Chapter 170: Handsome Man
Zeke, Cassidy, and Claire were still seated at the dining table, having just finished the brunch that Zeke’s bodyguards had brought.
"So, what’s your plan for today?" Zeke asked, looking at Cassidy across the table.
"I’m meeting Lucie at the office. You want to come?"
A few days earlier, when Cassidy had told Lucie and the Cy. Noire team that she was coming to Switzerland to discuss her plans to open a Cy. Noire store in the States, they had been surprised but thrilled at the chance to see her again. They quickly arranged a meeting at the office for today.
"Okay. I want to come. I also want to see your office," Zeke replied, curiosity clear in his tone. Ever since Cassidy had told him she was the designer and CEO behind Cy. Noire, he had started digging into everything he could find about the brand. Now he was eager to see for himself what she had built.
Claire’s eyes widened. "Me too, Mommy? Can I go?"
Cassidy chuckled softly. "Of course, sweetheart."
"Yay. I want to see Aunty Lucie!"
Two hours later, they arrived at Cy. Noire’s office. The building wasn’t large—at least not compared to the towering glass headquarters Zeke was used to at Salvador Group—but it carried a charm of its own. The furniture, layout, and overall design were sleek and modern, creating a space that felt warm and inspiring. Zeke could tell it was a place where people actually enjoyed working.
As soon as they stepped inside, a tall woman with loose hair greeted them with a bright smile.
"Cassidy, I’m so glad to hear you’re coming back to Switzerland." Lucie pulled Cassidy into a tight embrace. It had been months since they last saw each other in person, their conversations limited to Zoom calls.
"I’ve missed you too, Lucie," Cassidy replied warmly.
Lucie crouched slightly, her hand brushing over Claire’s soft hair. "Claire, I thought I wouldn’t see you again. How are you, honey? Have you gotten used to living in the States?"
"I sleep and eat well, aunty Lucie," Claire answered innocently, making Lucie laugh.
"Yeah, I can see that. You’ve gotten taller."
"Really? Mommy, am I taller?" Claire turned to Cassidy, her big eyes full of hope.
Cassidy’s smile softened as she nodded. "Yes, sweetheart. You’re growing taller and stronger every day."
Lucie’s gaze then shifted to the man standing quietly beside Cassidy. He was strikingly handsome, tall, and dressed in matching colors with Cassidy and Claire. Lucie didn’t need to ask who he was. From their coordinated outfits and the way he stood close, she knew this man was important to both mother and daughter.
Perhaps Cassidy’s boyfriend, she thought.
But the realization filled her with sympathy. Poor Xavier—she knew how deeply he cared for Cassidy.
Lucie’s eyes gleaming with curiosity, pretended to ask casually while sneaking a glance at Zeke. "And who might this be?"
Cassidy hesitated, not sure what to call him. Saying "ex-husband" and "boyfriend" felt strange. The safest choice was simply, "Lucie, meet Zeke. Claire’s father."
Zeke extended his hand politely. "Zeke."
Lucie shook it with a warm smile. "It’s lovely to meet you, Zeke. I can see now where Claire gets her looks."
Zeke only gave a small smile in return, his expression calm.
"Come, Cassidy. The team’s been waiting," Lucie said with a smile.
Cassidy glanced back at Zeke and Claire. "Will you two be all right if I leave for a bit?"
"Of course," Zeke answered easily. "You don’t need to worry. Claire and I can wait here."
"If you like, Zeke and Claire can stay in the staff lounge," Lucie suggested.
At the mention of it, Claire’s eyes lit up. She already remembered the place from a past visit. "Yes, Mommy, let’s go there!"
Cassidy chuckled and nodded. She led Zeke and Claire down the hall to the staff lounge, a cozy room designed for breaks and lighthearted distractions. The space was warm and modern, filled with comfortable chairs, shelves of board games, and even a few video games tucked neatly in one corner.
"This is where the staff usually take a break," Cassidy explained, smiling as she watched Claire’s excitement grow.
Claire quickly made her way toward the low table stacked with colorful board games, her small hands already reaching for the boxes. Zeke remained a step behind, scanning the room, quietly taking in the casual atmosphere so different from the sleek offices he was used to.
"Go on, have your meeting in peace. I’ll look after Claire until you’re done," Zeke said.
Cassidy nodded and left Claire with him.
As soon as the door closed, Lucie leaned closer, lowering her voice. "So that’s your ex-husband, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Are you two... back together?" Lucie asked, curious, though she already had her suspicions.
Cassidy gave a small nod.
Lucie smirked playfully. "If I had an ex-husband who looked like that, I’d think twice before letting him go."
Cassidy only shook her head with a faint smile, not bothering to argue.
While Cassidy was busy in the meeting room, Zeke and Claire were on the floor of the break room, leaning over a board of Snakes and Ladders. Claire’s laughter filled the space every time she rolled the dice and landed on a ladder.
News had already spread through the office that their CEO—who rarely came to the office, and whose face some had never even seen in person—was visiting. They only knew her as a stunning beauty from reputation. And this time, she wasn’t alone, but accompanied by her daughter and a tall, handsome man at her side.
Curiosity buzzed among the staff, and one by one, they found excuses to slip into the break room.
Some pretended they needed a break, others claimed they wanted to play a game, or just sit and rest. But in truth, they wanted to see with their own eyes the face of the man who had walked in with their boss.
The female staff especially could hardly hide their reactions. When they caught sight of Zeke, his sharp features, broad shoulders, and the quiet authority he carried without even trying—they exchanged knowing glances. More than one of them silently squealed in excitement.
***