Early in the morning, Avery was called out to the construction site of the Jinyuan Residence project under Lucien's company.
"Sorry for the trouble, but we need to verify the measurements on-site for your design proposal." The team leader patted her shoulder, giving her a look that carried unspoken meaning. "Lucien said he might drop by for a spot check."
Lucien…
Avery's fingers tightened around the strap of her bag, lips pressing together, but she didn't ask further.
In July, the air at the construction site was thick with the scent of concrete and steel, the heat from the sun baking the ground until it seemed to burn.
Wearing a safety helmet, Avery bent down, carefully measuring the columns and beams, sweat beading across her forehead. Her black hair was tied into a low ponytail that swayed slightly whenever she lifted her head, a few strands sticking to her pale cheeks.
"Avery, the measurements here are off. Can you double-check this spot?"
One of the engineers reminded her, and she looked up, eyes bright and focused.
No one noticed that not far away, inside a black Range Rover, a man lowered the window slightly, his long fingers resting against the frame as his gaze locked onto her face beneath the helmet—stubborn, focused.
Lucien didn't need to be here today. He had a board meeting scheduled.
Yet somehow, he found himself driving over, an unexplainable urge to see her.
A faint, cold laugh passed through his eyes.
"Ridiculous."
By the time they finished the measurements, it was nearly sunset. The falling sun cast the steel structures into silhouettes of gold and crimson. As Avery stepped down from the scaffolding, her foot slipped, and she stumbled.
"Hey, careful!"
An engineer quickly reached out to steady her. She immediately thanked him, brushing off the dirt on her pants with a small smile.
"I'm fine."
"Watch your step. It's tricky around here."
"Thank you."
That scene did not escape Lucien's eyes from a distance, his expression darkening further.
He pushed open the car door and stepped out, long legs crossing the threshold, the wind lifting faint ripples in his tailored suit, his presence sharp and cold.
Avery had just gathered her tools and turned around when she saw him walking toward her against the light, his black hair tousled by the breeze, his eyes cold and heavy, each step firm, carrying an unmistakable pressure.
"Mr. Lucien?" Avery froze, instinctively pressing her lips together.
Lucien looked down at her, his gaze sweeping over the strands of hair dampened with sweat along her cheeks, settling on the faint flush of her face and the dirt smudged across her fingers.
"Come with me."
"Right now?"
"Don't make me say it twice." His tone wasn't harsh, but it left no room for refusal.
Avery inhaled deeply, set down her tools, and followed him.
In a small meeting room at the back of the construction site, Lucien stood by the window, fingers tapping lightly against his jade ring, his side profile sharp and cold.
"Why weren't you more careful?" His low voice broke the silence.
Avery blinked, momentarily taken aback. "It's hard to walk around here. I'm fine, I didn't get hurt."
"Fine?" His brows lowered, his voice dropping further, cold and heavy. "Why are you here, working for this company?"
"To work." She lifted her eyes to meet his, her voice soft yet stubborn.
Their eyes locked, the air between them tightening.
After a long silence, Lucien let out a cold laugh, a flicker of an unreadable emotion flashing through his eyes.
"If you're here to work, then do it properly. Don't make me deal with the mess if you get yourself hurt."
With that, he turned, grabbed his jacket, and left without another word.
Avery stood there, fingers curling tightly.
He was right. She was here to work, not to create trouble for anyone.
But why…
She stared at his departing figure, a faint, inexplicable ache rising in her chest.
Outside the construction site, Lucien got back into his car, closing his eyes as he leaned against the seat, his fingers unconsciously tapping the jade ring.
The driver didn't dare speak, only stealing careful glances at Lucien's cold reflection in the rearview mirror.
The phone vibrated, and Lucien opened his eyes, glancing at the message.
[Leah: Mr. Lucien, are you free tonight? I'd love to buy you dinner to thank you for supporting my brand.]
His brows furrowed slightly, and he tossed the phone aside without replying.
As the night deepened outside, the image of Avery's stubborn, unyielding eyes under the blazing sun and the determined light in her gaze kept flashing in his mind.
By the time Avery returned to her small apartment, the sky was completely dark.
She took off her jacket, now dirtied by dust and sweat, washed her face, and looked into the mirror at her slightly reddened eyes, taking a deep breath.
"Don't forget why you came here."
She reminded herself softly.
Outside, the city's neon lights began to glow, casting long shadows across her small room.
The shadows seemed warm, holding a trace of her quiet, determined strength.