual, never accustomed to the rigors of heavy lifting. His family might have been among the affluent, wielding a bit more influence within the Sterling Moon pack than most, but he lacked the strength of a robust wolf.
When they finally set the piece down, the two workers were panting heavily, drenched in sweat. Merlin crumpled onto the ground, utterly exhausted. In stark contrast, Lucien stood tall and composed, as if he had merely carried a small bag of groceries.
I had trailed behind quietly, observing the entire scene unfold.
It was no surprise that the saying about tall men being strong and capable held some truth.
Especially the part about being well-endowed; if the billy club I felt pressing against me last night was any indication of what Lucien had hidden away, I could only imagine.
My gaze wandered to Lucien’s exposed forearm, and my thoughts drifted off until an unexpected and suggestive image flashed through my mind uninvited. Heat rushed to my cheeks, turning my face a brilliant shade of crimson.
Lucien accepted a white towel from one of the workers, wiped his hands with a casual ease, and then sauntered over to me with a confident swagger and a knowing smirk.
He raised a finger and flicked my forehead sharply.
“Aren’t you here to work? Stop picturing me naked, Claire. I’m not just a piece of meat, you know.” His playful teasing only intensified the blush that stained my cheeks.
“I-I wasn’t!” I stammered, utterly mortified, scrambling to cover up my embarrassment.
Then, leaning in close to my ear, his voice dropped to a whisper that sent shivers down my spine. “Save those dirty thoughts for tonight, beautiful p>
I froze, caught off guard by the unexpected intimacy of his words.
By the time I regained my composure, Lucien was already striding alongside Merlin toward the other side of the workshop.
The furniture he had custom-ordered was now proudly displayed in the showroom, a testament to our hard work.
I had inspected it multiple times, ensuring every flaw was corrected and every deviation from the design was addressed.
Lucien walked around the piece, a faint smile breaking across his face. “I’ll have John arrange for the final payment immediately. Tomorrow’s the weekend; I’ll be having dinner with my father. You should come along too, Claire p>
My heart raced at his invitation.
Was I truly hearing him correctly? Lucien had been having dinner with his father every weekend now. When we had first reconnected, he had relished making his father’s life miserable. What had changed?
And when he said I should come along—did that mean I was invited to join the dinner, or was it simply to deliver the furniture?
Unsure and hesitant to seek clarification, I nodded quickly. “Understood, Lucien p>
“I’ll leave you to it. I have other matters to attend to,” he said before departing with a sense of purpose.
“Alpha Thorne seems quite pleased. Claire, excellent work! This is another major success for the company. Your bonus this month will be doubled,” Merlin remarked appreciatively, giving my shoulder an encouraging pat.
“Thank you, Mr. White,” I replied, a faint smile gracing my lips.
Soon after, Merlin called for a meeting with all senior managers to discuss upcoming work arrangements.
Without Queenie’s toxic presence, the atmosphere at Moonves felt clear and professional.
Everyone understood their roles and followed my directives with admirable efficiency.
I was beginning to rediscover genuine enjoyment in my work.
In the afternoon, my assistant thoughtfully brought in a delightful surprise: tiramisu and coffee.
I took a sip, becoming engrossed in the details of my upcoming projects, when suddenly, someone forcefully pushed my office door open and plopped down opposite me without so much as an invitation.
“Mr. White, what’s the matter?” I assumed it was Merlin—the only one who dared enter without knocking.
When I looked up, however, my heart sank. It was Liam sitting across from me, and my expression darkened immediately.
“Get out!” I slammed my coffee cup down, my voice icy and resolute.
“Is this how the Vice President of Moonves treats a VIP client?” Liam shot back, a smug grin spreading across his face.
I mentally cursed every word in my vocabulary. Yet, for the sake of professionalism, I forced a smile that felt more like a grimace. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, Alpha Sterling p>
“Valentine’s Day is approaching,” Liam said, emphasizing the words with a wicked grin. “My stunning girlfriend has a bad back. I want to custom-order a chair for her, and I insist that Ms. Reese personally designs it p>
Girlfriend? He had made it official with Lucifer’s mistress already?
A surge of anger flared in my eyes. “You want me to design something for Nora personally p>
“Of course!” Liam’s tone was inflexible, as if there was no room for negotiation.
