Chapter 240: Chapter 240: Bathing Together
Wren Sutton’s breath caught in her throat.
"Because of work, I never had the time to take you away on a real vacation, a chance for you to completely relax. You always said it didn’t matter, but I know how much you were looking forward to a honeymoon."
Adrian Lancaster spoke slowly, his every word landing squarely on Wren Sutton’s heart.
"This overseas inspection is real, but it’s also the honeymoon I prepared for you."
"Henry Hayes is the only one who knew the entire plan and helped with the arrangements. With him in charge, our work won’t be affected."
Adrian Lancaster watched the tears welling in Wren Sutton’s eyes and continued gently, "For the next seven days, there is no President Lancaster and no Secretary Sutton. There’s only Adrian Lancaster and Wren Sutton, in the sunsets of Santorini, finally having our belated honeymoon."
Wren Sutton’s vision blurred as she flung herself into Adrian Lancaster’s arms, overwhelmed with emotion.
"Thank you for doing all this for me."
Adrian Lancaster gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"We’re husband and wife; there’s no need for thanks. Everything I do is simply part of my duty and responsibility as your husband."
In the front row, Henry Hayes turned back around to face his laptop.
The corners of his mouth curved upward for a moment, then he immediately resumed his usual stern expression and began to type on the keyboard.
On the screen was the revised itinerary, which would be sent to all members of the inspection team. The wording was meticulous and impeccable.
「Forty minutes later.」
The plane began to descend. A slight feeling of weightlessness accompanied the change in the pitch of the engines.
The unique blue of the Calypsos Sea grew clearer and clearer in their field of vision.
It wasn’t the deep, somber blue of the open ocean, but a bright, almost transparent azure, like a sapphire sparkling in the sun.
Along the coastline, Santorini’s iconic white buildings were scattered in a picturesque arrangement.
Blue-domed churches dotted the landscape, their roofs glowing warmly in the afternoon sun.
The winding cliffside paths, the vibrantly colored bougainvillea, the faint silhouettes of windmills—the scenery from a postcard was now unfolding before their very eyes.
Wren Sutton leaned on Adrian Lancaster’s shoulder, gazing through the plane window at the scenery she had always dreamed of. "It’s so beautiful," she sighed sincerely.
Adrian Lancaster kissed the top of her hair. "Every year from now on, we’ll find a beautiful place like this to go on vacation, just the two of us."
"What about work?" Wren Sutton asked.
Adrian Lancaster smiled, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Work is never-ending, but the moments we spend seeing the world together are precious. Once they’re gone, they’re gone for good."
...
When the plane landed at the airport, it was already four in the afternoon, local time.
The wind from the Calypsos Sea, carrying a briny but refreshing scent, rushed to greet them, a stark contrast to the temperature-controlled air of the cabin.
An understated black sedan was already waiting outside the VIP arrivals gate.
The driver respectfully opened the car door, then took the luggage that Henry Hayes handed him.
"President Lancaster, all arrangements have been made. The villa’s butler will be at the entrance to greet you. Here are the key cards and local emergency contact information."
Henry Hayes handed Adrian Lancaster an exquisite leather folder.
"I will send a work briefing to your encrypted email every twenty-four hours. I won’t bother you with non-urgent matters."
"President Lancaster, I wish you and Mrs. Lancaster a happy honeymoon."
Adrian Lancaster nodded in satisfaction and took the folder.
"I’m leaving the inspection team to you. I can rest easy."
"Thank you for your trust, President Lancaster. I will be sure to complete the inspection flawlessly."
With that, Henry Hayes turned and walked toward another waiting car to head to a different airport for his flight to Cygnus Isle.
Watching his departing figure, Wren Sutton said softly to Adrian Lancaster, "Assistant Hayes is very reliable."
Adrian Lancaster put his arm around her shoulder as they watched Henry Hayes’s car drive away.
"He is. Henry is completely trustworthy. He’s been with me since he graduated from college. In all these years, his work has been flawless. His professional skills are beyond question. So many companies have tried to poach him with high offers, but he’s rejected every one."
"Higher than what you pay him?"
In Wren Sutton’s mind, the employee benefits at The Lancaster Group were considered top-tier, especially for the president’s assistant, a position with a starting annual salary in the millions.
She hadn’t imagined another company could afford to offer more than Adrian Lancaster did.
Adrian Lancaster gave a firm nod. "Yes."
Wren Sutton let out a gasp of genuine admiration. "Wow. That just goes to show how truly outstanding Assistant Hayes is."
Then, she changed her tune and jokingly teased herself.
"Not like me. I’ve never had that kind of offer."
Adrian Lancaster let out a low chuckle and placated her, "You’re different from Henry. You’re my woman. No company would dare covet you."
Wren Sutton was secretly delighted. ’Our relationship isn’t public, so how would people at other companies know?’
Adrian Lancaster gave her nose an affectionate tap and guided her into the car with an arm around her.
"If they can tell, it means they’re not idiots."
"..."
"Let’s go, Mrs. Lancaster. Our vacation officially starts now."
The car drove along the winding coastal highway, the scenery along the way as beautiful as a painting and a delight to behold.
An hour later, they pulled up in front of a beautiful private villa by the sea.
The villa was painted white, with traditional arched doors and windows and blue window frames. The front was overgrown with bougainvillea, its purplish-red flowers swaying in the breeze.
A smiling, middle-aged butler in a uniform was already waiting at the door.
"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster. I am your private butler, Andreas. It is a pleasure to be at your service."
"Hello."
Adrian Lancaster led Wren Sutton inside by the hand.
The interior of the villa was even more breathtaking than its exterior.
The living room had high ceilings and an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, offering an unobstructed, panoramic view of the Calypsos Sea.
Sunlight spilled through the windows onto the cream-colored carpet. The interior was decorated in a simple yet elegant style, exuding Mediterranean romance at every turn.
The bedroom was on the second floor. It was spacious and bright, with cozy furnishings. The balcony connected to a private pool that seemed to merge with the distant sea.
Wren Sutton stood before the window, so stunned by the magnificent view that she was speechless.
’The beauty of nature is truly miraculous.’
Adrian Lancaster walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Do you like it here?"
Her face lit up with joy as she nodded emphatically. "I love it! It’s just too beautiful. How did you find this place?"
Adrian Lancaster kissed her cheek, a tender and lingering caress. "Henry Hayes screened over a dozen options, and I personally chose this one in the end."
Wren Sutton leaned against him in contentment. They admired the beautiful scenery outside the window together, holding each other in a quiet embrace.
After a moment, Adrian Lancaster asked softly, "Hungry?"
Wren Sutton shook her head. "Not hungry. I ate my fill on the plane. Right now, I want to go walk on the beach."
The words had barely left her mouth when Adrian Lancaster scooped her up and carried her to the bathroom. "Let’s shower first."
Alarm bells went off in Wren Sutton’s mind. She asked hesitantly, "Are we going to shower... together?"
Adrian Lancaster raised an eyebrow, a meaningful smile coloring his eyes. "Of course."