“Liam, you are truly insufferable!” I glared at his maliciously smirking face, barely managing to suppress the urge to slap him. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll line the chair with ten thousand nails p>
Provocation was his game, and my anger was his delight.
Noticing the half-eaten tiramisu on my desk, he picked up my spoon without a second thought, took a generous bite, and remarked, “If you’re not afraid of ruining your reputation, go ahead. But I doubt you will. Claire, I know you too well! You wouldn’t sabotage a payday, would you p>
“Oh? And you really think you can afford what I’m asking p>
Liam leaned in closer, his gaze piercing and unwavering. “Absolutely. I’d move heaven and earth just to see Nora smile. These are the things you do for someone you cherish, but I suppose you wouldn’t know that, would you p>
I lifted my coffee cup, took a sip, and then, looking directly into his smug face, I abruptly tossed the remaining coffee straight at him!
“Liam, you genuinely disgust me!” I yelled, my voice teetering on the edge of hysteria.
A flash of fury crossed Liam’s eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. Instead, he elegantly wiped the coffee splatters from his face, a smirk still playing on his lips.
“See? I knew you still cared about me, even if you won’t admit it! What a pity, though—I have a new girlfriend now. No matter how much you resist, I don’t care. You missed your chance. The deposit for this chair has already been made into Moonves’ corporate account. I expect the final design within three days and the finished product within a week. Cross me on this, and I’ll ruin your reputation in the industry p>
With a final burst of laughter, Liam turned and strode triumphantly out of my office.
As he rounded the corner, I caught sight of the crowd gathered at the door, and he didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed by the coffee stain. Instead, he walked like a general returning victorious from battle.
“A weak, pathetic Vice President. I’ll squash her like a bug if she keeps pushing me!” he declared loudly for all to hear, making a pinching gesture with his thumb and forefinger. He then slicked back his coffee-stained hair with feigned nonchalance and strode away.
Furious, I hurled the empty coffee cup I had been holding toward the door. Merlin, who had just arrived, caught it mid-air.
My chest heaved with rage. “Mr. White, let me make this perfectly clear: I will NOT accept Liam’s order! If you try to force me into it, I will resign p>
In the aftermath of the chaotic encounter with Liam, a sense of clarity washed over me. The anger that had surged through my veins was not merely a reaction to his provocations; it was a revelation of my own strength and determination. I had spent too long allowing others to dictate my worth, and in that moment, I realized I was no longer the timid girl who allowed herself to be pushed around. I had fought hard to reclaim my position at Moonves, and I refused to let anyone—especially Liam—undermine my achievements. My voice had power, and I was ready to wield it. The support from Merlin and the camaraderie within the team further fueled my resolve, reminding me that I was not alone in this battle.
As I looked out of my office window, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the city. Lucien’s invitation to dinner lingered in my mind, a promise of connection and a new beginning. With each passing day, I was rediscovering who I was—beyond the shadows of my past relationships and the toxicity that had once engulfed me. I felt empowered, ready to embrace both my professional aspirations and personal desires. The day I lost Liam’s influence was also the day I found my voice, my purpose, and perhaps even a budding romance with Lucien. I was not just a designer; I was Claire Reese, and I was ready to carve my own path forward.
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter p>
As the tension escalates in Claire’s professional life, the stakes are raised even higher in the upcoming chapter. With Liam’s audacious demand for a custom-designed chair for his new girlfriend, the battle lines are drawn, and Claire finds herself at a crossroads. Will she stand her ground against Liam’s threats and maintain her integrity, or will the pressure of the corporate world force her to comply? The emotional turmoil within her is palpable, and readers can expect a fierce confrontation that could either solidify her resolve or push her to the brink of resignation.
Simultaneously, Lucien’s unexpected invitation to dinner with his father looms over Claire’s thoughts like a tantalizing mystery, promising a glimpse into his changing relationship with family. Will this dinner serve as a turning point for Claire and Lucien, allowing them to explore the depths of their connection? As Claire grapples with her feelings for Lucien, the tension between personal and professional life will undoubtedly reach a boiling point. Anticipation builds as readers wonder how Claire will navigate the complexities of her emotions while confronting the challenges posed by Liam. The next chapter promises to be a whirlwind of passion, conflict, and self-discovery that will leave readers eager for more.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.